The U.S. Department of Transportation is once again asking truck drivers and motor carriers to step directly into the policy conversation around highway safety.
The agency plans to relaunch the Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee, a federal group that advises DOT and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on trucking safety programs and regulations. With the restart, DOT is actively seeking nominations from across the trucking industry, including small-business carriers, individual drivers, safety advocates, and enforcement officials.
According to a notice scheduled to appear in the Federal Register on Thursday, January 22, the committee will serve as a formal channel between industry voices and federal decision-makers.
“The Department solicits nominations for membership to serve on the Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee,” the agency wrote. “MCSAC provides advice and recommendations to the Secretary of Transportation through the administrator of FMCSA about needs, objective, plans, approaches, content and accomplishments of the motor carrier safety programs carried out by the administration and motor carrier safety regulations.”
What the committee does and why it matters
The Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee was first launched in 2006. Its role is not enforcement, but consultation. Members review existing safety programs, evaluate proposed regulatory changes, and provide feedback based on real-world experience inside the trucking industry.
While the committee has existed for nearly two decades, it has not met since December 2024. DOT officials say the relaunch is intended to restore regular industry input, with meetings expected to take place twice a year moving forward.
For drivers and carriers, participation offers a rare opportunity to influence federal safety policy before decisions are finalized rather than reacting after new rules are already in place.
Longstanding concerns about regulation and safety outcomes
One of the most consistent voices on the committee has been Todd Spencer, president of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association. Spencer has repeatedly raised concerns about whether growing layers of regulation are actually delivering the safety improvements they promise.
During a June 2023 committee meeting, Spencer questioned the effectiveness of regulation-driven approaches to highway safety.
“Coming from a trucking perspective … we’ve seen lots and lots of regulations,” Spencer said. “And all of these are supposed to improve highway safety and reduce fatalities and crashes and injuries. And, you know, that’s not happening.
“At some point, I think it’s reasonable to determine the effectiveness of what’s been done so far. And if we can’t show that things actually improved as a result of this (regulation), then maybe it’s the time to put that out, that effort, downscale that effort, and move in a different direction based on some kind of real logical information that would be more likely to produce a positive benefit.”
Since those comments were made, FMCSA has signaled a shift in tone, taking steps to remove what it has described as unnecessary regulations from the books. The committee’s return could play a role in shaping how that effort continues.
Who can apply to serve
DOT is encouraging a broad range of applicants. Qualified individuals may nominate themselves or be nominated by another individual or organization. Previous committee members are also eligible to apply again.
Nominations must include specific documentation to be considered complete.
Applicants are required to submit the following:
- Name, title, and relevant contact information
- A letter of support from a company, union, trade association, academic institution, or nonprofit organization, provided on official letterhead and explaining why the nominee should be selected
- A short biography outlining professional and academic credentials
- A written statement confirming that the nominee meets all eligibility requirements for MCSAC membership
DOT is requesting that nominations be submitted within 30 days of the notice being published in the Federal Register.
Why drivers and carriers should pay attention
For truck drivers and motor carriers, advisory committees like MCSAC represent one of the few structured ways to influence federal policy using firsthand experience from the road. Decisions made at this level can shape safety standards, compliance expectations, and enforcement priorities that directly affect daily operations.
With the committee set to resume regular meetings, the next round of members will have an opportunity to weigh in as FMCSA continues reviewing its approach to safety regulation.
Source: Land Line Media
