DOT to Revise Rulemaking and Enforcement Procedures

Posted on 6/3/2025 by Lion Technology Inc.

US DOT is accepting public comments until June 16, 2025 on a proposal to update internal agency policies and procedures for issuing new rules, releasing guidance documents, and conducting enforcement activity. DOT included many of these same updates in a December 2019 Final Rule, before that rule was rescinded during the following Presidential administration (in 2021).

When DOT rescinded the 2019 Rule, the agency reasoned that many of the provisions were already addressed by existing policies and regulations. In the new proposed rule, DOT says that while this criticism of the rule may be valid, there is still reason to promulgate a Rule that collects these policies and procedures in one place:

“The Department has reconsidered these justifications for the 2021 rulemaking and supports the recodification of the procedures. While many of the procedures contained in this notice of proposed rulemaking are contained in internal procedures, they are not found in one comprehensive and consolidated source.”

DOT to Revise Rulemaking and Enforcement Procedures

Proposed Updates for DOT Rulemakings, Enforcement

While the rule concerns internal DOT procedures, it will have an effect for industry stakeholders who participate in the rulemaking process, rely on the agency for compliance guidance or assistance, and face enforcement for violations of DOT regulations. Provisions in the proposed rule include:

Adding enhanced procedural requirements for rules that are “economically significant” and/or “high impact”
Re-establishing a task force to review and make recommendations about new and existing transportation regulations
Re-instate policies and procedures for approval of DOT guidance documents
Re-instate and consolidate in one location policies and procedures for enforcement for DOT regulations

The proposed rule continues:

“Codifying...procedures concerning enforcement and the development and issuance of rulemaking and guidance documents into the Code of Federal Regulations leaves no doubt to departmental staff and regulated entities on the expectations regarding the procedural safeguards and expectations governing the Department's administrative actions.”

DOT will accept public comments on the proposed rule until June 16, 2025.

Find a Post

Search for:

Compliance Topics

Compliance Archives

I can take what I learned in this workshop and apply it to everyday work and relate it to my activities.

Shane Hersh

Materials Handler

Best instructor ever! I was going to take my DOT training w/a different provider, but based on this presentation, I will also be doing my DOT training w/Lion!

Donna Moot

Hazardous Waste Professional

The instructor was very very informative, helpful, understandable and pleasant. This course answered many questions I had, being new to this industry.

Frances Mona

Shipping Manager

Very well structured, comprehensive, and comparable to live training seminars I've participated in previously. I will recommend the online course to other colleagues with training requirement needs.

Neil Luciano

EHS Manager

Convenient; I can train when I want, where I want.

Barry Cook

Hazmat Shipping Professional

I really enjoy your workshops. Thank you for such a great program and all the help Lion has provided me over the years!

George Chatman

Hazardous Material Pharmacy Technician

The course was very well structured and covered the material in a clear, concise manner.

Ian Martinez

Hazmat Shipping Professional

Lion does a great job summarizing and communicating complicated EH&S-related regulations.

Michele Irmen

Sr. Environmental Engineer

I like Lion's workshops the best because they really dig into the information you need to have when you leave the workshop.

Tom Bush, Jr.

EHS Manager

My experience with Lion training, both online and in the classroom, is that they are far better organized and provide a better sequential explanation of the material.

Robert Roose

Manager, Dangerous Goods Transportation

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Shipping papers are a crucial part of safely shipping hazardous materials. See the top 5 mistakes shippers make on shipping papers, and how to avoid them.

Download

By submitting your phone number, you agree to receive recurring marketing and training text messages. Consent to receive text messages is not required for any purchases. Text STOP at any time to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. View our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.