What Are the FMCSA New Rules for 2024?

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's priority is to keep roads safe and prevent serious accidents, injuries, and fatalities. This means issuing and enforcing strict rules for trucking companies and drivers, like Unified Carrier Registration. It’s up to carriers to keep up with changes and updates to these rules to ensure compliance, and the following breakdown of the FMCSA new rules for 2024 will help you do that. 

While some of the new FMCSA regulations are already in effect, some of the trucking industry changes are still under review or not set to take effect until a later date. Still, it’s worth noting these new rules to prepare your fleet and driving team to expect them before they become the standard. 

Major Changes to the Safety Measurement System 

The biggest news in FMCSA rules for 2024 is the overhaul of the SMS, the agency’s system for identifying carriers that need to improve their safety. The new system features some significant changes to the SMS methodology, including adding new categories (vehicle maintenance and unsafe driving) to the BASICs evaluation, simplifying the severity weights for violations from a ten-point scale to a standard score of one or two, and reorganizing the categorization of roadside violations. 

The purpose behind these FMCSA new rules in 2024 is to identify high-risk carriers and intervene sooner.

Getting Tough on Drug and Alcohol Violations

The 2024 safety standards include a new, more rigorous approach to dealing with drug and alcohol use among drivers. Under the new trucking rules, a driver who receives a drug or alcohol violation will have prohibited status and lose their commercial driving privileges or Commercial Learner’s Permit until they complete steps to have them reinstated. 

The new rules institute new driver requirements to regain their authorization to drive:

• Complete a mandatory treatment or education program
• Meet with a DOT-qualified substance abuse professional 
• Pass a return-to-duty test
• Submit to six random follow-up tests in the first 12 months on the job 

The driver’s status and return-to-duty program will become part of their record in the FMCSA Clearinghouse, which motor carriers must consult as part of the pre-employment process. 

No More MC Numbers 

By October 2024, the FMCSA will eliminate the use of MC numbers. The compliance updates will make the USDOT number the sole identifier for carriers to reduce fraud. The agency also plans to streamline the registration process by getting rid of arbitrary wait times and making it possible to automatically process paperwork. 

Electronic Logging Devices 

Motor carriers had until November 13, 2023, to install compliant electronic logging devices in all trucks to track hours of service and other compliance concerns. The rule requiring electronic devices dates back to 2019. Trucking companies that do not have the proper equipment are not in compliance and face hefty fines and business disruptions. 

Safety Fitness Determination Plans 

Another older rule that finally takes full effect in 2024 is 2016’s Safety Fitness Determination Rule. Motor carriers no longer receive a satisfactory, conditional, or unfit rating. Instead, a carrier that receives any unfit determination must now follow a defined plan to improve and address the areas of concern or cease operations.

Proposed FMCSA New Rules for 2024 

FMCSA has several proposed new rules for 2024 that are still undergoing approval. 

Speed Limiters 

One rule that’s bound to affect many drivers is the introduction of speed limiters, also called governors, on all trucks weighing over 26,001 pounds. While the agency has not yet revealed the exact maximum speed the limiters will allow, a redacted DOT report from 2023 indicated that it will be 68 miles per hour. The rule will primarily apply to new trucks with electronic engine control units, but it’s still under review and not yet in effect. 

Competency and Skills Testing 

Another new rule expected to take effect this year is the implementation of a competency and skills test for all commercial drivers. The test will evaluate drivers’ training, qualifications, and knowledge of federal highway regulations. The focus will be on new drivers and carriers, with a standardized test to ensure they are capable of operating safely.  

Side Underride Guards 

FMCSA also proposed a rule, which would not take effect until 2025 at the earliest, to make side underside guards mandatory on all trailers. These guards prevent a smaller vehicle from getting stuck underneath the trailer from the side. 

Stay Compliant with FMCA Filings 

With all the FMCSA new rules in 2024, staying compliant and maintaining a thriving trucking business is more complex than ever. FMCA Filings is here to simplify that process, helping you acquire the necessary permits, registrations, and more, as well as keep track of your compliance via an FMCSA clearinghouse. Visit fmcafilings.com or speak with one of our professional agents online to learn more about what your company needs and stay abreast of all the latest news, rule changes, and filing information.