The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) updated regulatory agenda identifies 20 active rulemakings which it intends to pursue over the course of the coming months and years. Some initiatives could lead to substantial changes for motor carriers, including new rules for automated commercial vehicles, revisions to electronic logging device requirements, a new safety-fitness methodology and a federal automatic emergency braking mandate. Others are narrower deregulatory measures intended to eliminate outdated equipment or paperwork requirements.
Here's a summary of the items currently on the FMCSA's plate:
Prerule action
Entry-level driver training, driver safety and vulnerable road users
FMCSA plans an advance notice of proposed rulemaking for November 2026 addressing possible additions to entry-level driver training requirements. Despite its title, the initiative is not limited to technical driving instruction. FMCSA intends to ask stakeholders how it could improve the physical safety of women truck drivers and trainees and reduce the effects of workplace sexual harassment. The agency will also seek ideas for improving the safety of vulnerable road users, including pedestrians and bicyclists.
An advance notice is an information-gathering step, so the agency has not proposed specific requirements. The proceeding could nevertheless lead to future changes in training-provider curricula and driver-training practices. RIN 2126-AC71
Proposed-rule actions
New-entrant safety assurance process
FMCSA is considering requiring applicants for new-entrant motor carrier authority to demonstrate that they understand applicable federal safety requirements. One option is a proficiency examination, although the agency says it will also consider alternatives. This proceeding dates back to a 2009 advance notice and responds in part to a petition from Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety. FMCSA anticipates a supplemental proposed rule in November 2026. If adopted, the initiative could add a new qualification step before an applicant receives new-entrant authority. RIN 2126-AB17
Unified Registration System enhancements
FMCSA plans to propose several MAP-21-related changes to the Unified Registration System and to codify its procedures for granting, suspending and revoking registrations. The agency says some provisions would formalize existing practices, while others would improve transparency, consistency and efficiency. Because the rules would apply broadly to entities registered under FMCSA’s commercial or safety jurisdiction, this could affect motor carriers, brokers, freight forwarders and other regulated businesses. A proposed rule is scheduled for July 2026. RIN 2126-AB56
Record-retention requirements
FMCSA intends to review the record-retention schedule in Appendix A to 49 C.F.R. Part 379 and remove requirements it considers overlapping or unnecessarily burdensome. The agenda identifies this as a deregulatory action, but it does not yet specify which records or retention periods would change. A proposed rule is targeted for November 2026. Until a final rule takes effect, carriers should continue following the existing retention requirements. RIN 2126-AC16
Automated commercial motor vehicles
One of the agenda’s most consequential projects would amend the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations to address commercial vehicles equipped with automated driving systems. Potential changes would reach multiple subjects, including driver qualifications, drug and alcohol testing, commercial driver’s licenses, vehicle operation, equipment, inspection, repair and maintenance. FMCSA says its objective is to account for the differences between human drivers and automated systems while promoting safety, security, innovation and a consistent national approach.
The rulemaking follows listening sessions, a 2019 advance notice and a second advance notice published in 2023. FMCSA designates the initiative as a major rule and expects to publish a proposed rule in August 2026. RIN 2126-AC17
Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse revisions
FMCSA plans to propose changes intended to increase the availability of driver-violation information in the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse. The agency also wants to make certain Clearinghouse processes more efficient, provide greater flexibility to drivers and employers, and better align the Clearinghouse regulations with the underlying drug-and-alcohol testing rules. The agenda does not identify the particular data fields, reports or procedures FMCSA may change.
A proposed rule is scheduled for November 2026. Employers should watch this project closely because it could affect Clearinghouse queries, reporting procedures and return-to-duty administration. RIN 2126-AC43
Heavy-vehicle automatic emergency braking
FMCSA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are jointly developing requirements for automatic emergency braking systems on heavy trucks. The agencies published an initial proposal in July 2023. The updated agenda calls for a supplemental proposed rule in July 2026 that would seek comments on revised equipment-performance standards and motor carrier maintenance requirements for vehicles equipped with the technology.
The rulemaking is required by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and is classified as economically significant and major. The statutory deadline for completing it has already passed, but the agenda remains only an estimate of the agencies’ next action. FMCSA RIN 2126-AC49 and NHTSA RIN 2127-AM36
Electronic logging device revisions
FMCSA is preparing broader revisions to the ELD regulations based on lessons learned since the devices became mandatory. The agency says potential changes could clarify regulatory language and technical specifications, answer recurring compliance questions, streamline requirements and improve ELD usability. FMCSA began the proceeding with a 2022 advance notice that requested input on possible technical and policy changes.
A proposed rule is scheduled for November 2026. Depending on its scope, the proposal could affect carriers, drivers and ELD manufacturers, but no current ELD requirement changes merely because this item appears on the agenda. RIN 2126-AC50
Motor carrier safety-fitness procedures
FMCSA continues working toward a new method for determining whether a motor carrier is fit to operate. The agency is considering how it could use existing safety information—including roadside inspection data—more effectively. It has also asked whether it should revise the existing three-tier satisfactory, conditional and unsatisfactory rating structure.
