Five-year renewal is now in effect
FMCSA published its final decision on October 28 renewing a vehicle-equipment exemption for Loomis Armored US, LLC, USDOT 252201. The renewal is effective from October 14, 2026, through October 13, 2031. It allows Loomis to continue operating specified armored vehicles with the original driver and passenger cab doors welded shut when the vehicles use the approved high-security exits behind the cab. This is a final exemption decision, not an application awaiting comment.
The standard rule normally requires cab doors to open readily
The exemption addresses 49 CFR 393.203(a), which generally requires cab entrance and exit doors and their parts to be present and functional and prohibits a door from being wired shut or otherwise secured closed so it cannot be readily opened. Loomis’s specialized design departs from that requirement because security modifications close the original equipment manufacturer doors. The exemption does not repeal or amend the underlying rule for the rest of the commercial-vehicle industry.
Two alternative exits are central to the approved design
Under the renewed terms, the covered armored vehicles may use an emergency escape hatch behind the driver’s seat and a messenger exterior door behind the front passenger’s seat. FMCSA describes the replacement entry points as high-security, biometric-enabled doors. The system includes an interior override for a loss of power, and Loomis trains personnel to use the armored-vehicle systems and the relocated exits, including during a rollover. No additional vehicle modifications are authorized by this exemption.
FMCSA found no exemption-related safety concern during the first term
The original exemption began in October 2021. In the renewal decision, FMCSA said it had not become aware of safety concerns involving armored vehicles operating under it. The agency also reviewed the inspection-history information raised by an opposing commenter and concluded that none of the listed violations related to the exemption. FMCSA determined that the approved configuration is likely to provide a safety level equivalent to or greater than compliance with the normal door requirement.
The relief is limited to Loomis and interstate operations
FMCSA expressly limits the exemption to commercial motor vehicles operated by Loomis; it does not cover other armored-car operators, equipment builders or carriers. Loomis must continue complying with every other applicable Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulation. States may not enforce an inconsistent requirement against covered interstate operations, but they are not required to adopt the same exemption for intrastate commerce. FMCSA may revoke the exemption for noncompliance, reduced safety or conflict with federal safety objectives.
Driver and fleet takeaway
Loomis safety and maintenance teams should identify every vehicle using the exemption, preserve the approved configuration, document employee exit and rollover training, and make the exemption record available for roadside or compliance review. Drivers should verify the emergency hatch, messenger door and power-loss override under the company’s inspection procedure and report any defect that could delay evacuation. Other carriers must not weld shut a required cab door or duplicate this design based on the Loomis decision; they remain subject to 49 CFR 393.203(a) unless FMCSA grants them a separately applicable exemption. Armored fleets considering a similar design should obtain their own regulatory and engineering review before modifying a vehicle.
Federal Register — Loomis Armored Exemption Renewal
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