FMCSA Set to Delay Broker Rules by a Year

Regulators want to push compliance with new broker requirements back a year to early 2026.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) seeks to delay compliance with the rules — which set financial controls on brokers and freight forwarders — until Jan. 16, 2026, according to a Nov. 4 notice in the Federal Register.

The notice stated that FMCSA is looking to tether the requirement to a planned upgrade in its registration system, and is seeking the delay because “the new system is not expected to be available” in time for the existing compliance deadline: Jan. 16, 2025.

“FMCSA has determined that only its forthcoming online registration system will be used to accept filings and track notifications, and this functionality will not be added to its legacy systems,” the notice stated. “This extension is also intended to provide users with an opportunity to begin using, and become familiar with, the new online registration system before compliance with the system becomes mandatory.”

The division first proposed the rule changes in January 2023 to protect carriers, explaining that “FMCSA is aware that some brokers improperly choose to withhold payment to motor carriers for services rendered.”