Expert Insights on DOT Compliance
In-depth analysis, regulatory updates, and practical compliance guidance from transportation attorneys and industry experts.
FMCSA Issues Final Rule on Non-Domiciled CDLs
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has issued a new final rule on non-domiciled Commercial Learner’s Permits (CLPs) and Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs). Scheduled for publication in the Federal Register on February 13, 2026 (Docket No. FMCSA-2025-0622, RIN 2126-AC98), this rule largely reaffirms the provisions of the September 29, 2025, Interim Final Rule (IFR) with minor clarifications, despite intense legal scrutiny, a court-imposed stay, and thousands of public commen
Brandon Wiseman
Top 10 Regulatory Developments Fleets Should Understand Heading Into 2026
If 2024 hinted at regulatory turbulence, 2025 made it impossible to ignore. Over the past year, FMCSA and USDOT unleashed the most aggressive series of compliance initiatives in more than a decade—targeting language proficiency, non-domiciled CDL issuance, electronic logging devices, medical certification, training quality, and core data systems. These moves were not isolated events; collectively, they signaled a larger shift toward enforcement-first policymaking and heightened scrutiny on found
Brandon Wiseman
Federal Court temporarily halts FMCSA’s non-domiciled CDL rule
In a major development with nationwide implications for motor carriers, foreign drivers, and state licensing agencies, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit has temporarily stayed the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) controversial interim final rule (IFR) restricting the issuance of non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs). The court’s November 10, 2025 order halts the rule pending further judicial review, creating further uncertainty for the industry. Judg
Brandon Wiseman
FMCSA Proposes Pilot Programs for Hours of Service Flexibility
As announced previously by USDOT Secretary Sean Duffy as part of the agency's Pro-Trucker Initiatives, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is moving ahead with two new pilot programs. Sheduled for publication in the Federal Register on September 17, 2025, FMCSA is proposing two pilot programs aimed to address longstanding challenges faced by property-carrying truck drivers: unreasonable detention times at shippers and receivers, traffic congestion, and the rigid constraints of curren
Brandon Wiseman
FMCSA and NHTSA Move to Officially Withdraw Speed Limiter Mandate for Heavy Trucks
As announced by Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy earlier this month, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have announced the withdrawal of their long-standing proposal to mandate speed limiters on heavy commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). This decision, detailed in Federal Register notice 2025-13928 to be published on July 24, 2025, ends years of debate over requiring electronic speed governors on trucks with a
Brandon Wiseman
Compliance Myth: "Not for hire" means not regulated
One of the more common misunderstandings in the trucking industry is the belief that displaying “Not for Hire” on a truck somehow exempts it from federal or state motor carrier safety regulations. This myth has led many private carriers—those that transport their own goods rather than hauling freight for others—to operate under the false assumption they are not subject to regulatory oversight. The truth, however, is that the applicability of the vast majority of FMCSA and related state regulatio
Brandon Wiseman
Navigating the Overlap: Federal vs. State Motor Carrier Safety Regulations
I. IntroductionThe regulation of motor carriers in the United States is a complex system involving both federal and state oversight. While the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) establish nationwide safety standards for commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) operating in interstate commerce, individual states have the authority to regulate intrastate motor carriers within their borders. This dual regulatory structure often creates challenges for carriers trying to maintain compliance ac
Brandon Wiseman
FMCSA Regulatory Update: Key Takeaways from the Florida Trucking Association Safety Summit
On February 20, 2025, Trucksafe president Brandon Wiseman presented an FMCSA Regulatory Update at the Florida Trucking Association’s Safety Summit in Tampa. The presentation provided an overview of recent and upcoming regulatory developments, enforcement trends, and compliance considerations for the trucking industry. Below is a summary of the key topics discussed.Download the slides from Brandon's presentation below:FMCSA Enforcement SummaryFMCSA enforcement activity remains robust, with 2.9 mi
Dispelling 5 common DOT compliance myths
Achieving DOT compliance can be tricky. Even seasoned safety professionals occasionally fall prey to some regulatory assumptions that aren’t quite true. Unfortunately, these misconceptions can lead to costly violations, increased exposure, and unnecessary headaches for trucking companies and their drivers.At Trucksafe, we help motor carriers navigate the complex web of federal and state safety regulations. In this article, we’ll debunk five of the most common DOT compliance myths to help you sta
Brandon WisemanNever Miss an Update
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