Open government data, decoded
FMCSA rule changes decoded: what changed, who it hits, what to do
Since Oct 1, 2024 FMCSA has published 411 documents in the Federal Register: 31 final rules, 34 proposed rules and 346 notices. On Oct 9, 2026, Regulations.gov listed 70 FMCSA documents open for public comment. Below, the ones that touch your costs are translated, tagged by who they hit, and dated.
SnapshotFederal Register API and Regulations.gov API v4Data period: October 2024 to October 2026, comment periods as of Oct 9, 2026Retrieved Oct 9, 2026, 22:10 UTCretrieved Oct 9, 2026
Official sourcesTags are ours
Read this first
This is a reading aid built from official abstracts, not legal advice. The Federal Register text linked on every row is the official version. A proposed rule is not law. A final rule has an effective date. Deadlines change when the agency extends or reopens a comment period.
The numbers at a glance
What the last two years of FMCSA rulemaking look like, counted from the Federal Register API.
- 31final rules since Oct 1, 2024
- 34proposed rules, including comment extensions and corrections
- 20 in one dayrules and proposals published on May 30, 2025, the busiest day
- 346notices: exemptions, paperwork, meetings
- 29rules and proposals in the last 12 months
Timeline: when the rule changes landed
Final rules and proposed rules per month. One day, May 30, 2025, produced 20 of them, a batch of small clean-up proposals, most of which were finalized together in February 2026.
- Final rules
- Proposed rules
Decoded: the changes most likely to touch a small fleet
Plain English first, the Federal Register link last. Each card names what to do. Read the linked text before you act on any of it.
Unified Carrier Registration fees go up for 2027
Every year, motor carriers, brokers, freight forwarders and leasing companies pay a UCR fee to the states. FMCSA adopted the UCR Board's recommended increase for registration year 2027. The abstract says it averages 20 percent over the fee structure adopted for 2025 and kept for 2026, with increases from $9 to $9,329 per entity depending on the fee bracket, and that 2027 fees stay below those charged for 2019 through 2022.
What to do: Find your fleet-size bracket on the UCR plan site, price the 2027 fee, and put it in next year's budget before the registration window opens.
Rule, published Sep 1, 2026. Effective Oct 1, 2026. Federal Register 2026-17893
Non-domiciled CDLs limited to specific work visas
States can now issue non-domiciled commercial learner's permits and CDLs to foreign-domiciled people only if they hold a specific, verifiable employment-based nonimmigrant status. The final rule reaffirms, with minor changes, the interim rule of September 29, 2025.
What to do: If any of your drivers hold a non-domiciled CDL, ask the issuing state licensing agency how renewals work for them, and plan for a driver who cannot renew.
Rule, published Feb 13, 2026. Effective Mar 16, 2026. Federal Register 2026-02965
English proficiency would become an out-of-service violation
This is a proposal, not a rule yet. It would write the English language proficiency requirement for drivers into the federal out-of-service criteria, matching what the CVSA out-of-service criteria already enforce at the roadside.
What to do: Treat the roadside English check as a day-stopper. Make sure every driver can answer and read the basics, and price an out-of-service day with the calculator below.
Proposed Rule, published Aug 10, 2026. Comment deadline Oct 9, 2026. Federal Register 2026-16288
No more ELD manual in the cab
The requirement to carry a copy of the ELD operator's manual in the truck is gone. Drivers must still understand how the ELD works and show their records at inspection.
What to do: Keep the instruction card or app handy for drivers, but the printed manual is no longer a violation if missing.
Rule, published Jun 22, 2026. Effective Jul 22, 2026. Federal Register 2026-12448
CDL holders no longer self-report violations to their home state
Drivers used to report motor vehicle violations to their state of domicile. Since states began exchanging violations electronically in 2024, FMCSA says self-reporting is no longer necessary and removed it.
What to do: Update your driver onboarding checklist. Employers still need their own record of driver violations for the driver file.
Rule, published Jun 22, 2026. Effective Jul 22, 2026. Federal Register 2026-12449
Roadside inspection forms go back only to states that want them
Carriers used to sign and return every completed roadside inspection form to the state that issued it. Now they return it only to states that request it.
What to do: Check each state's request before mailing or uploading. Keep your own copy for the DataQs and your safety file.
Rule, published Jun 22, 2026. Effective Jul 22, 2026. Federal Register 2026-12450
Daily vehicle inspection reports may be fully electronic
The rule spells out that a driver vehicle inspection report can be completed electronically. It was already allowed; the text now says so plainly.
What to do: If you still collect paper DVIRs, an app or ELD module is now clearly allowed.
Rule, published Feb 19, 2026. Effective Mar 23, 2026. Federal Register 2026-03264
Emergency relief from some rules lasts 30 days, not 14
After a governor or FMCSA declares a regional emergency, the automatic relief from certain rules now runs 30 days instead of 14. This reverses one change from the October 2023 final rule, after petitions for reconsideration.
What to do: If you haul in a declared emergency, log the declaration and your start date so you can show which days of relief you used.
Rule, published Oct 5, 2026. Effective Oct 5, 2026. Federal Register 2026-20325
Equipment clean-up package: lamps, tires, fuses, fuel tanks
Several small equipment rules were trimmed or clarified in one batch: no license-plate-lamp requirement on a tractor towing a trailer, no federal requirement for tire load markings on the sidewall, no required spare fuses, and no fuel-tank 95 percent fill rule. These came from a May 30, 2025 batch of proposals.
