WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced today it has published a final rule rescinding the requirement that drivers of commercial buses submit – and motor carriers retain – driver-vehicle inspection reports (DVIRs) when the driver has neither found nor been made aware of any vehicle defects or deficiencies.
FMCSA estimates the revision will save the industry $74 million annually, estimating passenger-carrying commercial motor vehicle drivers spend approximately 2.4 million hours each year completing no-defect DVIRs.
The Trump administration has been very focused on reducing regulatory burdens for businesses. FMCSA has recently focused on reducing regulatory burdens without impacting safety.
“We are grateful for the effort the Agency is taking under Secretary Chao’s leadership,” said UMA President & CEO Larry Killingsworth. “Every moment we can spend not filling out and retaining needless forms is time and resources we can invest in safe operations.”
No effect on safety
The effective date of the final rule is 30 days after the date of publication in the Federal Register; which should occur in a few days.
Drivers are required to submit driver-vehicle inspection reports (DVIRs) to the motor carrier so that repairs can be readily made. Previously, the regulations required drivers of passenger-carrying commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) to file the DVIR even if there are no vehicle defects to report.
Motor carriers are required to maintain the original DVIR, the certification of repairs and the certification of the driver’s review for three months from the date the written report was prepared.
This measure will strengthen the industry without adversely impacting safety on the nation’s roadways. FMCSA does not believe eliminating the requirement will increase the number of out-of-service inspections or increase crashes.
“This rule will remove outdated and overly burdensome reporting requirements on commercial buses that don’t contribute to improving safety,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao said in a statement.
As part of the agency’s ongoing effort to review existing regulations to evaluate their continued necessity and effectiveness, FMCSA is rescinding the requirement that drivers of commercial buses submit — and their motor carriers retain — DVIRs when the driver has neither found nor been made aware of any vehicle defects or deficiencies.
Easing burden
The rule is part of an effort by the U.S. Department of Transportation to reduce unneeded regulatory costs, while ensuring safety.
“Eliminating regulatory burdens and saving commercial drivers valuable time is helpful to support the commercial bus industry — especially during our nation’s economic recovery. The bus industry plays a critical role in connecting our nation’s people and communities, and this common-sense rule change will make a difference for commercial bus companies around the country,” said FMCSA Deputy Administrator Jim Mullen.
Current regulations require commercial bus drivers to submit DVIRs even if there are no vehicle defects to report. The new rule will eliminate the need for a driver to file, and a motor carrier to maintain, a no-defect DVIR.
FMCSA’s final rule removing the DVIRs can be viewed by visiting: fmcsa.dot.gov/safety/driver-safety/passenger-carrier-no-defect-driver-vehicle-inspection-reports
