About MAP-21
On July 6, 2012, President Obama signed into law a new two year transportation reauthorization bill, the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act ("MAP-21"; P.L. 112-141). This new law includes many important provisions intended to help the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) in its important mission to reduce crashes, injuries and fatalities involving large trucks and buses. Many of the provisions in MAP-21 track the Agency's strategic framework to improve commercial motor vehicle (CMV) safety by supporting its three core principles:
- Raise the bar to enter the industry and operate on our roads;
- Hold motor carrier and drivers to the highest safety standards to continue operations; and
- Remove the highest risk drivers, vehicles, and carriers from our roads and prevent them from operating.
MAP-21 Implementation
MAP-21 took effect October 1, 2012. The new law provided $561 million in fiscal year (FY) 2013 and $572 million in FY 2014 for the Agency's administrative expenses and grant programs. The Agency reached out to stakeholders as it implemented this law. If you have any questions or comments, please email fmcsamap21@dot.gov.
Updates
February 17, 2016
The FMCSA transmitted the first annual report on waivers, exemptions, and pilot programs granted by FMCSA under Title 49 United States Code 31315. This report covers fiscal Years 1999 to 2013 and is required by section 32913 of MAP-21.
November 30, 2015
The FMCSA published a final rule in the Federal Register to further safeguard commercial truck and bus drivers from being compelled to violate federal safety regulations. The FMCSA will now have the authority to take enforcement action against motor carriers, shippers, receivers, and transportation intermediaries. This rulemaking was authorized by section 32911 of MAP-21 and the Motor Carrier Safety Act of 1984, as amended.
- Press Release: FMCSA's Final Rule Prohibits Coercion, Protects Commercial Truck and Bus Drivers from Being Forced to Violate Safety Regulations
- Federal Register: Prohibiting Coercion of Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers
September 15, 2015
The FMCSA transmitted a report on the National Driver Record Notification System. The report describes the recommendations and plan for the development and implementation of a national driver record notification system. This report is required by section 32303 of MAP-21.
June 19, 2015
The FMCSA published a notice announcing the implementation of two of six recommendations that amend the enforcement policy of the Hazardous Materials Safety Permit program. First, FMCSA will fully utilize the Agency's Safety Measurement System as part of the review process. Additionally, the Agency instituted an ongoing requirement to conduct comprehensive investigations for motor carriers with insufficient data in the Safety Measurement System. The effective date is August 18, 2015. Pursuant to section 33014 of MAP-21, the Secretary submitted a report to Congress that listed the six recommendations in March 2014.
May 7, 2015
The FMCSA transmitted a report on the Commercial Driver's License Passenger Endorsement Requirements. The report describes the review and assessment of the knowledge and skills test for a commercial driver's license passenger endorsement. This report is required by section 32709 of MAP-21.
April 23, 2015
The FMCSA issued a final rule amending regulations to require certified medical examiners performing physical examinations of CMV drivers to use newly developed forms and report results of all CMV driver's physical examinations performed (including the results of examinations where the driver was found not to be qualified) to FMCSA by midnight (local time) of the next calendar day following the examination. The FMCSA will electronically transmit driver identification, examination results, and restriction information, as well as medical variance information, to the State Driver’s Licensing Agencies. This final rule is pursuant to section 32302 of MAP-21.
February 12, 2015
The FMCSA published a notice announcing the appointment of members to the Entry-Level Driver Training Advisory Committee (ELDTAC) established to complete a negotiated rulemaking on Entry-Level Driver Training for individuals who want to operate CMVs. The Agency announces that the first meeting of the ELDTAC will be held on February 26 and 27, 2015. The meeting is open to the public. ELDTAC is a negotiated rulemaking committee established to develop a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to implement section 32304 of MAP-21.
- Federal Register: Minimum Training Requirements for Entry-Level Drivers of Commercial Motor Vehicles: Negotiated Rulemaking Committee Membership and First Meeting
- Press Release: FMCSA Establishes Committee to Update Truck and Bus Driver Training
- Webpage: Entry-Level Driver Training Advisory Committee
December 18, 2014
The FMCSA transmitted a report on the Exemptions from Requirements for Covered Farm Vehicles Safety Study. The report describes the safety study’s methodology and summary of findings including number of vehicles and drivers, inspection rates, crash rates, injury and fatality rates, and State laws at variance. This report is required by section 32934 of MAP-21.
December 10, 2014
The FMCSA published a notice announcing its intent to establish a negotiated rulemaking committee to negotiate and develop proposed regulations concerning entry-level driver training for CMVs operating in interstate or intrastate commerce. The committee will include representatives of organizations or groups with interests that are affected significantly by the subject matter of the proposed regulations. The purpose of the committee is to develop a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to implement section 32304 of MAP-21.
