Trucking news and briefs for Wednesday, April 22, 2020:
FMCSA gives states more time to report driver violations
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is waiving the requirement that state driver licensing agencies (SDLAs) report driver disqualifications or convictions within 10 days due to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
FMCSA says states will not be deemed non-compliant if they do not report drivers’ disqualifications within 10 days, as required by federal law. Instead, states will have until 90 days past June 30 – the end of the effective period of the notice – to return to compliance with the 10-day rule.
By law, states are required to post a driver’s disqualification or conviction to the driver’s record, transmit notification of the disqualification or conviction to the driver’s state of record and report a driver’s conviction to the Federal Conviction and Withdrawal Database within 10 days.
Daimler recalls more than 63,000 trucks
An issue with rear reflective tape on a number of Freightliner, Western Star and Sterling trucks has prompted a recall from Daimler Trucks North America that includes more than 63,000 power units.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration documents say the rear reflective tape on the affected trucks may be covered by the mudflap hanger bracket, which could reduce the vehicle’s visibility to other drivers on the road.
The recall includes 63,175 of the following truck models:
