DOT Report Says to Expect Three FMCSA Proposals Soon

The U.S. Transportation Department has released its semi-annual regulatory agenda in the Federal Register summarizing of all current and projected rulemakings, reviews of existing regulations, and completed actions of its many agencies including the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

The intent, says DOT, is provide the public with a look at where it is headed with regulations over the next 12 months.

With little time left in the month, it says it still plans to issue a proposal by the end of July that would create a central database for verified positive controlled substances and alcohol test results for commercial driver's license holders and refusals by such drivers to submit to testing.

In September, a proposal is expected that would rescind the requirement that commercial motor vehicle drivers operating in interstate commerce submit, and motor carriers retain, driver-vehicle inspection reports when the driver has neither found nor been made aware of any vehicle defects or deficiencies.

By the end of November it plans to issue a new proposal when it comes to mandating the use of electronic logging devices (also known as electronic on-board recorders), minimum performance standards for them, as well as requirements concerning hours of service supporting documents and measures to ensure that the mandatory use of ELDs will not result in harassment of drivers by motor carriers and enforcement officials. The move is in response to a federal court vacating the FMCSA plans for the devices in 2010.