FMCSA Renews Truck Lease Forms: Business as Usual on the Road
Published Date: 11/17/2025
Notice
Summary
The FMCSA is renewing its paperwork rules for truck and passenger carriers who lease vehicles from others. This means about 31,000 carriers will keep filling out lease forms to stay legal, with no big changes or extra costs. Comments on this plan are open until December 17, 2025, so speak up if you want!
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Carry and File Lease Forms
If you are a motor carrier that leases equipment, FMCSA is renewing the paperwork rules under OMB Control No. 2126-0056. About 31,677 carriers will continue to complete lease and interchange forms; the ICR estimates a total annual burden of 186,102 hours, with each response taking about 5 to 30 minutes and the current ICR expiring December 31, 2025.
Paperwork Burden Reduced
FMCSA reports the estimated annual paperwork burden for lease and interchange forms decreased by 26,154 hours, from 212,256 hours (previously approved) to 186,102 hours, based on December 27, 2024 data snapshots. FMCSA attributes the decrease to updated Motor Carrier Management Information System and Safety Measurement System data.
Passenger Carrier Recordkeeping Rules
If you operate passenger-carrying commercial motor vehicles and lease or interchange them, any lease/interchange record must include vehicle identification, signatures of the involved carriers, specific lease duration, and a clear statement about exclusive possession and responsibilities. A copy of the lease or interchange agreement must be on the vehicle during the lease, and both lessee and lessor must retain a copy for one year after the agreement expires.
Protections for Small Trucking Companies
FMCSA's lease and interchange regulations were adopted to protect small trucking companies when they lease equipment and drivers to larger carriers and to make clear which party is responsible for a commercial motor vehicle. The rules require written leases and related documentation to reduce disputes over responsibility and charges.
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