FMCSA officially removing driver-facing camera requirement from under-21 pilot
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced via a Federal Register notice that will publish Tuesday, May 14, that it is removing two requirements from its under-21 interstate pilot program, as directed by Congress.
The agency’s notice revises the Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot (SDAP) program to remove the requirement that fleets in the program install or use inward facing cameras, as well as the requirement for carriers to obtain a Registered Apprenticeship number from the Department of Labor before being allowed to participate in the SDAP program.
The transportation spending package passed by Congress in March required FMCSA to remove the requirements to help boost participation in the program. FMCSA quickly got to work on revising the program, requesting approval to amend the SDAP from the White House Office of Management and Budget in April.
With the change in effect, motor carriers who are already participating in the SDAP program will no longer be required to use driver-facing cameras, or to maintain their approved Registered Apprenticeship program.
Motor carriers still may voluntarily decide to install or use inward-facing cameras or become an approved Registered Apprenticeship. They may also choose to include safety alerts from inward-facing cameras as part of their monthly data submissions, however, they will not be required to do so, even if they choose to use the cameras.
The agency noted that it is again accepting applications from motor carriers to participate in the pilot program. FMCSA will also reach out to carriers who previously applied but had not obtained a Registered Apprenticeship.
Original article provided by: https://www.ccjdigital.com/regulations/article/15670721/fmcsa-easing-fleet-requirements-for-under21-pilot-program