A clear, year-end recap of 2025 FMCSA shifts across scoring, drivers, tech, and identifiers, with a 30 to 60 day action plan to cut risk, protect scores, and keep insurance costs in check.
Why this matters now
2025 brought real movement. FMCSA advanced its Safety Measurement System refresh through a live CSA Prioritization Preview so carriers can see how their safety prioritization may change. CVSA made English Language Proficiency an out-of-service trigger. FMCSA tightened rules for non-domiciled CDLs. NHTSA’s heavy-vehicle AEB stayed in proposal status, while the federal speed limiter effort was withdrawn. FMCSA also continued work on Registration Modernization that points to a USDOT-first world for identifiers.
This is a quick recap of what changed this year and a practical checklist so you can button things up before year-end.
Primary sources:
- CSA Prioritization Preview: https://csa.fmcsa.dot.gov/prioritizationpreview
- CVSA English proficiency OOS: https://cvsa.org/news/elp-oosc/
- FMCSA non-domiciled CDL Interim Final Rule: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/newsroom/interim-final-ruling-restoring-integrity-issuance-non-domiciled-drivers-licenses-cdl
- Heavy-vehicle AEB NPRM: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/07/06/2023-13622/heavy-vehicle-automatic-emergency-braking-aeb-test-devices and https://www.nhtsa.gov/document/nprm-heavy-vehicles-automatic-emergency-braking-systems
- Speed limiter withdrawal: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-07-24/pdf/2025-13928.pdf
- Registration Modernization FAQs: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/modernization-faqs
2025 changes at a glance
- Safety Measurement System preview is live. Use the portal to see how your prioritization could shift and where the last 12 months are hurting you.
https://csa.fmcsa.dot.gov/prioritizationpreview - English proficiency is enforceable. As of June 25, officers can place a driver out of service if the driver cannot communicate adequately during a roadside interaction under 391.11(b)(2).
https://cvsa.org/news/elp-oosc/ - Non-domiciled CDL issuance is tighter. FMCSA’s Interim Final Rule narrows how states issue or renew CDLs for non-domiciled drivers.
https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/newsroom/interim-final-ruling-restoring-integrity-issuance-non-domiciled-drivers-licenses-cdl - Heavy-vehicle AEB remains a proposal. Keep tracking the docket and plan for phased equipment timelines if it finalizes.
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/07/06/2023-13622/heavy-vehicle-automatic-emergency-braking-aeb-test-devices - Federal speed limiter proposals were withdrawn. No federal mandate is active. Treat any limiter policy you keep as voluntary.
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-07-24/pdf/2025-13928.pdf - Identifiers are moving toward USDOT-first. Registration Modernization is still proposed. Prepare your systems and markings now.
https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/modernization-faqs
1) Safety Measurement System refresh: what changed and what to do
What changed in 2025
- FMCSA ran the CSA Prioritization Preview to show carriers how revised groupings and weights will affect prioritization.
- The model places more influence on recent performance. The last 12 months can move your number more than older history.
- Violation groupings are simplified so problem areas are easier to spot.
Helpful references:
Slides on upcoming SMS changes: https://csa.fmcsa.dot.gov/Documents/FMCSA-SMS%20Changes-Part1-01.16.2025.pdf
Methodology overview: https://csa.fmcsa.dot.gov/documents/smsmethodology.pdf
What carriers can expect
- Less cushion from older violations. A clean 2023 will not offset a messy 2025.
- Clearer targets for interventions. Simplified categories make it obvious where you are leaking score.
- Insurance pressure. Underwriters track trend and recency. A weak last 12 months raises questions during renewal.
Do this in the next 30 to 60 days
- Pull your Preview and compare it to your current SMS. Flag the top two exposure categories.
- Assign owners for each exposure and build a 90-day remediation plan that includes coaching, documented corrective action, and a re-inspection cadence.
- Tighten preventive maintenance, DVIR quality, and repair turn-times so you do not feed “Vehicle Maintenance” hits.
- Schedule an internal mock audit on logs and inspections. Close the findings before the quarter ends.
