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English-language proficiency

One potential change would make noncompliance with the English-language proficiency standard an out-of-service violation. The rules in 49 CFR 391.11 have long stated that commercial drivers must be able to read and speak English well enough to converse with the public, understand highway signs and signals, respond to official inquiries, and make entries on reports and records. The FMCSA issued enforcement guidance in 2025 directing roadside enforcement personnel to place drivers out of service for noncompliance, and now the agency may change its regulations to make the guidance permanent. A proposal on the topic is expected this summer.

CDL and CLP standards

The FMCSA also plans to propose changes to its commercial driver’s license (CDL) and commercial learner’s permit (CLP) standards. According to the agenda, the proposal would enhance security standards for CDLs and CLPs, strengthen the integrity of the issuance process, reduce the risk of fraud, and update document-verification and record-retention requirements. That proposal is also expected this summer.

Driver training

Another summer proposal would focus on the Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) program and the Training Provider Registry. The FMCSA says it has identified noncompliance among some listed training providers, undermining confidence in the ELDT program and creating an uneven playing field for providers that follow the rules. The agency says stronger standards would apply both to initial listing and continued listing on the Registry, with the removal of providers that don’t meet program requirements.

Broker qualifications

The FMCSA also expects a fall proposal addressing broker and freight forwarder qualifications. The rulemaking would implement a federal law saying that brokers and freight forwarders must employ, as an officer, an individual who has either 3 years of relevant experience or satisfactory evidence of knowing all the relevant regulations and industry best practices.

Deregulatory proposal

Finally, the FMCSA plans a deregulatory proposal in late 2026 to rescind 49 CFR Part 374, which contains passenger-carrier regulations transferred from the former Interstate Commerce Commission. The FMCSA says it doesn’t regularly attempt enforcement of those rules, including rules for smoking, bathroom cleanliness, bus temperature, and ticketing.

Next steps

Carriers should keep an eye out for these proposed rules so they can review how the changes and updates might impact their operations. The FMCSA will be seeking public comment as each proposed rule is posted, so don’t miss out on the opportunity to influence the updates that affect your team.

Is your registered weight still accurate?

One of the most common registration issues involves registered weight. A vehicle may be legally capable of hauling heavier loads, but that doesn't necessarily mean it’s registered to do so.

As business grows, carriers often begin hauling larger loads, adding customers, or expanding routes. If your vehicle's registered weight isn't updated to reflect those changes, you could face penalties for operating above the weight authorized by its registration.

This issue often goes unnoticed because the truck itself hasn't changed. However, enforcement officials are concerned with how the vehicle is registered, not just what it’s capable of hauling.

Whenever freight volumes, routes, or operating weights change, review your registration records to ensure they still align with actual operations.

Is the vehicle operating under the right plate type?

Not all registrations are created equal. Many states offer specialty or reduced-fee registrations for certain operations, such as:

• Farm vehicles,
• Natural resource vehicles,
• Forestry operations, or
• Other restricted uses.

Specialty plates can save money, but they also come with strings attached. Carriers must comply with those limits for the registration to remain valid. Problems arise when a vehicle's operation changes but its registration does not.

For example, a vehicle may have been properly registered under a specialty plate when it was performing one type of work. If the vehicle later begins hauling different commodities, traveling outside permitted areas, or performing general commercial transportation, it may no longer qualify for that registration class.

A good practice is to review registration classifications whenever equipment is reassigned, new customers are added, or business activities expand beyond their original scope. The registration and the vehicle's use must continue to match.

Has interstate travel changed the rules?

Another common issue occurs when operations expand beyond your home state.

A vehicle that is properly registered for intrastate operations may require additional credentials or registrations once it begins operating across state lines. What starts as an occasional out-of-state trip can gradually evolve into a regular part of the business.

Because the change often happens incrementally, carriers may not realize that their registration and credentialing requirements have changed along with their operations.

Before crossing state lines, evaluate whether additional registration, apportioned registration, permits, or other interstate credentials are required. Waiting until a roadside inspection or audit to discover a registration issue can be a costly mistake.

