FMCSA Makes Exceptions for Intermodal Carriers
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has approved a temporary waiver that allows intermodal carriers to continue using chassis with expired inspection decals.
This waiver was granted to the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA) on behalf of intermodal equipment providers (IEPs) and carriers. It applies to chassis with inspection decals that expired on or after March 31, 2020. The goal is to keep the transportation of essential goods moving during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The waiver is in effect from June 1 to September 1, 2020, unless the President ends the national emergency sooner.
Why the Waiver Was Granted
According to IANA, COVID-19 has disrupted the movement of intermodal equipment. Many chassis, both loaded and empty, are parked in locations that are not near maintenance facilities, where annual inspections take place. Since many of these inspections have expired or are about to, carriers have no easy way to get them inspected before putting them back into service.
Conditions of the Waiver:
Under this waiver, intermodal equipment providers and motor carriers may continue using intermodal chassis as long as:
- The inspection decal expired on or after March 31, 2020.
- The chassis is returned to an IEP facility for inspection within three months of the waiver’s start date.
Additionally, all parties must follow safety rules, including:
- Intermodal equipment providers cannot offer unsafe chassis for transport.
- Carriers cannot be forced to use unsafe chassis.
- Drivers must report any chassis defects to the IEPs.
- IEPs must address any reported defects.
- Drivers must complete a pre-trip inspection to ensure the chassis has no visible problems that could cause a breakdown.
FMCSA has the right to cancel this waiver if IANA’s members do not follow these rules.
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