Inspection, Repair, and Maintenance; Driver-Vehicle Inspection Report, 48125-48133 [2013-18981]

Agencies

• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 152 (Wednesday, August 7, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 48125-48133]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-18981]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

49 CFR Parts 392 and 396

[Docket No. FMCSA-2012-0336]
RIN 2126-AB46


Inspection, Repair, and Maintenance; Driver-Vehicle Inspection 
Report

AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: FMCSA proposes to rescind the requirement that commercial 
motor vehicle (CMV) drivers operating in interstate commerce, except 
drivers of passenger-carrying CMVs, submit, and

[[Page 48126]]

motor carriers retain, driver-vehicle inspection reports when the 
driver has neither found nor been made aware of any vehicle defects or 
deficiencies. This proposed rule would remove a significant information 
collection burden without adversely impacting safety. This proposed 
rule responds in part to the President's January 2011 Regulatory Review 
and Reform initiative. Finally, this proposed rule harmonizes the pre- 
and post-trip inspection lists.

DATES: You must submit comments on or before October 7, 2013.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number FMCSA-
2012-0336 using any one of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility (M-30), U.S. Department 
of Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Hand delivery: Same as mail address above, between 9 a.m. 
and 5 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The 
telephone number is 202-366-9329.
    To avoid duplication, please use only one of these four methods. 
See the ``Public Participation and Request for Comments'' heading under 
the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below for instructions on 
submitting comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this proposed 
rule, call or email Mrs. Deborah Freund, Vehicle and Roadside 
Operations Division, Office of Bus and Truck Standards and Operations, 
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, telephone: 202-366-5541; 
deborah.freund@dot.gov. If you have questions on viewing or submitting 
material to the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket 
Operations, telephone 202-366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Public Participation and Request for Comments

    FMCSA encourages you to participate in this rulemaking by 
submitting comments and related materials.

Submitting Comments

    If you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this 
rulemaking (FMCSA-2012-0336), indicate the specific section of this 
document to which each comment applies, and provide a reason for each 
suggestion or recommendation. You may submit your comments and material 
online or by fax, mail, or hand delivery, but please use only one of 
these means. FMCSA recommends that you include your name and a mailing 
address, an email address, or a phone number in the body of your 
document so the Agency can contact you if it has questions regarding 
your submission.
    To submit your comment online, go to https://www.regulations.gov and 
click on the ``Submit a Comment'' box, which will then become 
highlighted in blue. In the ``Document Type'' drop down menu, select 
``Rules,'' insert ``FMCSA-2012-0336'' in the ``Keyword'' box, and click 
``Search.'' When the new screen appears, click on ``Submit a Comment'' 
in the ``Actions'' column. If you submit your comments by mail or hand 
delivery, submit them in an unbound format, no larger than 8\1/2\ by 11 
inches, suitable for copying and electronic filing. If you submit 
comments by mail and would like to know that they reached the facility, 
please enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard or envelope.
    FMCSA will consider all comments and material received during the 
comment period and may change this proposed rule based on your 
comments.

Viewing Comments and Documents

    To view comments, as well as documents mentioned in this preamble 
as being available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov and 
click on the ``Read Comments'' box in the upper right hand side of the 
screen. Then, in the ``Keyword'' box, insert ``FMCSA-2012-0336'' and 
click ``Search.'' Next, click ``Open Docket Folder'' in the ``Actions'' 
column. Finally, in the ``Title'' column, click on the document you 
would like to review. If you do not have access to the Internet, you 
may view the docket online by visiting the Docket Management Facility 
in Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the DOT West Building, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

Privacy Act

    All comments received will be posted without change to https://www.regulations.gov and will include any personal information you have 
provided. Anyone may search the electronic form of all comments 
received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual 
submitting the comment (or of the person signing the comment, if 
submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). 
You may review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal 
Register published on January 17, 2008 (73 FR 3316), or you may visit 
https://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-785.pdf.

Executive Summary

Purpose and Summary of the Major Provisions

    FMCSA proposes to rescind the requirement that commercial motor 
vehicle (CMV) drivers operating in interstate commerce, except drivers 
of passenger-carrying CMVs, submit, and motor carriers retain, driver-
vehicle inspection reports (DVIR) when the driver has neither found nor 
been made aware of any vehicle defects or deficiencies (no-defect 
DVIR). This proposed rule would remove a significant information 
collection burden without adversely impacting safety. This proposed 
rule responds, in part, to the President's January 2012 Regulatory 
Review and Reform initiative. Finally, this proposed rule harmonizes 
the pre- and post-trip inspection lists.

Benefits and Costs

    This rule would affect all motor carriers currently subject to 49 
CFR 396.11, both private and for-hire, with the exception of operators 
of passenger-carrying CMVs. Current safety regulations require drivers 
employed by motor carriers to report any vehicle defects in need of 
repair noted during the course of a driving day on the DVIR. This 
report must be submitted to the employing motor carrier so that repairs 
can be made. Regulations now require drivers to file the no-defect DVIR 
at the end of each tour of duty, even if there are no vehicle defects 
to report. The proposed rule would eliminate the need to file a no-
defect DVIR, except for operations involving passenger-carrying CMVs.
    The no-defect DVIR imposes a substantial time and paperwork burden 
on the industry, with no discernible social benefit. The Agency 
estimates that non-passenger-carrying CMV drivers spend approximately 
47.2 million hours each year completing no-defect DVIRs, time which 
could be dedicated to other purposes. FMCSA estimates that the 
monetized value of this time is currently $1.7 billion per year, which 
is the estimated social benefit that would result from the adoption of 
the proposed rule.