Three questions to ask

New customers, new commodities, expanded routes, and heavier loads can all affect registration requirements. Before a vehicle goes back on the road after business changes, ask:

1. Is this vehicle registered for the weight I'm operating at?
2. Does the registration type still match how I'm using the vehicle?
3. Has my operating area expanded beyond what the registration was intended to cover?

If the answer to any of those questions is "I'm not sure," it's time for a registration review.

Key to remember: Registration should never be treated as “set it and forget it.” If the operation changes, the registration may need to change with it.

Unified Carrier Registration (UCR)

The UCR program is a federally mandated system requiring businesses engaged in interstate commerce to pay an annual fee. This fee funds safety programs and enforcement activities at the state level.

Who must register?

• For-hire motor carriers (e.g., trucking companies transporting passengers or goods for clients across state lines);
• Private motor carriers (e.g., businesses using their own trucks to move their own goods across states);
• Freight forwarders and brokers; and
• Leasing companies involved in interstate transport.

If your operations involve interstate commerce, meaning the movement of goods or passengers across state lines or across the borders of the United States, you likely need UCR registration. Registration opens on October 1 each year. If you fail to register on time, you risk fines, out-of-service orders, and even loosing operating authority.

International Registration Plan (IRP)

Under the IRP, qualifying commercial vehicles can travel through several jurisdictions with one license plate, provided the apportioned registration fees have been paid to the base jurisdiction. After collecting the fees, the base jurisdiction sends each jurisdiction its share and issues a single IRP cab card and apportioned vehicle registration plate which allows motor carriers to travel in all jurisdictions.

International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA)

IFTA is an agreement on the collection and distribution of fuel use tax revenues among the lower 48 United States and 10 Canadian provinces. This program simplifies fuel tax reporting for carriers operating across multiple jurisdictions. To participate, you’ll need to obtain an IFTA license, and file quarterly fuel tax returns.

Alternatively, if you won’t be making interstate trips regularly, you may purchase temporary fuel permits for occasional trips.

Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (HVUT)

Under the HVUT program, trucks, tractors, and buses with a gross weight over 55,000 pounds or more registered in the U.S., Canada, or Mexico must file Form 2290 and Schedule 1.

State highway use and mileage taxes

Several states (examples include: Connecticut, Oregon, New York, Kentucky, and New Mexico) impose additional taxes beyond fuel taxes. In most cases, trip permits are available to satisfy tax requirements for carriers not permanently registered. These permits are sometimes combined with a temporary fuel permit.

Hazardous Materials Compliance

If you transport hazardous materials, you may need:

• PHMSA Hazmat Registration for certain materials in interstate or intrastate commerce. The fee for registration funds a nationwide emergency response training and planning grant program for state and local governments. No person required to file a registration statement may transport hazardous materials — or cause them to be transported or shipped — without a current annual Certificate of Registration on file.

• Hazmat Safety Permit for specific quantities and types of hazardous materials. This permit is issued at no fee, and is effective for two years, unless suspended or revoked.

New-Entrant Safety Assurance Program

The FMCSA requires new carriers to undergo a safety audit within the first 18 months of operation. This audit checks compliance in areas such as:

• Carrier credentials
• Insurance requirements
• Drug and alcohol testing
• CDL licensing
• Driver qualifications
• Hours of service
• Vehicle inspection and maintenance

Failing the audit—especially due to “auto-fail” violations—can result in an out-of-service order until issues are corrected.

For more information on this program, refer to Part 385 of the regulations.

Long-term actions

Additional rulemaking actions appear on a “long-term” list, with an uncertain future. These include:

• Adding certain Schedule II drugs, including fentanyl-related changes, to the DOT drug-testing panel.
• Clarifying the “tank vehicle” definition used to determine when a CDL tank endorsement is required.
• Removing or revising rules governing drivers’ employment applications.
• Requiring unique electronic identification of commercial motor vehicles for enforcement purposes.
• Amending how fees are handled for the FMCSA’s self-insurance program.

Key to remember: The latest DOT rulemaking agenda pushes many actions into mid- to late 2026 and adds several new priorities. Carriers should watch for proposed rules, review how the changes could affect operations, and comment when agencies ask for public input.