FMCSA Suspends Rollout of Online DOT Registration System

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has suspended the rollout of its new online Unified Registration System until technical issues are resolved.

While the suspension is in place, the agency said that motor carriers and other entities needing to file required registration and biennial update information will “follow the same procedures and forms used to submit information to FMCSA as they do today.”

In a notice posted in the Federal Register for Jan. 17, the agency said that petitions for reconsideration (comments) on the suspension must be received by February 16, 2017. Such petitions should be submitted to: Administrator, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, 20590-0001.

All background documents, comments, and materials related to this rule may be viewed here within the FMCSA-1997-2349 docket.

FMCSA said in the notice that it is extending the implementation date of the final stage of the URS 1 rule because “additional time is needed to securely migrate data from multiple legacy platforms into a new central database and to conduct further compatibility testing with its State partners.”

The agency pointed out as well that it recently migrated its information technology systems to a “cloud” environment. “This migration effort was a necessary step in order to provide a foundation to successfully implement URS,” according to FMCSA.

URS is described as a simplified online registration process. It combines multiple legacy reporting forms into a single, online “smart form” that is designed to streamline the registration and renewal process.

When fully implemented, URS will allow FMCSA to identify unfit carriers and detect unsafe truck and bus companies that are trying to evade enforcement actions. The agency said that offending companies often attempt to regain U.S. DOT registration by registering as a different or unrelated business entity.

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FMCSA Suspends Rollout of Online DOT Registration System

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has suspended the rollout of its new online Unified Registration System until technical issues are resolved.

While the suspension is in place, the agency said that motor carriers and other entities needing to file required registration and biennial update information will “follow the same procedures and forms used to submit information to FMCSA as they do today.”

In a notice posted in the Federal Register for Jan. 17, the agency said that petitions for reconsideration (comments) on the suspension must be received by February 16, 2017. Such petitions should be submitted to: Administrator, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, 20590-0001.

All background documents, comments, and materials related to this rule may be viewed here within the FMCSA-1997-2349 docket.

FMCSA said in the notice that it is extending the implementation date of the final stage of the URS 1 rule because “additional time is needed to securely migrate data from multiple legacy platforms into a new central database and to conduct further compatibility testing with its State partners.”

The agency pointed out as well that it recently migrated its information technology systems to a “cloud” environment. “This migration effort was a necessary step in order to provide a foundation to successfully implement URS,” according to FMCSA.

URS is described as a simplified online registration process. It combines multiple legacy reporting forms into a single, online “smart form” that is designed to streamline the registration and renewal process.

When fully implemented, URS will allow FMCSA to identify unfit carriers and detect unsafe truck and bus companies that are trying to evade enforcement actions. The agency said that offending companies often attempt to regain U.S. DOT registration by registering as a different or unrelated business entity.

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Nikola One: Disruptive Technology?

The Nikola One sleeper-cab prototype unveiled in early December in Salt Lake City looks like no other. It's lettered for U.S. Xpress, whose Chairman and CEO Max Fuller believes Nikola One will be “a game changer.” 

Photo: Tom Berg

Trevor Milton has an ambitious plan to change North America's trucks from diesel power to electric propulsion with hydrogen fuel cells and high-density lithium-ion batteries. If he's successful, the H2-LI electric powertrain will be a “game changer” and “disruptive technology,” as two trucking executives called it. If not, this project will be another failure involving the hydrogen fuel that's supposed to revolutionize the automotive world.

Milton, the CEO of Nikola Motor Co., unveiled his Nikola One over-the-road tractor in early December at the firm's Salt Lake City base. Milton told an audience of several hundred, and many more tuned into a webcast of the event, that the truck will be in production by 2020, with further development, testing, and certification work taking place between now and then.

For months as Nikola's well-orchestrated publicity teased the new electric truck, observers wondered whether the truck and the project itself were the real thing. The vehicle on the stage was very real, but it never turned a wheel during the presentation or a three-hour technical briefing the following day.

It remains to be seen whether Nikola One will ever freight, but the presence of industry giants like Ryder System, Meritor, and U.S. Xpress lent credibility to the project. Nikola claims to have deep-pocket investors, plus over $4 billion in order reservations for the truck, which may see it through to production and sales success.

Early in his presentation, Milton paid tribute to diesel-powered trucks that have reliably and efficiently hauled cargo for so many years. But he said that diesel trucks, no matter how efficient, will always produce ...Read the rest of this story

New brass at battery maker aim to disrupt market

Truck-Lite Releases New 4-inch Combination Lamp

Truck-Lite has added the 44 Series Stop/Turn/Tail & Back-up Combination Lamp to its current 44 Series offerings.

The new option combines the functions of two lamps into a single unit and is available in flange or grommet mounts. The lamp also features a hardwired connector for tight-packaging applications and 3-position LED Fit ‘N Forget AMP connectors that are compatible with existing connection points on the vehicle harness.

The 4-inch lamp meets or exceeds FMVSS 108 requirements, including on vehicles over 80 inches wide, the company says. The 44 Series combination lamps will meet the FMVSS requirement for back-up function, which can save costs to OEMs by eliminating the need to drill additional mounting holes.

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FMCSA Begins Annual Drug Testing Survey

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has begun notifying selected truck and bus companies that they will be required to submit their 2016 USDOT drug and alcohol testing program results within 60 days, as directed by Federal Regulation CFR 382.403.

Carriers notified by FMCSA that they have been selected to complete the annual survey are required to respond by March 16, 2017. Failure to respond may result in civil penalties.

The Annual Drug and Alcohol Information Survey results are used to determine the random testing rates for the following year.

For more information on FMCSA drug and alcohol testing rules and regulations, click here.

Drivers and carriers with questions should contact [email protected] or call 202-366-4844

Related: FMCSA Keeps Controlled Substance Random Testing Rate

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