Regulatory Update – April 16, 2021

Update on Relevant U.S. Regulations

PHMSA Publishes Updates on Special Permits
On April 7, 2021, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published updates on special permit applications:

Update on Exemptions

FMCSA Requests Comments on Loomis Armored US Exemption Request
On April 7, 2021, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) published a notice and request for comments on an application from Loomis Armored US LLC for an exemption to allow the driver and passenger doors of the cab of its specialized armored vehicles to be welded shut. Loomis intends to add two new doors behind the cab. Comments are due by May 7.

FMCSA Grants Bendix Windshield Mounting Exemption Request
On April 6, 2021, FMCSA announced the approval of an exemption request from Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC, allowing its advanced driver assistance systems technology to be mounted lower in the windshield on commercial motor vehicles than is currently permitted. The exemption is effective April 6, 2021-April 6, 2026.

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

Other Items of Interest

President Biden Nominates Meera Joshi for FMCSA Administrator
On April 14, 2021, President Biden nominated Meera Joshi for the role of FMCSA administrator. Joshi has been serving as acting administrator of FMCSA since Jan. 21, 2021, and must be confirmed by the Senate before taking the role of administrator. Acting Administrator Joshi previously served as the commissioner of the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission, where she oversaw regulating the city’s taxicabs, for-hire vehicles, commuter vans and paratransit vehicles.