Transportation Monthly Round Up - July 2024
The DOT's latest rulemaking roadmap shows that speed limiter and electronic logging device rules have been delayed but the agency still expects to propose a variety of rule changes before the end of this year, including updates to the Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse, changes to the registration process, and a new appeals process for drug-test refusals.
Congress is working on legislation to fund the DOT through fiscal year 2025. Included in the House version is $200 million to fund new truck parking, as well as a prohibition on speed limiters and a prohibition on requiring ELDs for livestock haulers.
Is your mobile equipment exempt from HVUT?
With only a few exceptions, highway motor vehicles weighing in at 55,000 pounds or more are taxable under the Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (HVUT) program. But if your mobile machinery falls under one of those exceptions, you won’t need to report it on your Form 2290 or pay the tax.
The key to the exemption lies in the definition of a “highway vehicle.” If your machinery is not considered to be a “highway vehicle,” the exemption may apply. Common examples of vehicles that may fall into this category include mobile cranes, bulldozers, backhoes, agricultural machinery, and drilling rigs.
With the filing deadline at the end of this month – your tax is due by August 31 – now’s the time to look closely at the criteria and figure out whether the definition applies to your equipment.
The AEB final rule was delayed from April 2024 to January 2025 and could require these systems on new medium to heavy-duty vehicles, 10,001 pounds and greater.
As proposed, new vehicles, 10,001 pounds to 26,000 pounds, will be subject four years from the final rule. Most new vehicles, 26,001 pounds or greater, will be subject within three years since they already must have electronic stability control (ESC).
The standard would set the lowest speed at which AEB will engage, and the system would activate at or above that speed. Also, inspections and maintenance of these systems will be required under 396.3.
That's it for this month's round up. Stay safe, and thanks for watching.