We Want To Hear From You:
FMCSA to Host Public Listening Sessions Ahead of Safety Fitness Determination Proposed Rule
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is seeking public comment as it considers the development of a new methodology to determine when a motor carrier is not fit to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in or affecting interstate commerce.
Before proceeding with next steps in the rulemaking process, FMCSA will host a series of one in-person and two virtual listening sessions to gather public comment. These listening sessions are open to the public and will offer participants an opportunity to share thoughts about certain options for changes to safety fitness determinations, including the use of available safety data (such as inspection data) in determining a motor carrier’s fitness to operate and when the determination is made to remove unfit carriers from the nation’s roadways. FMCSA is also seeking public input on possible changes to the current three-tier safety fitness rating structure. All comments shared will be reviewed and considered before any additional actions are taken.
How to participate
Information on how to participate in the listening sessions is below:
FMCSA Safety Fitness Determination Virtual Listening Session #1
- Date: Tuesday, June 25
- Time: 2:00–3:30 pm ET
- Recording: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/SFD
FMCSA Safety Fitness Determination Listening Session #2 (In-Person at the Texas Trucking Show)
- Date: Saturday, June 29
- Time: 1:00–2:30 pm CT
- Location: NRG Center, 1 NRG Parkway, Houston, TX 77054; in the Seminar Area next to the Trucking Exhibition
- Registration for this session is not required, but please arrive early to allow time to check in. Additional information regarding the in-person listening session can be found in the Federal Register.
FMCSA Safety Fitness Determination Virtual Listening Session #3
- Date: Wednesday, July 31
- Time: 2:00–3:30 pm ET
- Recording: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/SFD
A second notice providing information on the virtual listening sessions will be published shortly. If you are unable to attend any of the sessions above, FMCSA is also accepting written comments through August 7, 2024, at SafetyFitnessDetermination@dot.gov. FMCSA is committed to providing equal access to the listening sessions. For accommodations for persons with disabilities, please email fmcsa.outreach@dot.gov at least two weeks in advance of the meeting to allow time to make appropriate arrangements.
The agency previously issued an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rule Making (ANPRM) in August 2023 that requested public comment on the need for a rulemaking to revise the regulations prescribing the safety fitness determination process; the available science or technical information to analyze regulatory alternatives for determining the safety fitness of motor carriers; feedback on the Agency’s current safety fitness determination (SFD) regulations, including the process and impacts; and the available data and costs for regulatory alternatives reasonably likely to be considered as part of this rulemaking.
