The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has updated, significantly enhanced, and expanded accessibility of its safety education and technical assistance program materials.
FMCSA said that in response to comments regarding the quality of the original materials, the agency has incorporated new information helpful to new entrants for how to comply with applicable federal safety standards and prepare for the new entrant safety audit.
FMCSA said the old materials were originally intended to familiarize motor carriers with how to comply with, and what to expect during, a compliance review. The new document, accessible online at fmcsa.dot.gov includes the following enhancements:
- Updated regulatory requirements. The regulatory information has been updated to include new requirements imposed since 2001.
- Revamped Design. Regulatory information is presented in the same order in which it appears in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (49 CFR Parts 300-399). In addition to a table of contents, two Quick Reference Guides are added to the front of the document to help readers quickly identify all regulatory requirements relevant to drivers and employers, respectively. The reference guides are written in question-and-answer format with topical subheadings. The regulatory information is attractively presented and easy to understand. We believe these improvements will be an incentive for new entrants to actually use the materials to become familiar with applicable Federal safety standards.
- Expanded coverage of the New Entrant Safety Assurance Program. The section on Part 385—Safety Fitness Procedures—includes a clearer discussion of the New Entrant Safety Assurance Program and the Hazardous Materials Safety Permitting Program. Because the project was completed in July 2008, prior to finalization of this rulemaking, the section on Part 385 reflects new entrant program requirements in effect as of that date and not the new requirements set forth in this final rule. Changes from this final rule will be included in the next revision to the materials.
- More Accessible. The online version includes links to desired content from the driver or employer quick-Reference guides.
- The document is available in English and Spanish.