FMCSA Removes Two Devices from List of Registered Electronic Devices

The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has removed FALCON ELD and KSK ELD from the list of registered Electronic Logging Devices (ELD). FMCSA has placed these ELDs on the Revoked Devices list due to the providers’ failure to meet the minimum requirements established in 49 CFR part 395, subpart B, appendix A, effective September 14, 2023.

FMCSA will send an industry email to inform motor carriers that all who use these revoked ELDs must take the following steps:

1. Discontinue using the revoked ELDs and revert to paper logs or logging software to record required hours of service data.
2. Replace the revoked ELDs with compliant ELDs from the Registered Devices list before November 13, 2023.

Motor carriers have up to 60 days to replace the revoked ELDs with compliant ELDs. If the ELD providers correct all identified deficiencies, FMCSA will place the ELDs back on the list of registered devices and inform the industry and the field.

During this time, safety officials are encouraged not to cite drivers using the revoked ELDs for 395.8(a)(1) – “No record of duty status” or 395.22(a) – “Failing to use a registered ELD.” During this time, safety officials should request the driver’s paper logs, logging software, or use the ELD display as a back-up method to review the hours of service data.

Beginning November 13, 2023, motor carriers who continue to use the revoked devices listed above will be considered to be operating without an ELD. Safety officials who encounter a driver using a revoked device on or after November 13, 2023 should cite 395.8(a)(1), and place the driver out-of-service (OOS) in accordance with the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) OOS Criteria.

FMCSA strongly encourages motor carriers to take the actions listed above now to avoid compliance issues in the event that the deficiencies are not addressed in time.

For more information on ELDs, visit FMCSA’s ELD implementation website.

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 Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Announces More Than $80 Million in Grants to Improve Highway Safety

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced more than $80 million in grant awards from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This historic funding will help reduce the frequency and severity of commercial motor vehicle crashes on our nation’s roadways and support truck drivers by expanding access to truck parking, investing in critical technology, improving safety in work zones, rural areas and high crash corridors, and more. Grant recipients include states, local governments, non-profit organizations, and academic institutions across the country.

The High Priority grants include a 65% increase in funding for truck parking projects over last year and enhance critical efforts to support truck drivers and improve safety such as:

• Expand access to truck parking by helping truck drivers locate available rest area truck parking spaces in real time via dynamic message signs along highways in Kentucky, Delaware, and Indiana.
• Research to support automated, location-based driver alerts via electronic logging devices that inform drivers of upcoming work zones — improving safety for both the drivers and the workers.
• Enhancement of electronic screening technologies to detect vehicle violations (such as automated license plate readers, USDOT number readers, tire monitoring system, and hazardous materials placard readers).
• Outreach and education to combat human trafficking, an effort in which truck drivers can play a key role given their time and attention on the road.

“We depend on truck drivers every day, and we have a national responsibility to support their safety and job quality,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “Today, we are proud to deliver new funding that will improve safety on our nation’s roads.”

“President Biden’s historic investment through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law helps improve commercial motor vehicle safety on our roadways both at the national and local levels,” said FMCSA Administrator Robin Hutcheson. “Our grantees will dedicate these investments to innovative technology, research, and other projects that will positively impact CMV safety and move us towards the National Roadway Safety Strategy’s goal of zero deaths on our nation’s roadways.”

This builds on the Biden-Administration’s continued investment in truck parking and safety on our nation’s roadways, which includes over $80 million invested in new truck parking spaces across the country.

• Caldwell County, Texas: $22.9 million RAISE grant to design and construct a truck parking plaza that improves safety and convenience for truck drivers. Plaza will include short- and long-term spaces with lighting, fencing, restroom and shower facilities, with 24-hour monitored security.
• Caldwell Parish, Louisiana: $10.5 million RAISE grant to buy land and build a Truck Parking facility near the port and a highway for 50 commercial trucks, 100 cars, and EV charging stations that are designed to provide auxiliary power units to power a truck cab’s heating and cooling, without having to run the engine while also recharging trucks. There will also be a system to find parking spaces in real-time.
• On I-4 Between Tampa and Orlando: $15 million INFRA grant for a new truck parking facility with approximately 120 spaces, electric charging stations, and pedestrian infrastructure to access nearby commercial amenities.
• Near Memphis, Tennessee: $22 million INFRA grant adds 125 truck parking spaces at a spot along I-40—a critical freight corridor. Project will also upgrade adjacent bridge structures.

