Proposed DOT rule to reform carrier rating system published, comment period opens

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Csa Inspection

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has published a proposed rule that would reform the way it rates carriers and determines their overall safety fitness to operate, and the agency is accepting public comment on the proposal for 60 days.

FMCSA announced the rule late last week. If enacted, it would replace the current three-tier federal rating system of “Satisfactory, Conditional and Unsatisfactory” for commercial motor carriers with a single determination of “Unfit.” An Unfit determination would require the carrier to either improve its operations or be shut down.

The rule would expand the agency’s use of inspection and violation data to make such determinations, rather than relying on compliance reviews to make overall safety determinations about carriers.

Initial comments on the proposed rule can be made for 60 days, and reply comments can be made for 90 days. Comments can be made by searching Docket No. FMCSA-2015-0001 at www.regulations.gov. Click here to access the comment page directly. 

For more on the proposed rule, see CCJ’s coverage of last week’s announcement.