Safety fitness of owners and operators

§ 31144. Safety fitness of owners and operators (a) Procedure.—(1) In cooperation with the Interstate Commerce Commission, the Secretary of Transportation shall prescribe regulations establishing a procedure to decide on the safety fitness of owners and operators of commercial motor vehicles, including persons seeking new or additional operating authority as motor carriers under sections 10922 and 10923 of this title. The procedure shall include— (A) specific initial and continuing requirements to be met by the owners, operators, and persons to prove safety fitness; (B) a means of deciding whether the owners, operators, and persons meet the safety fitness requirements under clause (A) of this paragraph; and (C) specific time deadlines for action by the Secretary and the Commission in making fitness decisions. (2) Regulations prescribed under this subsection supersede all regulations of the United States Government on safety fitness and safety rating of motor carriers in effect on October 30, 1984. (b) Findings and Action on Applications.—The Commission shall— (1) find an applicant for authority to operate as a motor carrier unfit if the applicant does not meet the safety fitness requirements established under subsection (a) of this section; and (2) deny the application.