99-23027. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations; Requirements for Operators of Small Passenger-Carrying Commercial Motor Vehicles  

  • [Federal Register Volume 64, Number 171 (Friday, September 3, 1999)]
    [Proposed Rules]
    [Pages 48518-48522]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 99-23027]
    
    
    
    Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 171, Friday, September 3, 1999 / 
    Proposed Rules
    
    [[Page 48518]]
    
    
    
    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
    
    Federal Highway Administration
    
    49 CFR Part 390
    
    [FHWA Docket No. FHWA-99-5710]
    RIN 2125-AE60
    
    
    Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations; Requirements for 
    Operators of Small Passenger-Carrying Commercial Motor Vehicles
    
    AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.
    
    ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking; request for comments.
    
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    SUMMARY: The FHWA is proposing to amend the Federal Motor Carrier 
    Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to require that motor carriers operating 
    commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) designed or used to transport between 
    9 and 15 passengers (including the driver) for compensation file a 
    motor carrier identification report, mark their CMVs with a USDOT 
    identification number and certain other information (i.e., name or 
    trade name and address of the principal place of business), and 
    maintain an accident register. This action is in response to the 
    Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21). Section 
    4008(a) of TEA-21 amended the definition of the term ``commercial motor 
    vehicle'' to cover these vehicles. In a separate document published 
    elsewhere in today's Federal Register the FHWA is adopting the 
    statutory definition of a CMV found at 49 U.S.C. 31132 to be consistent 
    with the statute, but is exempting for six months the operation of 
    these small passenger-carrying vehicles from all of the FMCSRs, to 
    allow time for the completion of this rulemaking.
    
    DATES: Comments must be received on or before November 2, 1999.
    
    ADDRESSES: Submit written, signed comments to FHWA Docket No. FHWA-99-
    5710, the Docket Clerk, U.S. DOT Dockets, Room PL-401, 400 Seventh 
    Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001. All comments received will be 
    available for examination at the above address from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 
    e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Those desiring 
    notification of receipt of comments must include a self-addressed, 
    stamped envelope or postcard.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Larry W. Minor, Office of Motor 
    Carrier Research and Standards, HMCS-10, (202) 366-4009; or Mr. Charles 
    E. Medalen, Office of the Chief Counsel, HCC-20, (202) 366-1354, 
    Federal Highway Administration, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, 
    D.C. 20590-0001. Office hours are from 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., e.t., 
    Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    
    Electronic Access
    
        Internet users can access all comments that were submitted to the 
    Docket Clerk, U.S. DOT Dockets, Room PL-401, 400 Seventh Street, SW., 
    Washington, DC 20590-001, in response to previous rulemaking notices 
    concerning the docket referenced at the beginning of this notice by 
    using the universal resource locator (URL): 
    http://dms.dot.gov. It is available 24 hours each day, 365 days each 
    year. Please follow the instructions online for more information and 
    help.
        An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded using a modem 
    and suitable communications software from the Government Printing 
    Office's Electronic Bulletin Board Service at (202) 512-1661. Internet 
    users may reach the Office of the Federal Register's home page at 
    http://www.nara.gov/fedreg and the Government Printing Office's 
    database at: http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara.
    