All HP grant applications undergo a series of reviews before award selection. Please visit FMCSA’s grant program page for additional information on the discretionary application announcement, review, and approval process.

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FMCSA Issues Final Guidance Clarifying Broker and Bona Fide Agents Definitions

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has issued regulatory guidance clarifying the definitions of “broker” and “bona fide agents.”

FMCSA issued the guidance in response to a mandate in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and the Fiscal Year 2023 Appropriations Act. The guidance clarifies the definitions in the Code of Federal Regulations, with an eye toward efficiency and defining financial responsibilities. FMCSA issued interim guidance in November 2022.

“This final guidance arms freight brokers and entities operating as bona fide agents or dispatch services in the trucking industry with information needed to help make appropriate decisions for their operations,” said FMCSA Administrator Robin Hutcheson. “It also helps clarify for regulated carriers whether they should work with entities that do not have broker authority and associated financial responsibility.”

The guidance offers clarification for brokers, dispatch services, trade associations and other stakeholders across the trucking industry.

FMCSA reviewed more than 130 comments filed during multiple comment periods for this guidance and considered them as part of the agency’s decision-making. FMCSA also sought comment on the guidance at a broker listening session it conducted during a major trucking show earlier this year.

FMCSA works to give regulated entities the information they need for efficient operations and this guidance helps entities know when operations require broker authority.

The final guidance can be viewed on the Federal Register.

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FMCSA Launches New Task Force to Combat Predatory Leasing Practices

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced the nine members who will serve on the Truck Leasing Task Force (TLTF) chartered by Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. TLTF will evaluate lease agreements in the industry and their potential safety and financial impacts on owner-operators.  TLTF is established as a statutory committee under the authority of Section 23009 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), Pub. L. 117-58 (2021), in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), as amended, 5 U.S.C. App. 2.

TLTF will address areas that have long needed intense focus. It will be tasked with providing best practices to assist drivers in assessing the impacts of a leasing agreement prior to entering into such agreement and recommendations on changes to laws to promote fair leasing agreements. TLTF’s work will contribute to FMCSA’s efforts to ensure that drivers have access to fair leasing agreements.

“At a time when our country needs truck drivers more than ever, we must do everything we can to support the men and women who work in this vital industry,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “The Truck Leasing Task Force is taking a hard look at leasing agreements as part of our effort to ensure every truck driver in this country has good working conditions and can make a good living.”

Truck leasing is an important step that many owner-operators in the trucking industry take to get started in the business. Leases that contain terms that are inequitable to drivers may discourage safe drivers from continuing to work in the industry.

TLTF members include representatives from labor organizations, motor carriers, consumer protection groups, owner-operators, and other businesses, as well as attorneys and educators.

The nine members who will serve on FMCSA’s Truck Leasing Task Force are: 

• Tamara Brock, Brock Logistics, LLC and Lewis & Lewis Logistics, LLC (Independent Owner-Operator)
• Paul Cullen, The Cullen Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney)
• Troy Hawkins, TTOH Consulting & Logistics, LLC (Independent Owner-Operator)
• Jim Jefferson, Owner-Operator Independent Driver Association (Consumer Protection)
• Joshua Krause, OTR Leasing, LLC (Business)
• Kaitlyn Long, International Brotherhood of Teamsters (Labor Organization)
• Steve Rush, Carbon Express Inc. (Carrier)
• Lesley Tse, Of counsel to Getman, Sweeney & Dunn, PLLC (Attorney)
• Steve Viscelli, Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania (Economic Sociologist)

“The Truck Leasing Task Force addresses one of trucking’s great challenges. Leasing can have a major impact on people choosing trucking as their career, and protecting drivers is of the utmost importance,” says FMCSA Administrator Robin Hutcheson.  “FMCSA is committed to addressing issues that may impact the recruitment and retention of drivers in the trucking industry.”

