Regulatory Update – March 31, 2023

Update on Relevant U.S. Regulations

FMCSA Requests Approval to Update ICR Regarding Entry-Level Driver Training
On March 30, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)  approval to renew an Information Collection Request (ICR) titled, “Training Certification for Entry-Level Commercial Motor Vehicle Operators,” which will continue to be used to register providers of entry-level driver training and provide state drivers’ licensing agencies with information on individuals who have completed training. If approved, this renewal will allow FMCSA to continue to collect information on registered training providers and entry-level driver training certification information until 2026. Comments are due by May 30.

PHMSA Publishes Updates on Special Permits
On March 24, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published updates on special permit applications:

NHTSA Denies Daimler Trucks Petition
On March 22, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)  a petition from Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) which determined that certain model year 2020–2021 Freightliner Cascadia motor vehicles (heavy trucks) do not fully comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, Lamps, Reflective Devices and Associated Equipment. DTNA filed a noncompliance report dated May 12, 2020, and amended the report on Dec. 23, 2021. DTNA subsequently petitioned NHTSA on June 4, 2020, and later amended its petition on July 13, 2020, and again on January 19, 2022, for a decision that the subject noncompliances are inconsequential as they relate to motor vehicle safety.

PHMSA Requests Comments on Hazardous Materials Transportation Control Numbers
On March 22, PHMSA  comments on three Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control numbers pertaining to hazardous materials transportation. Comments are due by May 22.

NHTSA Requests Comment on Seating Preference StudyOn March 20, NHTSA  comment on “FMVSS Considerations for Vehicles with Automated Driving Systems: Seating Preference Study.” This is a new collection of information for conducting an experiment to gather both objective and subjective data regarding occupant/passenger seat preference in Automated Driving System-Dedicated Vehicles. Comments are due by April 19.

FMCSA Requests Approval to Renew URS ICR
On March 20, FMCSA  approval to renew the ICR titled “Unified Registration System, FMCSA Registration/Updates.” This ICR applies to new registrants seeking initial operating authority from FMCSA. New registrants seeking operating authority must use online Form MCSA–1, accessible via the Unified Registration System (URS). Comments are due by April 19.

FMCSA Announces ICR Regarding “Request for Revocation of Authority Granted”
On March 20, FMCSA  its plan to submit an ICR titled “Request for Revocation of Authority Granted” to OMB for its review and approval and invites public comment. Comments are due by May 19.

Update on Exemptions

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