Search Results for agency_names:"Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration"

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is seeking to renew an information collection request related to medical qualification requirements for commercial motor vehicle drivers. This renewal is necessary to ensure that drivers meet the physical and medical standards required for safe operation on highways. The FMCSA is inviting public comments on whether this collection is necessary, its accuracy, and ways to minimize the associated burden. Comments must be received by February 7, 2025, and interested parties can submit them through the specified online platform.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has renewed an exemption allowing school bus driver applicants to skip the engine compartment part of the pre-trip inspection test, known as the "under-the-hood" test, when obtaining a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with a school bus endorsement. This exemption is valid for two years, from November 28, 2024, to November 28, 2026, and it restricts drivers to operating school buses only within state boundaries. The renewal aims to address the shortage of school bus drivers by removing barriers related to outdated testing requirements, especially as the industry moves towards electric buses. Safety measures remain in place, and states choosing to use this exemption must report information regularly to ensure compliance and safety.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), part of the Department of Transportation, has announced the denial of requests from 37 individuals seeking exemptions from the vision requirements of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. These individuals wanted to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce, but upon evaluation, the FMCSA determined that granting these exemptions would not ensure a safety level equivalent to the existing standards. The reasons for denial included lack of experience with vision deficiencies, insufficient recent driving experience, or other issues such as unstable vision.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) decided to deny Polytech Plastic Molding, Inc.'s request for an exemption that would allow their vehicles to use a special lighting module. This module, made by Intellistop, Inc., can make brake lights flash to improve visibility. FMCSA denied the request because Polytech didn't prove the modification would be as safe as the current standards, and because of a lack of legal operations data due to an inactive USDOT number. Although some comments supported the potential safety benefits, the agency was concerned about safety risks and proper regulatory compliance.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has decided to grant exemptions to three individuals with epilepsy or seizure disorders, allowing them to operate commercial motor vehicles across state lines. This decision, effective from January 11, 2021, until January 11, 2023, was based on each individual's medical history and stable treatment regimen. The individuals granted these exemptions have been seizure-free for many years while on medication. The FMCSA believes that this exemption ensures a safety level similar to, or better than, what the standard regulations would achieve.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has received applications from 12 individuals seeking exemptions from a rule that generally prohibits people with epilepsy or related conditions from driving commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce. These individuals, who have had seizures but are currently under medication and seizure-free, want to be allowed to drive CMVs. The FMCSA is evaluating their qualifications and inviting public comments on these exemption requests by January 27, 2025. This notice reflects ongoing efforts to balance regulatory safety standards with opportunities for drivers managing medical conditions to legally operate CMVs.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is considering granting exemptions to 11 individuals from the vision requirements needed to drive commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce. These exemptions, if approved, would allow these drivers, who have various vision impairments in one eye, to legally operate CMVs based on their safe driving history and medical evaluations. The public is invited to comment on these exemption requests until March 25, 2021, using various submission methods provided by FMCSA. The agency will review all comments to assess whether the exemptions meet the safety levels required by law.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is requesting public comments on the American Pyrotechnics Association's (APA) application for exemptions from certain hours-of-service regulations. The exemptions would allow drivers transporting pyrotechnics for Independence Day celebrations from 2025 to 2029 to use paper records instead of electronic logging devices and to exclude rest periods from their 14-hour working limit. These exemptions are intended to ease the logistical challenges faced by the fireworks industry during this busy period. Public comments must be submitted by May 19, 2025.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has granted a five-year exemption to Daimler Trucks North America, allowing six drivers with German commercial licenses to drive commercial vehicles in the U.S. without a U.S. commercial driver's license. This exemption helps the drivers test Daimler vehicles in real-world conditions to ensure product standards. The drivers must comply with specific safety conditions, including being accompanied by a U.S. CDL holder and undergoing a drug and alcohol testing program similar to U.S. requirements. The FMCSA believes this will maintain or enhance safety standards on U.S. roads.

FMCSA, part of the Department of Transportation, has extended the compliance deadline for certain parts of the "Broker and Freight Forwarder Financial Responsibility" rule from January 16, 2025, to January 16, 2026. This extension gives brokers, freight forwarders, and others additional time to prepare for and use a new online registration system that isn't expected to be ready until 2025. Despite opposition from some groups who argue the delay is excessive, FMCSA claims the extension will aid in a smoother transition and provide time for training. The final rule aims to enhance the tracking of financial responsibilities and streamline administrative processes related to broker and freight forwarder operations.