[[Page 48127]]



         Table 1--Summary of the Monetized Social Benefits, Costs and Net Benefits of the Proposed Rule
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                                                                  10 Years, 7 percent      10 Years, 3 percent
                                               Annual                discount rate            discount rate
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Monetized Benefits..................  $1.7 Billion............  $12.8 Billion..........  $14.9 Billion
Social Costs........................  $0......................  $0.....................  $0
Net Benefits........................  $1.7 Billion............  $12.8 Billion..........  $14.9 Billion
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Background

    Presidential Executive Order (E.O.) 13563, ``Improving Regulation 
and Regulatory Review'' (issued January 18, 2011, and published January 
21 at 76 FR 3821), prompted DOT to publish a notice in the Federal 
Register (76 FR 8940, February 16, 2011). This notice requested 
comments on a plan for reviewing existing rules, as well as 
identification of existing rules that DOT should review because they 
may be outmoded, ineffective, insufficient, or excessively burdensome. 
DOT placed all retrospective regulatory review comments, including a 
transcript of a March 14, 2011, public meeting, in docket DOT-OST-2011-
0025. DOT received comments from 102 members of the public, with many 
providing multiple suggestions. FMCSA received one comment from the 
American Trucking Associations, Inc. concerning what it considered 
duplicative driver vehicle inspection requirements in 49 CFR Parts 392 
and 396. Although FMCSA agrees that there is some duplication, the 
Agency does not believe that it results in unnecessary actions or an 
information collection burden. However, FMCSA did discover a related 
information collection burden that it considers unnecessary and 
proposes to remove in this NPRM.
    It has always been the responsibility of a commercial motor vehicle 
(CMV) driver to report vehicle defects. In 1939, the Interstate 
Commerce Commission (ICC) issued regulations requiring every driver to 
submit a written report on the condition of the vehicle at the end of 
his day's work or tour of duty. At a minimum, the report had to include 
information about any vehicle defect or deficiency the driver 
discovered that would likely affect the safety of operation of that 
vehicle (4 FR 2294 at 2305, June 7, 1939). The ICC recommended, but did 
not require, that motor carriers use a `Driver's Trip Report,' and it 
provided an example report format in its 1939 notice. The example 
report included the driver's name, vehicle number, date, a list of 20 
items for inspection, and a space for the driver and mechanic to note 
defects. This report is now called a DVIR, but the current rule does 
not include an example of the report form. The requirement to prepare a 
no-defect DVIR has been in the safety regulations since 1952 (17 FR 
4422, 4452, May 15, 1952). In a separate report (54 M.C.C. 337, at 356, 
April 14, 1952) the ICC explained that it was revising its rule to 
improve motor carriers' inspection and maintenance procedures and 
recordkeeping. The ICC noted that the most substantial recordkeeping 
change proposed and adopted was for the driver to complete the vehicle 
condition report or trip ticket at the end of the day's work or tour of 
duty whether or not any defect or deficiency in the equipment is 
discovered, ``. . . in order to provide a continuous record of vehicle 
condition and to insure that the reports, particularly those involving 
defects, will be made out currently and maintained on a current 
basis.''
    On December 17, 2008, FMCSA published a final rule to implement 
section 4118 of Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation 
Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) [Pub. L. 109-59, 119 Stat. 
1144, 1729, Aug. 10, 2005], dealing with the safety of chassis used to 
transport intermodal containers (73 FR 76794). Among other things, 
section 4118 called for the Secretary to mandate ``a process by which a 
driver or motor carrier transporting intermodal equipment [IME] is 
required to report to the intermodal equipment provider [IEP] or the 
providers' designated agent any actual damage or defect in the 
intermodal equipment of which the driver or motor carrier is aware at 
the time the intermodal equipment is returned to the intermodal 
equipment provider or the provider's designated agent'' (49 U.S.C. 
31151(a)(3)(L)). FMCSA's 2008 rule included a new code section--49 CFR 
390.42--which prescribed the responsibilities of drivers and motor 
carriers when operating IME. Section 390.42(b) required the driver or 
motor carrier to report any damage to or deficiencies in certain IME 
parts and accessories at the time the equipment is returned to the IEP.
    Importantly, FMCSA did not propose any changes to Sec.  396.11(b), 
``Report content,'' which requires--both for IME and non-IME--that ``If 
no defect or deficiency is discovered by or reported to the driver, the 
report shall so indicate.''
    On March 31, 2010, the Ocean Carrier Equipment Management 
Association (OCEMA) and Institute of International Container Lessors 
(IICL) jointly filed a petition for rulemaking to rescind the part of 
Sec.  390.42(b) that required drivers to file no-defect DVIRs on IME 
they return to IEPs. OCEMA and IICL requested that FMCSA delete the 
sentence ``if no damage, defects, or deficiencies are discovered by the 
driver, the report shall so indicate.''
    The petitioners presented four arguments supporting their request:
    1. Section 4118 of SAFETEA-LU requires DVIRs only for known damage 
or defects. Congress could have added a requirement to file no-defect 
DVIRs but did not do so.
    2. There is significant risk that a large volume of no-defect DVIRs 
could overwhelm the small proportion (4 percent) of DVIRs that contain 
damage or defects.
    3. Data transmission, processing, and storage requirements for no-
defect DVIRs could add significant unnecessary costs to intermodal 
operations without providing offsetting benefits.
    4. Submission of no-defect DVIRs contributes to driver productivity 
losses in the form of congestion and delay at intermodal facilities.
    On June 12, 2012 (77 FR 34846), the Agency published a final rule 
eliminating the requirement for drivers operating IME to submit--and 
IEPs to retain--DVIRs when the driver has neither found nor been made 
aware of any defects in the IME.
    The Agency now proposes to extend this relief from the paperwork 
requirement to all interstate motor carriers subject to Part 396 of the 
FMCSRs, except operators of passenger-carrying CMVs.

Legal Basis for the Rulemaking

    This proposed rule is based on the authority of the Motor Carrier 
Act of 1935 (1935 Act) [49 U.S.C. 31502(b)] and the Motor Carrier 
Safety Act of 1984 (1984 Act) [49 U.S.C. 31136(a)], both of which are 
broadly discretionary.
    The 1935 Act provides that the Secretary of Transportation 
(Secretary) may prescribe requirements for
     qualifications and maximum hours of service of employees 
of, and safety of