What to do: Do not buy gear only to satisfy these items. Keep roadside-inspection basics (lights, tires, brakes) unchanged.
Rule, published Feb 19, 2026. Effective Mar 23, 2026. Federal Register 2026-03259
Old for-hire routing regulations repealed
FMCSA repealed the for-hire motor carrier routing regulations about serving municipalities and unincorporated communities, saying they exceeded its statutory authority.
What to do: Nothing to file. If a customer cites the old routing rules, they no longer apply.
Rule, published May 30, 2025. Effective May 30, 2025. Federal Register 2025-09709
Broker financial-responsibility compliance date moved to Jan 16, 2026
The date for certain provisions of the broker and freight-forwarder financial responsibility rule was extended from January 16, 2025 to January 16, 2026 because the online registration system was not ready.
What to do: If you are a carrier, check a broker's bond or trust fund status before you haul. See the broker bond claim guide.
Rule, published Dec 31, 2024. Effective Dec 31, 2024. Federal Register 2024-30509
Split sleeper berth pilot: about 256 drivers, 4 months of data
A proposed pilot program would give temporary relief from the rule requiring one rest period of at least 7 consecutive hours in the sleeper berth for drivers who split sleeper time. About 256 CDL drivers who regularly use the sleeper berth could take part, with data reported for a 4-month period.
What to do: A follow-up paperwork notice on this pilot is open for comment now (see the open-for-comment table). Drivers and carriers who split sleeper time can comment.
Proposed Rule, published Sep 17, 2025. Comment deadline Nov 17, 2025. Federal Register 2025-17939
Broker transaction transparency: comment period reopened
FMCSA proposed a rule on transparency in property broker transactions (proposal of November 20, 2024). At the Small Business in Transportation Coalition's request it reopened the comment period for 30 days, to March 20, 2025. No final rule with this title appears in the FMCSA documents we pulled for October 2024 to October 2026.
What to do: Open the linked notice for the actual proposed text. Until a final rule exists, your protection is your rate confirmation and your own records.
Proposed Rule, published Feb 18, 2025. Effective Nov 20, 2024. Comment deadline Mar 20, 2025. Federal Register 2025-02707
Proposed user fee for state access to the CDL information system
FMCSA proposed a user fee that state driver licensing agencies would pay to access the Commercial Driver's License Information System, collected by AAMVA. It is a fee on states, and the comment period closed June 17, 2026.
What to do: No direct filing for carriers. Watch whether states pass costs through to CDL renewal fees.
Proposed Rule, published May 18, 2026. Comment deadline Jun 17, 2026. Federal Register 2026-09943
Open for comment now
A comment period is the one moment a carrier can put a fact in front of the agency. Dates below come from Regulations.gov.
Source: Regulations.gov API v4, filter agencyId FMCSA and withinCommentPeriod true. Comments so far is the public comment total the site reports for that document. 55 more of the 70 open documents are applications from individual drivers or carriers for an exemption (for example for epilepsy or vision rules); they are on Regulations.gov and not listed here. A document with few comments is one where a short, specific comment from a carrier can stand out. The days-left count runs in your browser from today's date.
All rules and proposals, filterable
79 rules and proposals from FMCSA and other DOT agencies since Oct 1, 2024. Filter by status, impact tag or who it hits.
| Document and plain English | Published | Status | Who it hits | Effective | Comment deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clarification to the Applicability of Emergency Exemptions; Response to Petitions for Reconsideration Emergency relief from some rules lasts 30 days, not 14. After a governor or FMCSA declares a regional emergency, the automatic relief from certain rules now runs 30 days instead of 14. This reverses one change from the October 2023 final rule, after petitions for reconsideration. What to do: If you haul in a declared emergency, log the declaration and your start date so you can show which days of relief you used. | Oct 5, 2026 | Final rule FMCSA | All truck carriers | Oct 5, 2026 | none listed |
| The Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient (SAFE) Vehicles Rule III for Model Years 2022 to 2031 Passenger Cars and Light Trucks NHTSA, on behalf of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), is substantially recalibrating the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) program to bring the program into compliance with the law and to remove... Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | Sep 30, 2026 | Final rule National Highway Traffic Safety Admin. | Passenger carriers | Nov 30, 2026 | none listed |
| Hazardous Materials: Incorporation of ASME Code Section XII and the National Board Inspection Code PHMSA is amending the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) to incorporate by reference and authorize the use of the 2015 edition of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler and Pressure... Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | Sep 28, 2026 | Final rule Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Admin. | Hazmat and fuel haulers | Oct 28, 2026 | none listed |
| Fees for the Unified Carrier Registration Plan and Agreement Unified Carrier Registration fees go up for 2027. Every year, motor carriers, brokers, freight forwarders and leasing companies pay a UCR fee to the states. FMCSA adopted the UCR Board's recommended increase for registration year 2027. The abstract says it averages 20 percent over the fee structure adopted for 2025 and kept for 2026, with increases from $9 to $9,329 per entity depending on the fee bracket, and that 2027 fees stay below those charged for 2019 through 2022. What to do: Find your fleet-size bracket on the UCR plan site, price the 2027 fee, and put it in next year's budget before the registration window opens. | Sep 1, 2026 | Final rule FMCSA | All truck carriers, Brokers and forwarders | Oct 1, 2026 | none listed |
| English Language Proficiency; Out of Service Criteria English proficiency would become an out-of-service violation. This is a proposal, not a rule yet. It would write the English language proficiency requirement for drivers into the federal out-of-service criteria, matching what the CVSA out-of-service criteria already enforce at the roadside. What to do: Treat the roadside English check as a day-stopper. Make sure every driver can answer and read the basics, and price an out-of-service day with the calculator below. | Aug 10, 2026 | Proposed rule FMCSA | Drivers and CDL holders, All truck carriers | none listed | Oct 9, 2026 closes Oct 9, 2026 |
