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DOT Issues Final Rules on Use of Certain Drugs by Commercial Drivers

On January 27th, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) amended the physical qualifications for drivers and the instructions for the medical examination report to clarify that drivers who use Schedule I drugs are not qualified to drive commercial motor vehicles under any circumstance. The rule harmonizes FMCSA's provisions regarding pre- employment and return-to-duty test refusals with corresponding Department of Transportation provisions.

FMCSA Increases Safety Enforcement Against Bus Companies

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is stepping up enforcement in the aftermath of three recent deadly bus crashes. The FMCSA conducted a 17-day enforcement “blitz” in March, followed by a 9-day your of surprise roadside inspections in April. More than 5,750 inspections were conducted resulting in 600 buses being taken out of service and 150 driver citations.

Recent enforcement actions have also resulted in cease and desist orders shutting down two motor coach operators, Haines Tours of Michigan and United Tours of North Carolina. Haines was cited for stowing 6 people on a 62-passenger bus in the underside luggage compartment of a coach. Haines had been previously cited in August 2010 for using the luggage compartment as a sleeper berth for drivers. United as cited for employing drivers who did not possess a valid CDL or who were medically unexamined or unqualified.

Last year at this time, the FMCSA conducted safety inspections which removed more than 100 drivers from service and cited 175 carriers.

If you are planning a trip by bus, safety inspection records are available for public examination at www.fmcsa.dot.gov. Be forewarned, however: FMCSA has also recently cited several bus lines for selling tickets under alternate names to avoid out-of-service orders.