News

Effectiveness of Third-Party Testing and Minimal Standards for CDL Knowledge and Skills Tests: FMCSA is conducting a project titled ‘‘Effectiveness of Third-Party Testing and Minimum Standards for the CDL Knowledge and Skills Test’’, which will assess the effectiveness of the ELDT program, assess third-party training provider performance, and verify/ validate compliance with ELDT minimum standards. Comments are due by November 21, 2022. The Notice can be found here: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2022-09-21/pdf/2022-20406.pdf.

Electronic Logging Devices: FMCSA solicits public comment on ways to improve the clarity of current regulations on the use of electronic logging devices (ELD) and address certain concerns about the technical specifications raised by industry stakeholders. The Agency seeks comment in five specific areas in which the Agency is considering changes: applicability to pre-2000 engines; addressing ELD malfunctions; the process for removing ELD products from FMCSA’s list of certified devices; technical specifications; and ELD certification. Comments are due by November 15, 2022. The Notice can be found here: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2022-09-16/pdf/2022-20095.pdf.

Qualification of Drivers: Medical Examiner’s Handbook and Medical Advisory Criteria Proposed Regulatory Guidance: FMCSA extends the comment period for its August 16, 2022, notice of proposed regulatory guidance relating to the draft Medical Examiner’s Handbook (MEH), which includes updates to the Medical Advisory Criteria published in the United States Code of Federal Regulations. Comments are now due by October 31, 2022. The original notice can be found here: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2022-08-16/pdf/2022-17592.pdf.

Uniform Procedures for State Highway Safety Grant Programs:  This Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) proposes revised uniform procedures implementing State highway safety grant programs.  Comments are due by October 31, 2022.  The notice can be accessed here:  https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2022-09-15/pdf/2022-18995.pdf.

Notice of Intent to Prepare a Environmental Impact Statement for MY2023 and Beyond New Medium- and Heavy-Duty Fuel Efficiency Improvement Program Standards:  This is notice that NHTSA intends to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) to analyze the potential environmental impacts of new fuel efficiency (FE) standards for model years (MYs) 2030 and beyond medium- and heavy-duty on-highway vehicles and some work trucks. This notice initiates the process for determining the scope of considerations to be addressed in the EIS and for identifying any significant environmental issues related to the proposed action. NHTSA invites comments from Federal, State, and local agencies, Indian tribes, stakeholders, and the public in this scoping process to help identify and focus any matters of environmental significance and reasonable alternatives to be examined in the EIS.  Comments are due by October 19, 2022.  The notice can be accessed here:  https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2022-09-19/pdf/2022-20211.pdf.

The 2022 National Illegal Passing Survey results are now available.  Visit the Resources > Surveys tab of the website or visit https://www.nasdpts.org/stop-arm-violations/#results to see this year's final results.

On January 12, 2021, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released its draft Cybersecurity Best Practices for the Safety of Modern Vehicles guidance to support industry-led efforts to improve the industry’s cybersecurity posture as well as provide NHTSA’s views on how the automotive industry can develop and apply sound, risk-based cybersecurity management processes during the vehicle’s entire lifecycle. These guidelines are intended to be applicable to all individuals and organizations involved in the design, development, manufacture and assembly of a motor vehicle and its electronic systems and software. These entities include, but are not limited to, small and large-volume motor vehicle and motor vehicle equipment designers, suppliers, manufacturers, and modifiers. Today, NHTSA released the Final Guidelines, which are effective as of today and can be accessed here: 2022-19507.pdf (govinfo.gov). While this is the final version of this iteration of the Best Practices, NHTSA routinely assesses cybersecurity risks as well as emerging best practices and will consider future updates as motor vehicles and their cybersecurity evolve.

Today the Biden Administration is announcing Public and Private Sector actions to strengthen the teaching profession and help schools fill teacher and school support position vacancies.

Of particular interest to the school transportation industry, the Administration is announcing:

• Today ZipRecruiter is launching a new online job portal specifically dedicated to K-12 school jobs. This portal will showcase job openings across public schools throughout the United States, including teachers, nurses, guidance counselors, social workers, mental health counselors, librarians, and more. Schools, districts, and states can partner with ZipRecruiter to have their open roles included for free. The job portal will also feature additional hiring resources including best practices for both job seekers and school districts’ human resource teams.
• Indeed is announcing that it will facilitate virtual hiring fairs for educators throughout the country. These events will specifically focus on the hiring of teachers, administrators, counselors, and other staff. Participating entities will gain access to Indeed’s free suite of hiring tools to manage the end-to-end hiring process, from job postings through interviews.

The full fact sheet can be found here: FACT SHEET: Biden-Harris Administration Announces Public and Private Sector Actions to Strengthen Teaching Profession and Help Schools Fill Vacancies - The White House.

NASDPTS has released its full conference agenda.  Click here to find out what's happening!

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued a notice for comment today on draft revisions of the Medical Examiner’s Handbook.  Comments are due by September 30, 2022.  Here’s the notice:  2022-17592.pdf (govinfo.gov).  To access the draft Medical Examiner’s Handbook, go to the Docket, which you will find here:  https://www.regulations.gov/document/FMCSA-2022-0111-0002.

As you may have heard, last week the Center for Disease Control (CDC) announced updated and streamlined COVID-19 guidance.  The press release announcing those updates can be found here:  https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2022/p0811-covid-guidance.html.

The CDC has also updated their Operational Guidance for K-12 Schools and Early Care and Education Programs to Support Safe In-Person Learning.  That updated guidance, which includes, but is not limited to, the removal of information about Test to Stay, can be found here:  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/k-12-childcare-guidance.html

The National School Transportation Association (NSTA) has submitted an application to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requesting a five-year exemption for the ‘‘under-the-hood’’ CDL testing requirement.

Drivers issued a CDL pursuant to the requested exemption would be restricted to the intrastate operation of school buses only. FMCSA requests comments on this application by September 12, 2022 and the notice can be found here:  https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2022-08-11/pdf/2022-17228.pdf.

Just a reminder that the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) deadline for the Clean School Bus Program Grants is 11:59pmET on Friday, August 19.  EPA will be reviewing the applications and beginning the selection process in September and applicants will be notified of their selection status in October.