    Background
    
        Section 4008(a)(2) of TEA-21 (Pub. L. 105-178, 112 Stat. 107, June 
    9, 1998) amended the passenger-vehicle component of the CMV definition 
    in 49 U.S.C. 31132(1). Section 4008 also changed the weight threshold 
    in the CMV definition by adding ``gross vehicle weight'' (GVW) to the 
    previous ``gross vehicle weight rating'' (GVWR). The agency may now 
    exercise jurisdiction based on the GVW or GVWR, whichever is greater. 
    For example, a vehicle with a GVWR of 9,500 pounds that was loaded to 
    10,500 pounds GVW would be subject to the FMCSRs if it was operating in 
    interstate commerce. Commercial motor vehicle is now defined (in 49 
    U.S.C 31132) to mean a self-propelled or towed vehicle used on the 
    highways in interstate commerce to transport passengers or property, if 
    the vehicle--
        (A) Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of at 
    least 10,001 pounds, whichever is greater;
        (B) Is designed or used to transport more than 8 passengers 
    (including the driver) for compensation;
        (C) Is designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers, 
    including the driver, and is not used to transport passengers for 
    compensation; or
        (D) Is used in transporting material found by the Secretary of 
    Transportation to be hazardous under section 5103 of this title and 
    transported in a quantity requiring placarding under regulations 
    prescribed by the Secretary under section 5103.
        Under section 4008(b) of TEA-21, operators of the CMVs defined by 
    49 U.S.C. 31132(1)(B) will automatically become subject to the FMCSRs 
    one year after the date of enactment of TEA-21, if they are not already 
    covered, ``except to the extent that the Secretary [of Transportation] 
    determines, through a rulemaking proceeding, that it is appropriate to 
    exempt such operators of commercial motor vehicles from the application 
    of those regulations.''
        The FHWA views section 4008 of TEA-21 as a mandate either to impose 
    the FMCSRs on previously unregulated smaller capacity vehicles, or to 
    exempt through a rulemaking proceeding some, or all, of the operators 
    of such vehicles.
    
    FHWA's Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
    
        On August 5, 1998 (63 FR 41766), the FHWA published an advance 
    notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) to announce that the agency was 
    considering amending the FMCSRs in response to section 4008(a) of the 
    TEA-21, to seek information about the potential impact of the TEA-21 
    definition, and to request public comment on whether any class of 
    vehicles should be exempted. The agency also requested comment on 
    whether the term ``for compensation'' may be interpreted to distinguish 
    among the types of van services currently in existence.
    
    Summary of the Comments to the ANPRM
    
        The FHWA received 733 comments in response to the ANPRM. The 
    commenters included State and local government agencies, transit 
    authorities, vanpool organizations, vanpool members, universities, 
    trade associations, and members of Congress, as well as private 
    citizens. Most (more than 720) of the commenters were opposed to making 
    the FMCSRs applicable to the operation of small passenger-carrying 
    CMVs. However, several commenters believed it is necessary to regulate 
    these vehicles and, in certain cases, identified what they believe are 
    the specific safety issues section 4008(a) was intended to resolve. A 
    detailed discussion of the comments is provided in an interim final 
    rule, published elsewhere in today's Federal Register, exempting these 
    motor carriers from the FMCSRs for a period of six months.
    
    [[Page 48519]]
    
    Summary of the FHWA's Response to Comments
    
        As indicated in the interim final rule, the FHWA has considered all 
    of the comments received in response to the ANPRM and determined there 
    is insufficient data concerning the safety performance of motor 
    carriers operating CMVs designed or used to transport 9 to 15 passenger 
    (including the driver) for compensation, to justify making the FMCSRs 
    applicable to them. Commenters to the docket have expressed opinions 
    for and against regulating operators of passenger-carrying vehicles 
    designed to transport 9 to 15 passengers (including the driver), but 
    none of the commenters have presented safety data that could be useful 
    in deciding whether to regulate such motor carriers. While the FHWA 
    acknowledges that there may be safety benefits to extending the 
    applicability of the FMCSRs to the operation of small passenger-
    carrying CMVs for compensation, a mere assumption does not satisfy the 
    agency's obligation to quantify the benefits of rulemaking.
        Given the statutory deadline of June 9, 1999, for deciding whether 
    to exempt the operation of small passenger-carrying CMVs from the 
    FMCSRs, the FHWA has decided that it is in the public interest to limit 
    the applicability of the FMCSRs to the motor carrier operations covered 
    prior to the enactment of TEA-21 for the time being. The FHWA currently 
    has no useful data on the relative safety of small passenger CMVs. In 
    the absence of such data, the agency has no rational basis for 
    extending the FMCSRs to this class of vehicles. Accordingly, in a 
    separate rulemaking document published elsewhere in today's Federal 
    Register, the FHWA is exempting for a period of six months, all of the 
    operators of small passenger-carrying CMVs from the FMCSRs to allow 
    time for the completion of this rulemaking.
    