July 25, 2014
The FMCSA transmitted a report on the Rental Truck Safety Study. The report describes the safety of rental trucks including the crashes, fatalities and injuries, cost of crashes, roadside inspections, vehicle maintenance, and State laws and local regulations. This report is required by section 32206 of MAP-21.
May 13, 2014
The FMCSA issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking proposing to adopt regulations prohibiting motor carriers, shippers, receivers, or transportation intermediaries from coercing drivers to operate CMVs in violation of certain Federal regulations, including drivers’ hours-of-service limits and the CDL regulations and associated drug and alcohol testing rules, or the Hazardous Materials Regulations. Additionally, the notice prohibits anyone who operates a CMV in interstate commerce from coercing a driver to violate the commercial regulations. This proposed rulemaking is authorized by section 32911 of MAP-21.
April 17, 2014
The FMCSA transmitted a report on financial responsibility requirements for motor carriers. The report describes the appropriateness of the current minimum financial responsibility requirements for motor carriers carrying property and passengers and the current bond and insurance requirements for freight forwarders and brokers. This report is required by section 32104 of MAP-21.
March 28, 2014
The FMCSA issued a Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking proposing amendments to the Federal regulations to establish: 1) minimum performance and design standards for hours-of-service electronic logging devices; 2) requirements for the mandatory use of these devices by drivers currently required to prepare records of duty status; 3) requirements concerning supporting documents; and 4) measures to address concerns about harassment resulting from the mandatory use of electronic logging devices. This rulemaking supplements the Agency's February 1, 2011, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and addresses issues raised by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit in its 2011 decision vacating the Agency's April 5, 2010, final rule concerning electronic logging devices as well as subsequent statutory developments. This rulemaking is based on authority in a number of statutes, including section 32301 of MAP-21.
- Federal Register: Electronic Logging Devices and Hours of Service Supporting Documents
- Press Release: DOT Proposes Use of Electronic Logbooks to Improve Efficiency, Safety in Commercial Bus & Truck Industries
March 12, 2014
The FMCSA transmitted a report on the hazardous materials safety permit (HMSP) program. The report provides information on the study overview, the number of HMSPs, State equivalency to Federal permits, and recommendations to improve the HMSP program. This report is required by section 33014 of MAP-21.
February 20, 2014
The FMCSA issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to establish a national CDL drug and alcohol clearinghouse to further strengthen longstanding, zero-tolerance, Federal regulations prohibiting controlled substance and/or alcohol abuse by truck and bus drivers who hold safety sensitive positions. The proposed rule requires FMCSA-regulated employers and professionals supporting DOT testing programs to report drug test results and information on follow-up testing and also requires employers to report actual knowledge of traffic citations for driving a CMV while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. This rulemaking is pursuant to section 32402 of MAP-21.
- Federal Register: Commercial Driver's License Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse
- Press Release: FMCSA Proposes National Drug and Alcohol Testing Clearinghouse for Commercial Truck and Bus Drivers
January 30, 2014
The FMCSA transmitted a report on the field study on the efficacy of the restart provisions of the final Hours of Service rules. These rules, which were published on December 27, 2011, are applicable to operators of CMVs hauling property, who are subject to maximum driving time requirements established by DOT. The report describes the design, methods, research findings, and conclusions of the field study. This report is required by section 32301 of MAP-21.
January 22, 2014
The FMCSA issued a final rule amending its regulations to enable the Agency to suspend or revoke the operating authority registration of for-hire motor carriers that show egregious disregard for safety compliance, permit persons who have shown egregious disregard for safety compliance to exercise controlling influence over their operations, or operate multiple entities under common control to conceal noncompliance with safety regulations. These amendments implement section 4113 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users, as amended by section 32112 of MAP-21.
November 8, 2013
The FMCSA transmitted a report that identifies steps the Agency should take to help ease the transition for military service personnel seeking employment in the motor carrier industry. The report compares FMCSA's testing and licensing requirements for CMV drivers with similar military requirements and makes recommendations that FMCSA is beginning to implement. This report is required by section 32308 of MAP-21.
- Report to Congress: Program to Assist Veterans to Acquire Commercial Driver's Licenses
- Press Release: FMCSA Releases New Study Outlining Opportunities for Returning Veterans
October 1, 2013
The FMCSA issued a final rule adopting certain regulations required by MAP-21. The majority of these statutory changes were effective October 1, 2012, while others are effective October 1, 2013. This rule amends FMCSA's regulations so that they conform to 17 of the statutory requirements enacted by MAP-21. These conforming changes ensure that FMCSA's regulations are current and consistent with applicable statutes. Adoption of these requirements is a nondiscretionary action that can be taken without issuing a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and receiving public comment.