[[Page 48128]]

operation and equipment of, a motor carrier (Sec.  31502(b)(1)), and
     qualifications and maximum hours of service of employees 
of, and standards of equipment of, a motor private carrier, when needed 
to promote safety of operation (Sec.  31502(b)(2)).
    This rulemaking is based on the Secretary's authority under both 
Sec.  31502(b)(1) and (2).
    The 1984 Act authorizes the Secretary to regulate drivers, motor 
carriers, and vehicle equipment. Section 31136(a) requires the 
Secretary to publish regulations on commercial motor vehicle (CMV) 
safety. Specifically, the Act sets forth minimum safety standards to 
ensure that: (1) CMVs are maintained, equipped, loaded, and operated 
safely (49 U.S.C. 31136(a)(1)); (2) the responsibilities imposed on 
operators of CMVs do not impair their ability to operate the vehicles 
safely (49 U.S.C. 31136(a)(2)); (3) the physical condition of CMV 
operators is adequate to enable them to operate the vehicles safely (49 
U.S.C. 31136(a)(3)); and (4) the operation of CMVs does not have a 
deleterious effect on the physical condition of the operators (49 
U.S.C. 31136(a)(4)). Section 32911 of the Moving Ahead for Progress in 
the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) [Pub. L. 112-141, 126 Stat. 405, 818, 
July 6, 2012] recently enacted a fifth requirement, i.e., to ensure 
that ``(5) an operator of a commercial motor vehicle is not coerced by 
a motor carrier, shipper, receiver, or transportation intermediary to 
operate a commercial motor vehicle in violation of a regulation 
promulgated under this section, or chapter 51 or chapter 313 of this 
title'' (49 U.S.C. 31136(a)(5)). The 1984 Act also grants the Secretary 
broad power in carrying out motor carrier safety statutes and 
regulations to ``prescribe recordkeeping and reporting requirements'' 
and to ``perform other acts the Secretary considers appropriate'' (49 
U.S.C. 31133(a)(8) and (10)).
    This rule implements, in part, the Administrator's authority under 
Sec.  31136(a)(1) to ensure that CMVs are maintained, equipped, loaded, 
and operated safely. The NPRM is also based on the broad recordkeeping 
and implementation authority of Sec.  31133(a)(8) and (10). This 
proposed rule addresses only CMV equipment and reporting requirements. 
The provisions of the 1984 Act dealing with the physical condition of 
drivers therefore do not apply (Sec.  31136(a)(3)-(4)). Finally, as to 
ensuring that operators of CMVs are not coerced by motor carriers, 
shippers, receivers, or transportation intermediaries to `operate a CMV 
in violation of a regulation, the rule would eliminate only the 
requirement for drivers (except drivers of passenger-carrying CMVs) to 
prepare reports when there are no defects or deficiencies; it would 
keep in place the rule requiring reports when there are defects or 
deficiencies, as well as the requirement for motor carriers to take 
appropriate action on receipt of the report when problems with the 
vehicle are noted. Therefore, the removal of the requirement to prepare 
and retain no-defect DVIRs would not compromise drivers' ability to 
report vehicle problems to the carrier, or relieve carriers of the 
responsibility to take action. Furthermore, elimination of the no-
defect DVIRs would not compromise drivers' protection under existing 
whistleblower statutes concerning employers taking adverse action 
against drivers for refusing to violate the FMCSRs. The rule thus 
provides protection against coercion of drivers by motor carriers. 
Finally, because the rule would remove a regulatory burden criticized 
by both drivers and motor carriers (and irrelevant to shippers, 
receivers, and transportation intermediaries), there is virtually no 
possibility that a CMV operator would be coerced to violate the rule 
itself. It is true, of course, that a motor carrier could insist that a 
driver continue filing no-defect DVIRs even in the absence of a 
regulatory requirement, but that would be a condition of employment, 
not coercion to violate a safety regulation.

Agency Proposal

    The Agency is proposing to rescind, except for operators of certain 
passenger-carrying CMVs, the requirement in 49 CFR 396.11(b) requiring 
CMV drivers to submit, and motor carriers to retain, DVIRs when the 
driver has neither found nor been made aware of any vehicle defects or 
deficiencies.
    Drivers and motor carriers have long been required to share the 
safety responsibility for operating CMVs and for assessing the 
condition of CMVs and documenting deficiencies and repairs. Section 
392.7(a) states that ``No commercial motor vehicle shall be driven 
unless the driver is satisfied that the following parts and accessories 
are in good working order . . .'' Section 393.1(b)(1) provides that 
``[e]very motor carrier and its employee must be knowledgeable of and 
comply with the requirements and specifications of this part,'' and 
Sec.  393.1(c) states that ``No motor carrier may operate a commercial 
motor vehicle, or cause or permit such vehicle to be operated, unless 
it is equipped in accordance with the requirements and specifications 
of this part.'' Section 396.3(a)(1) requires that ``[p]arts and 
accessories shall be in safe and proper operating condition at all 
times.'' Section 396.11(a) states that every motor carrier must 
``require its drivers to report, and every driver shall prepare a 
report in writing at the completion of each day's work on each vehicle 
operated,'' and that report shall cover a specific list of parts and 
accessories. Section 396.11(c) states that ``Prior to requiring or 
permitting a driver to operate a vehicle, every motor carrier or its 
agent shall repair any defect or deficiency listed on the driver 
vehicle inspection report which would be likely to affect the safety of 
operation of a vehicle.''
    FMCSA emphasizes that the Agency is not foregoing the fundamental 
requirements of Part 393, Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe 
Operation. Nor is it proposing to change any other element of the 
inspection, repair, and maintenance requirements of Part 396. Drivers 
will still be required to perform pre-trip evaluations of equipment 
condition, and complete DVIRs if any defects or deficiencies are 
discovered or reported during the day's operations. Motor carriers will 
still be required to have systematic inspection, repair, and 
maintenance programs (including preventative maintenance) and maintain 
records to prove measures are being taken to reduce to the extent 
practicable, the risk of mechanical problems happening while the 
vehicle is in operation. In addition, motor carriers will still be 
required to review driver vehicle inspections that list defects or 
deficiencies and take appropriate action before the vehicle is 
dispatched again. The Agency will retain the requirement for carriers 
to complete periodic or annual inspections, and maintain documentation 
for the individuals who perform periodic inspections and individuals 
responsible for performing brake-related inspection, repair, and 
maintenance tasks. Furthermore, these CMVs will continue to be subject 
to roadside inspections. In short, the existing regulations place 
shared responsibility on drivers and motor carriers to ensure that CMVs 
used in interstate commerce are in safe and proper operating condition. 
This proposed rule does not change a driver's obligation to report on 
the condition of the CMVs and to report to the motor carrier any 
defects or deficiencies that could affect the safety of its operation.
    The Agency's preferred alternative would continue to require 
drivers of passenger-carrying CMVs to prepare no-

