FMCSA Rule and Regulatory Changes—Looking Ahead in 2024

Gear up for FMCSA's 2024 updates. From proposed CSA changes to speed limiter mandates, stay ahead in safety & compliance.

March 19, 2024 | Trucker

By: Cliff J.

I bring over 30 years of trucking industry experience to Acuity. I worked my way up from driving to managing the safety operations of a transportation company, culminating in owning and managing my own regional trucking company. My main goal at Acuity is to help you, the motor carrier, the owner/operator and the driver better understand the insurance industry and help shape Acuity’s products and services to better meet your needs. I regularly provide ongoing trucking training to Acuity employees to help them understand the unique needs of those in the trucking/transportation industry. With over 30 years in the transportation sector, as both a company driver and as owner and manager of a trucking company, I have first-hand experience that helps me understand the challenges truckers’ face, and detailed knowledge of transportation regulations. My experience coupled with a background in insurance loss control can help answer and provide solutions to any issues that may arise.

In the ever-evolving trucking and transportation industry, staying abreast of regulatory changes is vital for industry professionals. While nothing is finalized and no firm implementation dates are set, several rule and regulation changes are on the horizon in 2024. Below is a brief overview of some of these changes.

SMS and CSA Safety Changes
FMCSA has proposed changes to the Safety Measurement System that would split the Vehicle Maintenance category into two separate categories. The categories would be Vehicle Maintenance and Vehicle Maintenance: Driver Observed, intended to account for items drivers should catch on pre-trip inspections. Additionally, the Controlled Substances and Alcohol BASIC would be combined with the existing Unsafe Driving category, so all drug and alcohol violations discovered during roadside inspections would impact motor carriers’ Unsafe Driving BASIC.

Crash Preventability Determination Program
FMCSA announced plans to expand the crash types that are considered not preventable in the Crash Preventability Determination Program. This would give motor carriers more avenues to keep unpreventable crashes from affecting their CSA score.

DataQs Changes
FMCSA is proposing a way for carriers to appeal safety violations on their SMS accounts. Appeals would only be available for statements of facts about a given incident and not how the applicable rule or law is applied.

Oral Fluid Testing
To ease collection of samples and discourage cheating, oral fluid testing—otherwise known as saliva testing or mouth swab testing—has been proposed as an alternative option to urinalysis.

Speed Limiters
FMCSA is working on a rule that would require speed limiting devices on trucks with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 26,001 pounds or more. A proposal was published in 2023 and promptly removed. A notice of proposed rulemaking is anticipated in 2024 that will contain the proposed speed limit.

Automatic Emergency Braking Mandate
NHTSA and FMCSA have proposed mandating automatic emergency braking systems on class 3 and larger vehicles.

Side Underride Guards
NHTSA published an advance notice of proposed rulemaking that would require side underride guards on trailers. NHTSA has launched a stakeholder group to further this research.