Notice2025-19937
Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation; Exemption Renewal for Grote Industries, LLC
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
November 17, 2025
Effective
December 3, 2025
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
Abstract
FMCSA announces its final decision to renew an exemption requested by Grote Industries, LLC (Grote) to allow motor carriers to use Grote's amber brake-activated auxiliary pulsating lamp on the rear of their commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in addition to the steady- burning brake lamps required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). The exemption is renewed for 5 years, unless revoked earlier.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 219 (Monday, November 17, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 219 (Monday, November 17, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51430-51432]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-19937]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
[Docket No. FMCSA-2020-0122]
Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation; Exemption
Renewal for Grote Industries, LLC
AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Department
of Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of final disposition; renewal of exemption.
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SUMMARY: FMCSA announces its final decision to renew an exemption
requested by Grote Industries, LLC (Grote) to allow motor carriers to
use Grote's amber brake-activated auxiliary pulsating lamp on the rear
of their commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in addition to the steady-
burning brake
[[Page 51431]]
lamps required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations
(FMCSRs). The exemption is renewed for 5 years, unless revoked earlier.
DATES: This renewed exemption is effective from December 3, 2025, and
expires on December 2, 2030.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. David Sutula, Chief, FMCSA Vehicle
and Roadside Operations Division, Office of Carrier, Driver, and
Vehicle Safety Standards; (202) 366-9209; <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#90ddd3c0c3c6d0f4ffe4bef7ffe6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="34797764676274505b401a535b42">[email protected]</span></a>. If you have
questions on viewing or submitting material to the docket, call Dockets
Operations at (202) 366-9826.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Public Participation
Viewing Comments and Documents
To view any documents mentioned as being available in the docket,
go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov/docket/FMCSA-2020-0122/document">https://www.regulations.gov/docket/FMCSA-2020-0122/document</a> and
choose the document to review. To view comments, click this notice,
then click ``Browse Comments.'' If you do not have access to the
internet, you may view the docket online by visiting Dockets Operations
on the ground floor of the DOT West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue
SE, Washington, DC 20590-0001, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET, Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays. To be sure someone is there to
help you, please call (202) 366-9317 or (202) 366-9826 before visiting
Dockets Operations.
II. Legal Basis
FMCSA has authority under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315(b) to grant
exemptions from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs).
FMCSA must publish a notice of each exemption request in the Federal
Register (49 CFR 381.315(a)). The Agency must provide the public an
opportunity to inspect the information relevant to the application,
including the applicant's safety analyses. The Agency must also provide
an opportunity for public comment on the request.
The Agency reviews safety analyses and public comments submitted
and determines whether granting the exemption would likely achieve a
level of safety equivalent to, or greater than, the level that would be
achieved absent such exemption, pursuant to the standard set forth in
49 U.S.C. 31315(b)(1). The Agency must publish the decision in the
Federal Register (49 CFR 381.315(b)). If granted, the notice will
identify the regulatory provision from which the applicant will be
exempt and the effective period and will explain all terms and
conditions of the exemption (49 CFR 381.315(c)(1)). If the exemption is
denied, the notice will explain the reason for the denial (49 CFR
381.315(c)(2)). The exemption may be renewed (49 CFR 381.300(b)).
III. Background
Current Regulatory Requirements
Section 393.25(e) of the FMCSRs requires all exterior lamps (both
required lamps and any additional lamps) to be steady burning except
turn signal lamps, hazard warning signal lamps, school bus warning
lamps, amber warning lamps or flashing warning lamps on tow trucks and
CMVs transporting oversized loads, and warning lamps on emergency and
service vehicles authorized by State or local authorities.
IV. Application for Renewal of Exemption
The renewal application from Grote was described in detail in a
Federal Register notice on January 17, 2025, (90 FR 6046) and will not
be repeated here as the facts have not changed since that time.
V. Public Comments
The Agency received eight comments to the public docket, six in
support of the exemption and two opposing it.
Several organizations expressed strong support for the renewal of
the exemption, citing the safety benefits observed in real-world
applications. Amazon and Schneider National reported significant
reductions in rear-end collisions after equipping their fleets with
Grote's amber auxiliary brake-activated pulsating lamps. These
organizations commented how the technology has enhanced visibility,
improving the safety of both drivers and the general public.
Additionally, the American Trucking Associations emphasized the need
for innovative safety solutions and believes that the data gathered
from these lamps could help pave the way for integrating such
technologies into standard industry practices. Overall, proponents
commented that the lamps have proven to enhance safety and reduce
accident severity, making the exemption a worthwhile measure.
Two commenters questioned the effectiveness and appropriateness of
the amber brake-activated pulsating lamps. One individual commented
that amber flashing lights, traditionally associated with oversized
loads or cautionary situations, may confuse drivers and lead to
overreaction, especially in emergency braking scenarios. AWM
Associates, LLC (AWM) also noted that federal regulations already
require red brake lights for clear communication of a vehicle's braking
status, and commented that amber lights, with no clear mandate for
operation, may serve as an unnecessary addition with limited safety
value. AWM believes that the exemption creates unnecessary complexity
and could lead to more confusion on the road, rather than improving
safety. AWM commented that regulatory changes should be made to
incorporate such lights into standard safety measures rather than
granting exemptions.
