UTC to update motor carrier safety rules
The Commission recently approved new rules for the motor carrier safety division. The rulemaking includes several improvements and new additions that better align UTC’s rules for passenger, household goods, and solid waste transportation industries with the Washington State Patrol (WSP), the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).
What’s Changed?
Improved Language:
- The UTC updated language in the rules to be more inclusive and easier to understand.
Surplus Lines:
- In most circumstances companies can now use surplus lines insurance.
Marking Requirements:
- Marking requirements are now consistent across industries with FMCSA.
- Your UTC and USDOT number must now be displayed on both the driver and passenger side of the vehicle.
Intrastate Medical Waivers:
- Several Industries now allow commercially licensed drivers with an intrastate medical waiver from DOL to operate who were otherwise not physically qualified.
Digital Records:
- Companies are allowed to use digital records for record retention purposes.
Household Good Company changes:
- The definition of carrier or household goods carrier now includes “motor carrier” to be consistent with the federal motor carrier safety administration’s definition.
- There are now increased requirements for household good companies to conduct national background checks vs. state level checks.
Passenger Transportation Company changes:
- Updated the seating capacity definition from “eight or more“ to “more than eight” for motor vehicle and vehicle so we are consistent with the FMCSA definition. This allows UTC to focus our enforcement efforts on vehicles with larger seating capacities rather than personal transportation vehicles.
Read the full rulemaking on docket T-220252
Don't forget - you are required to distribute the Consumer Moving Guide to customers. Please visit our website to view the latest edition.
New household goods carrier permits
Since October, the UTC has issued new Household Goods permits to the following companies in Washington:
- Good Energy Movers LLC
- MTMovers LLC
- Heezy Haulers LLC
- Fluid Motions Moving LLC
- Precision Movers
- MOCO Moving Company
- Elite Skyway Movers LLC
- Topher Ventures Inc.
- PaultheMover
- JNS Movers Inc
Each person named in a Household Goods Carrier's application must attend a Household Goods Training course as a condition to receive permanent authority. The commission offers this free live or virtual training for household goods moving companies to meet this requirement. Please note: Instructor-led Household Goods Carrier trainings will be cancelled when less than three companies or at least five individuals register.
Live Trainings
Live trainings are a one-day course (8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m.) led by an instructor. Currently, all live trainings are being held on Microsoft Teams. Email us at householdgoods@utc.wa.gov to register.
Upcoming Live Trainings:
- Wednesday, Mar. 20, 2024
- Wednesday, June 26, 2024
- Wednesday, Sep. 18, 2024
- Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025
Virtual Trainings
Virtual trainings are online trainings that you can take at your own pace, without an instructor. You can stop and start the virtual training at any time, but you must complete every module within 30 days to meet the training requirement, including the final knowledge test.
Just like the live training, this training has three sections: Consumer Protection (modules 1.1 - 1.12), Annual Reports (module 2.1), and Transportation Safety (modules 3.1-3.9).
The virtual, non-facilitated training uses a platform called UTC Academy. For details on how to register, visit our website.
If you have any questions about household goods training or UTC Academy, email us at householdgoods@utc.wa.gov.
Visit the commission’s website to get information or copies of documents such as laws, tariffs and rules. There are also commission approved bill of lading and estimate and cube sheet inventory forms. Failure to use correct forms can result in violations or penalties. You can also download the updated Motor Carrier Safety Guide. Find everything you need at utc.wa.gov/MovingCompanies.
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