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In May, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced 52 deregulatory actions aimed at simplifying the rules enforced by the Department of Transportation (DOT). But are these changes going to significantly impact truck drivers across the country?
Kris Dahlgren, compliance manager at Anderson Trucking Service (ATS), broke down a selection of these proposed changes that focuses on the real-world impact to commercial drivers. Here’s a plain-language overview of what’s on the table and how it could affect life on the road.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) wants to repeal outdated rules related to routing in small towns and clarify civil penalty language. These are largely housekeeping changes. They won’t affect how or where drivers operate and are unlikely to impact roadside inspections or driver performance scores.
The proposals also include removing the requirement for certification labels on rear impact guards and reflective tape mandates for trailers built before 1993. Another would eliminate the requirement to carry spare fuses, which better aligns with the realities of modern trucks, which rely more on circuit breakers.
For most drivers using up-to-date equipment, these changes won’t matter much. Violations for missing labels or fuses are rare, and reflective tape is standard on newer trailers.
Outdated references to liquid-burning flares may be removed, too. Most drivers today use reflective triangles or LED devices, making this one irrelevant in modern practice.
One proposed change that could help drivers directly is the removal of the self-reporting requirement for traffic violations. Many states already share motor vehicle records electronically, so eliminating the paper trail simplifies the process without reducing safety.
Other proposals aim to remove language that distinguishes water haulers from other tanker carriers, which no longer serves a purpose. There’s also a plan to remove the requirement to carry an ELD user manual in the truck.
Since most drivers receive formal ELD training, carrying a printed manual is outdated. Enforcement of this requirement is already rare.
One controversial proposal would allow hazmat drivers and bus operators to proceed through actively controlled railroad crossings (i.e. those with lights and a crossing gate with arms) without stopping.
Debate continues in online forums about whether this change improves safety or introduces new risks.
FMCSA also proposes to clarify that drivers can submit Daily Vehicle Inspection Reports (DVIRs) electronically. It's something many already do.
Another minor exemption would remove the requirement for a license plate lamp on the rear of a power unit when towing a trailer, citing low safety impact.
One change getting attention relates to tire markings. FMCSA wants to clarify that tire sidewalls don’t need to include load restrictions. However, this is unlikely to move the needle, as most tire-related violations involve under-inflation or damage, not marking issues.
Out of the 52 deregulatory actions, 43 are still in the “notice of proposed rule-making” phase, meaning nothing is final yet. It could take months, or even years, before these changes are written into the green book.
In the meantime, the best move for drivers is to stay informed and focus on compliance with existing regulations. At ATS and elsewhere, compliance teams are watching these updates closely and will share practical guidance once final rules are published.
While most of the proposed changes seem low impact, the overall goal is to make trucking regulations easier to understand and enforce. That’s something most drivers can appreciate.
As Kris put it, “Any effort to make it easier to read through the green book, figure out what I’m doing ,and how to do it right is usually a good effort.”
Stay tuned for updates as these rules develop, and remember: cleaner code and fewer hoops are wins for everyone behind the wheel.
For interviews with trucking professionals, compelling stories, and the latest trends on the road, check out episodes of Beyond the Road, the ATS podcast!