In a notice of proposed rulemaking published Friday, Jan. 9, FMCSA proposed extending the length of automatic emergency relief triggered by a federal emergency declaration from 14 days to 30 days.

The proposal follows multiple petitions asking the agency to reconsider changes made in a final rule issued in October 2023. That earlier rule significantly narrowed both the duration and scope of regulatory relief available during emergencies.

Why FMCSA Is Reconsidering the Timeline

Under the current rule, when an emergency is declared, eligible motor carriers and drivers automatically receive hours-of-service relief for 14 days. After that window closes, carriers must request extensions if emergency conditions persist.

Before the 2023 rule change, emergency declarations triggered a 30-day automatic exemption from all regulations listed in 49 CFR Parts 390 through 399. For local emergencies lasting five days or fewer, the exemption applied only to hours-of-service rules under sections 395.3 and 395.5.

Several organizations challenged the shortened timeline, arguing that 14 days often does not reflect the reality of major emergencies.

OOIDA, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, the Montana Department of Transportation, and the National Propane Gas Association were among those who submitted petitions.

“In our experience, the current 30-day period provides sufficient time to deliver emergency assistance without negatively impacting safety,” OOIDA wrote in 2023. “We are unclear on exactly why FMCSA is proposing these regulatory changes at this time.”

FMCSA acknowledged that most petitioners focused on the time limitation, stating the 14-day window was too short to address large-scale or prolonged events.

Recent Emergencies Highlight the Challenge

FMCSA cited several real-world situations where relief extended well beyond two weeks, including the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, wildfires across the western United States, and hurricanes that impacted North Carolina in 2024.

In those cases, freight movement tied to recovery efforts continued long after the initial emergency declaration period expired.

The agency also noted the administrative burden associated with extension requests. Submitting, reviewing, and approving emergency extensions creates added costs and delays for both carriers and regulators during already strained conditions.

What the Proposed Change Would Do

If finalized, the rule would restore a 30-day automatic relief period when a federal emergency declaration is issued. FMCSA has not proposed expanding the scope of the exemptions beyond what is currently allowed, but the longer window would reduce the need for repeated extension requests during prolonged emergencies.

FMCSA notified petitioners in January 2025 that it would formally reconsider the 14-day limit, leading to the proposal released this month.

Current Emergency Declarations Remain Active

As of Jan. 9, emergency declarations were active in several states, including New York, Washington, Connecticut, Maine, and Oregon. FMCSA regional emergency declarations were also in effect in other states dealing with fuel shortages and severe winter weather.

How to Submit Comments

FMCSA is accepting public comments on the proposed rule change through March 10. Stakeholders can submit feedback by visiting Regulations.gov and searching for Docket No. FMCSA-2025-0124.

The outcome of this proposal could shape how effectively the trucking industry responds to future emergencies, particularly those that stretch beyond short-term disruptions.

Source: Land Line Media

The post FMCSA Considers Extending Emergency Relief Period for Carriers and Drivers appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

The U.S. Department of Transportation opened the door for feedback this week. In a notice published Monday, July 21, in the Federal Register, the DOT called on the public—especially those who keep America moving—to weigh in on what should take priority in the next surface transportation bill.

“The Request for Information is intended to gather feedback, ideas and recommendations to help inform legislative priorities and ensure future infrastructure programs focus on delivering safe and efficient surface transportation, without attaching unnecessary requirements,” the DOT stated in the notice.
“The reauthorization effort will focus on modernizing America’s infrastructure by improving safety, streamlining federal processes, promoting economic growth and strengthening partnerships.”

The current highway bill will expire on September 30, 2026, but lawmakers are already laying the groundwork. That’s why now is the time for truck drivers to share what matters most.

Back in March, Lewie Pugh, executive vice president of OOIDA, addressed the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to outline truckers’ top concerns. He’ll take those same priorities to the Senate Subcommittee on Surface Transportation on Tuesday, July 22.

At the March hearing, Pugh emphasized several key issues for drivers across the country:

• More safe and accessible truck parking
• Guaranteed restroom access
• Smarter, more effective driver training
• Broker transparency
• Realistic hours-of-service rules

OOIDA also reiterated its opposition to changes that could make life harder for drivers—such as increases to truck size and weight limits, raising minimum insurance requirements, lowering the CDL age for interstate driving, or adding more one-size-fits-all mandates.

How Drivers Can Share Their Feedback

If you’re a trucker with opinions on any of these topics—or others that impact your job—you can have your say.

Submit your comments by going to Regulations.gov and entering Docket No. DOT-OST-2025-0468 in the search bar. The public comment window closes on August 20, 2025.

Source: Land Line

The post Truckers, Your Voice Matters in the Next Highway Bill appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

The SMS plays a critical role in helping FMCSA identify motor carriers that may require intervention, focusing primarily on safety compliance. The upcoming webinar will spotlight three major changes to the system, which include:

• Reorganizing categories for Vehicle Maintenance and Unsafe Driving, now referred to as “compliance categories.”

• Introducing violation groups to streamline data classification.

• Simplifying severity weights for a more transparent and understandable scoring system.

Stakeholders interested in attending the event can register by clicking here.

Key SMS Changes in Focus

FMCSA has been working to overhaul how safety data and compliance information are displayed under its new SMS methodology. These proposed updates were first introduced in November 2024, following input from various industry voices, including government agencies, advocacy groups, researchers, and the public. FMCSA describes the updates as enhancements to improve “fairness, accuracy, and clarity” within the SMS framework.

According to the agency, these changes aim to build upon the existing structure of the Safety Measurement System while addressing stakeholder concerns.

Industry Reactions

While the trucking industry acknowledges some proposed improvements, concerns still remain, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), a prominent industry voice, has expressed reservations about the effectiveness of the changes.

Jay Grimes, OOIDA’s director of federal affairs, criticized the updates, stating, “The agency’s modifications fall short of the comprehensive overhauls needed to accurately identify at-risk carriers and reduce truck crashes. These programs won’t achieve their goals until they shift beyond compliance and focus on actual safety performance. A large portion of FMCSA’s data has no meaningful correlation with crash risks. Relying on this flawed data fails to address the underlying issues with CSA/SMS.”

A History of SMS Challenges

The Safety Measurement System can trace its roots back to 2006 when FMCSA first unveiled the CSA 2010 concept, short for “Compliance, Safety, and Accountability.” Initially set for a 2010 launch, the program’s name and structure have evolved over time, but its foundational issues persist, particularly in the areas of data quality and methodology.

OOIDA continues to advocate for more comprehensive reforms, pointing out flaws in the program that stem from its reliance on inconsistent or low-quality data. “The principle of ‘garbage in, garbage out’ applies here,” stated an OOIDA representative in reference to the importance of reliable input data for producing meaningful outcomes. “Without significant changes, the program will remain unable to meet its safety goals.”

What’s Next?

FMCSA is expected to make additional announcements in early 2025, including a projected launch date for the updated SMS. Stakeholders are encouraged to stay informed and utilize available resources to understand how these changes may affect their operations.

For detailed information about the SMS updates or to register for the January 16 webinar, click here.

Source: Land Line

The post FMCSA’s Major SMS Overhaul: What Trucking Stakeholders Need to Know Before January 16 Webinar appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.