Skip to content

FMCSA Clarifies Push-to-Talk Guidance

FMCSA released updated FAQs on its new handheld mobile telephone ban to clarify that the use of the push-to-talk function on mobile phones is permitted, under certain limited conditions.

Drivers are allowed to use the push-to-talk function on a mobile telephone as long as the driver is not required to reach for, dial, or actually hold the mobile phone while driving.

FMCSA states that as long as the “mobile phone is mounted in a cradle or similar device near the driver, or there is a remote push-to-talk button near the vehicle controls” the driver may use the push-to-talk function.

To view the updated FAQs on FMCSA’s website, go here.

Printer Friendly Version

Email This Story

RSS
Bookmark and Share

Government/Regulations: Related News

1/26/2012 – Carriers Responding to New Health Care Costs

More than 80% of carriers report that recent health care changes will adversely affect them, according to the recent fourth quarter national Business Expectations Survey by Transport Capital Partners….
More

1/26/2012 – FMCSA Clarifies Push-to-Talk Guidance

FMCSA released updated FAQs on its new handheld mobile telephone ban to clarify that the use of the push-to-talk function on mobile phones is permitted, under certain limited conditions….
More

1/26/2012 – House Readies Highway Bill

House Republicans will introduce a highway bill next week, said Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Mica’s announcement followed President Obama’s call in his State of the Union address for funding the highway program with money not spent on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan….
More

1/25/2012 – Court Plans Hearing for $6.5 Million YRC Worldwide Class Action Settlement

On March 6, A U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas will decide whether to approve a $6.5 million settlement to a class action lawsuit against YRC Worldwide….
More

1/23/2012 – Judge Rejects Navistar Bid for SCR Engine Recall


A federal judge rejected Navistar’s bid to have the Environmental Protection Agency recall 2010 engines that use selective catalytic reduction to meet emission standards.

The judge, Colleen Kollar-Kotelly of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, said Navistar’s arguments for the recall are not persuasive and dismissed the case….
More

1/19/2012 – Measure Would Allow Truckers to Go 75 mph in Idaho

A senator in northern Idaho wants to allow truckers to drive 75 mph in the state. The current speed limit for semis in Idaho is 65 mph while cars are allowed to drive 75 mph….
More

1/19/2012 – Booz Allen: America Needs to ‘Reimagine’ Infrastructure

As the nation prepares for Obama’s 2012 State of the Union address, Booz Allen Hamilton, a strategy and technology consulting firm, outlined items it says should be included in any discussion about the country’s aging infrastructure….
More

1/19/2012 – Obama Rejects Keystone XL Pipeline Proposal

President Obama announced that his administration is rejecting the controversial proposal for the Keystone XL oil sands pipeline, which would have transported 700,000 barrels of oil daily from Canada, Montana and the Dakotas to U.S. refineries in Houston….
More

1/18/2012 – CSA BASIC Fact Sheets Available on the Web

The Compliance, Safety, Accountability(CSA) program released a new Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Category (BASIC) fact sheet series on its website….
More

1/18/2012 – ATRI Updates Online Idling Regulations Compendium

The American Transportation Research Institute has updated the list of idling regulations, both state and local, on its website, atri-online.org….
More

1/16/2012 – Minnesota Governor Addresses Infrastructure Problems With New Task Force

The day after announcing a $775 million jobs plan for Minnesota, Gov. Mark Dayton announced plans to establish the Commissioner’s Transportation Finance Advisory Group, a task force that will be responsible for recommending new ways to finance a better state infrastructure….
More

1/16/2012 – NC Opens More Roads to Doubles

The North Carolina Department of Transportation will now allow the operation of double-trailer combinations on several freeway routes in the eastern part of the state plus the Triangle area….
More

1/12/2012 – TRALA-Supported Virginia Legislation Addresses Motor Vehicle Rental Tax

Delegate James Massie (R-Henrico) has introduced Virginia legislation, sponsored by the Truck Renting and Leasing Association, that would limit the types of revenue taxed under the commonwealth’s 10% motor vehicle rental tax….
More

1/9/2012 – FMCSA Reminds Carriers to Update VMT, Power Unit Data

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is reminding commercial motor carriers they they need to update their Vehicle Miles Travelled (VMT) and Power Unit (PU) data on their Motor Carrier Registration form, known as the MCS-150….
More

1/6/2012 – NY Crossover Mirror Law Effective Friday, Jan. 13

A New York law requiring trucks to have crossover mirrors will go into effect next Friday, Jan. 13….
More

1/6/2012 – In State of the State, Cuomo Reveals Plans to Better NY Roads and Bridges

