WASHINGTON – The American Trucking Associations wrote to U.S. regulators to point out a myriad of trucking rules that merit revision.

"ATA believes that DOT’s regulations improve public safety on our nation’s roadways; however, several regulations have become outdated or obsolete, are no longer cost effective, or have proven to be ineffective in achieving their stated purpose," the ATA stated in comments filed with the US DOT.

The trucking group drafted a list of regulations that no longer meet Washington’s stated goals of designing "cost-effective, evidence-based regulations that are compatible with economic growth, job creation and competitiveness."

For example, a handful of regulations handled by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration need to be reconsidered, including ID Markings for Bulk Containers with Residue, incident Reporting Requirements; and the "very burdensome" special permit application process.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which oversees and enforces the bulk of trucking rules, should also revise several "unnecessary" and, in some cases, "obsolete" rules, says ATA.

Many of these involve fuel tanks, such as the requirement for carriers to ensure that all vehicles in their fleet are free of oil and gas leaks; liquid fuel tank testing requirements such as "drop-tests" or "fill-pipe" tests or a "safety venting system test."

Other requirements should also go, such as duplicative equipment inspection rules, and the rule which requires a driver convicted of traffic laws to notify his CDL-issuing state in writing of the violation.

For full details of the ATA’s submission, click here.