Washington, D.C. (June 26, 2025) — In a sweeping regulatory overhaul announced on May 29, Secretary of Transportation Sean P. Duffy unveiled the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) proposal to eliminate or amend 52 outdated and duplicative rules across three major agencies. Of those, 20 are specific to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), targeting long-standing trucking regulations seen as burdensome or obsolete.
Rationale Behind the Reform
Secretary Duffy described the proposal as a “common-sense” initiative to reduce bureaucracy, modernize compliance standards, and eliminate over 73,000 words from the Federal Register. “Big government has been a big failure,” Duffy said. “These changes will cut costs and complexity without sacrificing safety.”
The aim is to streamline FMCSA operations, reduce redundant paperwork, and improve regulatory clarity for drivers, carriers, and enforcement agencies alike.
Key Changes at FMCSA
The 20 proposed FMCSA rule changes include:
- Removing paper ELD manual requirements: Drivers will no longer need to carry printed electronic logging device manuals, as digital versions are now standard.
- Repealing the self-reporting of violations: FMCSA would eliminate the requirement for drivers to self-report moving violations, citing state-to-state automated data sharing launched in 2024.
- Eliminating spare fuse and liquid flare mandates: These are seen as outdated due to improvements in modern vehicle design.
- Rethinking rear-impact guard certification labels: The physical label requirement may be removed, though the safety standard itself will remain.
- Repealing retroreflective tape rules for pre-1993 trailers, and removing outdated references related to water carriers and vision waivers.
- Clarifying rules related to railroad crossings, auxiliary fuel tanks, accident reporting, and vehicle inspections.
- Extending CDL exemptions to dual-status military technicians who previously faced civilian licensing hurdles.
Industry Concerns
While the deregulation has been welcomed by many carriers, it has sparked pushback from safety advocates and regulatory experts.
Some industry stakeholders warn that removing requirements like ELD paper manuals and rear-guard labeling could lead to compliance gaps and inconsistent enforcement across jurisdictions.
P. Sean Garney, a transportation consultant, cautioned: “Drivers are still required to carry malfunction instruction sheets and blank logs. The removal of the manual may confuse inspectors and drivers alike.”
Groups such as the Truck Safety Coalition have expressed concern that FMCSA is moving too quickly without demonstrating the changes won’t compromise public safety—especially regarding visibility features like retroreflective tape.
Broader Context
This deregulatory action is part of a larger DOT initiative that spans the Federal Highway Administration and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). NHTSA-related changes include delays to child restraint system testing and updates to school bus seat-belt rules.
DOT reports:
- 43 of the 52 deregulatory actions are in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) phase,
- 7 rules are finalized,
- 2 have been formally withdrawn.
Public comment periods extend through July 30, 2025.
What’s Next
Carriers, independent drivers, and safety groups are encouraged to participate in the public comment process. While the reforms promise reduced administrative burdens and modernization, critics emphasize that implementation and enforcement will be key.
As FreightWaves noted, “If removing the requirement is the best course of action, I wish FMCSA would have pulled the trigger for all states, rather than leave us guessing.”
Conclusion
The DOT’s proposed deregulation marks a pivotal shift in transportation policy. If adopted, these changes could foster a more agile and cost-efficient environment for the trucking industry. However, whether safety standards can be maintained without the eliminated rules remains a point of contention.
The trucking industry, regulators, and the public will be watching closely to see whether this regulatory rollback delivers its promised benefits—or introduces new risks.