    Discussion of the Proposal
    
        The FHWA believes that action must be taken to learn more about the 
    operational safety of motor carriers operating small passenger vehicles 
    for compensation. The agency is proposing that these motor carriers be 
    required to complete a motor carrier identification report (49 CFR 
    385.21), and comply with the FHWA's CMV marking regulation (49 CFR 
    390.21) which would include displaying a USDOT motor carrier 
    identification number on all vehicles designed or used to transport 9 
    to 15 passengers for compensation in interstate commerce. The agency 
    would also require that these motor carriers maintain an accident 
    register (49 CFR 390.15).
    
    Motor Carrier Identification Report
    
        Section 385.21 of the FMCSRs requires motor carriers to file Form 
    MCS-150, Motor Carrier Identification Report, within 90 days after 
    beginning operations in interstate commerce. The information from the 
    Form MCS-150 is used to create a file in the Motor Carrier Management 
    Information System (MCMIS), a database containing safety information 
    (e.g., compliance review results, roadside inspection results, CMV 
    accidents, etc.) about interstate motor carriers.
        The FHWA is proposing that operators of small passenger-carrying 
    CMVs be required to file Form MCS-150 to enable the agency to determine 
    how many motor carriers are affected by the TEA-21 revision to the CMV 
    definition, the number of drivers employed and vehicles operated by 
    these carriers, and the principal place of business for each of these 
    entities. Each motor carrier would be assigned a USDOT census or 
    identification number which, when marked on each CMV operated by the 
    motor carrier, could help enforcement officials and the general public 
    identify these businesses.
    
    Vehicle Marking
    
        Section 390.21 requires that motor carriers mark their CMVs with 
    the name or trade name of the business, the city or community and State 
    in which the motor carrier maintains its principal place of business, 
    and its motor carrier identification number. The FHWA requests comments 
    on the practical utility of applying these marking requirements to the 
    operators of small passenger-carrying CMVs. The FHWA would require the 
    operators of small passenger-carrying vehicles to comply with all the 
    provisions of Sec. 390.21 to ensure that enforcement officials and the 
    public can identify their vehicles and that accidents (as defined in 49 
    CFR 390.5) can be recorded by the States and entered into the FHWA's 
    SAFETYNET database. The FHWA would use the information to study the 
    number and locations of accidents, and the motor carriers involved, to 
    determine if there are patterns or trends concerning the safety 
    performance of these carriers.
    
    Accident Register
    
        Section 390.15 requires that motor carriers make all records and 
    information pertaining to an accident available to the FHWA upon 
    request. Motor carriers must give the FHWA all reasonable assistance in 
    the investigation of any accident. Motor carriers also must maintain at 
    the principal place of business, for a period of one year after an 
    accident occurs, an accident register with the following information:
        (1) Date of the accident;
        (2) City or town in which or most near where the accident occurred, 
    and the State in which the accident occurred;
        (3) Driver's name;
        (4) Number of injuries;
        (5) Number of fatalities; and
        (6) Whether hazardous materials, other than fuel spilled from the 
    fuel tanks of the motor vehicles involved in the accident, were 
    released.
        Copies of all accident reports required by State or other 
    government entities or insurers also must be maintained by the motor 
    carriers.
        The FHWA is proposing that operators of CMVs designed or used to 
    transport 9 to 15 passengers be required to comply with Sec. 390.15 to 
    assist the agency in conducting investigations and, if necessary, 
    special studies about the safety performance of particular motor 
    carriers or segments of the industry. For example, if one of a motor 
    carrier's vehicles is involved in a major accident or a series of 
    accidents, the FHWA could review the records required by Sec. 390.15 as 
    part of the process of determining whether there are deficiencies with 
    the carrier's safety management controls.
    
    Explanation of the Term ``For Compensation''
    
        The TEA-21 definition of a passenger CMV includes the phrase ``for 
    compensation'' in 49 U.S.C. 31132(1)(B). However, TEA-21 did not 
    include a definition of the phrase. The FHWA considers the term to be 
    synonymous with ``for hire.'' The FHWA intends that this rulemaking be 
    applicable to all interstate for-hire motor carriers of passengers 
    operating CMVs designed or used to transport 9 to 15 people. Although 
    some commenters to the FHWA's ANPRM suggested that a distinction be 
    made between motor carriers that are ``directly compensated'' and those 
    that are ``indirectly compensated,'' the agency does not believe it is 
    appropriate to exempt a for-hire motor carrier from the requirements 
    being proposed on the basis of how the motor carrier is paid for its 
    services. The FHWA requests comments on this issue.
        On April 4, 1997 (62 FR 16370), the FHWA published Regulatory 
    Guidance for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. Page 16407 
    of that notice includes an interpretation of ``for-hire motor 
    carrier.'' The guidance states:
    
