Regulatory Update – Oct. 13, 2017

Update on Relevant U.S. Regulations

PHMSA Publishes Updates on Special Permits
On Oct. 11, 2017, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Administration (PHMSA) published updates on special permit applications:

  • List of Applications for Special Permits – Comments are due by Nov. 13, 2017.
  • List of Applications for Modification of Special Permits – Comments are due by Oct. 26, 2017.
  • Notice of Actions on Special Permit Applications – Comments are due by Nov. 13, 2017.

Update on Exemptions

FMCSA Grants ELD Exemption to Rental and Lease Association
On Oct. 11, 2017, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) granted an exemption to the Truck Renting and Leasing Association (TRALA) from the coming electronic logging device (ELD) requirement. The exemption, which is good for five years, exempts all drivers of property-carrying commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) rented for eight days or less, regardless of reason, from the requirement to use an ELD. While operating under this exemption, drivers will remain subject to the standard hours-of-service (HOS) limits, maintain a paper record of duty status (RODS), if required, and maintain a copy of the rental agreement on the vehicle. The exemption is effective Oct. 11, 2017-Oct. 11, 2022.

CVSA Active Exemption Tracker
CVSA maintains a list of active exemptions issued by FMCSA. Members can access the document by logging into their CVSA member portal and clicking on the “Exemptions Tracker” tab at the top of the page.

Other Items of Interest

Senate Confirms PHMSA Nominee
On Oct. 5, 2017, the Senate confirmed Howard Elliott as PHMSA administrator. Elliott, who has 40 years of experience in the freight rail industry, most recently served as vice president of public safety, health, environment and security for CSX Transportation.