Trucking news and briefs for Monday, Dec. 14, 2020:
FMCSA looking to drop duplicate reg of requirement for drivers to report traffic violations to carriers
As part of its effort to remove costly, redundant and burdensome regulations, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is considering eliminating the requirement that interstate truck drivers annually prepare and submit a list of their traffic violation convictions to their employers.
The agency says the requirement is “largely duplicative” of another provision that requires carriers to make an annual inquiry of each driver’s motor vehicle record (MVR) from every state in which the driver holds or has held a CDL or permit in the past year.
For drivers licensed by a foreign authority rather than by a state, that provision would be amended to require carriers to make an annual inquiry to each driver’s licensing authority where a driver holds or has held a CDL or permit. This change would require carriers to request the MVR equivalent from Canadian and Mexican driver’s licensing authorities.
FMCSA says removing this requirement for drivers to provide a list of their traffic violation convictions would reduce the paperwork burden on drivers and carriers without adversely affecting safety.
The American Trucking Associations previously voiced support for the removal of this requirement for drivers in 2017 when the DOT asked the public to identify rules that were good candidates for repeal, replacement, suspension or modification.
The agency is seeking comment on the proposal, which can be made here through Feb. 12.