        The FHWA has determined that any business (emphasis added) 
    entity that
    
    [[Page 48520]]
    
    assesses a fee, monetary or otherwise, directly or indirectly for 
    the transportation of passengers is operating as a for-hire carrier. 
    Thus, the transportation for compensation in interstate commerce of 
    passengers by motor vehicles (except in six-passenger taxicabs 
    operating on fixed routes) in the following operations would 
    typically be subject to all parts of the FMCSRs, including part 387: 
    whitewater river rafters; hotel/motel shuttle transporters; rental 
    car shuttle services, etc. These are examples of for-hire carriage 
    because some fee is charged, usually indirectly in a total package 
    charge or other assessment for transportation performed.
    
        The reference to six-passenger taxicabs operating on fixed routes 
    was included in the guidance because of the ICC Termination Act of 1995 
    (ICCTA) (Pub. L. 104-88, 109 Stat. 803, 919). The ICCTA amended the 
    statutory definition of a CMV prior to TEA-21, adding ``designed or 
    used to transport passengers for compensation, but exclud(es) vehicles 
    providing taxicab service and having a capacity of not more than 6 
    passengers and not operated on a regular route or between specified 
    places.'' The TEA-21 resulted in the removal of this clause from the 
    definition of CMV.
        An example of transportation that would not be covered by this 
    rulemaking is commuter vanpools. The FHWA understands that passengers 
    in many vanpools pay a monthly fee to an individual, who either owns or 
    leases the van. The FHWA does not believe this is a business. The 
    individual uses this money not as a source of income or in the 
    furtherance of a commercial enterprise, but to pay for the van, 
    insurance premiums, fuel, and maintenance. There may be surplus funds 
    each month that are put in reserve to cover unexpected costs, or losses 
    of revenue during periods in which vanpool membership decreases. The 
    FHWA, however, does not believe that this type of arrangement should be 
    considered ``for compensation'' and does not intend to regulate such 
    operations. The agency requests comments on the nature of these 
    operations.
    
    Rulemaking Analysis and Notices
    
        All comments received before the close of business on the comment 
    closing date indicated above will be considered and will be available 
    for examination in the docket at the above address. Comments received 
    after the comment closing date will be filed in the docket and will be 
    considered to the extent practicable. In addition to late comments, the 
    FHWA will also continue to file relevant information in the docket as 
    it becomes available after the comment period closing date, and 
    interested persons should continue to examine the docket for new 
    material.
    
    Executive Order 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review) and DOT 
    Regulatory Policies and Procedures
    
        The FHWA has determined that this action is a significant 
    regulatory action within the meaning of Executive Order 12866 and 
    significant within the meaning of Department of Transportation 
    regulatory policies and procedures because of the substantial public 
    interest concerning the possible extension of the applicability of the 
    FMCSRs to a larger population of motor carrier operations. This 
    rulemaking proposal would require that operators of vehicles designed 
    or used to carry between 9 and 15 passengers (including the driver), 
    for compensation in interstate commerce file a motor carrier 
    identification report, mark their CMVs with a USDOT identification 
    number, and maintain an accident register.
        The FHWA believes the costs of complying with the requirements to 
    submit a motor carrier identification report and to maintain an 
    accident register are negligible. These requirements impose only 
    information collection burdens (i.e., completion of forms, 
    recordkeeping, etc.) and are discussed in greater detail below in the 
    ``Paperwork Reduction Act'' section of this notice.
        The FHWA estimates that the cost of marking CMVs will be between 
    $11 and $26 per vehicle depending on the number of vehicles the motor 
    carrier operates. The cost estimates are based upon the FHWA's 
    preliminary regulatory evaluation and regulatory flexibility analysis 
    prepared for the June 16, 1998 (63 FR 32801), notice of proposed 
    rulemaking about CMV marking requirements. The complete regulatory 
    evaluation and regulatory flexibility analysis are included in FHWA 
    Docket No. FHWA-98-3547.
        Since motor carriers operating CMVs designed or used to transport 9 
    to 15 passengers currently are not required to complete Form MCS-150, 
    the FHWA does not have sufficient data to estimate the total number of 
    CMVs that would need to be marked in accordance with Sec. 390.21. 
    However, one of the commenters responding to the FHWA's August 5, 1998, 
    ANPRM (63 FR 41766) provided information that may be useful in 
    estimating the population of vehicles that would need to be marked. The 
    International Taxicab and Livery Association (ITLA) stated:
    
