Rule2026-03262
Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation; Spare Fuses
Primary source
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Published
February 19, 2026
Effective
April 20, 2026
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
Abstract
FMCSA amends the emergency equipment rules to remove the requirement for commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) to be equipped with at least one spare fuse for each type and size of fuse needed for the operation of the CMV. This change will remove an unnecessary requirement from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR).
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 33 (Thursday, February 19, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 33 (Thursday, February 19, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 7877-7880]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-03262]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
49 CFR Part 393
[Docket No. FMCSA-2025-0109]
RIN 2126-AC83
Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation; Spare Fuses
AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Department
of Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: FMCSA amends the emergency equipment rules to remove the
requirement for commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) to be equipped with at
least one spare fuse for each type and size of fuse needed for the
operation of the CMV. This change will remove an unnecessary
requirement from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR).
DATES: Effective April 20, 2026.
Petitions for reconsideration of this final rule must be submitted to
the FMCSA Administrator no later than March 23, 2026.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. David Sutula, Chief, Vehicle and
Roadside Operations Division, FMCSA, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE,
Washington, DC 20590 0001; (202) 366-2551; <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d89cb9aeb1bcf68badacadb4b998bcb7acf6bfb7ae"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="064267706f6228557372736a674662697228616970">[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: FMCSA organizes this final rule as follows:
I. Availability of Rulemaking Documents
II. Abbreviations
III. Legal Basis
IV. Discussion of Proposed Rulemaking and Comments
V. International Impacts
VI. Section-by-Section Analysis
VII. Regulatory Analyses
A. E.O. 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review) and DOT
Regulatory Policies and Procedures
B. E.O. 14192 (Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation)
C. Congressional Review Act
D. Regulatory Flexibility Act
E. Assistance for Small Entities
F. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
G. Paperwork Reduction Act
H. E.O. 13132 (Federalism)
I. Privacy
J. E.O. 13175 (Indian Tribal Governments)
K. National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
[[Page 7878]]
I. Availability of Rulemaking Documents
To view any documents mentioned as being available in the docket,
go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov/docket/FMCSA-2025-0109/document">https://www.regulations.gov/docket/FMCSA-2025-0109/document</a> and
choose the document to review. To view comments, click this final rule,
then click ``Browse Comments.'' If you do not have access to the
internet, you may view the docket online by visiting Dockets Operations
at U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE,
Washington, DC 20590-0001, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 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. Abbreviations
AAMVA American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators
ATA American Trucking Associations
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
CMV Commercial motor vehicle
DOT Department of Transportation
FMCSA Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
FMCSR Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations
FR Federal Register
NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking
NTTC National Tank Truck Carriers
OOIDA Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association
U.S.C. United States Code
Veolia Veolia North America
III. Legal Basis
FMCSA's authority to promulgate regulations governing Parts and
Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation (49 CFR part 393) is set forth
in 49 U.S.C. 31136(a). DOT is required to ``prescribe regulations on
commercial motor vehicles. At a minimum, the regulations shall ensure
that--(1) commercial motor vehicles are maintained, equipped, loaded,
and operated safely; (2) the responsibilities imposed on operators of
commercial motor vehicles do not impair their ability to operate the
vehicles safely; (3) the physical condition of operators of commercial
motor vehicles is adequate to enable them to operate vehicles safely .
. . ; (4) the operation of commercial motor vehicles does not have a
deleterious effect on the physical condition of the operators; and (5)
an operator of a commercial motor vehicle is not coerced by a motor
carrier, shipper, receiver, or transportation intermediary to operate a
vehicle in violation of a regulation promulgated under this section, or
chapter 51 or chapter 313 of this title.''
This final rule does not implicate the driver-centered requirements
of sections 31136(a)(2)-(4). As the amendment in this final rule
pertains only to the carrying of spare parts that are no longer needed,
FMCSA believes it is unlikely CMV drivers will be exposed to greater
risk of coercion.
To ensure that CMVs are safely ``equipped'' and ``operated,'' as
required by 49 U.S.C. 31136(a)(1), FMCSA requires that certain
emergency equipment be present on all power units (49 CFR 393.95).
Included in the list of required equipment are spare fuses ``needed to
operate any required parts and accessories'' (49 CFR 393.95(b)).
For the reasons discussed below, FMCSA has determined that the
requirement to carry spare fuses is not needed to ensure that CMVs are
``equipped'' or ``operated'' safely.
