With relatively little fanfare, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MA DOT) has adopted the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations. This change means that businesses operating only in Massachusetts that never before had to comply with federal motor vehicle regulations will now need to comply with virtually all of them, except the requirement for DOT numbers.

Here is a description of a commercial motor vehicle according to the MA DOT:

A motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more used for the transportation of property, or

A motor vehicle designed to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver, or

a motor vehicle used in the transportation of hazardous material in a quantity requiring placarding under the Federal Hazardous Materials Transportation Act.

As an example, a contractor with a Ford F-350 (one-ton) pickup truck with a GVWR of 12,500 pounds and an E-350 cargo van with a GVWR of 11,000 pounds operating ONLY in Massachusetts will now be subject to the following federal regulations:

• Vehicle markings.
• Special Safety equipment.
• Medical certificate and driver’s license requirements.
• Hours of service parameters.

A chart showing the regulatory provisions that now apply to intrastate operators has been compiled. To download the chart, click here.

Fines for non-compliance are significant. If any of the new regulations are unclear, please seek the advice of a trade group or transportation consultant familiar with Massachusetts commercial motor vehicle regulations.