‘Absolutely NOT’ — FMCSA slapped with over 700 comments on plan to mandate electronic ID technology for CMVs

Hundreds of people have provided the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) with an opinion on a controversial proposal to require that commercial vehicles be equipped with electronic identification technology accessible by law enforcement when the truck is parked or in motion.

Electronic CMV IDs to Allow Police to Focus on “High-Risk Carriers and Drivers”

On September 23, the FMCSA published Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) asking the trucking community to weigh in on whether every commercial vehicle used in interstate commerce should be equipped with electronic identification technology that can wirelessly communicate a unique ID number when queried by federal or state motor carrier safety personnel. The technology could be used to identify a parked truck or a truck in motion.

The agency said that they are “considering such amendments to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the roadside inspection program by more fully enabling enforcement agencies to focus their efforts at high-risk carriers and drivers.”

The FMCSA asked the public to comment on several aspects of the possible CMV electronic identification rule, including whether existing technology like ELDs could be utilized for this purpose, cost considerations, and privacy, health, or coercion concerns. Other areas that commenters are asked to address include cybersecurity issues, how many trucks are already have a type of electronic ID technology (e.g., PrePass, Drivewyze), and the impact of electronic identification numbers on highway safety.

The FMCSA will accept public comment through November 22, 2022. You can click here to leave your comment online.

Drivers Sound Off On CMV Electronic Identification Rule

As of the afternoon of October 7, the FMCSA has received 766 public comments on the proposed rule. A majority of the commenters are against the rule, with some calling it an overreach of the federal government. Many commenters also voiced cost, privacy, and cybersecurity concerns

“I feel this is just another cost to the trucking industry, and I don’t understand why it is necessary. What is the u s dot # for?? I thought it was for this exact purpose, and if a person cannot type a number in, then our country is in serious trouble.” — Tomcat Kanhaul Inc.

“As a veteran driver of 20 years on the road I say no because this would promote distracted driving issues with the inspecting officer as he is trying to drive safely, and also messing with the onboard computer to do the inspection. It would also promote officers to issue false complaints against the driver who would have no knowledge of this until it is too late to fight the ticket.“– MCM Express

“Absolutely NOT. I’ve only been in this 6 years, but the reach of the Federal Government in this industry is really becoming overbearing. You’re worried about a shortage now but I promise you it will get worse the more intrusive the FMCSA gets. I have another good 30 years or so and I enjoy the work I do, but I’m content with leaving also.” — David Jacobsen

“This is another outlandish proposal that will not result in increased road safety for ANY American. This kind of technology would be better used by the cmv operator themselves to directly identify issues during pretrip , inroute and post trip. To give DOT officers this is only another money grab that will increase driver anxiety and tension towards DOT officers when it should do the opposite. It makes the driver feel like a criminal for simply doing our job. Currently CMV drivers is the only occupation that I know of that a person can go to work and not only potentially die every second of the day rolling or parked, and possibly receive a monetary fine, and or go to jail or prison for life , just by DOING OUR JOB… If a dentist drills a little to the too much to the left and caused undue damage to a patient, no one will show up same day and write a $1000+ fine. Truck drivers are the only professionals held to unrealistic standards that cost money and run risk of jail time. Everyother professional including police officers are given due process even with overwhelming evidence. Drivers are tried , judged, and fined by hourly employees that wield powers beyond their training. This technology will only increase the number good drivers that are issued frivolous uncontestedable “warnings” and cash penalties. Regulate 4 wheel cars the same way you regulate CMVs.” — Jonel Anderson

“I am a owner operator and ceo of shakes shipping inc I have 7 years of experience in the transportation industry. Why it does it seems like our industry is being over regulated. You are making it harder for people to earn a living. Making it easier for drivers to get tickets without even being pulled over for suspicion of dangerous driving. We drive more than the common public. We are professional drivers the cars on the road are more dangerous than truck drivers. Never have so many new rules been proposed in this industry in such a small time frame. No law enforcement should have this capability of giving tickets to drivers without probable cause of pulling a driver over which may further lead to a inspection. you should not keep imposing this ridiculous rules on the trucking industry and doing nothing to the millions of cars of the food that have statically more accidents and get more tickets on these highways.” — Shakes Shipping Inc.

“The FMCSA already requires trucking company safety departments to do their job for them. This identification number only has very bad future practicality. It will allow law enforcement to target drivers with clean CSA scores and make certain that no driver can remain clean over time. There is already more technology in the trucking industry than is necessary, and unnecessary technology will be, and is, abused.” — Neil Padgett