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Regulations

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs)Small Arrow Box set forth minimum standards for motor carriers and drivers. Applicability of the regulations depends on the types of vehicles you operate, whether you transport passengers or hazardous materials, and if you operate for-hire.

Additional FMCSR applicability guidance can be found here.

Compliance Requirements

Motor carriers are responsible for ensuring their drivers know and comply with the FMCSRs and HMRs listed in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations. If a driver fails to comply, it will affect the carrier's safety record. The chart below can help you determine which regulations apply to you.

Type Of Operation

I operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in interstate commerce:

  • with a gross vehicle/combination weight rating or gross vehicle/combination weight of 10,001 pounds or more but less than 26,001 pounds, whichever is greater.

OR

  • a vehicle designed or used to transport between 9 and 15 passengers (including the driver) for direct compensation when operated beyond a 75 mile air radius.

OR

  • a vehicle designed to transport more than 15 passengers (including the driver) not for direct compensation when operated beyond a 75 mile air radius.
These Federal Regulations Apply

Part 380, Special Training

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Part 385, Safety Fitness Procedures

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Part 387, Minimum Levels of Financial Responsibility

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Part 390, General Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations

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Part 391, Qualifications of Drivers and Instructors

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Part 392, Driving of Commercial Motor Vehicles

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Part 393, Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation

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Part 395, Hours-of-Service of Drivers

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Part 396, Inspection, Repair, and Maintenance

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I operate:

a CMV or a combination of motor vehicles:

  • with a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more, inclusive of a towed unit with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds.

OR

  • with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more.

OR

  • that is designed to transport 16 or more passengers including the driver.
ALL OF THE REGULATIONS ABOVE PLUS:

Part 40, Procedures for Transportation Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing

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Part 382, Controlled Substances and Alcohol Use and Testing

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Part 383, Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Standards: Requirements and Penalties

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I operate:

a vehicle of any size that is used to transport hazardous materials (identified under the Hazardous Material's Transportation Act) and which requires the vehicle to be placarded (CFR chapter I, subchapter C)

ALL OF THE ABOVE REGULATIONS MAY APPLY, PLUS:

Part 171-180, Hazardous Materials Regulations
Part 397, Transportation of Hazardous Materials; Driving and Parking Rules

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*Violations of FMCSRs and HMRs can lead to written warnings, fines, civil penalties, and suspension of operating authority.

*Some types of vehicles and drivers (such as farm vehicles, beekeepers, military personnel, etc.) may be exempt from specific regulations; guidance and exemptions can be found on FMCSA's regulations web page.