CT DMV eliminates unnecessary paperwork requirement

The Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has implemented a new policy that will eliminate the need for unnecessary paperwork at the time of vehicle registration. Specifically, the new policy holds that a Federal Annual Inspection (FAI) report will no longer be required when registering a new commercial motor vehicle.

MTAC applauds the implementation of this policy which will improve the efficiency of vehicle registration, by eliminating unnecessary administrative burdens relating to the paperwork. MTAC members have experienced considerable problems as a result of former policies regarding FAI reports for brand new vehicles, but those issues should be fully resolved as a result of this change.

MTAC and DMV agree: it is the responsibility of the motor carrier to comply with federal regulations regarding FAIs once they are put into service. DMV employees do not need to be checking FAI reports for brand new vehicles that just rolled off the assembly line. Their focus should be on the efficient registration of vehicles. (Reminder: DMV is now allowing commercial truck dealers to process commercial (non-IRP) registrations.)

As a reminder of FAI requirements, please review this summary from the FMCSA website: “Every commercial vehicle, including each segment of a combination vehicle, requires periodic inspection that must be performed at least once every 12 months. At a minimum, inspections must include all items enumerated in the Minimum Periodic Inspection Standards, Appendix G to Subchapter B of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. Motor carriers may perform required annual inspections themselves. The original or a copy of the periodic inspection report must be retained by the motor carrier for 14 months from the report date.”

MTAC thanks DMV Commissioner Magubane and her leadership team for implementing another common-sense policy that will improve DMV efficiency and benefits business.