[[Page 48129]]

defect DVIRs.\1\ There are several reasons for this.
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    \1\ Pursuant to 49 CFR 390.3(f)(6), this proposed rule would not 
apply to `[t]he operation of commercial motor vehicles designed or 
used to transport between 9 and 15 passengers (including the 
driver), not for direct compensation, provided the vehicle does not 
otherwise meet the definition of a commercial motor vehicle.
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    First, one of the fundamental differences between passenger and 
freight operations is that motorcoach drivers often need to interact 
with their passengers, particularly at the beginning and end of their 
work day, but often during the trip as well. These interactions are a 
critical part of a motorcoach driver's responsibilities and may result 
in the driver overlooking or failing to recall certain mechanical 
conditions unless the report is required every work day. The daily 
preparation of the DVIR would reinforce the importance of reporting 
vehicle maintenance issues irrespective of the routine interactions 
with passengers at the beginning and end of the work day. Also, because 
motorcoach drivers must be alert to the varying needs of their 
passengers, they may not be able to focus as closely as truck drivers 
on changes in their vehicle's operating condition encountered during a 
trip. These concerns underscore the importance of continuing to include 
the process of documenting vehicle condition as a consistent part of 
the passenger-carrying driver's daily routine.
    Second, motorcoach crashes are low-probability high-consequence 
events with fatal and injury crashes occurring relatively infrequently 
compared to truck crashes, yet the potential for significant numbers of 
injuries and fatalities being greater than that of truck crashes Based 
upon analysis of MCMIS data for the period 2007-2011, the average 
number of fatalities per fatal truck-related crash was 1.13--but for 
cross-country/intercity buses the average number of fatalities was 
1.57, nearly 40 percent higher. While FMCSA does not have data 
concerning motorcoach crashes attributable to the mechanical condition 
of the vehicle, the Agency believes it is appropriate to consider this 
factor in the decision-making process and request public comment on 
this issue.
    Third, because they are carrying the most valuable cargo, motor 
carriers of passengers must exercise heightened diligence over their 
operations, including CMV maintenance. As noted in the Motorcoach 
Safety Action Plan,\2\ the National Transportation Safety Board has 
found that defects or deficiencies in vehicle condition were a root 
cause of several of the motorcoach crashes it investigated which 
accounted for 20 percent of the fatalities.
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    \2\ The U.S. Department of Transportation's Motorcoach Safety 
Action Plan of 2012 is available at https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/documents/safety-security/Motorcoach-Safety-Action-Plan-2012.pdf.
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    At this time, and for these reasons stated above, FMCSA does not 
propose extending relief from the requirement for drivers of passenger-
carrying vehicles to complete and submit ``no defect'' DVIRs. The 
Agency requests public comments on this issue, with an emphasis on 
information and data concerning the mechanical condition of 
motorcoaches and other passenger-carrying vehicles subject to FMCSA's 
jurisdiction. Specifically, what percentage of DVIRs currently prepared 
by drivers of passenger-carrying vehicles include reports of vehicle 
defects and deficiencies? Is the volume of DVIRs that include reports 
of mechanical problems by drivers of passenger-carrying vehicles so 
small that the processing of no-defect DVIRs could potentially result 
in the passenger carriers overlooking the reports which require action?
    For operators of passenger-carrying vehicles, what percentage of 
the time do drivers find that interactions with passengers at the end 
of the work day make it difficult to accurately recall defects or 
deficiencies that were observed or reported during the day, and 
document those mechanical problems on a DVIR? If FMCSA were to 
eliminate the requirement for preparing a DVIR every day, would 
interaction with the passengers at the end of the work day, combined 
with the as-needed preparation of DVIRs, increase the likelihood of 
drivers overlooking or forgetting to prepare a DVIR on those occasions 
when something was wrong with the vehicle?
    In summary, FMCSA is proposing to eliminate the requirement for 
drivers of property-carrying vehicles to submit, and motor carriers to 
retain, no-defect DVIRs. The Agency believes that removing the 
requirement for drivers of property-carrying CMVs to complete a no-
defect DVIR will not diminish CMV safety, and as discussed in greater 
detail in the Regulatory Analysis section of this NPRM, the proposed 
amendment will significantly reduce the paperwork burden to drivers and 
motor carriers. As noted in the Legal Basis section, this proposed rule 
would not preclude motor carriers from continuing to require their 
drivers to prepare no-defect DVIRs as a condition of employment.
    FMCSA attempted to determine, through an analysis of historical 
inspection and other safety data, whether eliminating the no-defect 
DVIR would affect the condition and proper maintenance of vehicle 
components. However, due to data reporting limitations, it is 
impossible to distinguish between form-and-manner violations and 
serious safety violations, e.g., between failing to sign a no-defect 
DVIR and failing to report a known defect. However, given the 
responsibility for vehicle inspection, repair, and maintenance 
currently shared by drivers and motor carriers (which will continue 
despite the adoption of the proposed elimination of no-defect DVIRs), 
the Agency is confident that there will be no reduction in the overall 
level of equipment safety as a result of this proposed change.
    Additionally, to increase safety and harmonize regulatory text, 
FMCSA has added two items to the pre-trip inspection list in Sec.  
392.7. These items are required to be included on a DVIR and should be 
checked during the pre-trip inspection.
    FMCSA seeks comments from all interested parties on certain aspects 
of the DVIR process.