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FMCSA Launches Operation Protect Your Move, A Nationwide Crackdown on Moving Scams

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) today announced the launch of Operation Protect Your Move, a nationwide crackdown on scam movers ahead of the busy summer moving season. Through Operation Protect Your Move, FMCSA is deploying dozens of investigators across the country in an enforcement sweep to address the significant uptick in complaints of movers holding household possessions hostage to extort exorbitant additional charges from consumers. It will also address complaints against moving companies and brokers that are not in compliance with federal safety and consumer protection regulations and statutes while transporting household goods. The Operation covers both movers and the brokers that purport to connect consumers to local movers but instead facilitate fraud by promoting scams.

“Moving is stressful enough without having to worry about being scammed by your moving company, so we’re cracking down on moving companies that hold people’s possessions hostage, and the brokers who facilitate that fraud,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “If you’re planning a move, we encourage you to visit protectyourmove.gov for more information to help protect yourself from moving scammers.”

“FMCSA takes its responsibilities very seriously to help protect consumers when moving their household valuables from one state to another,” says FMCSA Administrator Robin Hutcheson. “Consumers should feel confident they can trust the company hired to transport their possessions.”

Frequent complaints have been filed with FMCSA alleging companies of using deceptive business practices that are causing consumers to pay higher fees, experience delays in receiving their household goods, or in some cases not receiving their possessions at all. FMCSA is making every effort to protect consumers from these moving scams. The agency will formally document violations and has the authority to review and revoke the licenses of movers and brokers. Cases involving potential criminal misconduct may be referred to the U.S. Department of Justice for further investigation. Additionally, FMCSA will work directly with consumers to guide them through the process and help get their money and goods back.

The Operation is the first of many efforts planned over the next several months to address non-compliant household goods moving companies and brokers. In addition to ramped up investigations, FMCSA is taking several actions to crack down on mover scams, including doubling the number of investigators assigned to moving complaints and enhancing partnerships with consumer protection and attorney general offices across the country.

FMCSA also provides important information on its website at www.ProtectYourMove.gov for consumers planning an interstate move. Consumers can download a moving checklist, view videos on spotting red flags, confirm a mover or broker’s registration with FMCSA, and check the number of complaints against a particular company. Consumers can also file a complaint against a company regulated by FMCSA by visiting the agency’s National Consumer Complaints Database (NCCDB) at https://nccdb.fmcsa.dot.gov.

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FMCSA has Removed ALL-WAYS TRACK, LLC’s “All-Ways Track” ELD from List of Registered ELDs

The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has removed All-Ways Track ELD from the list of registered Electronic Logging Devices (ELD). FMCSA has placed All-Ways Track ELD on the Revoked Devices list due to the company’s failure to meet the minimum requirements established in 49 CFR part 395, subpart B, appendix A, effective March 27, 2023.

FMCSA will be sending an industry email to let motor carriers know that all who use All-Ways Track ELD must take the following steps:

1. Discontinue using the revoked ELD(s) and revert to paper logs or logging software to record required hours of service data.
2. Replace the revoked ELD(s) with compliant ELD(s) from the Registered Devices list before May 26, 2023.

Motor carriers have a period of up to 60 days to replace the revoked ELD(s) with compliant ELD(s). If the ELD provider corrects all identified deficiencies, FMCSA will place the ELD back on the list of registered devices and inform the industry and the field.

During this period, safety officials are encouraged not to cite drivers using All-Ways Track ELDs for 395.8(a)(1) – “No record of duty status” or 395.22(a) – “Failed to use a registered ELD.” During this time, safety officials should request the driver’s paper logs, logging software, or use the All-Ways Track ELD display as a back-up method to review the hours of service data.

Beginning May 26, 2023, motor carriers who continue to use the revoked ELD listed above would be considered to be operating without an ELD. Safety officials who encounter a driver using a revoked ELD on or after May 26, 2023 should cite 395.8(a)(1), and place the driver out-of-service (OOS) in accordance with the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance OOS Criteria.

FMCSA strongly encourages motor carriers to take the actions listed above now to avoid compliance issues in the event that the deficiencies are not addressed in time.

For more information on ELDs, visit FMCSA’s ELD implementation website.

