Safety Standards: In order to ensure safety of motorcoaches entering the United States from either the northern or southern borders, the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards must be enforced. Each vehicle operated in the United States must meet this standards according to Federal law. The FMVSS certification sticker is not a perfect indicator of compliance, it is a manufacturing standard only, and does not address modifications to the vehicle completed after manufacture.

What's in it for You?: This current law now instructs DOT to provide training and outreach to ensure proper enforcement of safety standards for buses entering and operating within the U.S. DOT will conduct a review to examine how Canadian and Mexican manufactured CMV's compare to FMVSS standards. This could lead to a universal North American Safety Standard for motorcoaches.

Medical Review Board: Intercity Bus Operators must rely on the professionalism and accuracy of examinations performed by medical examiners on a variety of topics, including medical examinations and drug and alcohol testing services. Additionally, a bus operator cannot depend on the information provided by the applicant regarding previous employment history being accurate. Medical examiners are currently not required to be registered or certified, leading to the possibility that potential employees can mask true conditions and be hired even thought unfit to drive.

What's in it for You?: The new legislation established a medical review board to set standards for medical examiners and requires all drivers to have physicals performed by registered medical examiners.

Minimum Financial Standards: A vehicle that is designed to carry 16 or more passengers, including the driver in interstate commerce is required by law to have $5 million of liability insurance. Private carriers have been not subject to this requirement. Many of these companies are providing services similar to our members, but have not had to obtain this minimum level of insurance.

What's in it for You?: The new language requires that the DOT set minimum liability coverage for private buses. This action will level the playing field, all operators of 16 or more passengers will be required to have liability coverage.

Pattern or Practice of Safety Violations: Commercial Vehicle operators have sometimes been able to obtain operating authority despite serious safety problems.

What's in it for You?: The current legislation allows for companies with prior poor safety offenses to be denied operating authority. This will ensure that the motorcoach industry continues to be the safest mode of transportation.

Interstate Van Operations: Currently, 8-15 passenger vans have been subject to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (except for CDL and drug and alcohol testing rules) if they operated in interstate commerce, beyond a 75 mile in limit.

What's in it for You?: Under SAFETEA-LU all interstate commerce vehicles are subject to the regulations above, regardless of miles, further leveling the playing field.