How Recent FMCSA Updates Will Affect Your Fleet

Protecting your fleet has never been more affordable

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recently released two rulings that will impact safety and companies’ bottom lines. On March 4, the FMCSA relaxed rules for truck driver-assist devices. A petition by Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) spurred the ruling, which will help manufacturers of driver-assist devices more easily install their products.

The Fine Print: The final rule increases the area on the interior of truck cab windshields where certain vehicle safety technology devices can be mounted. The rule also expands the FMCSA’s definition of “vehicle safety technology” to accommodate future types of vehicle safety devices.

Why It Matters to Your Fleet: DTNA and other manufacturers of such systems will no longer have to apply for temporary exemptions from the current law, meaning fleets can more easily adopt driver-assist devices.

On March 8, the FMCSA announced truck drivers will no longer have to provide employers with a yearly list of their traffic violations. The new rule will become effective on May 9, 2022.

The Fine Print: To maintain consistency with federal rules, FMCSA will require drivers to report their employment application to the issuing driver’s licensing authority of each unexpired commercial motor vehicle (CMV) operator’s license or permit so the carrier can make the required inquiries.

Why It Matters to Your Fleet: Because drivers will no longer spend time completing a list of convictions for traffic violations — and carriers will no longer have to file them — FMCSA estimated the new rule will save drivers and carriers $24.9 million over 10 years (discounted for inflation), with annual savings estimated at $3.5 million.

TVC has our members’ backs! We stay on top of news and trends to protect fleets’ bottom lines. Stay tuned to fleets.prodriver.com/blog for more updates that could impact your fleet.

By Nick Hillesheim, TVC Pro-Driver Chief Sales Officer

Protecting your fleet has never been more affordable