IV. Discussion of Proposed Rulemaking and Comments
A. Proposed Rulemaking
On May 30, 2025, FMCSA published in the Federal Register (Docket
No. FMCSA-2025-0109, 90 FR 22946) an NPRM titled ``Parts and
Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation; Spare Fuses.'' The NPRM
proposed to remove the requirement for CMVs to be equipped with at
least one spare fuse for each type and size of fuse needed for the
parts and accessories of the CMV.
B. Comments and Responses
FMCSA solicited comments concerning the NPRM for 60 days ending
July 29, 2025. By that date, nine comments were received from the
following parties: The American Association of Motor Vehicle
Administrators (AAMVA), the American Trucking Associations (ATA),
Edward Van Oeveren, James Walker, Jeffrey Wood, the National Tank Truck
Carriers (NTTC), the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association
(OOIDA), Shanon Howeth, and Veolia North America (Veolia).
AAMVA, ATA, NTTC, OOIDA, Veolia, Edward Van Oeveren, and James
Walker offered general support for the NPRM. AAMVA noted that there may
be costs associated with this rulemaking, in combination with two other
NPRMs that FMCSA proposed.\1\ AAMVA stated that these regulatory
changes would require changes to published safety information
incorporated into six of its publications that convey Federal motor
carrier safety regulatory requirements to commercial driver's license
(CDL) applicants. AAMVA anticipates that there would be costs of up to
$20,000 to make the associated changes to these publications as a
result of this rulemaking. Edward Van Oeveren stated that the
rulemaking should also clarify that because 49 CFR 392.7(a) prohibits
operation of the CMV when critical electrical equipment may not be
functional due to a failed fuse, elimination of the requirement to
carry spare fuses for such equipment does not create an additional
risk. James Walker and Shanon Howeth opposed the NPRM, stating that CDL
holders should be able to safely repair their own trucks and that spare
fuses can save a lot of time and trouble for drivers.
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\1\ The other rulemakings mentioned in AAMVA's comment were the
``Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation: Liquid-Burning
Flares'' NPRM (Docket No. FMCSA-2025-0110, 90 FR 22919, May 30,
2025) and the ``Railroad Grade Crossings; Stopping Required:
Exception for Railroad Grade Crossing Equipped With Active Warning
Device Not in Activated State'' NPRM (Docket No. FMCSA-2021-0050, 90
FR 22914, May 30, 2025).
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The cost of up to $20,000 for AAMVA to update its publications is
considered de minimis, particularly since these changes can be
incorporated during routine business updates. In addition, AAMVA's cost
estimate accounts for updates related to two other deregulatory
actions,\2\ effectively spreading the total cost across multiple
rulemakings. FMCSA agrees with Edward Van Oeveren that there are other
requirements in the FMCSRs that prohibit a CMV from operating, or
require vehicles to be repaired, when electrical equipment in the
vehicle is not functioning correctly. These requirements still apply
when there is a blown fuse in a vehicle that needs to be replaced.
However, this final rule removes the burdensome requirement to keep
spare fuses in CMVs because blown fuses are often diagnosed and
replaced by individuals other than the drivers of those vehicles. This
final rule does not prohibit spare fuses and CMVs may still be equipped
with spare fuses if operators want to keep them in their vehicles.
Furthermore, spare fuses are readily accessible at various retail
locations including, but not limited to, service stations, truck stops,
and auto retailers.
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\2\ Ibid.
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VI. International Impacts
Motor carriers and drivers are subject to the laws and regulations
of the countries where they operate, unless an international agreement
states otherwise. Drivers and carriers should be aware of the
regulatory differences between nations.
[[Page 7879]]
VII. Section-by-Section Analysis
This section-by-section analysis describes the changes to the
regulatory text in numerical order.
Section 393.95 Emergency Equipment On All Power Units
FMCSA removes paragraph (b) concerning the requirement for spare
fuses.
VIII. Regulatory Analyses
A. Executive Order (E.O.) 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review) and
DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures
FMCSA has considered the impact of this final rule under E.O. 12866
(58 FR 51735, Oct. 4, 1993), Regulatory Planning and Review, and DOT
ORDER 2100.6B. The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs within
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) determined that this final
rulemaking is not a significant regulatory action under section 3(f) of
E.O. 12866 and has not reviewed it under that E.O.
The final rule eliminates the requirement for spare fuses in all
trucks, truck tractors, and buses. As fuses in CMVs do not typically
fail during normal operation, this change is not expected to impact
safety and will result in some cost savings per impacted truck, truck
tractor, and bus. Approximately 9,000 violations per year, for the past
four years \3\ have been documented on roadside inspections for not
complying with section 393.95(b). The Agency understands that the price
of a spare fuse may vary depending on its rated amperage, form factor,
or other details or specifications, but estimates that spare fuses
cost, on average, $0.80 per spare fuse based on available market data.
