Washington — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration intends to study drug and alcohol violations among commercial motor vehicle drivers who aren’t required to obtain a commercial driver’s license.
In a notice and request for comments published June 22, FMCSA says CMV drivers’ substance misuse “continues to be a serious concern, despite strict regulations aimed at preventing drug and alcohol offenses.”
Non-CDL drivers who operate smaller vehicles aren’t held to the same requirements, however, and the agency further cites “varied and inconsistent” nationwide enforcement of drug and alcohol violations for adding confusion.
“This underscores the need for a more unified approach to regulating and enforcing substance use policies for all CMV drivers,” FMCSA says. “Strengthening oversight and ensuring consistent enforcement across states is critical to improving safety on our roads and protecting lives.”
The agency notes that non-CDL CMVs are used in interstate commerce, have an actual weight or weight rating over 10,000 pounds, and don’t require placards. The vehicles seat between nine and 15 passengers (driver included) and the operating organization is compensated for providing transportation.
The agency said it will conduct a survey designed to “collect data on agency needs, knowledge gaps, technological limitations, financial shortfalls and opinions on strategies for improving CMV safety programs related to controlled substance and alcohol violations among non-CDL CMV drivers.” States intended for participation in the survey include California, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Texas and Virginia.
The deadline to comment is Aug. 21.