In Gov. Cuomo’s state of the state address yesterday, he introduced a plan for the New York Works Fund and Task Force, an entity that would make all the funding decisions for roads, bridges, parks, flood control and municipal water systems….
More

1/3/2012 – Former FMCSA Supervisor Jailed for Accepting Bribes

A DOT official in New York State was sentenced Thursday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty to felony bribe-taking….
More

1/3/2012 – Cell Phone Restrictions Now in Effect

Interstate truck and bus drivers are prohibited from using handheld cell phones while driving as of today, Jan. 3, under a final rule posted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration….
More

12/29/2011 – Poll Finds Tolls More Popular Than Higher Fuel Taxes

In a Reason-Rupe poll of 1,200 adults, 58% of respondents said they would rather pay tolls if and when they use a particular lane or highway, rather than paying higher fuel taxes….
More

12/28/2011 – New HOS Rule Will Cause Delays for Manufacturers and Cost the Economy

National Association of Manufacturers has come out against trucking’s new hours-of-service rule, saying the rule will have a negative impact on manufacturers’ supply chains, distribution operations and productivity….
More

12/28/2011 – Motorcoach Drivers May be Next to Get New HOS Rules

First, airline pilots were handed a new set of HOS rules. Then trucking got new marching orders from FMCSA. Bus drivers may be next. FMCSA has published a public listening session notice for motorcoach HOS….
More

12/27/2011 – California Reminds Truck Owners of Jan. 1 Clean Air Deadline

The California Air Resources Board is reminding owners of heavier diesel trucks and buses that new emission reducing regulations go into effect Jan. 1, 2012, and many businesses may need to report compliance online….
More

12/23/2011 – New Hours Rule Likely Headed Back to Court

There’s a good chance the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s new hours of service rule is going back to court.

Just hours after the new rule was released, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety indicated that it may resume its challenge of the 11-hour limit on driving….
More

12/22/2011 – Clean Ports Bill Introduced in Senate


A bill that would give ports more authority over drayage operations has been introduced in the Senate. Among other things, the bill would clear the way for ports to ban owner-operators and require all drivers to be employees of companies. …
More

12/22/2011 – Final HOS Rule Retains 11-Hour Driving Limit

The long-awaited final rule on revised hours of service has been released, keeping the current 11-hour daily driving limit but cutting by 12 hours the maximum number of hours a truck driver can work within a week….
More

12/21/2011 – Hours of Service Rule Could be Published as Soon as Tomorrow


The revised hours of service rule has been cleared by the White House Office of Management and Budget, and is expected to be released soon, perhaps tomorrow….
More

12/20/2011 – Legislators Seek Info on Remanufactured Parts


A group of legislators is asking the Government Accountability Office to look into the use of remanufactured parts by non-defense federal fleets….
More

12/20/2011 – FMCSA Reminds Carriers to Update Fleet Data

Motor carrier data used to calculate SMS scores, such as Vehicle Miles Travelled and Power Unit data needs to be updated….
More

12/15/2011 – NTSB Recommendations Include Video Recorders, Collision Prevention

Tucked away in the same document in which the National Transportation Safety Board recommended cell phone bans for all drivers was a reiteration of previous recommendations to require video event recorders in heavy trucks, look at mandating collision avoidance systems, and other truck-specific issues….
More

12/15/2011 – NHTSA Closer to Posting Stability Control Proposal


A proposal to require stability control systems on truck tractors moved a step closer to publication this week when it was sent over to the White House Office of Management and Budget for final vetting….
More

12/15/2011 – Senate Commerce Committee Passes Truck Safety Bill

In a contentious session yesterday, the Senate Commerce Committee cleared the truck safety section of the pending highway bill.

The committee cleared the bill 13 to 11 on a party-line vote, not because the Republican minority opposes the safety provisions, but because the measure includes an amendment concerning freight planning that the minority does not like….
More

12/14/2011 – FMCSA Proposes Tougher Procedures on Reincarnated Carriers


A new rule proposed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration would make it tougher for carriers that have been sanctioned to reincarnate themselves under a new identity.

The agency is proposing to change its procedures in several areas affecting truck lines, intermodal equipment providers, brokers, freight forwards and hazmat proceedings….
More

12/14/2011 – NSTB Calls for Nationwide Ban on Cell Phone Use While Driving

After investigating a 2010 multi-vehicle highway accident in Gray Summit, Mo, the National Transportation Safety Board Tuesday called for the first-ever nationwide ban on driver use of “personal electronic devices,” such as cell phones, while operating a motor vehicle….
More

Emil Estafanous, CPA, CFF, CGMA