After an advance notice and public listening sessions in 2023, FMCSA now anticipates a proposed rule in November 2026. This project could eventually reshape how carriers receive safety ratings and how the agency identifies operations for intervention or removal from the road. RIN 2126-AC52
Cargo securement and equipment amendments
FMCSA plans several amendments to its parts-and-accessories regulations. One change would align federal cargo-securement requirements more closely with Canada’s National Safety Code. Loads consisting of three or more tiers of dressed lumber and measuring less than six feet in overall height could be secured with tiedowns over the top without the additional tiedown over a middle tier currently required. FMCSA also plans to replace or supplement the broad requirement that vehicle parts and accessories remain in safe operating condition with more specific violation provisions.
A proposed rule is expected in September 2026. RIN 2126-AC56
Final rules that are now in effect
In-cab ELD operator’s manual
FMCSA has removed the requirement to keep a copy of the ELD operator’s manual inside the commercial vehicle. Drivers must still understand how to operate their ELD and must continue carrying the required instruction sheet explaining supported data-transfer methods and the steps for producing and transferring hours-of-service records.
The final rule was published June 22, 2026, and took effect July 22, 2026. Final rule: 91 FR 37050
Electronic driver vehicle inspection reports
FMCSA has amended its regulations to state expressly that drivers may complete driver vehicle inspection reports electronically. Electronic DVIRs were already permissible, but FMCSA concluded that explicit language would eliminate uncertainty and encourage cost-saving electronic processes.
The rule took effect March 23, 2026. Final rule: RIN 2126-AC89
Completed roadside inspection reports
Motor carriers and intermodal equipment providers now must return a signed, completed roadside inspection report to the issuing state only when that state requests its return. The change eliminates the obligation to send a report to a state that does not require or process returned forms. It does not eliminate a carrier’s responsibility to correct defects and certify repairs when otherwise required.
The final rule was published June 22, 2026, and took effect July 22, 2026. Final rule: RIN 2126-AC90
Fuel-tank overfill restriction
FMCSA has removed the requirement that a liquid fuel tank manufactured on or after January 1, 1973, be designed so it cannot be filled beyond 95 percent of its liquid capacity during a normal filling operation. The agency described the provision as outdated and unnecessary. The change does not eliminate other fuel-system design, construction or leakage requirements.
The rule took effect March 23, 2026. Final rule: RIN 2126-AC91
Military CDL exception
FMCSA has expanded the existing military-personnel exception from the CDL standards to include qualifying dual-status military technicians. These technicians are civilian employees who support military units and are required to maintain membership in an Army or Air Force reserve component as a condition of employment.
The rule took effect March 23, 2026. Final rule: RIN 2126-AC92
Brakes on certain portable conveyors
FMCSA has created a limited exception from the requirement that brakes act on all wheels of a commercial motor vehicle. The exception applies to certain portable conveyors manufactured before 2010 and used in aggregate-industry operations, provided all conditions in the final rule are satisfied.
The rule took effect March 23, 2026. Final rule: RIN 2126-AC93
Auxiliary fuel tanks
FMCSA has adopted an exception to the prohibition against gravity and siphon fuel feeds for certain auxiliary pumps. The exception covers qualifying tanks with a nominal capacity of no more than five gallons that are mounted on a trailer chassis or bed, supply equipment other than the motor vehicle, and operate only while the vehicle is not moving.
The rule took effect March 23, 2026. Final rule: RIN 2126-AC94
License-plate lamps on truck tractors
FMCSA has created an exception from the rear license-plate lamp requirement for a truck tractor while it is towing a trailer. The agency concluded that the tractor lamp serves no practical purpose in that configuration because the trailer blocks the rear of the tractor and displays its own required lights and license plate.
The rule took effect March 23, 2026. Final rule: 91 FR 7871
Tire-load sidewall markings
FMCSA has clarified that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations do not require tires on commercial vehicles to display tire-load restriction markings on their sidewalls. The rule does not eliminate other federal requirements governing tire condition, loading, inflation or compatibility.
The rule took effect March 23, 2026. Final rule: 91 FR 7884
Final-rule project still pending
Definition of “medical treatment” for accident reporting
FMCSA proposed revising the definition of “medical treatment” used to determine whether a crash meets the federal definition of an “accident.” The proposal would incorporate the agency’s guidance concerning medical treatment provided away from the crash scene.
Unlike the other nine final-stage items in the agenda, this initiative has not yet resulted in a published final rule. Carriers should therefore continue applying the existing definition in 49 C.F.R. § 390.5T when determining whether an incident belongs in the accident register or triggers related reporting obligations. RIN 2126-AC95
What carriers should do now
Carriers should review and possibly update any existing compliance materials/processes impacted by the recently finalized rules, paying particular attention to their ELD-document packets and procedures for returning roadside inspection reports.
The changes allow carriers to remove the ELD operator’s manual from the vehicle and return completed inspection reports only to states that request them. They also expressly confirm the permissibility of electronic DVIRs. None of these changes eliminates the underlying responsibility to maintain accurate records, correct vehicle defects or ensure that drivers can operate and transfer data from their ELDs.
Carriers using one of the new equipment exceptions should review the exact conditions in the applicable final rule before relying on it. The portable-conveyor, auxiliary-fuel-tank and license-plate-lamp rules are limited exceptions, not blanket exemptions from the remaining vehicle-equipment standards.
Finally, carriers should continue to watch the FMCSA's rulemaking dockets at www.regulations.gov and submit comments to help shape the rulemaking going forward.
