Briefs: UCR rate increases, proposed speed limiters and average diesel prices

Summary of relevant news and issues in the transportation industry.

Proposal for an increase in UCR rates and oppositions

On January 9th, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) proposed a regulation to increase the Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) rates by 25% for the year 2025.

The UCR, an annual permit, is mandatory for most carriers, regardless of whether they use their active USDOT number, according to the Department of Permits and Licenses of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA).

The proposal has raised concerns among numerous truckers, arguing that the increase is not sustainable given current economic challenges. The anticipated rate increases vary, ranging from $9 to $9,000, depending on the quantity of commercial motor vehicles owned by a carrier.

Critics of the proposal highlight potential increases in the costs of goods and services, already at elevated levels. The FMCSA has been criticized for not addressing citizens’ concerns, and warnings have been issued about the negative impact on consumers. The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association has advocated for additional reductions, asserting that the 2023 rates violated existing laws.

FMCSA to release notice on speed limiter regulation

The FMCSA’s proposal to install speed limiters in most commercial vehicles is still in progress. It is expected that the FMCSA will publish a supplementary notice regarding the regulation proposal in May, as per the Significant Regulation Report of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

This proposal, which experienced delays in both June and December of 2023, would affect commercial motor vehicles with a gross weight of 26,001 pounds or more, equipped with a governable electric motor control unit.

In the next stage of the regulation, the FMCSA is expected to disclose the proposed maximum speed for the first time. Despite resistance from many truckers regarding the implementation of speed limiters, understanding this speed is crucial due to concerns about speed differentials between cars and trucks.

The FMCSA must submit the proposal to the White House Office of Management and Budget for review before its publication in the Federal Register and opening for public comments. The administration has faced opposition with over 15,000 comments, contributing to the delay as they require agency review.

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, advocating for small business truckers, opposes the imposition of a speed limitation mandate and urges support for the DRIVE Act, which would prevent the FMCSA from advancing speed limiter regulations.

Average diesel prices in the U.S.

Weekly reports on fuel prices have seen fluctuations, but the national averages remain below $4 per gallon. According to ProMiles.com, the national average was $3.834 per gallon, reflecting a decrease of 1.7 cents compared to the previous week.

The average price per gallon of diesel by region is as follows: