The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on Tuesday, Aug. 25, invited comments on whether the agency should require applicants for federal operating authority to pass an exam on safety requirements before being allowed to operate. Comments are due Oct. 26.
FMCSA’s advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) regarding a new entrant proficiency exam follows new rules issued in December tightening rules governing new entrants. Among other things, the rule established that failure to comply with any one of 16 specific requirements would result in automatic failure of a new entrant safety audit.
The ANPRM responds to one issue raised in a petition for reconsideration of the new entrant rule filed in January by Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety. FMCSA said it is still reviewing other aspects of the Advocates’ petition, which contends the final rule did not go far enough to ensure that new entrants operate safely.
For a copy of the ANPRM, click here. For the December 2008 new entrant rule, the Advocates’ petition for reconsideration and future comments on the ANPRM, go to www.regulations.gov and search FMCSA-2001-11061.