The Agency estimates that a minimum of $7,200 would be saved annually
given that those in violation of the current regulation will no longer
need to take corrective action by purchasing a spare fuse (9,000
violations x $0.80 for one fuse = $7,200). Furthermore, eliminating the
requirement for spare fuses in all trucks, truck tractors, and buses
would yield administrative cost savings to carriers and Agency
enforcement personnel and reduce time needed for regulated entities to
familiarize themselves with FMCSA regulations. This final rule does not
prohibit spare fuses and CMVs may still be equipped with spare fuses if
operators want to keep them in their vehicles. FMCSA does not have data
with which to estimate the total cost savings that will result from
this final rule.
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\3\ The years being referenced are 2021-2024. FMCSA, Analysis
and Information Online, available at: <a href="https://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/EnforcementPrograms/Inspections">https://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/EnforcementPrograms/Inspections</a> (last accessed: Aug. 25, 2025).
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B. E.O. 14192 (Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation)
E.O. 14192 (90 FR 9065, Jan. 31, 2025), Unleashing Prosperity
Through Deregulation, requires that for ``each new [E.O. 14192
regulatory action] issued, at least ten prior regulations be identified
for elimination.'' \4\
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\4\ Executive Office of the President, Executive Order 14192 of
January 31, 2025, Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation, 90 FR
9065-9067 (Feb. 6, 2025).
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Implementation guidance for E.O. 14192 issued by OMB (Memorandum M-
25-20, Mar. 26, 2025) defines two different types of E.O. 14192
actions: an E.O. 14192 deregulatory action, and an E.O. 14192
regulatory action.\5\
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\5\ OMB, Guidance Implementing Section 3 of Executive Order
14192, Titled ``Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation,''
Memorandum M-25-20 (Mar. 26, 2025).
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An E.O. 14192 deregulatory action is defined as ``an action that
has been finalized and has total costs less than zero.'' This final
rulemaking is expected to have total costs less than zero, and
therefore is considered an E.O. 14192 deregulatory action.
C. Congressional Review Act
This final rule is not a major rule as defined under the
Congressional Review Act (5 U.S.C. 801-808).'' \6\
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\6\ A major rule means any rule that OMB finds has resulted in
or is likely to result in (a) an annual effect on the economy of
$100 million or more; (b) a major increase in costs or prices for
consumers, individual industries, geographic regions, Federal,
State, or local government agencies; or (c) significant adverse
effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity,
innovation, or on the ability of United States-based enterprises to
compete with foreign-based enterprises in domestic and export
markets (5 U.S.C. 804(2)).
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D. Regulatory Flexibility Act
The Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), as amended
by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996,\7\
requires Federal agencies to consider the effects of the regulatory
action on small business and other small entities and to minimize any
significant economic impact. The term small entities means small
businesses and not-for-profit organizations that are independently
owned and operated and are not dominant in their fields, and
governmental jurisdictions with populations of less than 50,000 (5
U.S.C. 601(6)). Accordingly, DOT policy requires an analysis of the
impact of all regulations on small entities, and mandates that agencies
strive to lessen any adverse effects on these businesses.
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\7\ Public Law 104-121, 110 Stat. 857, (Mar. 29, 1996).
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No regulatory flexibility analysis is required, however, if the
head of an agency or an appropriate designee certifies that the rule
will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of
small entities. FMCSA has concluded and hereby certifies that this
final rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities; therefore, an analysis is not included. This
final rulemaking removes the requirement for unnecessary spare fuses
from all trucks, truck tractors, and buses, resulting in a minimal
economic impact.
Consequently, I certify that this action will not have a
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
E. Assistance for Small Entities
In accordance with section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory
Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121, 110 Stat. 857),
FMCSA wants to assist small entities in understanding this final rule
so they can better evaluate its effects on themselves and participate
in the rulemaking initiative. If the final rule will affect your small
business, organization, or governmental jurisdiction and you have
questions concerning its provisions or options for compliance, please
consult the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
Small businesses may send comments on the actions of Federal
employees who enforce or otherwise determine compliance with Federal
regulations to the Small Business Administration's Small Business and
Agriculture Regulatory Enforcement Ombudsman (Office of the National
Ombudsman, see <a href="https://www.sba.gov/about-sba/oversight-advocacy/office-national-ombudsman">https://www.sba.gov/about-sba/oversight-advocacy/office-national-ombudsman</a>) and the Regional Small Business Regulatory Fairness
Boards. The Ombudsman evaluates these actions annually and rates each
agency's responsiveness to small business. If you wish to comment on
actions by employees of FMCSA, call 1-888-REG-FAIR (1-888-734-3247).
