Certification for Conducting Driver or Vehicle Inspections, Safety Audits, or Investigations

FMCSA incorporates by reference in its regulations the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's (CVSA) "Operational Policy 4: Inspector Training and Certification," as required by the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act). The CVSA policy provides the current policy and practices for FMCSA employees, State or local government employees, and contractors to obtain and maintain certification for conducting driver or vehicle inspections. It has been Attachment A to FMCSA's "Certification Policy for Employees Who Perform Inspections, Investigations, and Safety Audits." Consistent with the requirements of the FAST Act, this rule substitutes the most recent version of the CVSA policy, reflecting revisions to the version referenced in the July 8, 2019 notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). The revisions include availability of inspector certification extensions under declared emergency situations adopted in response to the COVID-19 National emergency. This rule also replaces an interim final rule (IFR) in place since 2002.