As of last month, U.S. carriers and freight brokers are subject to newly changed regulations under MAP-21 (Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act), which also applies to Canadian carriers. Or it would apply to Canadian carriers, if it were clear how.
MAP-21 is a bill intended to help the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reduce crashes, injuries and fatalities involving large trucks and buses. Changes to MAP-21 came into effect Oct. 1. There are 17 changes in total, including:
• reduction of time from 18 months to 12 months for new-entrant safety reviews • several increased penalties • the addition of a $25,000 penalty for motor carriers operating trucks that violate an out-of-service order • increase from $10,000 to $75,000 in bond requirements for freight forwarders
Of course, in order to comply with the new regulations and escape costly penalties, Canadian carriers must first understand how the regulations apply to them, which is why the Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) is asking the FMCSA how MAP-21 applies to Canadians.
CTA expects to have an answer in mid-December, but in the meantime, they advise carriers to ask guidance from their insurance providers or U.S. process agents.