New Year’s always bring about new laws, some going into effect as soon as the first of the year. This year is looking to be no different, as we already know of several changes are coming on both local and federal levels. Some of these changes specifically affect trucking regulations. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is poised to implement a number of different new regulations and regulation changes in this new year, in hopes to make the roads safer for both truck drivers and other drivers on the road. Some of these are still subject to final federal approval; however, these are the changes the FMCSA is in talks to make.
Adding a Speed Limiting Mandate
A final decision regarding speed limiters being added to heavy duty trucks is set to be made in May of this year. Originally, a decision was supposed to be made in 2024, but the decision was delayed until this spring. If this passes, then speed limits could be altered for heavy duty trucks which could potentially affect speed limits for all on the road.
Adjusting Automatic Emergency Braking Systems
The FMCSA is partnering with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on plans to adjust the automatic emergency braking (or AEB) systems in class 3 vehicles or larger. Currently, a decision is expected to be made sometime in the early months of this year. The change would require standardized equipment and performance tests in order to ensure the AEB is up to industry standards for vehicles.
Expanding Electronic Logging Devices
The FMCSA is pushing to expand the requirements for electronic logging devices, also known as ELDs. Their main goal is to expand the requirement to trucks with pre-2000 engines. A final decision still needs to be made on this goal as ELDs are known to have malfunctions and a lengthy removal process. If the FMCSA passes the new rule, it can be expected to begin implementation sometime later in the year.
Updating the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse
The FMCSA wants to begin revoking commercial driver’s licenses from truckers who have violations on record with the drug and alcohol Clearinghouse. This technically began to be enforced in late 2024; however, it is expected to be in full effect and be fully enforced in 2025. This rule establishes that drivers must complete a return-to-duty process in order to regain their commercial driver’s license.
Editing the Safety Measurement System
The Safety Measurement System, or SMS for short, was discussed being a subject of edits in 2025 via a virtual session held by the FMCSA. The meeting decided that, if they can successfully edit the SMS, they will make adjustments based on the responses they gathered from truckers. Direct plans are unknown, but the fact that the FMCSA has goals of some kind to change the system is publicly known.
