Regulatory Changes

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has made some changes to 49 CFR to streamline and clarify some sections, as discussed below:

Electronic Driver Vehicle Inspection Report (Effective March 23, 2026)

The agency has added language to §396.11 to clarify that inspection reports may be created electronically: (6)  Electronic reporting. The report required by this paragraph (a) may be created and maintained in electronic format, in accordance with 49 CFR 390.32. Similar language was added to §396.13. It is intended to encourage motor carriers to utilize electronic devices when completing inspection reports.

 

Spare Fuses (effective April 20, 2026)

The requirement for commercial motor vehicles (CMV) to be equipped with at least one spare fuse for each type and size of fuse needed for the operation of the CMV has been removed by deleting §393.95(b).

Liquid Burning Flares (effective March 23, 2026)

The references to liquid-burning flares have been removed from §392.22 and §393.95. This action eliminates outdated language referring to warning devices that FMCSA believes are no longer used.

Tire Load Markings (effective March 23, 2026)

The requirements for commercial motor vehicle (CMV) tires have been amended to clarify that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) do not require tire load restriction markings on the sidewalls of tires. This change eliminates confusion and clarifies the scope of FMCSA’s authority regarding requirements for CMV tires.

However, this notice from FMCSA pointed out that load rating markings ARE required by the National Highway Transportation Administration (NHTSA).

Tractor Rear License Plate Light (effective March 23, 2026)

Table 1 of §393.11 has been amended (shown in bold italics) with additional language to Footnote 11: “To be illuminated when headlamps are illuminated. No rear license plate lamp is required on vehicles that do not display a rear license plate or on the rear of truck tractors while towing a trailer.”

Rear Impact Guard (effective March 23, 2026)

FMCSA has rescinded the requirement that the rear impact guards be permanently marked or labeled with a certification from the impact guard manufacturer.  The labeling or marking requirement has proven problematic for motor carriers when the label or marking becomes illegible or wears off during the service life of the trailer or guard. This final rule eliminates an unintended regulatory burden on motor carriers without compromising safety, as it does not affect the applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard. The final rule also rescinds a guidance document pertaining to illegible, incomplete, or missing rear impact guard certification labels. Accordingly, section §393.86(a)(6) has been removed.

Non-Domiciled CDL (effective March 16, 2026)

This final rule reaffirms, with minor changes, the provisions of the interim final rule (IFR) published on September 29, 2025. Specifically, this final rule limits eligibility for non- domiciled Commercial Learner’s Permits (CLPs) and Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs) for foreign-domiciled individuals as follows:

1. 1. Limiting individuals eligible for non-domiciled CLPs and CDLs to those maintaining certain employment-based nonimmigrant statuses, certain individuals domiciled in a U.S. territory, and individuals domiciled in a State that is prohibited from issuing CLPs or CDLs because the State’s CDL program is decertified;
   2. Requiring non-citizen applicants (except for lawful permanent residents) to provide an unexpired foreign passport and an unexpired Form I–94/I–94A (Arrival/Departure Record) indicating a specified type of employment-based nonimmigrant status at every issuance, transfer, renewal, and upgrade action defined in the regulation;
   3. Requiring SDLAs to query Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE), administered by USCIS, to confirm the applicant’s claim to be in lawful immigration status in a specified category;
   4. Requiring that SDLAs retain copies of documents for no less than two years;
   5. Requiring the expiration date for any non-domiciled CLP or CDL to match the expiration date of the Form I–94/I–94A or one year whichever is sooner;
   6. Requiring the applicant to be present in-person at each renewal; and
   7. Requiring an SDLA to downgrade the non-domiciled CLP or CDL if the State becomes aware that the holder is no longer eligible to hold a non-domiciled CLP or CDL.