FMCSA is committed to the proposal to eliminate more than 1,800 words of federal regulations. (Juan Sorto/Transportation Topics)
key takeaways:
- FMCSA is removing outdated trucking regulations to reduce compliance costs and paperwork without impacting safety.
- The agency said eliminating obsolete regulations could save millions annually and reduce unnecessary violations.
- Recent changes include updates to equipment requirements and the removal of outdated provisions such as liquid-burning flares.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is removing obsolete regulations from its trucking regulations, with the goal of reducing compliance costs and paperwork without impacting safety.
FMCSA predicted last year that eliminating obsolete terminology would “save the motor carrier industry millions annually.” The burdensome trucking rules will result in “approximately 25,000 unnecessary violations” in 2024, the agency said.
In May, deregulation was highlighted by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and strengthened by FMCSA Administrator Derek Barce in recognition of his leadership. Their combined comments were contained in a list Trucking Industry First Year Achievements Under the Trump administration.
Bars said, “I’ve spent my life looking out for people on our highways, and I’m telling you, these drivers are the heartbeat of this country. This administration is finally giving our truck drivers the support they need to get the job done and get them home safely to their families.”
FMCSA is committed to the proposal to eliminate more than 1,800 words of federal regulations.
In February 2025, the agency issued a proposed rule titled “”.ensuring legitimate regulation; Reducing regulation and controlling regulatory costs”
FMCSA received nearly 1,000 public comments as it sought to modify or repeal the rules, guidance, and required paperwork “to ensure that DOT administrative actions do not undermine the national interest and achieve meaningful burden reduction while meeting DOT statutory obligations and ensuring the safety of the U.S. transportation system.”
This year, FMCSA worked on a variety of rules to streamline operations for truck drivers. A series of final rules that took effect March 23 were said to have no impact on safety.
Rear Impact Protection Guard
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations were amended to remove the requirement that rear impact guards be permanently marked or labeled with certification from the impact guard manufacturer. In the past, motor carriers purchasing new trailers or new impact guards to replace damaged equipment were required to mark or label them to verify that they met the federal motor vehicle safety standard.
FMCSA said the requirement caused problems because labels or markings became illegible or deteriorated during the service life of the trailer or guard.
The agency said the final rule “removes an unintended regulatory burden on motor carriers without compromising safety, as it does not affect applicable FMVSS” while the guidance document regarding unclear, incomplete or missing rear impact guard certification labels has also been withdrawn.
Exception for portable conveyors
The agency added an exception for portable conveyors made before 2010 for use in the aggregate industry. This removed the requirement for each of these older commercial motor vehicles to apply brakes on all wheels if certain conditions were met.
auxiliary fuel tank
FMCSA amended its fuel tank rules to allow an exemption from the restriction on gravity and siphon feed for auxiliary pumps with a capacity of 5 gallons or less, provided they are trailer-mounted and used only when the vehicle is not in motion.
license plate lamp
The FMCSR adds an exception from the lamp and reflective device requirements for license plate lamps behind truck tractors when pulling a trailer. The amendment removed an unnecessary regulatory requirement for truck owners who would otherwise have rear license plate lamps installed in their truck tractors when pulling a trailer.
liquid flames
Removed reference to liquid-burning flares from warning device requirements for commercial motor vehicle emergency equipment. These were seen as outdated references to warning devices no longer in use.
fuel tank overfill restriction
The FMCSR no longer requires liquid fuel tanks manufactured on or after January 1, 1973, to be designed or constructed to prevent filling with fuel greater than 95% of the tank’s liquid capacity in normal filling operations. This requirement was considered outdated.
‘water carrier’ reference
Removed obsolete references to “water carriers” in the FMCSA for hotel-related passenger transportation because the FMCSA does not specifically regulate water carriers unless they also engage in motor carrier operations.