1. DVIR Handling

    1.1. Please explain in detail your procedures for filing and 
maintaining DVIRs from the time they are completed through the end of 
their retention periods. Are defect DVIRs kept separate from no-defect 
DVIRs, sent to maintenance staff, and then acted on? Do you have 
special procedures in place for the no-defect DVIRs? If so, please 
describe them.
    1.2. Do you have examples of specific incidents in which handling a 
large volume of no-defect DVIRs has interfered with the handling of 
defect DVIRs? If so, please describe how these additional documents 
affected the repairing of defects.
    1.3. Some DVIRs are completed electronically. Are the electronic 
DVIRs automatically or manually separated into defect and no-defect 
categories? Do you have an estimate of the percentage of forms filled 
out on paper and electronically? If so, please provide detailed 
information on the data and methodology used for that estimate.
    2. Please provide information on the percentage of no-defect DVIRs. 
Also, please provide a discussion of the methodology for developing 
this information.
    3. Should the FMCSA preserve an inspection list in Sec.  392.7 to 
assist drivers in conducting pre-trip inspections? Or would drivers be 
sufficiently knowledgeable and experienced at conducting pre-trip 
inspections that they would not have to

[[Page 48130]]

rely on a regulation to prescribe the essential vehicle components and 
systems that should be checked before each trip? To what extent do 
carriers and drivers rely on the list in Sec.  392.7?
    4. To what extent do carries and drivers rely upon the list in 
Sec.  396.11?

Section Analysis

    In Sec.  392.7, FMCSA proposes adding ``wheels and rims'' and 
``emergency equipment'' to the pre-trip list in paragraph (a) in order 
to harmonize it with the post-trip list in Sec.  396.11(a)(1). 
Additionally, FMCSA proposes to amend 49 CFR Part 396 by deleting the 
sentence in Sec.  396.11(b)(2) that reads ``If no defect or deficiency 
is discovered by or reported to the driver, the report shall so 
indicate.'' In its place, FMCSA would insert ``The driver of a 
passenger-carrying CMV must prepare a report even if no defect or 
deficiency is discovered by or reported to the driver; the drivers of 
all other commercial motor vehicles are not required to prepare a 
report if no defect or deficiency is discovered by or reported to the 
driver.'' FMCSA would also make minor editorial and formatting changes 
to the remainder of the text of Sec.  396.11(b)(2).

Rulemaking Analyses

Executive Order 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review) as Supplemented 
by E.O. 13563 and DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures

    Under E.O. 12866, ``Regulatory Planning and Review'' (issued 
September 30, 1993, published October 4 at 58 FR 51735), as 
supplemented by E.O. 13563 (discussed above in the ``Background'' 
section), and DOT policies and procedures, FMCSA must determine whether 
a regulatory action is ``significant'' and therefore subject to OMB 
review. E.O. 12866 defines ``significant regulatory action'' as one 
likely to result in a rule that may:
    (1) Have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more or 
adversely affect in a material way the economy, a sector of the 
economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public 
health or safety, or State, local, or Tribal government or communities.
    (2) Create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an 
action taken or planned by another Agency.
    (3) Materially alter the budgetary impact of entitlements, grants, 
user fees, or loan programs or the rights and obligations of recipients 
thereof.
    (4) Raise novel legal or policy issues arising out of legal 
mandates, the President's priorities, or the principles set forth in 
the E.O.
    FMCSA has determined that this proposed rule would have an annual 
effect of $100 million or more. The value of the time saved by 
eliminating the paperwork burden associated with the filing of no-
defect DVIRs is approximately $1.7 billion per year. The explanation of 
how these savings were derived is presented below. The proposed rule is 
not expected to have any negative safety impacts. If anything, the rule 
may actually improve safety by ensuring that the relatively few DVIRs 
that report defects are not lost among the vast majority of those that 
do not, thereby making it easier for motor carriers to identify 
vehicles in need of repair. In addition, a no-defect report could be 
taken as evidence by a new driver of a vehicle that a pre-trip 
inspection is unnecessary because the previous driver did not note any 
defects. Hence, no defect reports could provide a false sense of 
security, tempting drivers to skip the mandatory pre-trip inspection.
    The Agency conducted an analysis per the requirements of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) to estimate the reduction in hourly 
burden that the elimination of DVIRs for non-passenger-carrying 
operators of CMVs. FMCSA determined that 46.7 million hours of 
paperwork burden would be eliminated by this proposed rule. The full 
details of the PRA analysis are included in the ``Paperwork Reduction 
Act'' section below. Using a labor cost of $36 per hour, (using a base 
wage of $18.24,\3\ fringe benefits of 55 percent \4\, and overhead of 
27 percent \5\) the Agency valued this time savings at $1.7 billion per 
year (46.7 million hours saved x $36 per hour). If passenger-carrying 
CMV drivers were allowed to stop producing no defect DVIRs, an 
additional 980,000 burden hours would be saved, which can be valued at 
$35 million per year (980,000 hours saved x $36 per hour). (These 
annualized figures are the same for both 7 and 3 percent discount 
rates.)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ The median hourly wage for heavy truck drivers. See https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes533032.htm. Accessed March 7, 2013.
    \4\ The ratio of total fringe benefits to wages and salaries for 
transportation and warehousing workers. See https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/ecec_06072012.pdf. Table 10, Employer costs 
per hour worked for employee compensation and costs as a percent of 
total compensation: Private industry workers, by industry group, 
March 2012. Transportation and Warehousing. https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/ecec.pdf. Accessed March 7, 2013.
    \5\ Industry data gathered for the Truck Costing Model developed 
by the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute Berwick showed an 
average cost of $0.107 per mile of CMV operation for management and 
overhead, and $0.39 per mile for labor, indicating an overhead rate 
of 27 percent ($0.107 / $0.39). See Farooq. ``Truck Costing Model 
for Transportation Managers''. Upper Great Plains Transportation 
Institute, North Dakota State University (2003) accessed on June 18, 
2012 at https://ntl.bts.gov/lib/24000/24200/24223/24223.pdf. See 
Appendix A, pp. 42-47.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Agency's proposed addition of ``wheels and rims'' and 
``emergency equipment'' to the items required to be inspected under 
Sec.  392.7 would make the lists in this section and Sec.  396.11 
consistent. The addition of these two items to Sec.  392.7 is expected 
to impose a de minimis additional burden on drivers performing pre-trip 
evaluations of equipment, as drivers will be able to readily observe 
whether these newly added items are in good working order during their 
review of the items currently in the Sec.  392.7 list (service brakes, 
including trailer brake connections, parking (hand) brake, steering 
mechanism, lighting devices and reflectors, tires, horn, windshield 
wiper or wipers, rear-vision mirror or mirrors, and coupling devices). 
For example, a driver making a visual examination of tires can hardly 
avoid examining the wheels and rims at the same time, and, defects on 
these components are usually fairly obvious. Similarly, while getting 
into the cab to check the steering mechanism and horn, he or she can 
easily glance at the dial gauge on the fire extinguisher to determine 
that it is still fully charged. Other emergency equipment, including 
warning triangles, flares, or fuses are usually stored in an easy-to-
reach location (often under or behind the driver's seat) and are 
readily checked. These items were added to the inspection list for 
consistency, and we expect the cost and benefits of these additions to 
be de minimis.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) 
requires Federal agencies to consider the effects of a regulatory 
action on small business and other small entities and to minimize any 
significant economic impact. The term ``small entities'' comprises 
small businesses and not-for-profit organizations that are 
independently owned and operated and are not dominant in their fields, 
and governmental jurisdictions with a population of less than 
50,000.\6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), see 
National Archives at https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/laws/regulaotry-flexibility/601.html.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Accordingly, DOT policy requires an analysis of the impact of all 
regulations on small entities, and mandates that agencies try to 
minimize any adverse effects on these entities. Under the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act, as amended by the Small Business Regulatory

