The bill was introduced by U.S. Senators Frank R. Lautenberg, D-N.J., and John D. Rockefeller, D-W.Va. According to a statement released December 8, Lautenberg said the bill aims "to make sure large trucks and buses are not a threat on our roadways and are only operated by the most qualified drivers."

In addition to reauthorizing the FMCSA, it also increases the tools at their disposal. For instance, the bill would require that "electronic on-board recorders be used on all trucks and buses used in interstate commerce in order to improve drivers' compliance with hours of service rules." Applicants would be required to pass a safety proficiency exam and submit a safety management plan in order to operate a commercial motor vehicle.

The FMCSA would be given the ability to revoke carriers' operating authority and require new operators to disclose all relationships with other motor carriers over the past five years as a condition of receiving operating authority. The goal, according to the release, is to "crack down on carriers that attempt to resume operations after being put out of service."

It also directs the DOT to increase its oversight of the truck and bus industry and gives it "the authority to assess the safety fitness of drivers to further identify unsafe drivers."