FMCSA Proposes Rule on E-Documents

On April 28, 2014, FMCSA issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would allow the use of electronic records and signatures to satisfy the Agency’s regulatory requirements. The change would permit the use of electronic methods to sign, certify, generate, exchange or maintain records so long as the documents accurately reflect the information in the record and can be used for their intended purpose. The change would apply only to those documents that regulated entities or individuals are required to retain; it would not apply to forms or other documents that must be submitted directly to FMCSA. Comments are due June 27, 2014.