[[Page 48131]]

Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (SBREFA) (Pub. L. 104-121, 110 Stat. 
857), the proposed rule is expected to have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities in the form of cost 
savings through the elimination 46 million paperwork burden hours. 
These firms would receive regulatory relief of approximately $3,000 per 
entity, which is a positive benefit and does not impose a cost on the 
regulated entities. See 5 U.S.C. 605(b).
    FMCSA invites comment from members of the public who believe there 
will be a significant impact either on small businesses or on 
governmental jurisdictions with a population of less than 50,000. An 
Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) must include six 
elements.

Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA)

(1) A Description of the Reason Why Action by the Agency Is Being 
Considered

    FMCSA proposes to rescind the requirement that commercial motor 
vehicle (CMV) drivers operating in interstate commerce, except drivers 
of passenger-carrying CMVs, submit, and motor carriers retain, driver-
vehicle inspection reports (DVIR) when the driver has neither found nor 
been made aware of any vehicle defects or deficiencies (no-defect 
DVIR). This proposed rule would remove a significant information 
collection burden without adversely impacting safety. This proposed 
rule responds, in part, to the President's January 2011 Regulatory 
Review and Reform initiative. Finally, this proposed rule would 
harmonize the pre- and post-trip inspection lists.

(2) A Succinct Statement of the Objectives of, and Legal Basis Why 
Action by the Agency Is Being Considered

    The objective of the NPRM is to grant regulatory relief to motor 
carriers and drivers of all sizes of vehicles currently subject to 49 
CFR 396.11, both private and for-hire, with the exception of operators 
of passenger-carrying CMVs. This proposed rule is based on the 
authority of the Motor Carrier Act of 1935 (1935 Act) [49 U.S.C. 
31502(b)] and the Motor Carrier Safety Act of 1984 (1984 Act) [49 
U.S.C. 31136(a)], both of which are broadly discretionary. The rule 
implements, to some extent, the Administrator's authority under Sec.  
31136(a)(1) to ensure that CMVs are maintained, equipped, loaded, and 
operated safely. The NPRM is also based on the broad recordkeeping and 
implementation authority of Sec.  31133(a)(8) and (10). As a result, 
the removal of the obligation to prepare and retain no-defect DVIRs 
would not compromise drivers' ability to report vehicle problems to the 
carrier, or relieve carriers of the responsibility to take action.

(3) A Description of and, Where Feasible, an Estimate of the Number of 
Small Entities to Which the Proposed Rule Would Apply

    Generally, motor carriers are currently not required to report 
their annual revenue to the Agency, but all carriers are required to 
provide the Agency with the number of power units (PUs) they operate 
when they apply for operating authority and to update this figure 
biennially. Because FMCSA does not have direct revenues figures, PUs 
serve as a proxy to determine the carrier size that would qualify as a 
small business given the Small Business Administration (SBA) prescribed 
revenue threshold. In order to produce this estimate, it is necessary 
to determine the average annual revenue generated by a single PU.
    With regards to truck power units (PUs), the Agency determined in 
the 2003 Hours of Service Rulemaking RIA \7\ that a PU produces about 
$172,000 in revenue annually (adjusted for inflation).\8\ This equates 
to 148 PUs ($25,000,000/$172,000). Thus FMCSA considers motor carriers 
with 148 PUs or fewer to be a small business for SBA purposes. The 
results show that 99.1 percent of all carriers with recent activity 
have 148 PUs or fewer.\9\ This amounts to 516,294 \10\ interstate 
freight and passenger carriers that are considered small, with annual 
receipts of less than $25.5 million. The SBA defines a ``small entity'' 
in the truck transportation subsector (North American Industry 
Classification System (NAICS) 484) as an entity with annual revenue of 
less than $25.5 million (13 CFR 121.201).\11\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ Regulatory Analysis for: Hours of Service of Drivers; Driver 
Rest and Sleep Operations, Final Rule--Federal Motor Carrier Safety 
Administration. 68 FR 2245--Published April 23, 2003.
    \8\ See the 2000 TTS blue Book of Trucking Companies; number 
adjusted to 2008 dollars for inflation.
    \9\ Motor Carrier Management Information system (MCMIS) as of 
September 2012.
    \10\ CMV Fact sheet March 2013. Available at https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/documents/facts-research/CMV-Facts.pdf.
    \11\ U.S. Small Business Administration Table of small Business 
Size Standards matched to North American Industry Classification 
System (NAICS) codes, effective January 1, 2012. See NAICS subsector 
484, Truck Transportation available at https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/files/Size_Standards_Table.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

(4) A Description of the Projected Reporting, Recordkeeping, and Other 
Compliance Requirements of the Proposed Rule, Including an Estimate of 
the Classes of Small Entities That Would be Subject to Requirements and 
the Type of Professional Skills Necessary for Preparation of the Report 
or Record

    This rule would reduce costs on small entities by eliminating a 
substantial paperwork filing burden. The reduction in this burden is 
estimated to save the industry 46.7 million hours of driver time with 
associated monetized savings of $1.7 billion, as explained in the 
Paperwork Reduction Act section. These benefits would accrue primarily 
to small carriers that make up the majority of firms and employ the 
majority of drivers in the industry. The skills for drivers to complete 
DVIRs are basic reading and writing proficiency skills.

