FMCSA Corrects Drafting Error and Removes Outdated Water Carrier References

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issued a correction to a final rule it published on February 19, 2026. That original rule was supposed to delete outdated mentions of water carriers from federal trucking and passenger transport regulations. The correction fixes a drafting mistake in the original rule where the agency failed to clearly identify which section of the regulations needed editing. It also removes the leftover water carrier language from Appendix A to Part 390, which provides examples of when passenger transportation rules apply.

Why it matters: This is a technical cleanup. The rules already treat water carriers as outside FMCSA jurisdiction, so the old terms were just clerical leftovers. The correction ensures the regulatory text matches reality without altering how anyone operates or registers. It is a minor administrative fix with no practical change to daily compliance.

Who it affects

• Motor carriers and passenger transport operators who reference 49 CFR Part 390 or related registration sections

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This correction was published by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration in the Federal Register; verify the full text and original February 2026 rule before relying on it for compliance purposes.

Agency: Transportation Department, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
Source: Federal Register — read the official document