Proposed Amendments to 540 CMR 4.00 Due 7-12-24: Annual Safety of Class 3 Vehicles

Proposed Amendments to 540 CMR 4.00 Due July 12: Annual Safety of Class 3 Vehicles

If your firm operates any Class 3 vehicles under contract to the Commonwealth or municipalities, you may wish to review the regulations and provide comments on or before July 12. 

Redline version of 540 CMR 400 Truck Safety 6/20/24 

Information Page

The Act to Reduce Traffic Fatalities (Chapter 358 of the Acts of 2022 amended M.G.L. c. 90, § 7) requires a registered motor vehicle, trailer, semi-trailer or semi-trailer unit classified as a class 3 or above by the Federal Highway Administration, with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more, that is leased or purchased by the commonwealth on or after January 1, 2023, or operated under a contract with the commonwealth on or after January 1, 2025, must be equipped truck safety devices. 

Overview  of Public Comment Period and Hearing for Proposed Amendments to 540 CMR 4.00, Annual Safety and Combined Safety and Emissions Inspection of All Motor Vehicles, Trailers, Semitrailers and Converter Dollies

Notice is hereby given pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, § 2-3, that the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, (“MassDOT”) will hold a hybrid public hearing on Friday July 12, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. and accept written public comment until 5:00 p.m. on July 12, 2024, the same day, concerning the following regulatory action:

• Amend 540 CMR 4.00 – Annual Safety and Combined Safety and Emissions Inspection of All Motor Vehicles, Trailers, Semitrailers and Converter Dollies

The proposed regulatory action is required under Chapter 358 of the Acts of 2022 which amended MGL c. 90, sec. 7, and provides that a motor vehicle, trailer, semi-trailer or semi-trailer unit classified as a class 3 or above by the Federal Highway Administration, with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more, that is leased or purchased by the commonwealth on or after January 1, 2023, or operated under a contract with the commonwealth on or after January 1, 2025, shall be equipped with lateral protective devices, convex mirrors, crossover mirrors and backup cameras. This could include municipalities under Chapter 90 funding agreements. For additional information visit: Truck Safety Devices.

MassDOT will hold this hearing:

• Remotely at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86258327009
• In person at: 10 Park Plaza, MassDOT Board Room, 2^nd Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02116

Individuals who notify MassDOT of their intent to testify during the hearing will be afforded an earlier opportunity to speak.  Speakers are strongly encouraged to notify MassDOT of their intention to testify at the hearing by emailing the address below with the subject line “Regulation Hearing Comment - Annual Safety and Combined Safety and Emissions Inspection of All Motor Vehicles, Trailers, Semitrailers and Converter Dollies.”  Written comments must be submitted by email or postal mail to the following address:

Email: Eileen.Fenton@dot.state.ma.us

Postal Mail: Eileen Fenton, Managing Counsel, MassDOT, 10 Park Plaza, Suite 3510, Boston, Massachusetts 02116

A copy of the above-listed regulations may be obtained by request to the above address or email address.

MassDOT may adopt a revised version of the proposed action taking into account relevant comments received and any other practical alternatives that come to its attention.

For accommodation or language assistance requests, please contact MassDOT’s Chief Diversity & Civil Rights Officer by phone at (857) 368-8580, TTD/TTY at (857) 266 0603, fax (857) 368 0602 or by email to MassDOT.CivilRights@dot.state.ma.us. Requests should be made as soon as possible, ideally at least five business days before the close of the public hearing.