DOT has a policy regarding the rights of small entities to regulatory
enforcement fairness and an explicit policy against retaliation for
exercising these rights.
F. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1531-1538)
requires Federal agencies to assess the effects of their discretionary
regulatory actions. The Act addresses actions that may result in the
expenditure by a State, local, or Tribal government, in the
[[Page 7880]]
aggregate, or by the private sector of $206 million (which is the value
equivalent of $100 million in 1995, adjusted for inflation to 2024
levels) or more in any 1 year. Because this final rule will not result
in such an expenditure, a written statement is not required.
G. Paperwork Reduction Act
This final rule contains no new information collection requirements
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520).
H. E.O. 13132 (Federalism)
A rule has implications for federalism under section 1(a) of E.O.
13132 (64 FR 43255, Aug. 10, 1999), Federalism, if it has ``substantial
direct effects on the States, on the relationship between the national
government and the States, or on the distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various levels of government.''
FMCSA has determined that this final rule will not have substantial
direct costs on or for States, nor will it limit the policymaking
discretion of States. Nothing in this document preempts any State law
or regulation. Therefore, this final rule does not have sufficient
federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism
Impact Statement.
I. Privacy
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005,\8\ requires the Agency
to assess the privacy impact of a regulation that will affect the
privacy of individuals. This final rule will not require the collection
of personally identifiable information.
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\8\ Public Law 108-447, 118 Stat. 2809, 3268, note following 5
U.S.C. 552a (Dec. 4, 2014).
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The Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a) applies only to Federal agencies
and any non-Federal agency that receives records contained in a system
of records from a Federal agency for use in a matching program.
The E-Government Act of 2002,\9\ requires Federal agencies to
conduct a Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) for new or substantially
changed technology that collects, maintains, or disseminates
information in an identifiable form. No new or substantially changed
technology will collect, maintain, or disseminate information as a
result of this final rule. Accordingly, FMCSA has not conducted a PIA.
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\9\ Public Law 107-347, sec. 208, 116 Stat. 2899, 2921 (Dec. 17,
2002).
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In addition, the Agency will complete a Privacy Threshold
Assessment (PTA) to evaluate the risks and effects the final rule might
have on collecting, storing, and sharing personally identifiable
information. The PTA will be submitted to FMCSA's Privacy Officer for
review and preliminary adjudication and to DOT's Privacy Officer for
review and final adjudication.
J. E.O. 13175 (Indian Tribal Governments)
This final rule does not have Tribal implications under E.O. 13175
(65 FR 67249, Nov. 9, 2000), Consultation and Coordination with Indian
Tribal Governments, because it does not have a substantial direct
effect on one or more Indian Tribes, on the relationship between the
Federal Government and Indian Tribes, or on the distribution of power
and responsibilities between the Federal Government and Indian Tribes.
K. National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
FMCSA analyzed this final rule pursuant to the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). The Agency
believes this final rule will not have a reasonably foreseeable
significant effect on the quality of the human environment. This action
falls under a published categorical exclusion and is thus excluded from
further analysis and documentation in an environmental assessment or
environmental impact statement under DOT Order 5610.1D,\10\ Subpart B,
subsection (e). Specifically, paragraph (e)(6)(bb) covers regulations
pertaining to vehicle operation safety standards, equipment approval,
and/or equipment carriage requirements.
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\10\ Available at: <a href="https://www.transportation.gov/mission/dots-procedures-considering-environmental-impacts">https://www.transportation.gov/mission/dots-procedures-considering-environmental-impacts</a>.
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List of Subjects in 49 CFR Part 393
Highway safety, Motor carriers, Motor vehicle safety.
Accordingly, FMCSA amends 49 CFR part 393 to read as follows:
PART 393--PARTS AND ACCESSORIES NECESSARY FOR SAFE OPERATION
0
1. The authority citation for part 393 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 31136, 31151, 31502; sec. 1041(b), Pub. L.
102-240, 105 Stat. 1914, 1993; secs. 5301 and 5524, Pub. L. 114-94,
129 Stat. 1312, 1543, 1560; and 49 CFR 1.87.
Sec. 393.95 [Amended]
0
2. Amend section 393.95 by removing and reserving paragraph (b).
Issued under authority delegated in 49 CFR 1.87.
Derek Barrs,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2026-03262 Filed 2-18-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P
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