The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) is advocating for an extension of the public comment period regarding predatory lease-purchase agreements for truck drivers. Representing small-business truckers, OOIDA has formally requested a 30-day extension from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
On Feb. 16, the FMCSA initiated a 30-day comment period to gather lease-purchase agreements. The Truck Leasing Task Force, established by Congress, has been scrutinizing the terms, conditions, and fairness of prevalent truck leasing arrangements. In order to comprehensively assess the landscape of lease-purchase agreements in the trucking industry, the FMCSA is encouraging truckers to submit their agreements for evaluation.
OOIDA has expressed concerns to the agency, asserting that a 30-day period is inadequate and urging an additional month for submission.
“We request the public comment period be extended for 30 days in order to provide the Truck Leasing Task Force as much data as possible,” OOIDA wrote. “This will give drivers and other members of the public sufficient time to collect and submit leasing information.”
Furthermore, extending the comment period by another month would allow truckers attending the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Ky., to actively participate. The Truck Leasing Task Force intends to convene its next meeting during this event later this month.
OOIDA is a supporter of the Truck Leasing Task Force and remains optimistic that insights provided by truck drivers can contribute to mitigating the predatory nature of many such agreements. Instances have been reported where truck drivers work full pay periods but end up owing money to the carrier, with the driver seldom owning the truck at the conclusion of these arrangements.
“We feel requesting information from commercial motor vehicle drivers will assist (the task force) in reviewing such leases to identify terms and conditions that may be unfair to drivers,” OOIDA wrote.
For those interested in commenting, a comprehensive list of questions and required documents from the FMCSA can be found here. Additionally, guidelines on maintaining the privacy of the information submitted are available. Commenters are advised to clearly designate any confidential commercial or financial information and mark each page accordingly.
Submissions containing confidential business information should be directed to Brian Dahlin, Chief, Regulatory Analysis Division, Office of Policy, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave. S.E., Washington, DC 20590-0001.
Public comments that do not contain confidential business information will be accessible on Regulations.gov. Comments will be accepted until March 18.
Source: Land Line
