The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has a confirmed administrator for the first time in nearly two years: Derek Barrs. 

According to a DOT news release, Barrs and three other new top DOT officials were confirmed on October 7 in an en bloc vote of 51-47. This followed an October 3 Senate Committee vote of approval, which was widely interpreted as confirmation.

Barrs’ mix of law enforcement and trucking experience has led to him being widely supported by groups from both sectors.

He formerly served as the chief of the Florida Highway Patrol and is a member of the American Trucking Associations' Law Enforcement Advisory Board as well as the Florida Trucking Association. 

While with the Florida Highway Patrol, he served as the FMCSA lead for the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP).

He was an active member of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance and served as chair of CVSA’s Enforcement and Industry Modernization Committee. CVSA is an organization of commercial motor vehicle safety officials who enforce the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations and it works closely with FMCSA.

Barrs was nominated in March, with confirmation hearings held over the summer.

In his prepared testimony, Barrs said, “I have witnessed the devastating aftermath of crashes — stood beside first responders, comforted grieving families, and seen how a single moment can ripple through entire communities.

“If confirmed, I will make roadway safety my highest priority. 

“My work has always emphasized open communication and collaboration — with industry, law enforcement, and safety organizations. I understand that FMCSA’s actions impact an entire industry, and I am committed to ensuring that agency decisions are informed, balanced, and transparent.”

Wide Support for Barrs Among Trucking, Enforcement Groups

Part of the Department of Transportation, FMCSA is the lead U.S. federal government agency responsible for regulating and providing safety oversight of commercial motor vehicles, drivers and motor carriers.

Barrs' nomination and confirmation have been widely praised by groups in both trucking and law enforcement.

The American Trucking Associations, the Truckload Carriers Association, and the National Tank Truck Carriers in January formally endorsed Barrs' nomination in a joint letter to federal leadership.

And the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association sent a letter to Senate leadership on September 16 urging a quick confirmation of Barrs. 

Upon his confirmation, a statement from OOIDA President Todd Spencer said the association “looks forward to working with him to advance the priorities of small-business truckers nationwide, such as combating freight fraud, rolling back unnecessary regulations, ensuring broker compliance with existing transparency laws, and closing loopholes to ensure that only the safest, most qualified drivers remain on the road.”

In the Truckload Carriers Association statement, TCA President Jim Ward said the association is “beyond thrilled.

“After a tremendous career in law enforcement, Administrator Barrs brings a unique skill set and understanding of our industry at a time when regulatory enforcement is critical to ensuring the safety of those who operate on America’s highways.”

Chris Spear, president and CEO of the American Trucking Associations, appeared to criticize how long it took for the Senate to confirm a rather non controversial nomination.

“Mr. Barrs’ confirmation was long overdue," Spear said in a statement. "With rising concerns about motor vehicle safety enforcement, his leadership is urgently needed to drive accountability, strengthen state-level compliance, and ensure only qualified commercial drivers operate on our nation’s roadways.

“Throughout his career, he has demonstrated his ability to bridge industry and enforcement, forge consensus, and deliver results.”

In addition to Barrs, the Senate confirmed Gregory Zerzan to be General Counsel of the Department of Transportation and Michael Rutherford as first assistant secretary for Multimodal Freight Infrastructure & Policy.

Barrs' Predecessors at FMCSA

The previous FMCSA administrator, Robin Hutcheson, left the agency in January 2024 after serving for three years. She was the first official FMCSA administrator in nearly three years when she was confirmed in 2022. 

In June 2024, Vinn White was named deputy administrator and acting administrator to replace Hutcheson. Earlier this year, Adrienne Camire was named to lead the agency as acting administrator, but she was gone in just two weeks.

Barrs will be the eighth FMCSA administrator to be formally confirmed by the Senate since FMCSA was formed in 2000. There have been nearly twice as many acting administrators, as well as periods where no official acting administrator was named but the FMCSA was headed up by the top career official at the agency.

A History of FMCSA Administrators 

Julie Anna Cirillo — Acting Administrator (Jan 2000 – late 2000)

Clyde J. Hart Jr. — Acting Administrator (late 2000 – early 2001)

Joseph M. Clapp — Administrator (Oct 4, 2001 – late 2002). The first permanent FMCSA administrator. https://www.truckinginfo.com/91130/interview-fmcsa-chief-joe-clapp-wants-performance

Annette M. Sandberg — Acting Administrator (Jan 2003 – Aug 5, 2003); became formal FMCSA Administrator in August 2003. Resigned March 2006. https://www.truckinginfo.com/97668/annette-sandberg-leaving-top-fmcsa-post

Warren Hoemann — The Deputy Administrator was Acting Administrator for two months in 2006 after Sandberg’s departure.David H. Hugel — Acting Administrator (June through August 2006)

John H. Hill — Administrator (Aug 2006 – Jan 2009)Rose A. McMurray — Acting Administrator (early 2009 – Nov 2009)

Anne S. Ferro — Administrator (November 2009 – August 2014). Ferro, appointed by President Obama, was administrator for nearly five years, the longest-serving confirmed FMCSA administrator. She presided over significant rulemakings, including revised hours-of-service rules.

T.F. Scott Darling III — Acting Administrator (August 2014 – July 2016) — initially acting after Ferro’s resignation. Confirmed Administrator July 2016 and served until January 2017.

Raymond P. Martinez — Administrator (February 2018 – October 2019)

Jim Mullen — Acting Administrator (November 2019 – August 2020)

Wiley Deck — Acting Administrator (August 2020 – January 2021)

Meera Joshi — Acting Administrator, nominated for Administrator (January 2021 – January 2022). 

Robin Hutcheson — Acting Administrator (January 2022 – September 2022); Administrator (September 2022 January 2024). 

Sue Lawless — Acting (Deputy) Administrator, January 2024 – June 2024 

Vinn White — Acting Administrator (June 2024 – January 2025). 

Sue Lawless — Acting Administrator (January, 2025 -March 2025). 

Adrienne Camire — Acting Administrator (Mar 7, 2025 – Mar 21, 2025). 

Sue Lawless — Acting Administrator (March 2025 – July 2025). 

Jesse Elison — Acting Administrator (July 2025-September 2025)

Derek Barrs — Administrator, confirmed October 2025