Soon after Barrs’ confirmation Oct. 3, American Trucking Associations offered a strong endorsement. (commerce.senate.gov)
October 3, 2025 4:01 PM, EDT
Key Takeaways:
- The Senate on Oct. 3 confirmed Derek Barrs as administrator of the FMCSA during a partial government shutdown.
- Barrs, a former Florida Highway Patrol chief with decades of safety experience, will oversee trucking regulation as the administration pushes infrastructure funding and revisits emissions policy.
- Industry groups including ATA and the CVSA praised his confirmation and pledged to work with him on strengthening road safety initiatives.
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The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has a new leader in Derek Barrs.
The U.S. Senate on Oct. 3 confirmed Barrs to manage the nation’s trucking regulator even as the federal government remained locked in a partial shutdown.
Barrs will join Secretary Sean Duffy’s team at the U.S. Department of Transportation at a time when the Trump administration is promoting funding for big picture infrastructure projects and revisiting certain Biden-era emissions programs.
Soon after his confirmation, American Trucking Associations offered a strong endorsement of Barrs.
“Following extensive advocacy by ATA, we are pleased that the Senate has voted to approve the nomination of Derek Barrs to serve as administrator of FMCSA,” ATA President Chris Spear said. “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.
“Mr. Barrs is well-equipped to meet this moment, boasting nearly two decades of experience in law enforcement as well as in the [commercial motor vehicle] industry,” Spear continued. “Throughout his career, he has demonstrated his ability to bridge industry and enforcement, forge consensus, and deliver results. With Mr. Barrs’ expertise and the strong support of the Trump administration, we can uphold the highest standards of safety on our nation’s highways.”
Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance executive director Collin Mooney also touted the newly confirmed agency chief.
“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,” Mooney said. “Together, CVSA and FMCSA will continue to make meaningful progress toward reducing crashes, saving lives and promoting a culture of safety.”
Barrs, a former Florida Highway Patrol chief with more than three decades in public safety, is recognized as an authority on safety policy throughout the commercial transportation sector. During his Senate confirmation hearing earlier this year, Barrs detailed the task ahead if he were to be named leader at the DOT sub-agency.
“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 said. “If confirmed, I will continue to strengthen relationships between government and stakeholders, working together on our shared goal of improving roadway safety as well as addressing critical safety issues.”
