What Has Changed At The FMCSA In The Last Year

It is for sure there have been several changes in the regulations that effected the Trucking Indusry over the last year. I will try to reflect on some of the important issues, should you think of more or have comments on how these have effected you please, post your comments.

Nov 2008 - Changes made to supporting documents to add electronic records, GPS. Ever since GPS came out the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) said they would not use the data in Compliance Reviews. It would not compare GPS data to logs to check for falsifications on the log by the driver. Well the rules have changed, more like someone changed their mind. Now the FMCSA will have auditors use the data in their efforts to find False Logs.
All carriers must retain the information for six months. Failure to do so will result in a record keeping violation for not having Supporting Documents. http://tinyurl.com/mhrjhd

Dec 2008 - FMCSA issued a final rule to combine the Medical Records (Physicals) to the CDL. This will allow Law Enforcement to have the information available. The FMCSA also established provisions to establish National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners to ensure that physical qualification examinations of CDL holders are performed by qualified medical practitioners and are administered in a uniform and consistent manner. http://tinyurl.com/lre3lt

Dec 2008 - FMCSA establishes 16 regulations that a New Entrant Carrier must comply with or not be able to pass their Safety Audit, for the first violation of any of the 16. One strike and your out. http://tinyurl.com/krun2d

June 2009 - Intermodal providers are made subject to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. The new regulations make intermodal equipment providers (IEPs) subject to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) for the first time, and establish shared safety responsibility among intermodal equipment providers, motor carriers, and drivers.
http://tinyurl.com/kw6mob

Aug 2009 - The observed collection for Return To Duty and Follow Up tests was finally announced to go into effect August 31, 2009. It also contains language as to the specifics the collectors must check for and how they are to do it. http://tinyurl.com/nw4d29


This is in addition to many State regulations tightening down on the Trucking Industry. Texas recently adopted rules that go in effect September 1, 2009 to eliminate idling by drivers while taking their mandatory break. I hope truck stops add more air hook-ups. In addition, CDL drivers are required to notify the State and Employer of any traffic convictions and violations of ordinances within 7 days versus the 30 day requirement in the FMSCR.


So what is ahead for us, the most important thing I have seen and it has to be one of the major things to come along since the change in the Hours of Service regulations is CSA 2010. This is going to change all most rules of how Saftey Ratings are made and how Compliance Reviews will be prioritized. More to come on this in another blog. But check this link out for now. They even have their own website, so you know it is going to be intense..http://csa2010.fmcsa.dot.gov/


For up to date changes and what is in the news join us on Facebook. Check out our FAQ's on our website and follow us on Twitter. Links to all are on the left of the blog section.