(5) Identification, to the Extent Practicable, of all Relevant Federal 
Rules Which May Duplicate, Overlap, or Conflict With the Proposed Rule

    This proposed rule does not duplicate, overlap, or conflict with 
any Federal rules. This rule responds in part to the President's 
January 2012 Regulatory Review and Reform initiative.

(6) A Description of any Significant Alternatives to the Proposed Rules 
Which Accomplish the Stated Objectives of Applicable Statutes and Which 
Minimize any Significant Economic Impact of the Proposed Rule on Small 
Entities

    The Agency has concluded that there are no significant alternatives 
to the proposed rule that would achieve either the value of $1.7 
billion in time savings or objectives of this proposal, from the 
eliminating the paperwork burden. Because small businesses are such a 
considerable part of the demographic the Agency regulates, providing 
alternatives to small businesses for non-compliance options is neither 
feasible nor consistent with public safety.
Assistance for Small Entities
    Pursuant to section 213 of SBREFA, FMCSA wants to assist small 
entities in understanding this proposed rule so that they can better 
evaluate its effects on them and participate in the rulemaking 
initiative. If the proposed rule would affect your small business, 
organization, or governmental jurisdiction and you have questions 
concerning its provisions or options for compliance,

[[Page 48132]]

please consult the FMCSA point of contact, Mike Huntley, listed in the 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this proposed rule.
    Small businesses may send comments on the actions of Federal 
employees who enforce or otherwise determine compliance with Federal 
regulations to the Small Business and Agriculture Regulatory 
Enforcement Ombudsman and the Regional Small Business Regulatory 
Fairness Boards. The Ombudsman evaluates these actions annually and 
rates each agency's responsiveness to small business. If you wish to 
comment on actions by employees of FMCSA, call 1-888-REG-FAIR (1-888-
734-3247).
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
    The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1531-1538) 
requires Federal agencies to assess the effects of their discretionary 
regulatory actions. In particular, the Act addresses actions that may 
result in the expenditure by a State, local, or tribal government, in 
the aggregate, or by the private sector of $143.1 million (which is the 
value of $100 million in 2010 after adjusting for inflation) or more in 
any 1 year. Although this proposed rule would not result in such 
expenditure, FMCSA discusses the effects of this rule elsewhere in this 
preamble.
National Environmental Policy Act and Clean Air Act
    FMCSA analyzed this NPRM for the purpose of the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and 
determined under its environmental procedures Order 5610.1, published 
February 24, 2004 (69 FR 9680), that this proposed action does not have 
any effect on the quality of the environment. Therefore, this NPRM is 
categorically excluded from further analysis and documentation in an 
environmental assessment or environmental impact statement under FMCSA 
Order 5610.1, paragraph 6(aa) of Appendix 2. The Categorical Exclusion 
under paragraph 6(aa) relates to regulations requiring motor carriers, 
drivers, and others to ``inspect, repair, and provide maintenance for 
every CMV used on a public road'', which is the focus of this 
rulemaking. A Categorical Exclusion determination is available for 
inspection or copying in the regulations.gov Web site listed under 
ADDRESSES.
    In addition to the NEPA requirements to examine impacts on air 
quality, the Clean Air Act (CAA) as amended (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.) 
also requires FMCSA to analyze the potential impact of its actions on 
air quality and to ensure that FMCSA actions conform to State and local 
air quality implementation plans. No additional contributions to air 
emissions are expected from this rule and FMCSA expects the rule to not 
be subject to the Environmental Protection Agency's General Conformity 
Rule (40 CFR parts 51 and 93).
    FMCSA seeks comment on these determinations.
Paperwork Reduction Act
    The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3507(d)) requires 
FMCSA to consider the impact of paperwork and other information 
collection burdens imposed on the public. This proposed rule would 
result in a reduction of burden hours for the ``Inspection, Repair, and 
Maintenance'' information collection request (ICR), OMB control number 
2126-0003. This ICR comprises six individual information collections, 
each corresponding to a different area of the inspection, repair, and 
maintenance requirements. This proposed rule affects only the DVIR 
section of this ICR.
    Based on data from its Motor Carrier Management Information System 
(MCMIS) and Licensing and Insurance System (L&I), FMSCA estimates that 
there are approximately 4,117,000 CMVs being operated that are subject 
to these requirements, which includes 1,845,000 tractors and 101,000 
passenger-carrying CMVs, but excludes the 152,000 CMVs of single-
vehicle owner operators. Consistent with past analyses of this ICR, the 
Agency assumes that these CMVs are used on average 65 percent of the 
days of a year, and that 25 percent of tractor-trailer drivers operate 
two vehicle combinations per day, which effectively increases the 
number of CMVs or CMV combinations requiring a DVIR by 461,250 (25 
percent x 1,845,000 tractors) to a total of 4,578,250 (4,117,000 CMVs + 
461,250 additional tractor-trailer combinations). Applying the 65 
percent utilization rate yields an annual estimate of 1,086,189,813 
DVIRs (4,578,250 CMVs or CMV combinations x 65 percent x 365 days per 
year).
    FMCSA has parsed the DVIR process into two steps. The first step, 
filling out a DVIR is estimated to take 2 minutes, 30 seconds. The 
second step, reviewing and signing a DVIR is estimated to take 20 
seconds when defects are reported and 5 seconds when no defects are 
reported. When there are no defects to note, there is nothing to review 
on the DVIR, and the form requires only a signature. The Agency 
estimates that 5 percent of DVIRs note defects, and that 95 percent of 
DVIRs note no defects.
    If this proposed rule were to go into effect, 93 percent of the 
burden associated with DVIRs would be eliminated. The remaining burden 
would be associated with DVIRs that note defects, and no-defect DVIRs 
for passenger-carrying CMVs. The annual burden remaining from these two 
activities would be 2,564,615 hours and 980,123 hours respectively. The 
table below illustrates how these results were calculated.

