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

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The “Pro-Trucker Package” includes major items that directly affect drivers, such as expanding truck parking, halting the speed limiter rule, and increasing flexibility in hours-of-service. These nine initiatives, shaped in part by feedback from the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, address key concerns raised by professional drivers.

The nine initiatives include:

• Expanding truck parking capacity
• Withdrawing speed limiter rulemaking
• Increasing hours-of-service flexibility
• Improving FMCSA’s Driver Resource Hub
• Reforming DataQ
• Modernizing the National Consumer Complaint Database
• Addressing unlawful brokering practices
• Maintaining the ELD exemption on pre-2000 engines
• Eliminating unnecessary regulations

One of the main priorities is making it easier for drivers to access the information they need, including guidance on reporting fraud, coercion, or other criminal activity.

FMCSA recently launched a redesigned Driver Resource Hub to support these goals. The updated Hub is mobile-friendly and designed to provide professional drivers with quick access to critical resources, including how to obtain a CDL, details about entry-level driver training, DOT physical requirements, and emergency declarations.

A DOT spokesperson noted that the new layout is more user-friendly and now highlights the topics most relevant to truck drivers.

Key updates for drivers include:

Fraud prevention has become a major focus in the trucking industry. The Hub now features the latest Fraud Alerts, helping drivers identify and avoid scams involving identity theft, fraudulent service providers, or document fraud. While preventing fraud is the primary goal, drivers can also report issues directly. The Hub includes links for filing complaints about safety violations, coercion, and other criminal activity.

Other resources on the Hub have been improved as well. Truckers can now access a Frequently Asked Questions page, the full Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, and a Motor Carrier Safety Planner. Additional information covers FMCSA’s Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program and the Office of Registration, giving drivers centralized access to critical industry information.

Source: Land Line Media

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The order grants motor carriers and drivers in these areas exemptions from the standard maximum driving time when they are directly involved in relief operations. This includes the transportation of critical fuels such as propane, heating oil, gasoline, diesel, natural gas, and heating fuel to the affected regions.

Initially issued on January 10, the emergency declaration addresses challenges posed by severe winter storms and freezing temperatures. These extreme weather conditions have heightened fuel demands while creating significant obstacles in the distribution process.

What Does “Direct Assistance” Mean?

Under the FMCSA’s directive, “direct assistance” refers to transportation and relief services provided by motor carriers or drivers that play a key role in the immediate restoration of essential supplies or services. However, this does not cover transportation intended for long-term recovery beyond the initial emergency phase or for reconstructing damaged infrastructure. Additionally, routine commercial deliveries, including mixed loads with only minimal emergency supplies, do not qualify for the exemptions provided.

Motor carriers or drivers who have been issued an out-of-service order are also not permitted to operate under the declaration until they meet all applicable conditions.

Returning to Normal Operations

Once emergency relief activities conclude, carriers and drivers must comply with standard driving time regulations while operating commercial vehicles. However, drivers can return empty to their terminal or their usual work reporting location without additional restrictions.

If a driver transitions from emergency relief efforts back to normal operations, they must take a 10-hour rest period if their total time engaged in relief efforts or combined relief and everyday driving exceeds 14 hours.

Additional State Declarations

Several states have also implemented their own emergency declarations to provide motor carriers and drivers with additional relief measures tailored to specific regional needs. To learn more about these state-level declarations, detailed information is available here.

Source: Land Line

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With these latest updates, the total number of ELD removals this past week has risen to six.

What Motor Carriers Need to Do Now

FMCSA is actively notifying motor carriers using these revoked ELDs. If your company uses Mountain ELD or XELD, the following steps must be taken to stay compliant:

1.Stop Using the Revoked ELDs

Discontinue the use of both Mountain ELD and XELD immediately and switch to either paper logs or a logging software solution to continue recording hours of service (HOS) data without disruption.

2. Replace Devices Before Feb. 16, 2025

Choose a compliant ELD from the FMCSA’s Registered Devices list and ensure the replacement process is completed within the given 60-day timeline.

Motor carriers that fail to replace these devices by Feb. 16, 2025, will face penalties for noncompliance.

Potential for Device Reinstatement

The FMCSA has clarified that the providers of Mountain ELD and XELD can address the deficiencies identified during the review. If the issues are resolved, these devices may be reinstated on the registered devices list. Any such updates will be announced by FMCSA to keep the industry informed.

Interim Enforcement Guidance for Safety Officials

Until Feb. 16, 2025, FMCSA encourages compliance officers to avoid citing drivers using Mountain ELD or XELD under the following HOS violations during the transitional period:

• 395.8(a)(1): “No record of duty status”

• 395.22(a): “Failing to use a registered ELD”

Instead, officials are asked to accept:

• Paper logs,

• Logging software, or

• The revoked ELDs themselves as an interim method for verifying HOS data.

However, as of Feb. 16, enforcement will tighten. Motor carriers found using the revoked ELDs beyond this date will be considered as operating without an ELD. At that point, drivers could face penalties under 395.8(a)(1) and be placed out-of-service (OOS) in line with the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) Criteria.

FMCSA Urges Proactive Compliance

FMCSA is urging motor carriers not to delay action. Addressing this issue promptly will help companies avoid compliance issues if the current deficiencies are not resolved by the affected ELD providers.

For further guidance and updates regarding ELD compliance, visit the official FMCSA ELD website.

Source: Truckers News

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