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International Roadcheck To Take Place May 16-18 with Emphasis on ABS and Cargo Securement

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has announced May 16-18 as this year’s International Roadcheck. This year, inspectors will focus on anti-lock braking systems (ABS) and cargo securement to highlight the importance of those aspects of vehicle safety. Although ABS violations are not out-of-service violations, ABS play a critical role in reducing the risk of collisions by preventing the wheels from locking up or skidding, allowing a driver to maintain control of the vehicle while braking. In addition, improper cargo securement poses a serious risk to drivers and other motorists by adversely affecting the vehicle’s maneuverability, or worse, causing unsecured loads to fall, resulting in traffic hazards and vehicle collisions.

During International Roadcheck, inspectors will conduct their usual roadside safety inspections of commercial motor vehicles and drivers. Data will be gathered from those three days and shared later this year, as a snapshot of the state of commercial motor vehicle and driver safety.

International Roadcheck also provides an opportunity to educate the motor carrier industry and general public about the importance of safe commercial motor vehicle operations and the North American Standard Inspection Program.

During a routine North American Standard Level I Inspection, inspectors focus on two areas – driver and vehicle safety compliance.

Vehicle safety – Inspectors will ensure the vehicle’s brake systems, cargo securement, coupling devices, driveline/driveshaft components, driver’s seat, fuel and exhaust systems, frames, lighting devices, steering mechanisms, suspensions, tires, wheels, rims, hubs and windshield wipers are compliant with regulations. Inspections of motorcoaches, passenger vans and other passenger-carrying vehicles also include emergency exits, seating, and electrical cables and systems in the engine and battery compartments.

Driver safety – Inspectors will check the driver’s operating credentials, hours-of-service documentation, status in the drug and alcohol clearinghouse, seat belt usage, and for alcohol and/or drug impairment.
Vehicles that successfully pass a Level I or Level V Inspection without any critical vehicle inspection item violations may receive a CVSA decal, which is valid for three months. If the inspector does identify critical vehicle inspection item violations, as outlined in the North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria, the vehicle will be restricted from operating until the identified out-of-service conditions have been corrected. Inspectors may also restrict the driver from operating if the driver is found to have driver out-of-service violations, such as not possessing a valid or necessary operating license or exhibiting signs of impairment.

CVSA’s law enforcement member jurisdictions in cities, states, districts, provinces and territories in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. participate in International Roadcheck with support from trucking associations, transportation safety organizations and federal agencies, such as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Transport Canada and Mexico’s Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation.

What is the International Roadcheck?

International Roadcheck is a high-visibility, high-volume 72-hour inspection and enforcement event where CVSA-certified inspectors in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. will conduct inspections of commercial motor vehicles and drivers at weigh/inspection stations, designated inspection areas and along roadways.

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FMCSA Announces Proposed Improvements to Its Safety Measurement System to Prevent Crashes

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced proposed changes to its Safety Measurement System (SMS) to reduce and prevent crashes. The SMS uses data from roadside inspections, crash reports, and investigations to identify and prioritize for intervention the motor carriers that pose the greatest risk to safety. As part of FMCSA’s commitment to continually improve how the Agency uses data to focus enforcement, these proposed changes aim to better identify the companies needing the most intervention and also will help companies better understand how to use this data to influence safer behaviors.

“Safety is FMCSA’s core mission. The proposed changes are part of the Agency’s continued commitment to enhancing the fairness, accuracy, and clarity of our prioritization system,” said FMCSA Administrator Robin Hutcheson.

Some of the proposed changes include reorganizing the SMS’s safety categories (currently known as “BASICs”); organizing roadside violations into violation groups for prioritization purposes; simplifying violation severity weights; adjusting some of the Intervention Thresholds that identify companies for possible intervention; and more changes aimed at comparing similar motor carriers to each other.

A new website, the Compliance Safety Accountability (CSA) Prioritization Preview, which is now live, is the first phase of planned updates to the Agency’s SMS. Motor carriers can visit the website to preview how their data would appear under the proposed changes. Companies are encouraged to preview these results and submit feedback on the proposed changes to FMCSA at the Federal Register website. Other users will be able to view sample pages.

FMCSA strongly encourages stakeholders to participate in the preview and submit their comments to the public docket.

