A survey taken by Transport Capital Partners has revealed that CSA is a source of continued concern for motor carriers. Interestingly, the survey also revealed that shippers are increasingly paying attention to the CSA system. More than 72% of respondents indicated that at least some of their customers had concerns about CSA and the carrier’s CSA scores. 6% said that all of their customers had CSA concerns and 21% indicated that their customers had no concerns about CSA. The survey also seems to indicate that — from FMCSA’s perspective — the CSA system is working very well. Respondents indicated that in the last quarter, 65% of them were using three of more methods to comply with the regulations.

FMCSA Lightens Load for Intermodal Carriers

DOT Safety Regulation Update Fast-Fax™
Week of June 15, 2012
Foley Services Your Single Source for DOT Compliance

FMCSA has eliminated the requirement for intermodal equipment drivers to submit driver vehicle inspection reports when no defect is found or reported.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has issued a Final Rule that eliminates a burdensome paperwork requirement for intermodal equipment drivers and providers.

Under the new rule, intermodal drivers and equipment providers will no longer be required to submit and maintain driver vehicle inspection reports when no defect is found during an inspection or when no defect is reported by the equipment provider.

DVIR Records

The regulations came into effect in 2008 and were a well intentioned effort to maintain the same level of oversight for intermodal carriers as was required for other property-carrying carriers.
Unfortunately, at that time, the Agency added a requirement that drivers had to indicate that no defect or damage was found during an inspection. This turned out to be an expensive prospect. FMCSA estimates that the rule costs the industry $54 million each year and takes up 1.936 million hours. Citing pressure from the industry, FMCSA has relented and withdrawn the requirements.

What is Still Required?

The regulations only change the requirements IF no damage is found or reported. If the equipment provider or the driver is aware of damage to the equipment, it must be recorded and the records must be maintained.
The report must still be prepared in writing, at the end of each day on each of the vehicles that the driver operated. Motor Carriers must require that the drivers write and turn in these reports to the Intermodal Equipment Provider.
The report must cover any defects of deficiencies to at least the following parts and accessories:

• Service brakes including trailer brake connections
• Parking brake
• Steering mechanism
• Lighting devices and reflectors
• Tires
• Horn
• Windshield wipers
• Rear vision mirrors
• Coupling devices
• Wheels and rims
• Emergency equipment

The pre-trip inspection will, hopefully, identify any problems before the driver begins using the Intermodal Equipment. However, the driver should also report any problems that develop over the time he or she is using the equipment. The reports should include anything problematic the driver sees, hears or feels.

A Foley Services’ “Driver’s Daily Vehicle Inspection Report” meets this requirement. Go to www.FoleyServices.com to order.

FMCSA has eliminated the requirement for intermodal equipment drivers to submit driver vehicle inspection reports when no defect is found or reported.

Changes Coming to Your Account This Summer

Foley Carrier Services will be unveiling some big changes to our online account management services this summer and we need your help!

To ensure a smooth transition, we require some assistance from you. We need you to confirm that your contact information is up-to-date and that notifications from Foley go to the right people at your company.

You should have already received information in the mail from us regarding this improvement. If you have not had the opportunity to review this information, and to return the contact information requested, it is very important that you do so.
To make the process easier, you can also simply visit www.foleyservices.com/2012-changes to update your information.

Editor: Roxanne Swidrak, Vice President, Operations • 1-800-253-5506 • www.FoleyServices.com • Vol. 111, No. 742 • © Foley Carrier Services, LLC. 2012