The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has provided the latest information relating to the intermodal equipment final rule, which became effective on Wednesday, June 17. Compliance is required by Dec. 17. The new regulations make intermodal equipment providers (IEPs) subject to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) for the first time, and establish shared safety responsibility among IEPs, motor carriers and drivers.
FMCSA says the new rule will enhance the safety of the nation’s intermodal transportation system by improving maintenance, which should result in fewer breakdowns and crashes involving intermodal chassis and fewer chassis being placed out of service.
Each IEP that offers intermodal equipment for transportation in interstate commerce must file an Intermodal Equipment Provider Identification Report (Form MCS-150C) by Dec. 17. By completing and submitting Form MCS-150C, the IEP is taking the first step toward complying with the FMCSRs.
FMCSA says that after it receives the completed MCS-150C Form, the IEP will be assigned a U.S. Department of Transportation number that serves as a unique identifier when collecting and monitoring a company’s safety information acquired during audits, compliance reviews, crash investigations and inspections. As an IEP, the company’s safety information will be acquired through roadability reviews, crash investigations and inspections.
FMCSA says that after it receives the completed MCS-150C Form, it generally will take five to seven days for the IEP to receive its USDOT number. This estimate does not take into account the extra time required for mail service, incomplete forms, incorrectly completed forms, etc.
For more information on the final rule and to access MCS-150C Form, as well as instructions on how to fill it out, go to www.fmcsa.dot.gov.