| Hazardous Materials: Reducing Recordkeeping Requirements for Domestic Carriers This final rule amends the hazardous materials program procedures to allow motor and vessel carriers to carry PHMSA registration documents in electronic form. Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | Aug 4, 2026 | Final rule Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Admin. | Hazmat and fuel haulers | Sep 3, 2026 | none listed |
| Hazardous Materials: Remove Redundant List of U.S. EPA CERCLA Hazardous Substances To improve efficiency and eliminate redundancy, this final rule streamlines the Hazardous Materials Regulations by modifying how hazardous substances are listed Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | Aug 4, 2026 | Final rule Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Admin. | Hazmat and fuel haulers | Dec 2, 2026 | none listed |
| General Technical, Organizational, Conforming, and Correcting Amendments to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations FMCSA amends its regulations by making technical corrections throughout the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | Jul 21, 2026 | Final rule FMCSA | All truck carriers | Jul 21, 2026 | none listed |
| Response to Petition for Reconsideration, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages NHTSA published a final rule on September 17, 2024 that amended the regulation on seat belt assembly anchorages Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | Jun 26, 2026 | Proposed rule National Highway Traffic Safety Admin. | Depends: read the document | none listed | Jul 27, 2026 (closed) |
| Completed Inspection Report Disposition Roadside inspection forms go back only to states that want them. Carriers used to sign and return every completed roadside inspection form to the state that issued it. Now they return it only to states that request it. What to do: Check each state's request before mailing or uploading. Keep your own copy for the DataQs and your safety file. | Jun 22, 2026 | Final rule FMCSA | All truck carriers | Jul 22, 2026 | none listed |
| Removal of Self-Reporting Requirement CDL holders no longer self-report violations to their home state. Drivers used to report motor vehicle violations to their state of domicile. Since states began exchanging violations electronically in 2024, FMCSA says self-reporting is no longer necessary and removed it. What to do: Update your driver onboarding checklist. Employers still need their own record of driver violations for the driver file. | Jun 22, 2026 | Final rule FMCSA | Drivers and CDL holders | Jul 22, 2026 | none listed |
| Rescinding the Requirement for Electronic Logging Device Operator's Manual Located in Commercial Motor Vehicles No more ELD manual in the cab. The requirement to carry a copy of the ELD operator's manual in the truck is gone. Drivers must still understand how the ELD works and show their records at inspection. What to do: Keep the instruction card or app handy for drivers, but the printed manual is no longer a violation if missing. | Jun 22, 2026 | Final rule FMCSA | All truck carriers | Jul 22, 2026 | none listed |
| Fees for Commercial Driver's License Information System Proposed user fee for state access to the CDL information system. FMCSA proposed a user fee that state driver licensing agencies would pay to access the Commercial Driver's License Information System, collected by AAMVA. It is a fee on states, and the comment period closed June 17, 2026. What to do: No direct filing for carriers. Watch whether states pass costs through to CDL renewal fees. | May 18, 2026 | Proposed rule FMCSA | State licensing agencies | none listed | Jun 17, 2026 (closed) |
| Fees for the Unified Carrier Registration Plan and Agreement FMCSA is extending the comment period for its April 7, 2026, NPRM, titled "Fees for the Unified Carrier Registration Plan and Agreement," from May 7, 2026, to May 26, 2026 Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | May 1, 2026 | Proposed rule FMCSA | All truck carriers | none listed | May 26, 2026 (closed) |
| Removal of Obsolete References to “Water Carriers”; Correction In a final rule published in the Federal Register on February 19, 2026, FMCSA amended its regulations to remove obsolete references to "water carriers" in the FMCSA regulations (FMCSRs) Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | Apr 30, 2026 | Final rule FMCSA | All truck carriers | Apr 30, 2026 | none listed |
| Administrative Rulemaking, Guidance, and Enforcement Procedures This final rule reinstates and expounds upon procedural reforms for the Department's rulemakings, guidance documents, and enforcement actions rescinded by a final rule published by the Department on April 2,... Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | Apr 27, 2026 | Final rule FMCSA | All truck carriers | May 27, 2026 | none listed |
| Fees for the Unified Carrier Registration Plan and Agreement FMCSA proposes amendments to its regulations governing the annual Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) Plan and Agreement registration fees that participating States collect from motor carriers, motor private... Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | Apr 7, 2026 | Proposed rule FMCSA | Brokers and forwarders | none listed | May 7, 2026 (closed) |
| Railroad Grade Crossings; Stopping Required: Exception for Railroad Grade Crossing Equipped With Active Warning Device Not in Activated State This notification of data availability (NODA) is to alert interested parties about information that FMCSA believes may be relevant to this proceeding Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | Mar 27, 2026 | Proposed rule FMCSA | All truck carriers | none listed | Apr 27, 2026 (closed) |
| Removal of Obsolete References to “Water Carriers” FMCSA amends its regulations to remove obsolete references to "water carriers" in the FMCSA regulations (FMCSR) Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | Feb 19, 2026 | Final rule FMCSA | All truck carriers | Mar 23, 2026 | Mar 23, 2026 (closed) |
| Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation; Fuel Tank Overfill Restriction FMCSA removes the requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) that a liquid fuel tank manufactured on or after January 1, 1973, be designed and constructed so that it cannot be filled,... Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | Feb 19, 2026 | Final rule FMCSA | Hazmat and fuel haulers | Mar 23, 2026 | none listed |
| Electronic Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports Daily vehicle inspection reports may be fully electronic. The rule spells out that a driver vehicle inspection report can be completed electronically. It was already allowed; the text now says so plainly. What to do: If you still collect paper DVIRs, an app or ELD module is now clearly allowed. | Feb 19, 2026 | Final rule FMCSA | All truck carriers | Mar 23, 2026 | none listed |
