Established in 2000, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is a separate agency within the Department of Transportation.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is dedicated to improving the on-road safety of commercial motor vehicles, particularly large trucks and buses. They aim their programs at educating carriers and commercial drivers; targeting higher risk carriers such as those transporting hazardous materials; and partnering with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies as well as safety organizations.

Key FMCSA programs include:

1. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR)
2. Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR)
3. Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP)
4. Household Goods Program

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find out more about the FMCSA

Get FMCSA information on regulations, safety goals, and more.

I recommend: Read the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's overview of key programs. Find out how to get a USDOT Number, an identification number for your vehicle, as well as interstate registration documents and filings for carriers. For safety information, read FMCSA's Initiatives to help you meet your Safety Goals. Also, see Industry Best Practices, case studies of carriers that have reached their goals.

Familiarize yourself with all Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR)

FMCSA has developed safety operating requirements for commercial drivers, carriers, vehicles, and vehicle equipment.

I recommend: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has a list of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations that apply to drivers, carriers, and hazardous material carriers. For example, Hours-of-Service Regulations recommend maximum number of hours on the road for commercial drivers. FMCSRs also apply to regulations for the Drug and Alcohol Program.

For drivers of hazardous materials, read the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulation pocketbook

Transporting hazardous materials information found in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulation pocketbook includes driver safety fitness procedures.

I recommend: For drivers and carriers, read How to Comply with Federal Hazardous Materials Regulations at the FMCSA website. Also, find out how to register your vehicle for transporting hazardous materials from the U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).

For those hiring carriers, read FMCSA info about safety initiatives and good business practices

FMCSA's Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP) supports state enforcement and offers hiring guides along with its FMCSA pocketbook.

I recommend: Find out about MCSAP. Their Safety Initiatives include a Ticketing Aggressive Cars and Trucks (TACT) program, Guides to Hiring Bus and Charter Companies, and The Safety Belt Partnership. FMCSA also maintains websites where users can check on motor carrier listings with specific Company Safety Records.

For those hiring commercial movers, find FMCSA information on specific programs

The Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has established a Household Goods Program serving individuals and businesses hiring commercial movers.

I recommend: The FMCSA has a Protect Your Move website. If you're a consumer or business hiring commercial movers, search Movers and Complaint History, and lodge your own complaint at the National Consumer Complaint Database. Complaints lodged at FMCSA's Complaint Database are against interstate movers only.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  The FMCSA also works with the governments of Mexico and Canada to assure that drivers, carriers, and vehicles meet the same standards as US carriers when operating in the United States.