New Intermodal Carrier Regulations

On December 17, 2008, the FMCSA issued the Final Rules for the "Requirements for Intermodal Equipment Providers and Motor Carriers and Drivers Operating Intermodal Equipment". These new regulations will go into effect on June 17, 2009. Both Intermodal Equipment Providers (IEP) and carriers/drivers that operate or provide intermodal equipment (IME) will be required to know and start implementing these new regulations by that date.

You can read the full text or the Frequently Asked Questions for these new regulations by going to the FMCSA website at this location.

These new rules will require all IEPs to:

• Register with FMCSA
• Mark each IME with a DOT ID number
• Establish a systematic inspection and repair program
• Maintain maintenance documentation
• Provide a means to respond to driver reports about defects and repair any defects before equipment is taken over the road

Carriers and drivers that use IMEs will also be required to:

• Inspect all intermodal equipment prior to accepting the load
• Report any damage or defects to the IEP
• Ensure any defects are repaired by the IEP prior to taking the IME over the road

These new regulations will take some training and additional time for the inspection, but should make the IMEs much safer to operate. If you are either an IEP or a carrier/driver operating IMEs, you should become knowledgeable about these new rules now, so you can train your employees and implement them as you are required.

Craig Sorensen
TruckMaster Solution Provider
TruckMaster Your Trucking Company™