- Federal Register: Amendments to Implement Certain Provisions of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21)
- Overview of 17 Provisions in the Final Rule: Amendments to Implement Certain Provisions of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act
September 25, 2013
The FMCSA and PHMSA issued a final rule amending the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations and Hazardous Materials Regulations, respectively, to prohibit a driver of a CMV or of a motor vehicle transporting certain hazardous materials, agents, or toxins from entering onto a highway-rail grade crossing unless there is sufficient space to drive completely through the grade crossing without stopping. This action is in response to section 112 of the Hazardous Materials Transportation Authorization Act of 1994, as amended by section 32509 of MAP-21.
September 19, 2013
The FMCSA withdraws its December 26, 2007, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that proposed new entry-level driver training standards for individuals applying for a CDL to operate CMVs in interstate commerce. The Agency withdraws the 2007 proposal because commenters to the notice, and participants in the Agency's public listening sessions in 2013, raised substantive issues which have led the Agency to conclude that it would be inappropriate to move forward with a final rule based on the proposal. In addition, since the notice was published, FMCSA received statutory direction on the issue of entry level driver training from Congress via section 32304 of MAP-21.
September 5, 2013
The FMCSA issued guidance on the implementation of certain provisions of MAP-21 concerning persons acting as a broker or a freight forwarder. Section 32915 of MAP-21 requires anyone acting as a broker or a freight forwarder and subject to FMCSA jurisdiction, including motor carriers, to register and obtain broker or freight forwarder authority from FMCSA. Section 32918 amended the financial security requirements applicable to property brokers and created new requirements for freight forwarders. This guidance explains how brokers and freight forwarders can comply with the new requirements and provides information regarding FMCSA's enforcement of these provisions.
June 19, 2013
The FMCSA submitted the "Commercial Vehicle Information Systems and Networks and Grants Workforce Plan Report to Congress," as required by section 32605 of MAP-21. The report includes information about the established timeframes and milestones for resuming the Commercial Vehicle Information Systems and Networks (CVISN) program and a strategic workforce plan for the grants management office.
For more information on CVISN, click here.
For more information on FMCSA grants, click here.
May 10, 2013
The FMCSA issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking allowing State and Federal enforcement officials to easily share and view the most current and accurate information about a CMV driver's medical certification status. The proposed rule would require certified medical examiners performing physical examinations on drivers of CMVs to use a newly developed Medical Examination Report form, and to use a new form for the medical examiner's certificate. In addition, the Certified Medical Examiners would be required to report results of all completed commercial drivers' physical examinations (including the results of examinations where the driver was found not to be qualified) to FMCSA by close of business on the day of the examination using the new form. This notice is a follow-on rule to the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners published on April 20, 2012, and the Medical Certification Requirements as part of the CDL rule published on December 1, 2008.
March 14, 2013
The FMCSA issued a final rule promulgating the regulatory exemptions for the “transportation of agricultural commodities and farm supplies” and for “covered farm vehicles” and their drivers. Although prior statutory exemptions involving agriculture are unchanged, some of these exemptions overlap with MAP-21 provisions. In these cases, regulated entities will be able to choose the exemption, or set of exemptions, under which to operate. They must, however, comply fully with the terms of each exemption they claim. This final rule is authorized by sections 32101(d) and 32934 of MAP-21.
February 6, 2013
The provisions in MAP-21 enhance the FMCSA's ability to obtain compliance with the consumer protection regulations. In an effort to provide clarity on some of the provisions in MAP-21, FMCSA has developed a set of questions and answers to clarify regulatory requirements for brokers and freight forwarders. These questions and answers will address changes in consumer protection requirements that impact registration, financial security, and freight interlining operations.
- Questions and Answers: Brokers and Freight Forwarders
October 1, 2012
The FMCSA issued a notice alerting motor carriers and enforcement officials of two statutory exemptions in MAP-21 for certain motor carriers transporting agricultural commodities and farm supplies. Section 32101 of MAP-21 provides a statutory exemption from the hours-of-service regulations for certain carriers transporting agricultural commodities and farm supplies. Section 32934 provides a statutory exemption from most of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for the operation of covered farm vehicles by farm and ranch operators, their employees, and certain other specified individuals under certain specific circumstances. This notice is part of the Department's ongoing efforts to provide relief for the Nation's farmers and continues the implementation of MAP-21.
September 28, 2012
The FMCSA kicked off its MAP-21 stakeholder engagement by listening to representatives from a broad cross-section of organizations most closely involved in CMV safety, including industry leaders, associations, safety advocates, and other key stakeholders. FMCSA Administrator Anne Ferro provided an overview of the MAP-21 implementation and explained how it aligns with FMCSA's safety priorities and gives the Agency important new enforcement tools to fulfill its mission of preventing crashes and saving lives.