The U.S. Senate confirmed Derek Barrs on Friday as administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
He was nominated in March and steps into a role previously held by Robin Hutcheson, who resigned in January 2024. Acting administrators helped fill the void, but the confirmation brings more stability to the nation’s top commercial vehicle regulatory agency.
“Mr. Barrs’ confirmation was long overdue, and with rising concerns about motor vehicle safety enforcement, his leadership is urgently needed to drive accountability, strengthen state-level compliance, and ensure only qualified commercial drivers operate on our nation’s roadways,” American Trucking Associations President and CEO Chris Spear said in a statement.
Barrs will lead approximately 1,100 employees at FMCSA for areas involving regulation, education, enforcement, research and technology, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance said. The agency serves as the lead in regulating and overseeing safety of commercial motor vehicles, drivers and motor carriers, the group noted.
Barrs was the former chief of the Florida Highway Patrol’s Office of Commercial Vehicle Enforcement and spent decades in law enforcement and retired from the position in 2020.
“My work has always emphasized open communication and collaboration—with industry, law enforcement, and safety organizations,” he said in his nomination testimony. “I understand that FMCSA’s actions impact an entire industry, and I am committed to ensuring that agency decisions are informed, balanced, and transparent.”
He also served as chairman of CVSA’s Enforcement and Industry Modernization Committee and president of its industry members, helping with connected and AV technology matters, data sharing and cross-jurisdictional collaboration, his testimony noted.
“The Alliance is looking forward to working with FMCSA Administrator Barrs and the FMCSA team to continue to strengthen our partnership, share expertise and enhance safety initiatives with the goal of to reducing crashes, injuries and fatalities involving commercial motor vehicles,” CVSA Executive Director Collin Mooney said in a statement.
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, which also advocated for Barrs as administrator, joined in reflecting on what’s ahead.
“OOIDA and professional truckers across America congratulate Derek Barrs on his confirmation to lead the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration,” OOIDA President Todd Spencer said in a statement.
Spencer said the group looks forward to working with him to combat freight fraud, roll back unnecessary regulations, and ensure only the safest, most qualified drivers remain on the road.
He added that Barrs will help improve an already strong relationship that truckers have with the Department of Transportation and Secretary Sean Duffy.
