Last week, The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) connected with thousands of trucking professionals at the Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS) in Louisville, Kentucky. During the three-day event, FMCSA hosted two sessions as well as staffed an exhibit booth throughout the show, giving attendees the opportunity to directly engage with agency staff, state partners, and other stakeholders. The first session provided an update on two current studies examining truck driver compensation and truck driver detention time; the second session served as a public listening session to discuss active broker financial responsibility requirements and the broker definition.
The driver compensation study was mandated by Congress as part of the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This study looks at the effects of various methods of driver compensation on safety and driver retention, including hourly pay, payment for detention time and other pay methods used in the industry. It is expected to conclude in July 2024, and a formal report with recommendations will be made to Congress.
The detention time study focuses on looking at the prevalence of detention time in the trucking industry.
In 2018, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General reported that detention time increased crash risks and costs but that the current data limited further analysis. The report recommended that FMCSA collaborate with industry stakeholders to develop and implement a plan to collect and analyze “reliable, accurate, and representative data on the frequency and severity of driver detention.” This three-year study is scheduled to conclude in July 2025.
Broker Listening Session
Additionally, the agency held a public listening session to discuss active broker financial responsibility requirements and the broker definition. The FMCSA panel heard from multiple truck drivers and other industry personnel regarding FMCSA’s interim guidance on the interpretation of the definitions of broker and bona fide agents as it relates to all brokers of transportation by commercial motor vehicle.
FMCSA sought comments to the interim guidance and will issue final guidance by June 16, 2023. FMCSA reopened the comment period on this topic last month, and comments may be submitted through April 6, 2023.
MATS continues to be a key event for FMCSA and an optimal opportunity for the agency to share updates and connect directly with stakeholders across the trucking industry. Follow us on Facebook to stay updated on FMCSA’s studies and the results of the broker final guidance.
