FMCSA
FMCSA renews railroad repair-crew hours exemption to 2030, but only for main-track emergencies
FMCSA has renewed an hours-of-service exemption that lets railroad crews drive past the 14-hour and 60/70-hour limits to reach derailments and other track emergencies, but the new version is narrower, comes with crash reporting, and covers only 231 named railroads.
FMCSA seeks comment on Metronet's bid to run pulsating brake lamps on trailers and service pickups
The telecom contractor wants a five-year exemption from the steady-burning lamp rule. Pickups are the new piece: Grote's existing exemption does not cover them. Comments are due Dec. 4.
FMCSA grants seizure-disorder exemptions to 39 CDL drivers: what the conditions require
Three Federal Register notices on Nov. 4 grant two-year exemptions to 11, 16 and 12 drivers. Each driver must report seizures within 24 hours and file annual physician reports.
FMCSA renews hazmat safety permit paperwork: who needs an HMSP and what records to keep
A notice publishing Nov. 2 opens a 30-day comment window. FMCSA counts 1,142 permit holders and nearly 800,000 hours a year of check-in records.
FMCSA's complaint database has a new name. Here's how drivers file a complaint now
The National Consumer Complaint Database is now the FMCSA Complaint Center. The hotline, the rules on anonymity and what to include are below.
UCR board meets today: 2027-2028 fee update, agreement changes and unregistered carriers on the agenda
The Unified Carrier Registration Plan board meets from noon to 3 p.m. ET on October 28. The meeting is open to the public by phone or Zoom.
FMCSA renews Loomis armored-truck door exemption to 2031: how a vehicle-parts exemption works
Loomis can keep welding shut the cab doors on its armored trucks. The decision publishes October 28 and shows the limits of any FMCSA parts exemption.
Court Challenge to 2027 UCR Fees: What Carriers Should Know
A small-carrier trade group has asked the D.C. Circuit to throw out FMCSA's 2027 UCR fee rule and stop collections. Here's what was filed and why the new fees still apply for now.
FMCSA weighs writing English proficiency out-of-service rule into regulations
Comments closed Oct. 9 on a proposal that would make failing the English language proficiency check an out-of-service violation in the FMCSRs, with a narrow border-zone exception.
UCR Fees Rise About 20% for the 2027 Registration Year
FMCSA has adopted the UCR Board's higher fee schedule for 2027, with increases from $9 to $9,329 depending on fleet size.
FMCSA Finalizes 12 Rules Dropping Spare Fuses, Flares and Other Requirements
In February 2026, FMCSA finalized a dozen deregulatory rules first proposed in May 2025, most of them effective March 23.
Broker Financial Security Rule Reaches Its Compliance Date
On January 16, 2026, brokers and freight forwarders faced faster suspension when their $75,000 bond or trust fund fell short.
DOT Unveils 52 Deregulatory Actions, 20 at FMCSA
In May 2025, FMCSA proposed dropping the in-cab ELD manual, spare fuse and other requirements as part of a department-wide deregulatory package.
Executive Order Orders Out-of-Service Enforcement of English Rule for Truckers
An April 2025 executive order told FMCSA to rescind 2016 guidance and make English proficiency violations an out-of-service offence.
FMCSA Proposes Stronger Broker Transparency Rules
A November 2024 proposal would require brokers to keep electronic records and hand them to carriers and shippers within 48 hours of a request.
Clearinghouse II Begins: Prohibited Drivers Lose CDL Privileges
From November 18, 2024, states had to downgrade the licences of drivers in prohibited Clearinghouse status until they completed return-to-duty.
FMCSA Plans Third Stakeholder Day on Its New Registration System
In September 2024, FMCSA scheduled an October meeting on the online system meant to replace its stalled Unified Registration System.
FMCSA Finalizes Broker and Freight Forwarder Financial Security Rules
A November 2023 final rule defined allowable trust assets and let FMCSA suspend brokers whose security fell below $75,000.
FMCSA Asks Whether to Rewrite How It Rates Carrier Safety Fitness
An August 2023 advance notice sought input on the Satisfactory, Conditional and Unsatisfactory ratings and on using more inspection data.
FMCSA Proposes Overhaul of CSA's Safety Measurement System
A February 2023 notice proposed new safety categories, 116 violation groups and simpler severity weights for the system FMCSA uses to target carriers.
FMCSA Issues Guidance on When Dispatch Services Need Broker Authority
November 2022 interim guidance explained how FMCSA reads the definitions of broker and bona fide agent, including for truck dispatch services.
FMCSA Moves Ahead With Speed Limiter Rule for Heavy Trucks
In May 2022, FMCSA said it would propose requiring carriers to govern the speed of trucks of 26,001 pounds or more and asked the industry for data.
White House Announces Trucking Action Plan on CDLs and Apprenticeships
A December 16, 2021 plan promised more than $30 million to speed up CDLs, a 90-day apprenticeship challenge and deadlines for programs under the new infrastructure law.
FMCSA Final Rule Ties Clearinghouse Violations to CDL Downgrades
An October 2021 final rule required states to stop licensing, and to downgrade, CDL and CLP holders barred from driving over drug and alcohol violations, with compliance due November 18, 2024.