FMCSA fines have increased, medical examiner certifications are planned to be disqualified, and a controversial truck speed limiter rule has been delayed.
January 2024 stormed in with numerous FMCSA proposed rulemakings and updates. Here is your monthly rundown of the current and pending regulations.
FMCSA Fines and Penalties Increased for 2024
In a final ruling published on December 28, 2023, the FMCSA established the new, higher fines for trucking violations this year.
The 2024 fine amounts are laid out in this related Foley article. Some of the most prominent increases were applied to DOT recordkeeping violations and failure to oblige with out-of-service orders.
Wondering if you or your drivers are committing the top FMCSA violations and if you're at risk of paying these hefty fines? Register for our new webinar, The Cost of Compliance: 2024 FMCSA Fine Increases.
Over 15,000 Medical Examiner Certifications to be Removed by FMCSA
The FMCSA is taking action to disqualify over 15,000 physicians responsible for certifying the health of truck drivers in the US.
Some of these physicians may have simply been inactive in maintaining their accounts in the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners, a group of physicians who conduct physical qualification examinations for commercial motor vehicle drivers. Others may need to register and undergo updated medical training, as stated in a Federal Register announcement made by the FMCSA on January 24.
According to the announcement, the FMCSA plans to remove medical examiners from the National Registry who have failed to access their accounts and update their profile information using login.gov as required. Approximately 15,727 medical examiners have not accessed their accounts, preventing them from fulfilling regulatory obligations such as reporting examination results, receiving FMCSA communications, and completing mandatory training.
Medical examiners who do not make the necessary account updates by February 26 will be removed from the registry.
FMCSA Delays Speed Limiters Rule Until May 2024
The implementation of the controversial FMCSA truck speed limiter rule has once again been delayed; however, according to the latest significant rulemaking report, it is now scheduled to be published in May.
This rule would mandate that trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or gross vehicle weight (GVW) over 26,000 pounds must be equipped with an electronic speed governor, which will set a maximum speed limit that will be disclosed in the final rule.
Owner-operators generally oppose this rule, arguing that it would restrict driving flexibility and potentially lead to more accidents. On the other hand, safety groups and large carriers, especially those trucking companies that already impose speed limits on their vehicles for both economic and safety reasons, support a federal mandate.
Foley will continue to provide updates on this proposed mandate as they become available.
Trust Foley as Your FMCSA News Provider
The FMCSA never slows down with publishing new rulemakings and notices. Stay tuned to the Foley blog for the latest updates and insights on the regulations that apply to your drivers and your business!
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