FMCSA Withdraws Vehicle Labeling Proposal

Federal trucking regulators withdrew a proposal meant to require motor carriers to use only trucks that display certain certification labels indicating the commercial vehicles met Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.

In a notice in the Federal Register on Dec. 30, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration noted it “determined that it can most effectively ensure that motor carriers maintain the safety equipment and features” provided by safety standards through the enforcement of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.

“We will continue to uphold the operational safety of [commercial motor vehicles] on the nation’s highways through continued enforcement of the [Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations], many of which cross-reference specific” federal safety standards, FMCSA added in the announcement attributed to Acting Administrator Scott Darling.

Industry groups, such as American Trucking Associations, noted their concerns about the proposal during a public feedback period earlier this year.

“FMCSA withdrew the [notice of proposed rulemaking] because ATA, its members and other commenters raised substantive issues which led the Agency to conclude that it would be inappropriate to move forward with a final rule,” ATA indicated this week. 

In June, FMCSA announced its intention to proceed with a proposed rulemaking to require all U.S.-domiciled motor carriers engaged in interstate commerce to use only commercial motor vehicles that display a vehicle manufacturer’s safety compliance certification label, or carry a letter of certification indicating the vehicles satisfied federal standards. 

FMCSA indicated that the proposed rule was intended to address the National Transportation Safety Board’s concerns about the operation of commercial motor vehicles that do not display certification labels.