                                                        Table 2--Detail of DVIR PRA Calculations
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                              Total DVIRs
                                                                                                (CMVs x
                                            Number of CMVs    Utilization                     utilization
                 Activity                       or CMV       rate (of 365     Percent of    rate x percent         Burden per DVIR         Total annual
                                             combinations   calendar days)   CMVs affected      of CMVs                                    hourly burden
                                                                                              affected x
                                                                                                 365)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defect DVIRs, All.........................       4,578,250              65               5      54,309,491  170 seconds.................       2,564,615
No Defect DVIRS, passenger-carrying CMVs..         101,000              65              95      22,764,138  155 seconds.................         980,123
                                           -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total.................................  ..............  ..............  ..............  ..............  ............................       3,544,738
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    After this proposed rule becomes effective, defect DVIRs will 
create 2,564,615 hours of annual burden (4,578,250 CMVs x 65% 
utilization x 365 days x 5% of CMVs x 170 seconds / 3,600 seconds per 
hour). The annual hourly burden of no defect DVIRs for non-passenger 
carrying CMVs is estimated to be 980,123 hours (101,000

[[Page 48133]]

CMVs x 65% utilization x 365 days x 95% of CMVs x 155 seconds / 3,600 
seconds per hour). The total remaining hourly burden of DVIRs will be 
3,544,738 hours. This new total represents a reduction of 46,669,294 
hours compared to the 50,214,032 hours of annual burden estimated in 
the currently approved ICR. The monetary value of this annual burden 
reduction, calculated using an hourly labor cost of $36, is $1.7 
billion ((46,669,294 hours x $36 per hour) / 1 billion).
Executive Order 12630 (Taking of Private Property)
    This proposed rule would not effect a taking of private property or 
otherwise have taking implications under Executive Order 12630, 
Governmental Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected 
Property Rights.
Executive Order 12988 (Civil Justice Reform)
    This proposed rule meets applicable standards in sections 3(a) and 
3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform, to minimize 
litigation, eliminate ambiguity, and reduce burden.
Executive Order 13045 (Protection of Children)
    Executive Order 13045, ``Protection of Children from Environmental 
Health Risks and Safety Risks'' (April 23, 1997, 62 FR 19885), requires 
that agencies issuing economically significant rules, which also 
concern an environmental health or safety risk that an Agency has 
reason to believe may disproportionately affect children, must include 
an evaluation of the environmental health and safety effects of the 
regulation on children. Section 5 of Executive Order 13045 directs an 
Agency to submit for a covered regulatory action an evaluation of its 
environmental health or safety effects on children. The FMCSA has 
preliminarily determined that this proposed rule is not a covered 
regulatory action as defined under Executive Order 13045. This 
determination is based on the fact that this proposal would not 
constitute an environmental health risk or safety risk that would 
disproportionately affect children.
Executive Order 13132 (Federalism)
    A rule has implications for federalism under Executive Order 13132, 
Federalism, if it has a substantial direct effect on State or local 
governments and would either preempt State law or impose a substantial 
direct cost of compliance on States or localities. FMCSA has analyzed 
this proposed rule under that Order and has determined that it does not 
have implications for federalism.
Executive Order 12372 (Intergovernmental Review)
    The regulations implementing Executive Order 12372 regarding 
intergovernmental consultation on Federal programs and activities do 
not apply to this program.
Executive Order 13211 (Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use)
    The FMCSA has analyzed this proposed rule under Executive Order 
13211, ``Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect 
Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use.'' This proposal is not a 
significant energy action within the meaning of section 4(b) of the 
Executive Order. This proposal is a procedural action, is not 
economically significant, and would not have a significant adverse 
effect on the supply, distribution, or use of energy.
Privacy Impact Analysis
    FMCSA conducted a privacy impact assessment of this rule as 
required by section 522(a)(5) of the FY 2005 Omnibus Appropriations 
Act, Public Law 108-447, 118 Stat. 3268 (Dec. 8, 2004) [set out as a 
note to 5 U.S.C. 552a]. The assessment considers any impacts of the 
rule on the privacy of information in an identifiable form and related 
matters. FMCSA has determined this rule would have no privacy impacts.

List of Subjects

49 CFR Part 392

    Alcohol abuse, Drug abuse, Highway safety, Motor carriers.

49 CFR Part 396

    Highway safety, Motor carriers, Motor vehicle safety, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements.
    For the reasons stated in the preamble, FMCSA proposes to amend 
title 49 CFR, Code of Federal Regulations, chapter III, to read as 
follows:

PART 392--DRIVING OF COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHCILES

0
1. The authority citation for part 392 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  49 U.S.C. 504, 13902, 31136, 31151, 31502; and 49 
CFR 1.87.
0
2. Revise Sec.  392.7(a) to read as follows:


Sec.  392.7  Equipment, inspection and use.

    (a) No commercial motor vehicle shall be driven unless the driver 
is satisfied that the following parts and accessories are in good 
working order, nor shall any driver fail to use or make use of such 
parts and accessories when and as needed:
    Service brakes, including trailer brake connections.
    Parking (hand) brake.
    Steering mechanism.
    Lighting devices and reflectors.
    Tires.
    Horn.
    Windshield wiper or wipers.
    Rear-vision mirror or mirrors.
    Coupling devices.
    Wheels and rims.
    Emergency equipment.
* * * * *

PART 396--INSPECTION, REPAIR, AND MAINTENANCE

0
3. The authority citation for part 396 is revised to read as follows:

    Authority:  49 U.S.C. 31133, 31136, 31151, and 31502; and 49 CFR 
1.87.
0
4. Revise Sec.  396.11(b)(2) to read as follows:


Sec.  396.11  Driver vehicle inspection report(s).

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (2) Report content. (i) The report must identify the vehicle and 
list any defect or deficiency discovered by or reported to the driver 
which would affect the safety of operation of the vehicle or result in 
its mechanical breakdown. If a driver operates more than one vehicle 
during the day, a report must be prepared for each vehicle operated. 
The driver of a passenger-carrying CMV subject to this regulation must 
prepare a report even if no defect or deficiency is discovered by or 
reported to the driver; the drivers of all other commercial motor 
vehicles are not required to prepare a report if no defect or 
deficiency is discovered by or reported to the driver.
    (ii) The driver must sign the report. On two-driver operations, 
only one driver needs to sign the driver vehicle inspection report, 
provided both drivers agree as to the defects or deficiencies 
identified.
* * * * *

    Dated: August 1, 2013.
Anthony R. Foxx,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2013-18981 Filed 8-6-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P