| Commercial Driver's License Standards; Requirements and Penalties: Applicability to the Exception for Certain Military Personnel FMCSA amends the Federal Motor Carrier Safety regulations (FMCSR) to allow dual-status military technicians to qualify for the exception for certain military personnel from commercial driver's license (CDL)... Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | Feb 19, 2026 | Final rule FMCSA | Drivers and CDL holders | Mar 23, 2026 | Mar 23, 2026 (closed) |
| Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation; Spare Fuses FMCSA amends the emergency equipment rules to remove the requirement for commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) to be equipped with at least one spare fuse for each type and size of fuse needed for the operation of... Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | Feb 19, 2026 | Final rule FMCSA | All truck carriers | Apr 20, 2026 | Mar 23, 2026 (closed) |
| Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation; Liquid-Burning Flares FMCSA amends the rules for emergency equipment on commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) to remove the references to liquid-burning flares from the warning device requirements in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety... Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | Feb 19, 2026 | Final rule FMCSA | All truck carriers | Mar 23, 2026 | none listed |
| Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation; Tire Load Markings FMCSA amends the requirements for commercial motor vehicle (CMV) tires to clarify that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) do not require tire load restriction markings on the sidewalls of the... Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | Feb 19, 2026 | Final rule FMCSA | All truck carriers | Mar 23, 2026 | none listed |
| Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation; License Plate Lamps Equipment clean-up package: lamps, tires, fuses, fuel tanks. Several small equipment rules were trimmed or clarified in one batch: no license-plate-lamp requirement on a tractor towing a trailer, no federal requirement for tire load markings on the sidewall, no required spare fuses, and no fuel-tank 95 percent fill rule. These came from a May 30, 2025 batch of proposals. What to do: Do not buy gear only to satisfy these items. Keep roadside-inspection basics (lights, tires, brakes) unchanged. | Feb 19, 2026 | Final rule FMCSA | All truck carriers | Mar 23, 2026 | none listed |
| Qualifications of Drivers; Vision Standards Grandfathering Provision FMCSA amends the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations to remove the grandfathering provision under the physical qualifications standards for interstate drivers operating under the vision waiver study... Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | Feb 19, 2026 | Final rule FMCSA | State licensing agencies, Drivers and CDL holders | Mar 23, 2026 | Mar 23, 2026 (closed) |
| Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation; Auxiliary Fuel Tanks FMCSA amends its fuel tank requirements to add an exception to the prohibition on gravity and syphon feeds for auxiliary pumps with a nominal fuel tank capacity of not more than five gallons mounted on the... Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | Feb 19, 2026 | Final rule FMCSA | Hazmat and fuel haulers | Mar 23, 2026 | none listed |
| Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation; Brakes on Portable Conveyors FMCSA adds an exception for portable conveyors used in aggregate industry operations, and manufactured before 2010, from the requirement that each commercial motor vehicle (CMV) be equipped with brakes acting... Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | Feb 19, 2026 | Final rule FMCSA | All truck carriers | Mar 23, 2026 | none listed |
| Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation; Certification and Labeling Requirements for Rear Impact Protection Guards FMCSA amends the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) to rescind the requirement that the rear impact guard be permanently marked or labeled with a certification from the impact guard manufacturer... Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | Feb 19, 2026 | Final rule FMCSA | All truck carriers | Mar 23, 2026 | none listed |
| Restoring Integrity to the Issuance of Non-Domiciled Commercial Drivers Licenses (CDL) Non-domiciled CDLs limited to specific work visas. States can now issue non-domiciled commercial learner's permits and CDLs to foreign-domiciled people only if they hold a specific, verifiable employment-based nonimmigrant status. The final rule reaffirms, with minor changes, the interim rule of September 29, 2025. What to do: If any of your drivers hold a non-domiciled CDL, ask the issuing state licensing agency how renewals work for them, and plan for a driver who cannot renew. | Feb 13, 2026 | Final rule FMCSA | Drivers and CDL holders, State licensing agencies | Mar 16, 2026 | none listed |
| Hazardous Materials: Harmonization With International Standards PHMSA proposes to amend the Hazardous Materials Regulations to adopt certain international regulations and standards related to proper shipping names, hazard classes, packing groups, special provisions,... Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | Feb 10, 2026 | Proposed rule Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Admin. | Hazmat and fuel haulers | none listed | Apr 13, 2026 (closed) |
| Hazardous Materials: Modernizing Regulations To Facilitate Transportation of Hazardous Materials Integral to Spacecraft Components and Payloads PHMSA is publishing this ANPRM to solicit feedback on streamlining and modernizing the Agency's regulations as they relate to the transportation of hazardous materials integral to spacecraft payloads or... Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | Jan 29, 2026 | Proposed rule Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Admin. | Hazmat and fuel haulers | none listed | Apr 29, 2026 (closed) |
| Hazardous Materials: Eliminating Unnecessary Regulatory Burdens on Fuel Transportation PHMSA is adopting several amendments to the Hazardous Materials Regulations to reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens associated with the safe transportation of hazardous materials, including energy products Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | Jan 14, 2026 | Final rule Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Admin. | Hazmat and fuel haulers | Feb 13, 2026 | none listed |
