The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) enforces rules to keep our highways safe and reduce accidents involving large trucks. With new updates planned in 2025, it’s essential for trucking companies, drivers, and the general public to understand these regulations as well as the most important regulations that are already in place. Some of the regulations that are being updated or added for 2025 include:
Speed Limiters on Heavy-Duty Trucks
The FMCSA intends to require speed limiters on trucks weighing over 26,000 pounds when they operate across state lines. These limiters will use each truck’s electronic engine control unit to set a top driving speed. By capping maximum speed, the goal is to prevent severe collisions and reduce the risk of serious injuries.
Truck drivers or companies that ignore or override these limiters could face legal consequences if an accident occurs. It’s expected that this regulation will be published in May 2025.
Replacement of MC Numbers
In 2025, the FMCSA will phase out Motor Carrier (MC) numbers in favor of using only USDOT numbers for truck registration and identification. Their plan includes identity and business verification software to reduce fraud and improve security. This change will simplify the registration process by eliminating the need for carriers to juggle multiple identification numbers. It may also make it easier for personal injury lawyers to track down the correct defendants when investigating a claim.
Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) Systems
Partnering with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the FMCSA is working to set rules for how AEB systems must perform on trucks in Class 3 and above. This step includes defining testing standards to ensure these systems activate in time to prevent or lessen the damage from collisions.
A final rule is expected in early 2025, and it could lead to fewer highway crashes if trucks are equipped with dependable, automatic braking features. If a crash does happen, potential legal claims might focus on whether the system was used or maintained properly.
Other Important Regulations to Be Aware Of
Even though speed limiters, AEB systems, and the shift away from MC numbers are getting a lot of attention, numerous other rules affect how trucking companies do business and how safe our roads are:
- Hours-of-Service (HOS) Laws: Hours-of-service rules limit how long a driver can stay behind the wheel before they need a break. They help reduce driver fatigue and keep everyone safer on the roads.
- Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Mandate: ELDs record driving time and ensure drivers don’t go past their legal limits. By creating an official record of driving hours, these devices make it easier for investigators or attorneys to see if a driver was still fit to operate a truck before an accident.
- Vehicle Maintenance Obligations: Carriers must regularly inspect and service their trucks, checking items like brakes, tires, and lights. Poorly maintained vehicles are more prone to equipment failure, which can cause serious wrecks.
- Driver Qualification Standards: Truckers must hold valid commercial driver’s licenses, past health exams, and meet minimum age requirements. They also need a clean driving record that shows they’re capable of handling large vehicles on busy highways.
- Drug and Alcohol Testing: The FMCSA requires routine and random substance use tests, aiming to reduce impaired driving. If a driver fails a test or refuses to take one, they can be suspended or restricted from operating a commercial vehicle.
If you have any questions about trucking regulations or other motor vehicle accident cases and need help after being injured, contact our Westminster truck accident attorneys at Ciancio Ciancio Brown, P.C. today to schedule a free consultation.