Code of Maine Rules
29 - DEPARTMENT OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE
250 - BUREAU OF MOTOR VEHICLES
Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Chapter 169 - THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE PERFORMANCE AND REGISTRATION INFORMATION SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT (PRISM) PROGRAM
Section 250-169-B - DESCRIPTION
Current through 2024-38, September 18, 2024
This rule establishes and defines the State of Maine's participation in the Performance Registration Information and Systems Management (PRISM) Program.
PRISM is a federal-state partnership to identify motor carriers with poor safety records, and to target these carriers for improvement in their safety records. PRISM uses quantifiable data to determine a motor carrier's safety status.
PRISM links the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) motor carrier safety information with the states' motor vehicle registration systems for two purposes:
1. To determine the motor carrier's safety fitness prior to issuing a registration plate.
2. To cause an unfit carrier to improve its safety performance through an improvement process, and where necessary, the application of sanctions.
The PRISM program includes two major processes:
The commercial vehicle registration process (IRP registration), and the Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Process (MCSIP). These programs work together to identify motor carriers and to hold them responsible for their motor carrier safety. The performance of unsafe motor carriers is improved through a comprehensive system of identification, education, awareness, safety monitoring, and treatment.
Motor carriers determined to be unfit by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration may be denied the ability to register trucks in Maine, or may have their registrations suspended. In addition, a motor carrier deemed to be unfit may have their privilege to operate motor vehicles suspended or denied. Appendix A is a flowchart of the PRISM MCSIP improvement process.
