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Regulatory update: When to expect rules on e-logs, speed limiters and Safety Fitness Determination

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Updated Mar 21, 2015

inspection-scalesIn its March regulatory report, the Department of Transportation’s projected dates on major trucking regulations expected this year remained mostly unchanged.

Here are the dates the DOT and its Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration expect to publish significant rulemakings this year:

Electronic logging device mandate: The forecasted date for a Final Rule mandating the use of electronic logging devices is still Sept. 30, as reported recently by CCJ. In its initial February rulemakings report, the DOT projected a Nov. 9 publication date — a six-week delay from the Sept. 30 date the agency has said it’s aiming for. However, it subsequently published a supplemental report in which it reversed the projected delay and moved the target date back to Sept. 30. The rule, which was proposed last March, will go into effect two years following its publication date in the Federal Register.

Speed limiter mandate: Per the report, a proposed rule to mandate the use of speed limiters in heavy trucks could see action this week, as the DOT projects it will send the rule March 17 to the White House’s Office of Management and Budget for its approval. That date, however, has continued to be pushed back in each of the agency’s reports in the last several months. The report projects a June 22 publication date.

Safety Fitness Determination: The agency’s long-awaited and many-times-delayed Safety Fitness Determination rule could also see action soon, as its projected to be sent to the White House’s Office of Management and Budget April 6, according to the report. It was sent to the Office of the Secretary of Transportation earlier this month, paving its way to be sent to the OMB. The report projected a publication date of July 15 for the rule proposal.

CDL Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse: The DOT still projects a Dec. 14 publication date for its CDL Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse rule, which would set up a database of drivers who have failed or refused to take a drug or alcohol test. A proposed rule was published last year. These projected dates are for a Final Rule.

Prohibition of driver coercion: The agency’s rule to impose penalties on carriers, shippers, brokers and other entities who coerce truck operators to drive in violation of federal safety rules is still projected to be published Sept. 10. The agency published a proposed rule last year, and the Final Rule will take effect upon its publication in the Federal Register.