2020 Federal Rules & Regulations

Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval: National Survey of Speeding Attitudes and Behaviors [Docket No. NHTSA–2020–0008]

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), this notice announces that the Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below will be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review. The ICR describes the nature of the information collection and its expected...

Rulemaking Procedures Update [Docket No. FMCSA–2016–0341]

FMCSA amends its rulemaking procedures by revising the process for preparing and adopting rules and petitions. Also, the Agency adds new definitions, and makes general administrative corrections throughout its rulemaking procedures. These actions are authorized under the Fixing America’s Surface...

Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation; Rear Impact Guards and Rear Impact Protection [Docket No. FMCSA–2019–0211]

FMCSA proposes to amend the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to include rear impact guards on the list of items that must be examined as part of the required annual inspection for each commercial motor vehicle (CMV). In addition, FMCSA proposes to amend the labeling requirements...

Make Inoperative Exemptions; Vehicle Modifications To Accommodate People With Disabilities [Docket No. NHTSA–2016–0031]

In 2016, NHTSA published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend our regulations, ‘‘Make Inoperative Exemptions, Vehicle Modifications to Accommodate People With Disabilities,’’ to include a new exemption relating to the Federal motor vehicle safety standard (FMVSS) for roof crush...

Notice Regarding the Applicability of NHTSA FMVSS Test Procedures to Certifying Manufacturers [Docket No. NHTSA–2020–0119]

The National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Safety Act) prohibits the sale, manufacture for sale, import or introduction into interstate commerce of a motor vehicle or item of motor vehicle equipment, unless fully compliant with all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS)...

Record of Violations [Docket No. FMCSA–2018–0224]

FMCSA proposes to eliminate the requirement that drivers operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce prepare and submit a list of their convictions for traffic violations to their employers annually. This requirement is largely duplicative of a separate provision that...

National Standards for Traffic Control Devices; the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways; Revision [FHWA Docket No. FHWA–2020–0001]

The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways (MUTCD) is incorporated in FHWA regulations and recognized as the national standard for traffic control devices used on all public roads. The purpose of this NPA is to revise standards, guidance, options, and supporting...

Approval of Reinstated Renewal for Information Request: Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Skills Testing Delays Annual Survey [Docket No. FMCSA–2020–0117]

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FMCSA announces its plan to submit the Information Collection Request (ICR) described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for its renewal.

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards: Test Procedures [Docket No. NHTSA–2020–0109]

NHTSA is issuing this ANPRM to seek public comment on whether any test procedures for any Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) may be a candidate for replacement, repeal, or modification, for reasons other than for considerations relevant only to automated driving systems (ADS). This...

Framework for Automated Driving System Safety [Docket No. NHTSA–2020–0106]

NHTSA is requesting comment on the development of a framework for Automated Driving System (ADS) safety. The framework would objectively define, assess, and manage the safety of ADS performance while ensuring the needed flexibility to enable further innovation. The Agency is seeking to draw upon...

Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Testing; Application for Exemption: State of Minnesota [Docket No. FMCSA–2016–0180]

FMCSA announces that the State of Minnesota seeks reconsideration of its application for exemption from regulations governing commercial driver’s license (CDL) skills testing procedures and practices that was denied on May 9, 2017. Minnesota believes it can deliver its CDL skills testing more...

Hours of Service of Drivers; Definition of Agricultural Commodity [Docket No. FMCSA–2018–0348]

FMCSA clarifies the definition of the terms ‘‘any agricultural commodity,’’ ‘‘livestock,’’ and ‘‘nonprocessed food,’’ as the terms are used in the definition of ‘‘agricultural commodity’’ for the purposes of the Agency’s ‘‘Hours of Service (HOS) of Drivers’’ regulations. Under current regulations...

Request for Information: Impaired Driving Technologies [Docket No. NHTSA–2020–0102]

This notice requests information from interested parties to help inform the agency on available or late stage technology under development for impaired driving detection and mitigation. It also fulfills the Joint Explanatory Statement accompanying the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020...

Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; National Survey of Drowsy Driving Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviors [Docket No. NHTSA–2020–0024]

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), this notice announces that the Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below will be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review. The ICR describes the nature of the information collection and its expected...

New Information Collection Request: Baseline Opinions of Commercial Automated Driving Systems [Docket No. FMCSA–2020–0203]

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announces its plan to submit the Information Collection Request (ICR) described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for its review and approval and invites public comment...

Notice To Extend Exemption From Renewal of the Hazardous Materials Endorsement Security Threat Assessment for Certain Individuals [Docket No. TSA–2003–14610]

TSA is extending the exemption from Renewal of the Hazardous Materials Endorsement Security Threat Assessment for Certain Individuals that TSA published on July 31, 2020 which was scheduled to expire on October 30, 2020, through December 31, 2020. Under this exemption, states may extend the...

Commercial Driver’s License: Ohio Department of Public Safety; Application for Exemption [Docket No. FMCSA–2019–0044]

FMCSA announces its decision to deny the Ohio Department of Public Safety’s (DPS) request for an exemption to modify the mandatory skills test requirements for qualified military veterans. FMCSA has determined that the applicant did not provide an alternative to ensure that an equivalent level of...

Proposed Pilot Program To Allow Persons Ages 18, 19, and 20 To Operate Commercial Motor Vehicles in Interstate Commerce [Docket No. FMCSA–2018–0346]

On May 15, 2019, FMCSA published a Federal Register notice requesting public comments on a possible new pilot program to allow drivers aged 18, 19, and 20 to operate commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce. The May 2019 notice asked specific questions regarding training; qualifications...

Hours of Service of Drivers; Pilot Program To Allow Commercial Drivers To Pause Their 14-Hour Driving Window [Docket No. FMCSA–2020–0098]

FMCSA proposes a pilot program to allow temporary regulatory relief from the Agency’s hours-of-service (HOS) requirement that all driving by drivers of property-carrying commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) be completed within 14 hours after coming on duty. During the pilot program, known as the...

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards: Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles [Docket No. NHTSA–2020–0086]

This interim final rule responds to an ‘‘emergency petition’’ submitted by the Alliance of Automotive Innovation (Alliance) regarding the phase-in and compliance requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 141 (FMVSS 141), ‘‘Minimum sound for hybrid and electric vehicles.’’ The...

Department Regulatory and Deregulatory Agenda; Semiannual Summary [DOT–OST–1999–5129]

The Regulatory and Deregulatory Agenda is a semiannual summary of all current and projected rulemakings, reviews of existing regulations, and completed actions of the Department. The intent of the Agenda is to provide the public with information about the Department of Transportation’s regulatory...

Driver Interactions With Advanced Driver Assistance Technologies: Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval [Docket No. NHTSA–2019–0037]

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces that the Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. A Federal Register notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting...

Passenger Carrier No-Defect Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports [Docket No. FMCSA–2019–0075]

FMCSA rescinds the requirement that drivers of passenger carrying commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) operating in interstate commerce submit, and motor carriers retain, driver-vehicle inspection reports (DVIRs) when the driver has neither found nor been made aware of any vehicle defects or...