VI. Agency Decision
FMCSA is not aware of any evidence showing that the operation of
brake-activated auxiliary pulsating lamps on trailers and van body
trucks in accordance with the conditions of the original exemption has
resulted in any degradation in safety. FMCSA acknowledges the concerns
that the use of amber brake-activated pulsating warning lamps may lead
to confusion among drivers; however, the available data reported by the
petitioner indicates that despite any potential for confusion among
drivers, the auxiliary brake-activated lamps are associated with
improvements in both crash frequency and outcomes for the CMVs equipped
with the technology. FMCSA believes that the FMCSA and NHTSA research
programs examining the ability of alternative rear-signaling systems to
reduce the frequency and severity of rear-end crashes provide a
sufficient basis to conclude that implementation of amber brake-
activated auxiliary pulsating warning lamps on the rear of trailers and
van body trucks, in addition to the steady-burning brake lamps required
by the regulations, is likely to achieve a level of safety that is
equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety achieved without
the exemption.
Therefore, for the reasons discussed above and in the prior notice
granting the original exemption request, FMCSA concludes that renewing
the exemption on the terms and conditions set forth in this exemption
renewal decision, will likely achieve a level of safety that is
equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety achieved without
the exemption.
VII. Exemption Decision
A. Grant of Exemption
FMCSA renews the exemption for five (5) years subject to the terms
and conditions of this decision. The exemption from the requirements of
49
[[Page 51432]]
CFR 393.25(e) is effective December 3, 2025, through December 2, 2030,
11:59 p.m. ET.
During the exemption period, motor carriers may install Grote's
auxiliary brake-activated pulsating warning lamps on the rear of
trailers and van body trucks, in addition to the steady-burning brake
lamps required by the FMCSRs.
B. Terms and Conditions
1. This exemption applies only to motor carriers operating trailers
and van body trucks equipped with Grote's auxiliary brake-activated
pulsating lamps under the terms herein.
2. Motor carriers operating under this exemption may use Grote's
auxiliary brake-activated warning lamps in the following configurations
on trailers and van body trucks:
a. Upper Pair: Two auxiliary brake-activated warning lamps centered
about the trailer's centerline, positioned 6-12 inches from the
centerline of the outermost identification (ID) lamps, and collinear
with the three-ID-lamp cluster.
b. Single Lower Lamp: One auxiliary brake-activated warning lamp
centrally located on or below the rear sill, collinear with the stop/
tail/turn lamps.
c. Upper Pair + Single Lower Lamp: Both the upper pair (as
described in (1)) and a single auxiliary brake-activated warning lamp
(as described in (2)).
d. Lower Pair: Two auxiliary brake-activated warning lamps centered
about the trailer's centerline, located on or below the rear sill.
e. Upper Pair + Lower Pair: Both the upper pair (as described in
(1)) and the lower pair (as described in (4)).
3. The Grote auxiliary brake-activated pulsating lamps used under
this exemption must:
a. Be amber in color and function as a Class II strobe (pulsate)
for up to four seconds when the brake is applied.
b. Transition to a steady red for the duration of the brake circuit
activation.
c. Remain off when the brake circuit is inactive.
d. Be in addition to the steady-burning brake lamps required by the
FMCSRs.
4. Grote is required to provide a list of the USDOT numbers of the
motor carriers using its auxiliary brake-activated pulsating lamps to
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#8fc2ccdfdcd9cfebe0fba1e8e0f9"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ade0eefdfefbedc9c2d983cac2db">[email protected]</span></a> on an annual basis.
5. Grote must meet with FMCSA on request to answer questions
regarding reporting requirements provided under the exemption.
VIII. Preemption
In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31315(d), as implemented by 49 CFR
381.600, during the period this exemption is in effect, no State shall
enforce any law or regulation that conflicts with or is inconsistent
with this exemption with respect to a person operating under the
exemption. States may, but are not required to, adopt the same
exemption with respect to operations in intrastate commerce.
IX. Termination
The exemption will be rescinded if: (1) Grote or motor carriers
operating under the exemption fail to comply with the terms and
conditions of the exemption; (2) the exemption has resulted in a lower
level of safety than was maintained before it was granted; or (3)
continuation of the exemption would not be consistent with the goals
and objectives of 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315(b).
Interested parties possessing information that would demonstrate
that the use of Grote's amber brake-activated pulsating lamp on the
rear of the trailer and van body trucks in addition to the steady-
burning brake lamps required by the FMCSRs is not achieving the
requisite statutory level of safety should immediately notify FMCSA by
email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection" class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0e434d5e5d584e4a415a20494158">[email protected]</a>. The Agency will evaluate any such information
and, if safety is being compromised or if the continuation of the
exemption is not consistent with the goals and objectives of 49 U.S.C.
31136 or chapter 313, will take immediate steps to revoke the
exemption.
Derek D. Barrs,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2025-19937 Filed 11-14-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P
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This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.