GSIS

The FMCSA To Cut $1.7 Billion in Costs From Paperwork Reduction

Good news for the trucking industry. U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx announced on August 1, plans to reduce daily paperwork burdens on professional truck drivers thereby saving the industry an estimated $1.7 billion annually. Cost reductions will come after a change to requirements for daily Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports (DVIRs). Professional truck drivers will no longer be required to complete DVIRs unless a defect or deficiency is discovered.

Office of Management and Budget Director Sylvia Mathews Burwell declared this measure a significant step forward in the Obama Administration's May 2012 Executive Order to reduce regulatory burdens on the private sector. As quoted in the announcement posted by FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration), Burwell applauded this change as a commonsense measure. "...the Department of Transportation is dramatically reducing paperwork burdens on the trucking industry, while continuing to protect public safety."
Currently, commercial truck drivers are required to conduct pre- and post-trip equipment inspections and file DVIRs after each inspection. Drivers must do so regardless of whether or not a problem is discovered. Internal studies indicated that only 5 percent of reports filed include issues. The DVIR process was assessed as the 19th most burdensome paperwork requirement, based on the number of hours needed to comply. The new proposal announced by Foxx will continue to require pre- and post-trip inspections. However, drivers will only be required to complete a DVIR if problems are identified.

Unchanged is the federal requirement for thorough annual safety inspections of all commercial vehicles in the U.S. Additionally, state and federal inspectors will continue to spot-check commercial vehicles randomly at terminals, weigh stations, truck stops, and at end points. Vehicles deemed problematic after inspections will continue to be removed from service until all noted safety problems are resolved.