FMCSA’s Derek Barrs Addresses Alabama Specialized Transportation Symposium 

(March 5, 2026) -Last week, 575 specialized transportation professionals, including state permitting officials and law enforcement, met in Birmingham to learn, share and tackle the everyday challenges in heavy haul. Twenty-three state permitting officials were in attendance to meet one-on-one with attendees to discuss permitting issues and to build closer relationships for efficiency. FMCSA Administrator Derek Barrs addressed attendees, discussing top issues like reform of the CDL and ELD certification processes. He also said that FMCSA would, “Use every tool in our toolbox,” to prevent companies circumventing the system for DOT numbers. Watch SC&RA social media channels for SC&RA’s three-part interview with Barrs.

Here are the top takeaways from the Symposium:

• SC&RA’s Permit Manual now features AI. The industry's most trusted OS/OW permitting resource, now features exclusive, built-in AI support which delivers instant clarity, faster decisions, and real-time accuracy to support every OS/OW move across all 50 US states and Canadian provinces. Current subscribers can start using the new AI feature right away. To subscribe, visit www.scranet.org/permitmanual 
• The key strategic states to monitor OS/OW activity and harmonization for 2026 include: Massachusetts, Kentucky, Tennessee and the West Trunnion Corridor: Utah, Colorado, Oklahoma. A research study may examine how to get these states to recognize a 9-axle configuration across state lines.
• Guidance nearing completion includes the Guide to Weighing Mobile Cranes (for law enforcement training purposes) and the Railroad & Utility Taskforce are nearing completion of their guidance.
  
• The estimated time for replacing police with a certified escort in Quebec is expected to be in 2027. It is still unclear whether certification will be administered by public or private sources.
• Two campaigns to be aware of: 

o The Fight for Fairness and Safety, A plan to identify and eliminate bad actors from the trucking industry and prevent their entrance going forward. Details can be found here:
www.truckingresurgence.com 
o Evergreen Safety Council’s Slow Your Pace, Give them Space Campaign aims to spread awareness of how oversize loads can be hazardous for other drivers. Resources to spread the word through sharing our images, videos, and slogan, can be found here:
https://www.esc.org/slowyourpace 

So much information sharing and networking made the Symposium, once again, invaluable for companies looking to forge greater connections with state permitting officers and other like-minded industry players. The next chance to listen in and participate in committee meetings will be at the Annual Conference, April 20-24, Amelia Island.