Time to Check Medical Cards

We’ve been noticing that some health care providers are not completing medical cards correctly, and drivers are being put out of service as a result. If the “Qualified by operation of 49 CFR 391.64” box is checked off, the Doctor is indicating that the driver has been issued a medical card because he (or she) has obtained a waiver for diabetes or vision impairment. If this box is checked off and your driver does not have the appropriate waiver with him (or her) he (or she) will be put out of service and will not be permitted to drive. Ask your drivers to review their medical cards closely when their health care provider signs off on them so a problem can be corrected on the spot. If your driver has no restrictions, none of the boxes on the front of the card should be checked off. If one of your drivers is stopped and put out of service for this reason, the issuing doctor will need to explain the error in a letter included with your response to the Out of Service Order. A Data Q’s correction may also need to be filed so that your company SafeStat score is not affected by the Out of Service order.

Changes to the Single State Registration System

The UCR Agreement will replace the current SSRS, which will expire on January 1, 2007, in accordance with section 4305(a) of SAFETEA-LU. Under the UCR Agreement, the USDOT Number will be the sole Federal identification number for all motor carriers.
SSRS is a State-administered registration program covering for-hire interstate motor carriers. SSRS ensures that all interstate for-hire motor carriers maintain public liability insurance at the appropriate levels and are properly authorized to operate under 49 U.S.C. 13902. A motor carrier must choose a single participating State in which to file its SSRS application. Usually a carrier is able to select the State in which it maintains its principal place of business. However, if that State is not a participating SSRS State, the carrier must select an SSRS-participant State in which it will operate the largest number of commercial motor vehicles in its fleet during the next registration year. Regardless of how the motor carrier makes the selection, the selected State is known as the "base" State and collects fees on behalf of all the participating States in which the motor carrier operates. A Canada- or Mexico-domiciled motor carrier also must select the State in the United States in which it most frequently operates as its base State for registration purposes.
Currently, 38 States participate in SSRS, and they use this registration system to generate revenues to supplement State general fund accounts and to conduct safety-related services. Historically, the for-hire motor carrier industry has complained about the cost of this program. Under section 4305 of SAFETEA-LU, Congress brokered a compromise that lowers the costs of for-hire motor carrier registration under SSRS while keeping the 38 participating States "whole" in terms of the amount of revenue they receive under SSRS. Congress accomplished this by spreading SSRS user fees to include a broader population of registrants and entities currently not required to register. By including private motor carriers, brokers, freight forwarders, leasing companies, and exempt for-hire motor carriers in the UCR Agreement, Congress lowered the registration costs for for-hire motor carriers and ensured that the SSRS States do not lose essential funding for safety services. SAFETEA-LU tasked the Board of Directors with developing an appropriate registration fee structure as well as a distribution formula for fees collected. For more information, visit the FMCSA website.

Use of cargo heaters when transporting certain hazardous material.

Here is the regulation for using cargo heaters when transporting certain kinds of HazMat

Transportation includes loading, carrying, and unloading.
(l)(1) When transporting Class 1 (explosive) materials. A motor vehicle equipped with a cargo heater of any type may transport Class 1 (explosive) materials only if the cargo heater is rendered inoperable by: (i) Draining or removing the cargo heater fuel tank; and (ii) disconnecting the heater's power source.
(l)(2) When transporting certain flammable material-
(l)(2)(i) Use of combustion cargo heaters. A motor vehicle equipped with a combustion cargo heater may be used to transport Class 3 (flammable liquid) or Division 2.1 (flammable gas) materials only if each of the following requirements are met-
(l)(2)(i)(A) It is a catalytic heater.
(l)(2)(i)(B) The heater's surface temperature cannot exceed 54°C (130°F)-either on a thermostatically controlled heater or on a heater without thermostatic control when the outside or ambient temperature is 16°C (61°F) or less.
(l)(2)(i)(C) The heater is not ignited in a loaded vehicle.
(l)(2)(i)(D) There is no flame, either on the catalyst or anywhere in the heater.
(l)(2)(i)(E) The manufacturer has certified that the heater meets the requirements under paragraph (1)(2)(i) of this section by permanently marking the heater "MEETS DOT REQUIREMENTS FOR CATALYTIC HEATERS USED WITH FLAMMABLE LIQUID AND GAS."
(l)(2)(i)(F) The heater is also marked "DO NOT LOAD INTO OR USE IN CARGO COMPARTMENTS CONTAINING FLAMMABLE LIQUID OR GAS IF FLAME IS VISIBLE ON CATALYST OR IN HEATER."
(l)(2)(i)(G) Heater requirements under §393.77 of this title are complied with.
(l)(2)(ii) Effective date for combustion heater requirements. The requirements under paragraph (1)(2)(i) of this section govern as follows-
(l)(2)(ii)(A) Use of a heater manufactured after November 14, 1975, is governed by every requirement under (1)(2)(i) of this section;
(l)(2)(ii)(B) Use of a heater manufactured before November 15, 1975, is governed by every requirement under (1)(2)(i) (A), (C), (D), (F) and (G) of this section until October 1, 1976; and
(l)(2)(ii)(C) Use of any heater after September 30, 1976, is governed by every requirement under (1)(2)(i) of this section.
(l)(2)(iii) Restrictions on automatic cargo-space-heating temperature control devices. Restrictions on these devices have two dimensions: restrictions upon use and restrictions which apply when the device must not be used.
(l)(2)(iii)(A) Use restrictions. An automatic cargo-space-heating temperature control device may be used when transporting Class 3 (flammable liquid) or Division 2.1 (flammable gas) materials only if each of the following requirements is met-
(1) Electrical apparatus in the cargo compartment is non-sparking or explosion proof.
(2) There is no combustion apparatus in the cargo compartment.
(3) There is no connection for return of air from the cargo compartment to the combustion apparatus.
(4) The heating system will not heat any part of the cargo to more than 54°C (129°F).
(5) Heater requirements under §393.77 of this title are complied with.
(l)(2)(iii)(B) Protection against use. Class 3 (flammable liquid) or Division 2.1 (flammable gas) materials may be transported by a vehicle, which is equipped with an automatic cargo-space-heating temperature control device that does not meet each requirement of paragraph (1)(2)(iii) (A) of this section, only if the device is first rendered inoperable, as follows-
(1) Each cargo heater fuel tank, if other than LPG, must be emptied or removed.
(2) Each LPG fuel tank for automatic temperature control equipment must have its discharge valve closed and its fuel feed line disconnected.

BEWARE: DOT SCAM Watch your Fax Machine!


There have been a large number of motor carriers receiving bogus faxes on USDOT letterhead. This fax requests financial information on the carrier stating that this will qualify you for being a DOT contractor. DO NOT PROVIDE any financial information as this is NOT from the USDOT. This issue is currently being investigated by the Inspector General’s Office.
The Bogus fax contains a phrase to the effect: “In February 2006, the procurement plan for the second semester of 2006 will be finalized. To be eligible for procurement with the US DOT, you must submit the abovementioned form to us by fax at 202-318-2163.” Do not send any information to this fax number.