2) Driver licensing and English proficiency: enforcement ramped
What changed in 2025
- English Language Proficiency became an out-of-service trigger on June 25. If a driver cannot communicate with the officer or understand instructions, they can be placed out of service.
Source: https://cvsa.org/news/elp-oosc/ - FMCSA issued an Interim Final Rule that tightens how states issue and renew non-domiciled CDLs.
Source: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/newsroom/interim-final-ruling-restoring-integrity-issuance-non-domiciled-drivers-licenses-cdl
Why it matters
- One inspection can sideline a load and ripple through customer service and detention.
- Hiring for non-native English speakers now needs clearer training and documentation.
Do this in the next 30 to 60 days
- Run short mock roadside interviews in English with every active driver. Document who passed, who needs help, and when the retrain happens.
- Re-audit Driver Qualification Files for licensing, domicile proof, and medical cards.
- If you employ foreign-domiciled drivers, verify state processes and paperwork against the Interim Final Rule, then keep that proof in the file.
3) Equipment, technology, and identifiers: set direction, watch timing
What changed in 2025
- Heavy-vehicle Automatic Emergency Braking stayed in proposal status. Planning still matters because phase-ins usually follow final rules.
Sources:
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/07/06/2023-13622/heavy-vehicle-automatic-emergency-braking-aeb-test-devices
https://www.nhtsa.gov/document/nprm-heavy-vehicles-automatic-emergency-braking-systems - Federal speed limiter proposals were withdrawn on July 24. No active federal requirement.
Source: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-07-24/pdf/2025-13928.pdf - Registration Modernization continues to point to USDOT-first identifiers. It is proposed, not live.
Source: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/modernization-faqs
Do this in the next 30 to 60 days
- Build a readiness inventory for AEB and Electronic Stability Control. Capture what is installed, how it is maintained, and any bypass risks.
- If you keep a speed policy, label it as a company safety policy. Do not call it a federal mandate.
- Map every place your business uses the MC number. Plan your switch to a USDOT-first world so you can move quickly when FMCSA finalizes.
4) Admin and reporting: a few lifts removed
What changed in 2025
- FMCSA proposed removing certain driver self-reporting steps due to better state data exchange. This follows earlier moves to trim duplicative lists.
Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/05/30/2025-09713/removal-of-self-reporting-requirement
Do this in the next 30 to 60 days
- List every compliance report you do by cadence and owner.
- Tag which reports are changing and set a trigger to retire them once final.
- Reinvest the saved time into driver coaching and internal spot checks.
Role-based quick audit
Small fleets and owner-operators
- Confirm English proficiency training and document it in the file.
- Clean up DQFs and make sure medical cards and endorsements are current.
- Pull the SMS Preview and fix the top two risk categories.
- Start shifting your systems to rely on USDOT as the primary identifier.
Mid-market and enterprise carriers
- Re-tune dashboards to the last 12 months. Show trend and owner by category.
- Model capital plans for AEB and related maintenance controls.
- Draft the communications and markings plan for a USDOT-first identifier world so operations, safety, sales, and marketing move in sync.
Drivers
- Bring every document current. Practice common inspection questions, signs, hours of service, and basic emergency communication.
- Ask for help early if you are unsure about any part of the roadside process.
Brokers and forwarders
- Update carrier onboarding in your CRM and load board to recognize USDOT as the key identifier.
- Add fields now for any suffixes or data FMCSA may require so you avoid a rushed rework later.
Q4 closeout checklist
- English proficiency training logged for every active driver.
- DQFs re-audited for licensing, domicile, and medical documentation.
- SMS Preview vs Current gap analysis complete with a 90-day plan.
- AEB and ESC inventory updated, with a budget scenario if the rule finalizes.
- Speed policy labeled correctly as a company policy if you keep it.
- Identifier plan drafted for USDOT-first, with system and decal updates scoped.
- Reporting workflows mapped to the NPRM so you can stop work the moment final hits.
Need a hand?
This stuff is dense, and it changes fast. If you want a second set of eyes on your SMS Preview, driver files, or equipment plan, our team at US Compliance Services can run a quick audit and hand you a 90-day plan that is sized to your fleet. No fluff. Just fixes that move your score and protect your premium.