        According to information available to ITLA, there are approximately 
    50,000 limousines in use that would be affected by the definitional 
    change. It should be noted that there are over 9000 limousine operators 
    nationwide (also operating premium sedan services), and that the median 
    fleet size is less than 5. In addition, the average annual miles 
    operated by limousines is approximately 23,000 miles.
        ITLA estimates that there are approximately 74,000 vans 
    nationwide--``the breakdown between ``mini-vans'' and those affected by 
    the proposed definition is not available. Van fleets average less than 
    10 vans, with an approximate annual mileage of 40,000 per vehicle, and 
    an average trip length of less than 8 miles lasting significantly less 
    than 1 hour.
        In September of 1998, the American Business Information (a mailing 
    list sales company) released a sales catalog that reports the following 
    information:
    
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  Number of
                 SIC code                   Type of service          U.S.
                                                                  companies
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    4111-01..........................  Airport Transportation..        4,752
    4119-01..........................  Handicapped                     1,302
                                        Transportation.
    4119-03..........................  Limousine Transportation        9,482
    4121-01..........................  Taxicab Transportation..        7,348
                                                                ------------
                                           Total...............       22,884
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        The ITLA indicated that, if the FHWA decides to make the FMCSRs 
    applicable to the operation of small passenger-carrying vehicles, 
    approximately 14,000 companies, 125,000 vehicles, and 165,000 drivers 
    would be covered. If there are 125,000 vehicles designed or used to 
    transport 9 to 15 passengers for compensation in interstate commerce,
    
    [[Page 48521]]
    
    the costs to the industry for marking CMVs could be between $1,375,000 
    and $3,250,000. The costs are one-time expenses and would not be 
    recurring. Generally, the marking would last the normal life of the 
    vehicle.
        At this time, the FHWA is not able to specifically quantify the 
    safety benefits resulting from requiring CMVs to be marked. The 
    requirement is necessary because it would be used to monitor the safety 
    performance of these motor carriers. The safety performance data 
    ultimately would be used to determine whether there are safety problems 
    with operators of small passenger-carrying CMVs, and whether other 
    FMCSRs should be made applicable to them. The FHWA specifically 
    requests comments on the potential costs and benefits of the proposed 
    requirements.
        The FHWA has considered other rulemaking options such as, not 
    imposing any regulatory burdens on these motor carriers, excluding the 
    marking requirements from this rulemaking proposal, or imposing more 
    stringent requirements. The agency believes the option chosen would be 
    most effective at helping to achieve its objective to monitor the 
    safety performance of these passenger carriers. Based upon the 
    information above, the agency anticipates that the economic impact 
    associated with this rulemaking action is minimal and a full regulatory 
    evaluation is not necessary.
    