The proposed changes to the Agency’s SMS are explained in a Federal Register notice (2023-02947). Feedback on the proposed changes must be submitted to the Federal Docket Management System (https://www.regulations.gov/), Docket ID Number: FMCSA-2022-0066. The 90-day comment period will begin on February 15, 2023 and are due by May 16, 2023. FMCSA will hold four public online question and answer webinars, during which participants will be able to ask questions about the preview and proposed changes and receive real-time answers, time permitting. Registration is required.

Visit the CSA Prioritization Preview website for more information.

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Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse: New Regulations For 2023

As of January 6, 2023, a pre-employment Clearinghouse query satisfies the requirement to investigate a prospective driver’s previous drug and alcohol program violations, as set forth in 49 CFR 391.23(e)(4) and 382.413(b). 

Employers of CDL drivers are required to conduct background investigations before hiring a driver. This process includes determining if the driver has violated the drug and alcohol regulations of any Department of Transportation (DOT) mode within the past three years (see 49 CFR 391.23(e)(1)-(3) and 382.413(a)).

As of today, January 6, 2023, three years of violation data is now stored in the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse. This means that prospective employers must conduct a pre-employment query of the Clearinghouse, as set forth in § 382.701(a), to comply with the inquiry requirement in §§ 382.413(b) and 391.23(e)(4), as it pertains to FMCSA-regulated employers. Inquiries not conducted under § 382.701(a) will not satisfy these inquiry requirements.

NOTE: The Clearinghouse contains only information about drivers employed by FMCSA-regulated employers. If a prospective employee was employed by an employer regulated by a DOT agency other than FMCSA (such as the Federal Railroad Administration, Federal Transit Administration, Federal Aviation Administration, etc.) during the three-year time frame, prospective employers will still be required to directly request drug and alcohol violation information from those DOT-regulated employers in accordance with 391.23(e)(4)(ii) and 382.413(c), since this information is not reported to the Clearinghouse.

Annual query requirements have not changed.

Employers of CDL drivers must conduct a query in the Clearinghouse at least once a year for each CDL driver they employ (see § 382.701(b)). This annual query requirement applies on a rolling 12-month basis, which means that if you conducted your last annual queries in December 2021, it is time to conduct the next round of annual queries.

Employers must obtain general consent from CDL drivers they employ before conducting limited queries in the Clearinghouse to view these drivers’ information (you can download a sample limited query consent form).

Are you up-to-date on your annual queries?

Log in to the Clearinghouse and visit your Query History page to see if your annual queries are due. For instructions on conducting annual queries, download the How to Conduct a Limited Query job aid.

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USDOT Hosts Historic First Meeting of Women of Trucking Advisory Board with a Focus on Driver Safety

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) hosted the inaugural meeting of the Women of Trucking Advisory Board (WOTAB), where members discussed the results of a new FMCSA report on driver safety. The new Advisory Board, created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is composed of 16 founding members with diverse backgrounds in the industry, and is focused on recruiting, retaining, supporting, and ensuring the safety of women commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers and strengthening the trucking industry as a whole. Collectively, WOTAB members have more than 80 years of driving experience with trucks, motorcoaches, and ports and more than 275 years in trucking and other modes of transportation. Currently, women make up just seven percent of all truck drivers on the road today.

“Truck drivers are the lifeblood of American supply chains, yet at a time when America needs truck drivers more than ever and can’t afford to leave any talent on the table, women are still vastly underrepresented in the industry,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who kicked off the first Women of Trucking Advisory Board meeting. “Everyone deserves to feel safe in the workplace, and we’re grateful to this first Women of Trucking Advisory Board for helping address safety and other industry challenges to ensure these good, vital careers are accessible to all.”

“Safety is FMCSA’s number one priority, and all truckers should feel safe in this industry,” said FMCSA Administrator Robin Hutcheson. “It’s so important to have a diverse board of women trucking professionals who will help make the industry safer and a more appealing career option not only to women but to everyone who has been underrepresented in the industry.”

FMCSA conducted its survey, Crime Prevention for Truckers, to better understand the nature and prevalence of harassment and assaults against truckers, specifically women and minorities. The report details harassment, threats of harm, or actual physical harm perpetrated against truckers, their possessions, vehicles, or cargo.

