Regulatory Update - March 6, 2026

Update on Relevant U.S. Regulations

U.S. DOT Announces Meeting of U.S. DOT Advisory Board
On March 6, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced (PDF) (opens in a new tab) a public meeting of the U.S. DOT Advisory Board. The meeting will take place on March 18, and virtual participation (opens in a new tab) is available.

U.S. DOT Publishes Notice on SAP and RTD-Related Topics
On March 4, the U.S. DOT published (PDF) (opens in a new tab) a notice addressing the Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) and the return-to-duty (RTD) process in the U.S. DOT Drug and Alcohol Testing Program. In the notice, the U.S. DOT addresses several topics, including a reminder to U.S. DOT-qualified SAPs and U.S. DOT-regulated employers to adhere to SAP and RTD-related processes and procedures.

NHTSA Extends Comment Period for GTR for ADS
On Feb. 26, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) extended (PDF) (opens in a new tab) the comment period on the request for comments (PDF) (opens in a new tab) on a draft Global Technical Regulation (GTR) for automated driving systems (ADS) by the United Nations Working Party on Automated/Autonomous and Connected Vehicles. Comments are now due on March 10.

U.S. DOT Publishes Updates to Guidance on Multimodal State Freight Plans and State Freight Advisory Committees
On Feb. 24, the U.S. DOT published (PDF) (opens in a new tab) updates to guidance on state freight plans and state freight advisory committees issued on Jan. 12, 2023. The guidance is effective Feb. 24.

Update on Exemptions

FMCSA Extends Comment Period for Grote RCW Exemption Application
On March 4, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) extended (PDF) (opens in a new tab) the comment period for the Grote Industries LLC (Grote) application for exemption (PDF) (opens in a new tab) from the requirement that exterior lighting devices on commercial motor vehicles (CMV) be steady burning, which would allow motor carriers to operate CMVs equipped with auxiliary rear or side lamps that flash or strobe when controlled by Grote’s rear-end collision warning (RCW) system. This is in response to CVSA’s request for an extension (PDF) (opens in a new tab), which was submitted on Feb. 24. Comments are now due May 10.

FMCSA Renews Wilson Logistics CDL Exemption Renewal
On Feb. 27, FMCSA announced (PDF) (opens in a new tab) the renewal of an exemption request from Wilson Logistics, allowing its commercial learner’s permit (CLP) holders who have passed the commercial driver’s license (CDL) skills test but have not yet obtained the CDL document to operate a CMV without having a CDL holder in the passenger seat. The exemption is effective Feb. 24, 2026, through Feb. 24, 2031.

CVSA Active Exemption Tracker
CVSA maintains a list of active exemptions (opens in a new tab) issued by FMCSA. The exemption tracker can be found at www.cvsa.org under the “Inspections” tab at the top of the page.

Other Items of Interest

FMCSA Removes 14 Devices from List of Registered ELDs
On March 4, FMCSA removed 14 ELDs (opens in a new tab) from its list of registered electronic logging devices (ELD) and placed them on the revoked ELDs list due to the providers' failure to meet the minimum requirements established in Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations Part 395, Subpart B, Appendix A.

Motor carriers and drivers were instructed to discontinue using the revoked devices and revert to paper logs or other logging software to record required hours-of-service data. The revoked ELDs must be replaced with compliant ELDs from the registered ELDs list (opens in a new tab) before May 4. Motor carriers and drivers that use the revoked ELDs on or after May 4 will be in violation of § 395.8(a)(1) – No Record of Duty Status and will be placed out of service in accordance with CVSA’s North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria.

FMCSA Reinstates Previously Revoked ELD
On Feb. 21, FMCSA announced (opens in a new tab) it had reinstated Forward Thinking Systems – Field Warrior ELD (BYOD) by Forward Thinking Systems LLC (ELD Identifier: FTSFW1), and it is currently on the agency’s list of registered ELDs (opens in a new tab). Motor carriers and drivers may now use Forward Thinking Systems – Field Warrior ELD (BYOD) to record and transfer hours-of-service data.