Safety Is Every Carrier's Responsibility
All motor carries must comply with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations that apply to their business. FMCSA has additional regulations for companies that transport passengers, hazardous materials, or household goods.
Through a compliance and enforcement program called Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA), FMCSA monitors
the safety performance of each motor carrier from registration throughout the life of its business. Visit FMCSA's CSA website for more details.
Through the New Entrant Program, FMCSA also closely monitors safety compliance for the first 18 months of a motor carrier's operations following their registration with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to ensure all carriers have effective safety controls in place.
What do I need to do before operating?
Below are some of the steps registered motor carriers may need to take before operating.
Each registered motor carrier is responsible for understanding which Federal regulations apply to their company. For more information, visit the
Regulations page.
Operating authority (a MC, FF, or MX Number) is needed for specific types of operation and cargo. You must apply for and be granted necessary authority before conducting any transportation that requires it. For more information, see the
videos available from the FMCSA Office of Registration.
“Hours of service” (HOS) refers to the maximum amount of time drivers are permitted to be on duty, including driving time, and specifies the number and length of rest periods, to help ensure that drivers stay awake and alert. Motor carriers must comply with HOS regulations, including purchasing and installing an ELD for all drivers that are required to use them, as well as providing paper logs to use when ELDs are not required. To learn more, and to access an official list of ELDs registered with FMCSA, visit FMCSA’s
ELD website.
This audit verifies that you have established effective safety management controls and are compliant with regulations. Make sure that you can be reached by the contact information you provided during registration.
Failure to respond to Safety Audit requests may result in the revocation of your registration. Start maintaining accurate records with the required documentation so that you can assess your compliance with safety regulations, expedite the audit process, and avoid additional paperwork. To learn more, visit the
Safety Audits page.
How do I graduate from the New Entrant Program?
To graduate, carriers must: