CDL Downgrade for Drug & Alcohol Violations
STATUS: Proposal is overdue
Would require each state to remove CLP/CDL privileges from drivers who violate drug & alcohol prohibitions.
The States will be checking Clearinghouse before issuing, renewing, transferring, or upgrading a CDL.
States could not restore privileges until driver completes return-to-duty requirements. /SAP/
Delayed Med-Card Rule Goes into Effect
STATUS: Compliance deadline approaching June 22, 2021 (delayed twice)
Affects CDL holders. Medical certification data will be sent electronically. Examiner FMCSA Licensing agency MVR. No paper medical cards for CDL holders. No waiting 15 days to get updated MVR. No verifying National Registry listing.
No changes for non-CDL holders
Possible Change to ELDT Rule
STATUS: Proposed on June 29, 2018 Would amend entry-level training requirements for Class B CDL holders who want to upgrade to a Class A CDL Would only affect classroom training . No schedule for final rule
Civil Penalties Going Up ... Again!
STATUS: Final rule coming soon Annual adjustment for inflation Last adjusted on November 27, 2018.
Adjustment made across all DOT agencies Appendices to Part 386
DOT Fast-Tracking HOS Flexibility
STATUS: Sent for Approval Mach 3, 2020 The FMCSA sent the HOS Final Rule to the White House's Office of Management and Budget for approval.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has published a notice of proposed rule-making (NPRM) on updates to hours of service (HOS) rules to increase safety and provide additional flexibility for commercial drivers.
The proposed rule on hours of service rule offers five key modifications to the existing HOS rules:
New Entry-Level Driver Training Rule
STATUS: extended the compliance date from February 7, 2020, to February 7, 2022. New rule applies only to CDL applicants who would receive their licenses after the rule’s effective date.
The Trainer Provider Registry (TRP) is not yet ready for use as the agency wants to ensure a secure and effective registry.
TPR will allow commercial driver training providers to self-certify that they meet the training requirements.
DOT Fast-Tracking HOS Flexibility
STATUS: Sent for Approval Mach 3, 2020 The FMCSA sent the HOS Final Rule to the White House's Office of Management and Budget for approval.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has published a notice of proposed rule-making (NPRM) on updates to hours of service (HOS) rules to increase safety and provide additional flexibility for commercial drivers.
The proposed rule on hours of service rule offers five key modifications to the existing HOS rules:
Authorized training providers to be listed online in Training Providers Registry.
* No specific number of hours for CDL but must meet the extensive training curriculum.
* Must prove State training before allowing skills test
DOT Fast-Tracking - HOS Flexibility
FEDERAL & STATE UPDATES
The Agency proposes a change to the short- haul exemption available to certain commercial drivers by extending the drivers’ max on-duty period from 12 to
14 hours and extending the distance limit within which the driver may operate from 100 air miles to 150 air miles. The Agency proposes to modify the adverse driving conditions exception by extending by 2 hours the maximum window during which driving is permitted.
The Agency proposes to increase flexibility for the 30 minute break rule by tying the break requirement to 8 hours of driving time without an interruption for at least 30 minutes and allowing the break to be satisfied by a driver using on duty, not driving status, rather than off duty.
The Agency proposes to allow one off-duty break of at least 30 minutes, but not more than 3 hours, that would pause a truck driver’s 14-hour driving window, provided the driver takes 10 consecutive hours off-duty at the end of the work shift..
New-Entrant Safety Assurance
STATUS: Undetermined Operate Safely, Maintain up-to- date records, Conduct periodic inspections, and perform maintenance on CMVs. Must also Pass the Safety Audit
Speed Limiters Still on the Agenda
STATUS: Undetermined, but not dead yet!
Regulations would require vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 26,000 pounds be equipped with a speed limiting device set to a speed no greater than a speed to be specified in a final rule. This will require motor carriers operating such vehicles in interstate commerce to maintain functional speed limiting devices set to a speed no greater than a speed to be specified in the final rule for the service life of the vehicle. YO BE CONTINUED