2024 Facts for Drivers OCR - Copy_21-21.pdf

based on a formula incorporating the mileage percentage calculated for other (registration) purposes. Environmental Requirement: In addition to new federal diesel engine emission requirements, many states have or are adopting environ- mental regulations which also affect trucking operations. These...

based on a formula incorporating the mileage percentage calculated for other (registration) purposes. Environmental Requirement: In addition to new federal diesel engine emission requirements, many states have or are adopting environ- mental regulations which also affect trucking operations. These regulations include such matters as idling reduction, diesel engine retrofits, transport refrigeration unit upgrades, alternative fuel mandates, and roadside smoke inspections. The increased focus on climate change and the “greening” of businesses will result in contin- ued efforts to advance environmental regulations directed at the transportation sector at both the state and federal levels far into the foreseeable future. It will also spur research and testing of alternative fuels such as natural gas. Commercial Driver Licenses: As previously noted, the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 set minimum, mandatory national standards for states to follow when issuing a CMV driver's license. The regulations that pmplemented this Act are found in 49 CFR Part 383. As a result of these regulations, drivers of certain CMVs have been required to have a CDL in order to drive a CMV. Then, based on the Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act of 1999, FMCSA went a step further and issued regulations to address a number of licensing issues: (1) disqualification for driving while suspended or disqualified, or for causing a fatality; (2) emergency disqualification of drivers posing an imminent hazard; (3) expanded definition of serious traffic violations; (4) extended driver-record check; (5) new notification requirements; (6) a prohibition on “mask- ing” by requiring convictions to be made available to authorized parties; and (7) disqualification for violations obtained while driving a noncommercial motor vehicle. Law Enforcement: Virtually all states have adopted the provisions of the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP), so that federal safety regulations now have the force of state as well as federal law. Administered by FMCS.A, MCSAP enables state enforcement personnel to monitor the compliance of both inter- and intrastate CMs with a uniform set of safety regulations. Under MCSAPB, uni- form roadside driver and vehicle safety inspections, traffic enforce- ment, compliance reviews, and the like are eligible for federal funding. ral |