    Regulatory Flexibility Act
    
        The FHWA has considered the effects of this regulatory action on 
    small entities and determined that this proposal could affect a 
    substantial number of small entities, but would not have a significant 
    impact on these entities. If the ITLA's estimate of 14,000 interstate 
    motor carriers operating CMVs designed or used to transport 9 to 15 
    passengers is accurate, and most or all of these businesses are 
    classified as small businesses by the Small Business Administration 
    (SBA), the rulemaking would affect up to 14,000 small entities.
        Generally, the costs per vehicle for small companies to mark their 
    CMVs would be greater than those for large companies. If a motor 
    carrier has between 1 to 6 vehicles, the total cost per vehicle for 
    marking is estimated at $26. The motor carrier's total cost would 
    therefore be between $26 and $156. For a motor carrier operating 7 to 
    20 CMVs, the total cost per vehicle marking would be $21. The total 
    cost for the motor carrier's fleet would be between $147 and $420. For 
    a fleet of 21-99 vehicles, the total cost per vehicle marking would 
    decrease to $16. The total cost for the motor carrier's fleet would be 
    between $336 and $1,584. And, for a fleet of 100 to 999 vehicles the 
    cost per vehicle marking would decrease to $11. The total fleet cost 
    would be between $1,100 and $10,989.
        For the purpose of this rulemaking analysis, the FHWA will use the 
    ITLA estimate for the number of business, vehicles, and drivers. The 
    FHWA's data concerning carriers that have operating authority can only 
    be used to identify 1,636 interstate motor carriers operating vehicles 
    designed or used to transport 9 to 15 passengers. The agency believes 
    there are many more carriers and that the ITLA's estimate appears to be 
    a reasonable number. The FHWA requests comments on the number of motor 
    carriers that would be subject to the proposed requirements, and the 
    number of such carriers that are classified as small businesses.
        Based on its analysis summarized above, the FHWA believes that this 
    rulemaking could affect a substantial number of small entities, but 
    would not have a significant impact on these entities. For example, if 
    a small entity operated between 7 and 20 CMVs, the total cost per 
    vehicle marking would be $21. The total cost for the motor carrier's 
    fleet would be between $147 and $420. The FHWA does not consider this 
    total fleet cost to be a significant impact on a business operating 20 
    vehicles. The FHWA, in compliance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act 
    (5 U.S.C. 601-612), has considered the economic impacts of the proposed 
    requirements on small entities and certifies that this rule would not 
    have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
    entities.
    
    Executive Order 12612 (Federalism Assessment)
    
        This action has been analyzed in accordance with the principles and 
    criteria contained in Executive Order 12612, and it has been determined 
    that this rulemaking does not have sufficient Federalism implications 
    to warrant the preparation of a Federalism assessment. Nothing in this 
    document directly preempts any State law or regulation.
    
    Executive Order 12372 (Intergovernmental Review)
    
        Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.217, Motor 
    Carrier Safety. The regulations implementing Executive Order 12372 
    regarding intergovernmental consultation on Federal programs and 
    activities do not apply to this program.
    
    Paperwork Reduction Act
    
        Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501-
    3520), Federal agencies must obtain approval from the Office of 
    Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of information they 
    conduct, sponsor, or require through regulations. The FHWA has 
    determined that this proposal contains new collection of information 
    requirements for the purposes of the PRA. The FHWA is proposing that 
    motor carriers operating CMVs designed or used to transport 9 to 15 
    passengers meet the vehicle marking requirements at 49 CFR 390.21. The 
    FHWA believes it is important that CMVs be properly marked so that the 
    public has an effective means to identify motor carriers operating in 
    an unsafe manner. Such markings will also assist Federal and State 
    officials in accident investigations.
        The information collection requirements contained on Form MCS-150 
    have been approved by the OMB under the provisions of the PRA and 
    assigned the control number of 2125-0544 which expires on January 31, 
    2000. The FHWA estimates it takes approximately 20 minutes for 
    interstate motor carriers to complete a Form MCS-150. The agency 
    estimates that as a result of this rulemaking, 14,000 interstate motor 
    carriers, currently not subject to the FHWA's safety regulations, would 
    have to complete the Form MCS-150. Motor carriers are required to 
    complete the form within 90 days after beginning operations. Motor 
    carriers may have the information updated but are not required to 
    periodically submit a new Form MCS-150. Therefore, the FHWA estimates 
    an additional burden of 4,667 hours [(20 minutes per motor carrier  x  
    14,000 motor carriers)/60 minutes per hour] to OMB 2125-0544. Because 
    this action contains a proposal to require businesses currently not 
    subject to 49 CFR 385.21 to file the Form MCS-150, the FHWA is required 
    to resubmit this proposed collection of information, as revised, to OMB 
    for review and approval. Accordingly, the FHWA seeks public comment on 
    this proposed information collection requirement.
        The information collection requirements for the accident register 
    have been approved by the OMB under the provisions of the PRA and 
    assigned the control number of 2125-0526 which expires on August 31, 
    2002. The FHWA estimates it takes approximately 18 minutes for 
    interstate motor carriers to collect and record the seven elements of 
    information on the accident register. However, since the FHWA does not 
    have sufficient information to estimate the number of accidents 
    operators of small passenger-carrying CMVs have each year, the agency 
    is unable to
    