| Transportation of Fuel for Agricultural Aircraft Operations FMCSA amends the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations to allow States to waive the hazardous materials (HM) endorsement requirement for holders of Class A commercial driver's licenses (CDL) who transport... Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | Jan 9, 2026 | Final rule FMCSA | Hazmat and fuel haulers, Drivers and CDL holders | Mar 10, 2026 | Feb 9, 2026 (closed) |
| Clarification to the Applicability of Emergency Exemptions; Response to Petitions for Reconsideration In response to several petitions for reconsideration, FMCSA proposes to revise from 14 days to 30 days the length of the emergency relief automatically triggered subsequent to a regional declaration of... Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | Jan 9, 2026 | Proposed rule FMCSA | All truck carriers | none listed | Mar 10, 2026 (closed) |
| Hazardous Materials: Modernizing Regulations To Facilitate Transportation of Hazardous Materials Using Highly Automated Transportation Systems The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is publishing this advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) to obtain stakeholder input on potential revisions to the Hazardous Materials... Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | Dec 4, 2025 | Proposed rule Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Admin. | Hazmat and fuel haulers | none listed | Mar 4, 2026 (closed) |
| Incorporation by Reference; North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria; Hazardous Materials Safety Permits (2025) FMCSA proposes amendments to its Hazardous Materials Safety Permits (HMSPs) regulations to incorporate by reference the updated Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) handbook containing inspection... Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | Nov 19, 2025 | Proposed rule FMCSA | Hazmat and fuel haulers | none listed | Dec 19, 2025 (closed) |
| Restoring Integrity to the Issuance of Non-Domiciled Commercial Drivers Licenses (CDL); Correction In an interim final rule (IFR) published in the Federal Register on September 29, 2025, FMCSA amended the Federal regulations for State Driver's Licensing Agencies (SDLAs) issuing commercial driving... Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | Oct 2, 2025 | Final rule FMCSA | State licensing agencies, Drivers and CDL holders | Oct 2, 2025 | Nov 28, 2025 (closed) |
| Restoring Integrity to the Issuance of Non-Domiciled Commercial Drivers Licenses (CDL) FMCSA amends the Federal regulations for State Driver's Licensing Agencies (SDLAs) issuing commercial driving credentials to foreign-domiciled individuals Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | Sep 29, 2025 | Final rule FMCSA | State licensing agencies, Drivers and CDL holders | Sep 29, 2025 | Nov 28, 2025 (closed) |
| Hours of Service of Drivers; Pilot Program To Allow Commercial Drivers To Split Sleeper Berth Time Split sleeper berth pilot: about 256 drivers, 4 months of data. A proposed pilot program would give temporary relief from the rule requiring one rest period of at least 7 consecutive hours in the sleeper berth for drivers who split sleeper time. About 256 CDL drivers who regularly use the sleeper berth could take part, with data reported for a 4-month period. What to do: A follow-up paperwork notice on this pilot is open for comment now (see the open-for-comment table). Drivers and carriers who split sleeper time can comment. | Sep 17, 2025 | Proposed rule FMCSA | Drivers and CDL holders | none listed | Nov 17, 2025 (closed) |
| Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations; Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation; Speed Limiting Devices; Withdrawal FMCSA and NHTSA withdraw the September 7, 2016 joint NPRM that proposed to require that heavy vehicles (those with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of more than 11,793 kilograms (26,000 pounds)) be... Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | Jul 24, 2025 | Proposed rule FMCSA | All truck carriers | none listed | none listed |
| Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation; Liquid-Burning Flares; Correction In an NPRM published in the Federal Register on May 30, 2025, FMCSA proposed to remove references to liquid-burning flares from the warning device requirements in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | Jul 9, 2025 | Proposed rule FMCSA | All truck carriers | Jul 9, 2025 | Jul 29, 2025 (closed) |
| Hazardous Materials: Reducing Recordkeeping Requirements for Domestic Carriers This NPRM proposes to revise the hazardous materials program procedures to allow motor and vessel carriers the option to carry their PHMSA certificate of registration in electronic form. Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | Jul 1, 2025 | Proposed rule Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Admin. | Hazmat and fuel haulers | none listed | Sep 2, 2025 (closed) |
| Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation; Liquid-Burning Flares; Correction In an NPRM published in the Federal Register on May 30, 2025, FMCSA proposed to remove references to liquid-burning flares from the warning device requirements in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | Jun 5, 2025 | Proposed rule FMCSA | All truck carriers | Jun 5, 2025 | Jul 29, 2025 (closed) |
| Hazardous Materials: Mandatory Regulatory Reviews To Unleash American Energy and Improve Government Efficiency PHMSA is publishing this advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) to solicit stakeholder feedback on whether to repeal or amend any requirements in the Hazardous Materials Rulemaking Procedures and... Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | Jun 4, 2025 | Proposed rule Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Admin. | Hazmat and fuel haulers | none listed | Aug 4, 2025 (closed) |
| Motor Carrier Routing Regulations Old for-hire routing regulations repealed. FMCSA repealed the for-hire motor carrier routing regulations about serving municipalities and unincorporated communities, saying they exceeded its statutory authority. What to do: Nothing to file. If a customer cites the old routing rules, they no longer apply. | May 30, 2025 | Final rule FMCSA | All truck carriers | May 30, 2025 | none listed |
| Civil Penalties Schedule Update FMCSA amends the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to remove the reference to rules under the Department of Transportation's "Procedures for Transportation Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing... Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | May 30, 2025 | Final rule FMCSA | All truck carriers | May 30, 2025 | none listed |
| Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation; Tire Load Markings FMCSA proposes to revise the requirements for tires on commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) to clarify that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) do not require tire load restriction markings on... Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | May 30, 2025 | Proposed rule FMCSA | All truck carriers | none listed | Jul 29, 2025 (closed) |
| Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation; License Plate Lamps FMCSA proposes to provide an exception from the lamp and reflective device requirements for license plate lamps on the rear of truck tractors while towing a trailer Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | May 30, 2025 | Proposed rule FMCSA | All truck carriers | none listed | Jul 29, 2025 (closed) |
| Accident Reporting: Modification to the Definition of the Term “Medical Treatment” FMCSA proposes to amend the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to revise the term "medical treatment" for the purpose of accident reporting to incorporate revised regulatory guidance issued by... Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | May 30, 2025 | Proposed rule FMCSA | All truck carriers | none listed | Jul 29, 2025 (closed) |
| Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation; Auxiliary Fuel Tanks FMCSA proposes to add an exception to the prohibition on gravity and syphon feeds for auxiliary pumps with a fuel tank capacity of less than 5 gallons mounted on the trailer chassis frame or trailer bed, for... Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | May 30, 2025 | Proposed rule FMCSA | Hazmat and fuel haulers | none listed | Jul 29, 2025 (closed) |
| Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation; Brakes on Portable Conveyors FMCSA proposes to add an exception for portable conveyors used in aggregate industry operations, and manufactured before 2010, from the requirements that each commercial motor vehicle (CMV) be equipped with... Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | May 30, 2025 | Proposed rule FMCSA | All truck carriers | none listed | Jul 29, 2025 (closed) |
| Removal of Obsolete References to “Water Carriers” FMCSA proposes to remove all obsolete references to "water carriers" in the FMCSA regulations (FMCSRs) Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | May 30, 2025 | Proposed rule FMCSA | All truck carriers | none listed | Jul 29, 2025 (closed) |
| Commercial Driver's License Standards; Requirements and Penalties: Applicability to the Exception for Certain Military Personnel FMCSA proposes to amend the Federal Motor Carrier Safety regulations (FMCSRs) to allow dual-status military technicians to qualify for the exception for certain military personnel from commercial driver... Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | May 30, 2025 | Proposed rule FMCSA | Drivers and CDL holders | none listed | Jul 29, 2025 (closed) |
| Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation; Fuel Tank Overfill Restriction FMCSA proposes to remove the requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) that a liquid fuel tank manufactured on or after January 1, 1973, be designed and constructed so that it cannot... Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | May 30, 2025 | Proposed rule FMCSA | Hazmat and fuel haulers | none listed | Jul 29, 2025 (closed) |
| Driver Vehicle Examination Report Disposition FMCSA proposes to revise the requirement that motor carriers and intermodal equipment providers sign and return a completed roadside inspection form to the issuing State agency Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | May 30, 2025 | Proposed rule FMCSA | Drivers and CDL holders | none listed | Jul 29, 2025 (closed) |
| Electronic Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports FMCSA proposes to clarify the requirement to complete a Daily Vehicle Inspection Report (DVIR), based upon a public comment filed by the National Tank Truck Carriers (NTTC) Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | May 30, 2025 | Proposed rule FMCSA | Drivers and CDL holders | none listed | Jul 29, 2025 (closed) |
| Railroad Grade Crossings; Stopping Required: Exception for Railroad Grade Crossing Equipped With Active Warning Device Not in Activated State FMCSA proposes to amend the regulations related to driving a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) at railroad grade crossings Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | May 30, 2025 | Proposed rule FMCSA | Hazmat and fuel haulers, Passenger carriers, Drivers and CDL holders | none listed | Jul 29, 2025 (closed) |
| Removal of Self-Reporting Requirement FMCSA proposes to revise its regulations requiring commercial driver's license (CDL) holders to self-report motor vehicle violations to their State of domicile Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | May 30, 2025 | Proposed rule FMCSA | State licensing agencies, Drivers and CDL holders | none listed | Jul 29, 2025 (closed) |
| Rescinding the Requirement for Electronic Logging Device Operator's Manual Located in Commercial Motor Vehicles FMCSA proposes to amend the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to rescind the in-vehicle electronic logging device (ELD) operator's manual requirement for commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | May 30, 2025 | Proposed rule FMCSA | Drivers and CDL holders | none listed | Jul 29, 2025 (closed) |
| Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation; Liquid-Burning Flares FMCSA proposes to remove references to liquid-burning flares from the warning device requirements in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | May 30, 2025 | Proposed rule FMCSA | All truck carriers | none listed | Jul 29, 2025 (closed) |
| Qualifications of Drivers; Vision Standards Grandfathering Provision FMCSA proposes to amend the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations to remove the grandfathering provision under the physical qualifications standards for interstate drivers operating under the previously... Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | May 30, 2025 | Proposed rule FMCSA | State licensing agencies, Drivers and CDL holders | none listed | Jul 29, 2025 (closed) |
| Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation; Spare Fuses FMCSA proposes to remove the requirement for commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) to be equipped with at least one spare fuse for each type and size of fuse needed for the parts and accessories of the CMV. This... Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | May 30, 2025 | Proposed rule FMCSA | All truck carriers | none listed | Jul 29, 2025 (closed) |
| Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation; Retroreflective Sheeting on Semitrailers and Trailers FMCSA proposes to rescind the requirements for retroreflective sheeting on semitrailers and trailers manufactured prior to December 1, 1993, which is the compliance date for the National Highway Traffic Safety... Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | May 30, 2025 | Proposed rule FMCSA | All truck carriers | none listed | Jul 29, 2025 (closed) |
| Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation; Certification and Labeling Requirements for Rear Impact Protection Guards FMCSA proposes to amend the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to rescind the requirement that the rear impact guard be permanently marked or labeled with a certification from the impact guard... Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | May 30, 2025 | Proposed rule FMCSA | All truck carriers | none listed | Jul 29, 2025 (closed) |
| Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations; Correction This document announces that FMCSA will not take enforcement action against regulated entities for failing to comply with the final rule and correction titled "Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations;... Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | Feb 24, 2025 | Final rule FMCSA | All truck carriers | none listed | none listed |
| Transparency in Property Broker Transactions Broker transaction transparency: comment period reopened. FMCSA proposed a rule on transparency in property broker transactions (proposal of November 20, 2024). At the Small Business in Transportation Coalition's request it reopened the comment period for 30 days, to March 20, 2025. No final rule with this title appears in the FMCSA documents we pulled for October 2024 to October 2026. What to do: Open the linked notice for the actual proposed text. Until a final rule exists, your protection is your rate confirmation and your own records. | Feb 18, 2025 | Proposed rule FMCSA | Brokers and forwarders | Nov 20, 2024 | Mar 20, 2025 (closed) |
| Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations; Correction In a final rule published in the Federal Register on November 18, 2024, FMCSA amended its regulations by making technical corrections throughout the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | Jan 10, 2025 | Final rule FMCSA | All truck carriers | Jan 10, 2025 | none listed |
| Hazardous Materials: Advancing Safety of Highway, Rail, and Vessel Transportation; Extension of Comment Period On October 28, 2024, PHMSA published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) titled "Hazardous Materials: Advancing Safety of Highway, Rail, and Vessel Transportation (HM-265)," proposing amendments to the... Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | Jan 8, 2025 | Proposed rule Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Admin. | Hazmat and fuel haulers | Oct 28, 2024 | Apr 28, 2025 (closed) |
| Broker and Freight Forwarder Financial Responsibility; Extension of Compliance Date Broker financial-responsibility compliance date moved to Jan 16, 2026. The date for certain provisions of the broker and freight-forwarder financial responsibility rule was extended from January 16, 2025 to January 16, 2026 because the online registration system was not ready. What to do: If you are a carrier, check a broker's bond or trust fund status before you haul. See the broker bond claim guide. | Dec 31, 2024 | Final rule FMCSA | Brokers and forwarders | Dec 31, 2024 | none listed |
| Revisions to Civil Penalty Amounts, 2025 This final rule provides the statutorily prescribed 2025 adjustment to civil penalty amounts that may be imposed for violations of certain DOT regulations. Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | Dec 30, 2024 | Final rule FMCSA | All truck carriers | Dec 30, 2024 | none listed |
| Transportation of Fuel for Agricultural Aircraft Operations This proposed rule would amend the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to allow States to waive the hazardous materials (HM) endorsement requirement for holders of Class A commercial driver's... Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | Dec 4, 2024 | Proposed rule FMCSA | Hazmat and fuel haulers, Drivers and CDL holders | none listed | Feb 3, 2025 (closed) |
| Broker and Freight Forwarder Financial Responsibility; Extension of Compliance Date FMCSA is reopening the comment period for its November 4, 2024, NPRM, proposing to amend its November 16, 2023, final rule, "Broker and Freight Forwarder Financial Responsibility," by extending the compliance... Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | Nov 21, 2024 | Proposed rule FMCSA | Brokers and forwarders | Nov 4, 2024 | Nov 29, 2024 (closed) |
| Transparency in Property Broker Transactions FMCSA proposes amendments to its property broker rules in response to petitions for rulemaking from the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) and the Small Business in Transportation Coalition... Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | Nov 20, 2024 | Proposed rule FMCSA | Brokers and forwarders, Drivers and CDL holders | none listed | Jan 21, 2025 (closed) |
| Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations FMCSA amends its regulations by making technical corrections throughout the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | Nov 18, 2024 | Final rule FMCSA | All truck carriers | Nov 18, 2024 | none listed |
| Broker and Freight Forwarder Financial Responsibility; Extension of Compliance Date FMCSA proposes to amend its November 16, 2023, final rule, "Broker and Freight Forwarder Financial Responsibility," by extending the compliance date for certain provisions from January 16, 2025, to January 16,... Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | Nov 4, 2024 | Proposed rule FMCSA | Brokers and forwarders | none listed | Nov 19, 2024 (closed) |
| Hazardous Materials: Advancing Safety of Highway, Rail, and Vessel Transportation PHMSA proposes to revise the Hazardous Materials Regulations to adopt several modal-specific amendments that would enhance the safe transportation of hazardous materials in commerce Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | Oct 28, 2024 | Proposed rule Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Admin. | Hazmat and fuel haulers | none listed | Jan 27, 2025 (closed) |
| Electronic Signatures, Forms and Storage for Drug and Alcohol Testing Records The Department of Transportation (DOT or Department) proposes to amend its regulations for conducting workplace drug and alcohol testing for the federally regulated transportation industry to allow, but not... Official summary, first sentence of the abstract. | Oct 15, 2024 | Proposed rule Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Admin. | Hazmat and fuel haulers | none listed | Dec 16, 2024 (closed) |
Impact tags and the Who it hits column come from keyword rules we apply to the title and official abstract, not from the agency. Items with a bold plain-English headline were read and decoded by hand from the abstract. Other DOT rows are PHMSA, FHWA, NHTSA, Office of the Secretary and STB rules and proposals that mention motor carriers, commercial motor vehicles or trucking. Click a column heading to sort.