The survey found that female truck drivers are exposed to more sexual harassment at their companies or by their trainers than their male counterparts.  In addition, roughly half of the harassment incidents go unreported due to concerns that reporting the incident would not make a difference.

The Women of Trucking Advisory Board will use the results of this survey and other data, as well as the firsthand experience of its 16 women members, to make recommendations and discuss the next steps regarding the findings on harassment, assaults, and crimes being committed against women truckers.

“The survey information will contribute to better understanding obstacles to joining the industry, and to implementing best practices moving forward. Addressing the results and recommendations of the study will be the first of many opportunities for WOTAB to make an impact,” said Administrator Hutcheson.

President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law created the Advisory Board to review and report on policies that provide education, training, mentorship, and outreach to women in the trucking industry and identify barriers and industry trends that directly or indirectly discourage women from pursuing and retaining careers in trucking.

WOTAB is part of the Biden Administration’s Trucking Action Plan that is focused both on recruiting and retaining more drivers. In addition to WOTAB, DOT is also undergoing a driver compensation study, establishing a truck leasing task force, working with the U.S. Department of Labor to establish more driver apprenticeship programs, providing more funding to make Commercial Driver’s License processing more efficient, and more.

Read more about the WOTAB here.

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Pre-employment Investigations for Drug and Alcohol Program Violations 

Beginning January 6, 2023, a pre-employment Clearinghouse query will satisfy the requirement to investigate a prospective driver’s previous drug and alcohol program violations, as established by 49 CFR 391.23(e). 

Employers of CDL drivers are required to conduct background investigations before hiring a driver. This process includes determining if the driver has violated the drug and alcohol regulations of any Department of Transportation (DOT) mode within the past three years (see 49 CFR 391.23(e)(1)-(3) and 382.413(a)). Currently, this requires employers or their designated consortia/third-party administrators (C/TPAs) to conduct both electronic queries in the Clearinghouse and manual inquiries with previous employers to meet the three-year time frame.

Beginning January 6, 2023, when three years of violation data is stored in the Clearinghouse, prospective employers must conduct a pre-employment query of the Clearinghouse, as set forth in § 382.701(a), to comply with the inquiry requirement in §§ 382.413(b) and 391.23(e)(4), as it pertains to FMCSA-regulated employers. Inquiries not conducted under § 382.701(a) will not satisfy these inquiry requirements.

NOTE: The Clearinghouse contains only information about drivers employed by FMCSA-regulated employers. If a prospective employee was employed by an employer regulated by a DOT agency other than FMCSA (such as the Federal Railroad Administration, Federal Transit Administration, Federal Aviation Administration, etc.) during the three-year time frame, prospective employers will still be required to directly request drug and alcohol violation information from those DOT-regulated employers in accordance with 391.23(e)(4)(ii) and 382.413(c), since this information is not reported to the Clearinghouse.

Annual query requirements have not changed.

Employers of CDL drivers must conduct a query in the Clearinghouse at least once a year for each CDL driver they employ (see § 382.701(b)). This annual query requirement applies on a rolling 12-month basis, which means that if you conducted your last annual queries in December 2021, it is time to conduct the next round of annual queries.

Employers must obtain general consent from CDL drivers they employ before conducting limited queries in the Clearinghouse to view these drivers’ information (you can download a sample limited query consent form).

Are you up-to-date on your annual queries?

Log in to the Clearinghouse and visit your Query History page to see if your annual queries are due. For instructions on conducting annual queries, download the How to Conduct a Limited Query job aid.

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FMCSA Announces High-Priority Grants to Increase Safety for Commercial Drivers

September 13, 2022

The Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has announced $80,714,223 in grant awards under the High Priority (HP) Grant Program. The HP Grants provide funding to strengthen commercial motor vehicle safety initiatives under the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP). Furthermore, the grant program invests in innovative technology, supports research, and funds other projects that positively impact Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) safety.

