FMCSA to address TRALA Concerns over registrant-only USDOT numbers

Truck Renting and Leasing Association (TRALA) representatives met with top officials in the Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to continue ongoing discussions with the agency regarding concerns with the announced elimination of the registrant-only USDOT number. The registrant-only option is used by owners of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) (including many TRALA members) that are not motor carriers but rent and lease their trucks to motor carriers.

TRALA representatives say they were pleased to learn that FMCSA will be addressing all of the major concerns raised by TRALA over the past year. The FMCSA will be publishing a notice in the Federal Register within the next few weeks outlining exactly how the agency plans to proceed with elimination of the registrant-only option, and any steps that renting and leasing companies will have to take. The effective date of the change is expected to be in October 2012.

One of the biggest concerns is the industry's opposition to new entrant safety audits for existing leasing companies that are forced to switch from a registrant-only designation to a motor carrier designation. The absence of the registrant-only option will require many leasing companies to register as private motor carriers or intrastate non-hazmat carriers. FMCSA signaled its agreement with TRALA and that it intends to exempt from new-entrant safety audits any truck renting and leasing company that has been registered with FMCSA prior to March 1, 2011. This positive development will save renting and leasing companies money, time, and administrative difficulties associated with federal audits that are not applicable to renting and leasing operations.

Throughout the discussion regarding elimination of the registrant-only USDOT number, TRALA has stressed that misidentification of rental trucks by law enforcement personnel is a problem that needs to be addressed. TRALA members often are incorrectly cited for violations incurred by the operator of the truck, because law enforcement personnel will cite the lessor's USDOT number displayed on the side of rental trucks, instead of using the USDOT number contained on the rental agreement, which is required by federal regulation to be carried in commercially rented trucks at all times. TRALA, FMCSA, and the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) are planning to work together to educate law enforcement personnel on CMV marking regulations, as well as the best ways to correctly identify rental truck operators.