No document matches these filters.
What the notices are, and why most do not need you
Of 346 FMCSA notices, most are exemption applications for one carrier or driver and paperwork-burden notices. Counted by title keywords.
Notices inform you. They do not by themselves change what you must do. Exemption notices apply to the named applicant, but a decision to grant a class exemption can matter to you.
Impact tags across the rulebook
How many of the rules and proposals carry each tag (a document can carry more than one).
Calculator: what one rule change costs your fleet
Pick a change from the table, then price it in dollars. Three buckets cover most of what a rule does to a small carrier.
Example values pre-filled so you can see the arithmetic. Replace each one with your own.
Yearly cost of the change
enter numbers
- Fee change
- Admin time
- Out-of-service days
- Per truck
Formula: fee x change% + hours x 12 x hourly cost + out-of-service days x revenue per truck-day. Nothing you type leaves this page.
How to read a Federal Register notice in five minutes
- Look at the type. Rule means final. Proposed rule means it is still a draft. Notice means information or a decision about one applicant.
- Find the dates line. It names the effective date for rules and the comment deadline for proposals. Our table shows both.
- Read the first paragraph of the abstract. It says in one or two sentences what changes. The rest is legal background.
- Check the CFR part. Part 395 is hours of service, 391 driver qualification, 396 inspection and maintenance, 387 insurance and financial responsibility, 371 brokers. That tells you which part of your operation it touches.
- Ask what it changes on your desk. A fee, a form, a driver, a truck, or nothing. If nothing, you can stop there.
Federal Register documents also carry a docket number such as FMCSA-2025-0111. The same number opens the public comments on Regulations.gov, where you can see who commented and what they said.
Why this matters for your money
Rule changes move money in three ways. Fees change the cost of staying legal: the 2027 UCR increase averages 20 percent, from $9 to $9,329 per entity depending on bracket, according to the official abstract. Paperwork rules change your admin hours: this year FMCSA dropped the in-cab ELD manual, driver self-reporting and the automatic return of roadside inspection forms, each of which saved someone a task. Driver and enforcement rules change how many trucks are earning on a given day: an out-of-service order stops a truck and a driver, and the revenue for that day does not come back.
Most carriers learn about a rule when a roadside officer or a broker mentions it. A dated feed with a plain reading puts you ahead of that. The next step is to see where your own numbers stand: the free audit looks at your last loads and shows where margin is leaking, including the cost of fees, delays and compliance time that rule changes add or remove.
Questions
What is the difference between a final rule, a proposed rule and a notice?
A final rule is law once its effective date arrives. A proposed rule is a draft that asks for public comment before FMCSA decides. A notice is information or a decision about one applicant, a meeting or a paperwork request, and it does not by itself change what you must do.
How do I comment on an FMCSA proposal?
Open the document on Regulations.gov using the link in the open-for-comment table and use the Comment button before the deadline. A short comment with a specific fact from your own operation, such as a cost or a delay, carries more weight than a general opinion.
Where do the impact tags and who-it-hits labels come from?
We apply keyword rules to the title and official abstract of each document. They are a navigation aid and can be wrong. Items with a bold plain-English headline were read and written up by hand from the abstract.
Why do some rows show no effective date?
Proposed rules have no effective date until a final rule is published. Notices and comment extensions often list none either. The field is empty in the Federal Register record, so we show none listed.
Is this up to date?
It is a snapshot taken Oct 9, 2026. Comment periods change when the agency extends or reopens them. Check the linked record before you rely on a date.
Related guides and tools
- FMCSA rule feed (latest 25 documents): the plain list of the newest items
- Authority and insurance check: verify a carrier or broker before you work with them
- Broker bond claim: what financial-responsibility rules mean when a broker does not pay
- IFTA records: paperwork a fleet has to keep
- Cost per mile calculator: put a fee or an out-of-service day on your per-mile cost
- Intelligence hub: all the open-data pages in one list
Where the numbers come from
See what your last 20 loads show.
One short form. We reply by email with the next step, and a one-page report follows. Free, no obligation.
Mon-Fri, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (Raleigh, NC). Voicemail is answered the next business day.