The HP Grant Program provides financial assistance to supplement motor carrier safety activities and projects, including those that:

• improve the safe and secure movement of hazardous materials;
• improve safe transportation of goods and persons in foreign commerce;
• demonstrate new technologies to improve CMV safety;
• technology advancements to enhance CMV operator awareness of roadway hazards and truck parking availability;
• support participation in performance and registration information systems management;
• conduct safety data improvement projects;
• increase public awareness and education on CMV safety;
• target unsafe driving of CMVs in areas identified as high-risk crash corridors, including roadway work zones;
• otherwise improve CMV safety and compliance with CMV safety regulations.

HP grant funds are awarded to States, local governments, Federally recognized Native American tribes, political jurisdictions, non-profit organizations, institutions of higher education, and other eligible groups to carry out high priority activities and projects that strengthen commercial motor vehicle safety. Individuals and for-profit organizations are not eligible to apply.

High Priority activities also support the efforts outlined in the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) that makes historic investments in our nation’s infrastructure and competitiveness. In addition, the CMV safety and research investments conducted under the HP program and funded through BIL advance the Department’s National Roadway Safety Strategy (NRSS), a comprehensive approach to improve safety on our nation’s roadways.

This is one of many actions that the Administration and DOT are taking to support truck drivers – including investing in community colleges to train veterans to get CDLs, investing in improvements to CDL processing, standing up the Women of Trucking Advisory Board, studying the impacts of driver detention time, and starting the truck predatory leasing task force.

All HP applications undergo a series of reviews before award selection. See the FMCSA’s grant program page for additional information on the discretionary application announcement, review and approval process. For a full list of FY 2022 HP grant awards, click here

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Making Connections: The Search For Qualified CDL Drivers

DOT Compliance Consultants, LLC has several clients in the transportation industry that are currently seeking experienced CDL (Class A & B) and non-CDL Drivers for immediate work in our area. If you’re a dedicated professional looking for great opportunities offering competitive pay, flexible home time, and great benefits — We’d love to help make the connection. Contact us today for more information!

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Women of Trucking Advisory Board (WOTAB) Gears Up To Bring More Women into Trucking

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced the appointment of members to the Women of Trucking Advisory Board (WOTAB) to recruit, retain, support, and ensure the safety of women commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers and strengthen the trucking industry as a whole.

The Women in Trucking Advisory Board includes 16 founding members, all women, with diverse backgrounds and experiences to provide balanced points of view on addressing the challenges facing women in the industry. Of these members, five are current CMV drivers and four are former CMV drivers, others are trainers, executives and authors. WOTAB’s members hail from 11 states and work for small, medium, and large trucking companies and as independent owner-operators, non-profit organizations, trucking business associations, and institutions of higher education. Collectively, WOTAB members have more than 80 years of driving experience with trucks, motorcoaches, and ports and more than 275 years in trucking and other modes of transportation.

WOTAB’s launch is another key initiative mandated by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and is part of the Biden-Harris Trucking Action Plan that is focused on improving job quality and recruiting more people into the truck driving profession.

“America needs truck drivers like never before, yet women–half the American people–have long been underestimated and underrepresented behind the wheel and in jobs across this sector. Getting to know women in trucking, I have heard about their passion for the job as well as the challenges they face, and this experienced Women in Trucking Advisory Board will help us address these issues directly,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “We thank the members for serving and look forward to working together to bring more women into trucking and to enhance job quality in this important career.”

Recruiting and supporting women in transportation is a key priority for the Biden-Harris Administration. “Women are significantly underrepresented in the trucking industry, holding only 24 percent of all transportation jobs,” said FMCSA Deputy Administrator Robin Hutcheson. “We anticipate many great ideas from the advisory board that will help expand equity and safely provide access to careers in trucking for women across the industry.” In March, Hutcheson discussed truck driver challenges firsthand in a ride along with an experienced driver.

WOTAB will coordinate with trucking companies, nonprofit organizations, and trucking associations to support women in trucking. The Board will provide recommendations to the FMCSA Administrator and the U.S. Secretary of Transportation, as well as tackle many issues, including:

• Evaluating barriers and trends that impact women in trucking across the country and ways to support women pursuing careers in trucking
• Identifying opportunities to expand roles for women and increase the number of women in the trucking industry
• Advising on policies that provide education, training, mentorship, or outreach to women in the trucking industry
• Reviewing opportunities to enhance safety, training, mentorship, and education for women in the trucking industry.