For HME applicants, while there is no impact to TSA adjudications, issuance of a HME on a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) will vary by State. Some driver’s’ license agencies are closing, require an appointment, or are reducing hours of operations. HME applicants should check with their state for potential impacts.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) values the health and wellness of its staff, service providers, stakeholders and the public. TSA is monitoring and following the updates provided by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19), and it is following the CDC’s recommendations. For updated information, please visit: https://www.tsa.gov/coronavirus.

TSA’s enrollment network services multiple programs to include the Transportation Worker
Identification Credential (TWIC), the Hazardous Materials Endorsement (HME) and TSA
PreCheckTM. TSA is working with its enrollment provider to continue to deliver essential
services to the public in a safe operating environment.

TSA COVID-19 FAQs (March 20 2020)

Two additional documents have been added to the Emergency Declarations Page

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/emergency/expanded-emergency-declaration-under-49-cfr-ss-39023-no-2020-002-relating-covid-19

Notice to State Drivers Licensing Agencies of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Policy Regarding Effect of Actions during COVID-19 Emergency (See Attached)FAQs CDL Enforcement Discretion 032020 1757

This notice sets forth the Agency’s view of various actions State Drivers Licensing Agencies (SDLA) may exercise during the emergency relating to COVID-19 for which FMCSA would decline to issue a finding or make a determination of substantial non-compliance.  Specifically, the following three issues:

1. FMCSA will not determine a State to be in substantial non-compliance or issue a finding under 49 CFR Part 384 if the State extends a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) or Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) that would otherwise expire during the COVID-19 emergency
2. States may renew a CDL/CLP online
3. FMCSA will not determine a State to be in substantial non-compliance or issue a finding if a State does not change the medical certification status to “not certified” or downgrade a CDL/CLP holder whose Medical Examiner’s Certificate has expired during the COVID-19 emergency

Notice of Enforcement Discretion Relating to Temporary Operating Authority  (See Attached)

This notice indicates that FMCSA has exercised agency discretion and determined not to enforce the Temporary Operating Authority Registration fee provisions against those motor carriers requesting Temporary Operating Authority Registration, including passenger carriers requesting temporary authority to transport property, in order to provide direct assistance to the COVID-19 emergency relief efforts.

Previously Issued Documents:

Frequently Asked Questions

As previously mentioned, last night we published some FAQs on the emergency declaration.  For reference, the link is https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/emergency/expanded-emergency-declaration-under-49-cfr-ss-39023-no-2020-002-relating-covid-19.  In addition, a PDF version of the FAQs is attached for your use.

Emergency Declarations Questions

A centralized mailbox is available for questions related to the emergency declaration.  This mailbox is available for both internal and external stakeholders.  The address is FMCSADeclaration@dot.gov.

As you know we closed our doors to the general public yesterday afternoon but were allowing your offices to pick-up credentials. We were able to do this because we were going to have a limited amount of staff still in our offices, that has changed. Beginning close of business today we will no longer have Motor Carrier staff in office, so pick-ups will not be an option. We will begin issuing only temporary permits until we are back in office, this includes renewals. If you are missing the required documentation needed, we will not issue a temporary permit.

We greatly appreciate your patience and understanding as we are moving through this quickly changing situation.

Tennessee IFTA IRP 3-20-20

Gov. Lee signed Executive Order 15 to relieve regulatory burdens and free up the Executive Branch to more effectively respond to COVID-19 in Tennessee. This executive order works to quickly boost our health care capacity, continue important consumer protections and provide enhanced customer service to our citizens during this pandemic.

Please note Items 14, 15, 22, and 23. 

Item 23: All Driver Licenses, Learner Permits, Commercial Driver Licenses, Photo Identification Licenses (ID), and Handgun Carry Permits that would expire between March 12, 2020, and May 19, 2020, will be extended for six (6) months from the original expiration date. The Department will issue a letter of extension to the individuals affected. Affected individuals will be required to keep the letter with them during the extension period.

Frequently Asked Questions Related to the FMCSA Emergency Declaration
Version 1.0 (March 19, 2020)

FMCSA FAQs HOS 3-19-2020

TN Department of Revenue 

Motor Carrier walk-in lobby will be temporarily closing to the general public as of 4:30 this afternoon until April 12. We will still have a limited amount of staff in office working supplements submitted via TNTAP and mail. We encourage everyone to utilize TNTAP for the quickest turnaround time. We will allow pick up only for your offices between 2-3 every day. We will be issuing temporary credentials to everyone that has submitted all necessary paperwork to us, this will include renewals. We are working diligently to have everything processed as quickly as possible.

We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding as we navigate through unchartered territory.

Motor Carrier flyer 

March 18, 2020
EXPANDED EMERGENCY DECLARATION
UNDER 49 CFR § 390.

The President has declared an emergency and pursuant to 49 CFR 390.23(a)(l)(i), an emergency exists that warrants an exemption from Parts 390 through 399 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs), except as otherwise restricted by the attached Emergency Declaration. Such emergency is in response to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreaks and their effects on people and the immediate risk they present to public health, safety and welfare in the fifty States and the District of Columbia.

This Emergency Declaration provides regulatory relief for commercial motor vehicle operations that are providing direct assistance in support of emergency relief efforts related to the COVID-19 outbreaks, including transportation to meet immediate needs for: (1) medical supplies and equipment related to the testing, diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19; (2) supplies and equipment necessary for community safety, sanitation, and prevention of community transmission of COVID-19 such as masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, soap and disinfectants; (3) food for emergency restocking of stores; ( 4) equipment, supplies and persons necessary to establish and manage temporary housing, quarantine, and isolation facilities related to COVID-19; (5) persons designated by Federal, State or local authorities for medical, isolation, or quarantine purposes; and ( 6) persons necessary to provide other medical or emergency services, the supply of which may be affected by the COVID-19 response. Direct assistance does not include routine commercial deliveries, or transportation of mixed loads that include essential supplies, equipment and persons, along with supplies, equipment and persons that are not being transported in support of emergency relief efforts related to the COVID-19 outbreaks.

In accordance with. 49 CFR § 390.23, this declaration is effective immediately and shall remain in effect until the termination of the emergency (as defined in 49 CFR § 390.5) or until 11 :59 P.M. (ET) on April 12, 2020, whichever occurs sooner.

FMCSA Emergency Declaration

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration today released data following the first weeks of operation of its Commercial Driver’s License Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse. The information released showed that the clearinghouse has detected and identified nearly 8,000 positive substance abuse tests of commercial drivers since January 6, 2020.  The clearinghouse now has more than 650,000 registrants.

“We’ve seen encouraging results from the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, but there’s still work to do to ensure we identify more drivers who should not be behind the wheel.  The clearinghouse is a positive step, and the Agency continues to work closely with industry, law enforcement, and our state partners to ensure its implementation is effective,” said FMCSA Acting Administrator Jim Mullen. 

Read More

This final rule is effective February 13, 2020.

This rule establishes reductions in the annual registration fees the States collect from motor carriers, motor private carriers of property, brokers, freight forwarders, and leasing companies for the Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) Plan and Agreement for the registration years beginning in 2020. For the 2020 registration year, the fees will be reduced by 14.45 percent below the 2018 registration fee level to ensure that fee revenues collected do not exceed the statutory maximum, and to account for the excess funds held in the depository. The fees will remain at the same level for 2021 and subsequent years unless revised in the future. The reduction of the current 2019 registration year fees (finalized on December 28, 2018) range from approximately $3 to $2,712 per entity, depending on the number of vehicles owned or operated by the affected entities.

FMCSA UCR Fees FInal Rule