FMCSA Tightens Timeline for Operating Authority Compliance

On July 1, 2008, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) notified the public that the timeframe required to revoke a carrier's operating authority for failing to have sufficient levels of insurance on file is being reduced. The current process takes at least 66 days. The new 33 day process will only allow a carrier to hold operating authority without insurance reflected on our Licensing and Insurance database for up to three (3) days. Revocation decisions will be tied to our enforcement program which will focus on the operations of uninsured carriers. This improvement will further ensure that the public is adequately protected in case of a motor carrier crash. Accordingly, we are adopting the following procedure for revocation of authority: 1) The first notice will go out three (3) days after FMCSA receives notification from the insurance company that the carrier's policy will be cancelled in 30 days. This notification informs the carrier that it must provide evidence that it is in full compliance with FMCSA's insurance regulations within 30 days. 2) If the carrier has not complied with FMCSA's insurance requirements after 30 days, a final decision revoking the operating authority will be issued.

FMCSA To Host Motorcoach Safety Webinars

On March 17, 2008, the Analysis, Research and Technology Division (ART) of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) will host the first of two web based seminars on critical motorcoach safety issues. The first seminar, entitled “Motorcoach Safety Analysis” will focus on why motorcoach fire occur and will feature presentations on recent research conducted on this subject by Chris Ferrone, President of Americoach Systems, Inc., followed by study results presented by Luke Loy of the ART. The second webinar will present the results of the Agency’s “Bus Crash Causation Study. Over the past two years the FMCSA has collected data on 40 buses, which were involved in 39 crashes, in the State of New Jersey. The webinar will examine the reasons for the crashes and the factors the increased the risk of the crash occurring. Anyone interested in taking part in these sessions may register online at the FMCSA website.

Homeland Security and State Departments Announce WHTI Land and Sea Final Rule

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Department of State (DOS) announced today the final rule for the land and sea portion of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), a core 9/11 Commission recommendation. The WHTI final rule requires travelers to present a passport or other approved secure document denoting citizenship and identity for all land and sea travel into the United States. WHTI establishes document requirements for travelers entering the United States who were previously exempt, including citizens of the U.S., Canada and Bermuda. These document requirements will be effective June 1, 2009.
WHTI Land and Sea Final Rule FAQs

FMCSA Announces New Minimum Guidelines for Pre-Trip Passenger Safety Messages

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration recently released a notice announcing minimum guidelines in the providing of pre-trip safety information to motorcoach passengers. Although the guidelines are to be implemented on a purely voluntary basis, the plan as described would invite motorcoach operators to deliver a safety message to passengers in a similar fashion as currently provided by operators in the airline industry.
Download a full copy of the guidelines.

 

Unified Carrier Registration Update

As part of the new transportation reauthorization bill Congress enacted in July, the Unified Carrier Registration Act requiring DOT to issue regulations to establish an on-line, federal registration system ("the Unified Carrier Registration System") will change as well. The new system will mean less paperwork, simplified registration, lower fees, and more money directed to safety programs specifically.