    [[Page 48522]]
    
    estimate the total time burden. If each of the estimated 14,000 
    interstate motor carriers operating small passenger-carrying vehicles 
    has one accident per year, an additional burden of 4,200 hours per year 
    [(18 minutes per motor carrier  x  14,000 motor carriers)/60 minutes 
    per hour] would be added to OMB No. 2125-0526. Because this action 
    contains a proposal to require businesses currently not subject to 49 
    CFR 390.15 to maintain an accident register, the FHWA is required to 
    resubmit this proposed collection of information, as revised, to OMB 
    for review and approval. Accordingly, the FHWA seeks public comment on 
    this proposed information collection requirement.
        Interested parties are invited to send comments regarding any 
    aspect of these information collection requirements, including, but not 
    limited to: (1) Whether the collection of information is necessary for 
    the performance of the functions of the FHWA, including whether the 
    information has practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the estimated 
    burden; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
    collection information; and (4) ways to minimize the collection burden 
    without reducing the quality of the information collected.
    
    National Environmental Policy Act
    
        The agency has analyzed this rulemaking for the purpose of the 
    National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and 
    has determined that this action does not have any effect on the quality 
    of the environment.
    
    Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
    
        This rule does not impose an unfunded Federal mandate, as defined 
    by the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1532 et seq.), 
    that will result in the expenditure by State, local, and tribal 
    governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100 
    million or more in any one year.
    
    Regulation Identification Number
    
        A regulatory identification number (RIN) is assigned to each 
    regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulations. 
    The Regulatory Information Service Center publishes the Unified Agenda 
    in April and October of each year. The RIN contained in the heading of 
    this document can be used to cross reference this action with the 
    Unified Agenda.
    
    List of Subjects 49 CFR Part 390
    
        Highway safety, Motor carriers, Motor vehicle identification and 
    marking, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
    
        Issued on: August 30, 1999.
    Kenneth R. Wykle,
    Federal Highway Administrator.
    
        In consideration of the foregoing, the FHWA proposes to amend title 
    49, Code of Federal Regulations, chapter III, as follows:
    
    PART 390--[AMENDED]
    
        1. The authority citation for part 390 continues to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority: 49 U.S.C. 13301, 13902, 31132, 31133, 31136, 31502, 
    and 31504; sec. 204, Pub. L. 104-88, 109 Stat. 803, 941 (49 U.S.C. 
    701 note); and 49 CFR 1.48.
    
        2. Amend Sec. 390.3 to revise paragraph (f)(6) to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 390.3  General Applicability.
    
    * * * * *
        (f) Exceptions.
    * * * * *
        (6) The operation of commercial motor vehicles designed to 
    transport less than 16 passengers (including the driver). However, 
    motor carriers operating these vehicles for compensation are required 
    to comply with 49 CFR 385.21, Motor carrier identification report, 49 
    CFR 390.15, Assistance in investigations and special studies, and 49 
    CFR 390.21, Marking of commercial motor vehicles.
    
    [FR Doc. 99-23027 Filed 9-2-99; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4910-22-P
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
09/03/1999
Department:
Federal Highway Administration
Entry Type:
Proposed Rule
Action:
Notice of proposed rulemaking; request for comments.
Document Number:
99-23027
Dates:
Comments must be received on or before November 2, 1999.
Pages:
48518-48522 (5 pages)
Docket Numbers:
FHWA Docket No. FHWA-99-5710
RINs:
2125-AE60: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations; Requirements for Operators of Small Passenger Carrying Commercial Motor Vehicles
RIN Links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/2125-AE60/federal-motor-carrier-safety-regulations-requirements-for-operators-of-small-passenger-carrying-comm
PDF File:
99-23027.pdf
CFR: (1)
49 CFR 390.3