In keeping with our new company slogan “Thinking Ahead,” it’s only appropriate we talk about the new compliance dates the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has for the Unified Registration System (URS). But first, I’m going to give you some background.
The URS is an online registration system that will streamline the FMCSA’s registration process, as well as serve as a collection of information on all entities regulated by the agency. The new system will replace all of the FMCSA’s current registration databases with one unified registration system that will be the main source of this data.
This affects all the entities that the FMCSA regulates including:
- freight and passenger motor carriers
- brokers
- freight forwarders
- intermodal equipment providers (IEPs)
- hazardous materials safety permit (HMSP) applicants/holders
- cargo tank manufacturing, and repair facilities
With that background in mind, there are some “key” dates you need to know about, as the launch of this new database will occur in phases.
On September 30, 2016, the FMCSA will launch the completed URS. This applies to the registration of all entities subject to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs).
The final phase of implementing the URS goes into effect on December 31, 2016, and requires that existing exempt for-hire and private hazardous materials carriers must have insurance filed on their behalf by insurance carriers, and existing private carriers and exempt for-hire carriers must have a Designation of Service of Process Agent (Form BOC-3) on file.
What does this mean to you? What kind of an impact will it have on your business if you’re affected? That’s where we come in. Holmes Murphy has a division dedicated entirely to FMCSA compliance and the navigation of the regulations as they occur.
As this becomes a bigger part of your day-to-day operations, it will leave a greater impact on the cost structure of your insurance moving forward. If you are indeed impacted, our team is prepared to help you navigate these changes as well as any other Department of Transportation (DOT)-driven regulation.
So let us know how we can help. What questions do you have? What concerns do these regulations present? How can we make this as clear and understandable as possible? Comment below or feel free to reach out to us directly!
