FMCSA
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is the U.S. Department of Transportation agency that sets and enforces safety regulations for commercial motor vehicle carriers and drivers operating in interstate commerce.
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Compare ELD Compliance software →What FMCSA Regulates and Why It Matters for Fleet Operators
FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation responsible for regulating commercial trucking, bus carriers, and the drivers who operate them. It writes and enforces the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs), codified in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Any carrier operating commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce must comply with FMCSA rules — and FMCSA has the authority to place carriers out of service if they present an imminent hazard.
The two most operationally significant FMCSA requirements for most fleets are Part 395 (Hours of Service) and Part 396 (vehicle maintenance). HOS rules set daily and weekly drive-time limits for commercial drivers and require accurate record-keeping — now mandated via Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) for most drivers. Part 396 requires carriers to systematically inspect, repair, and maintain their vehicles and keep records of those activities.
FMCSA enforces compliance through three main channels: roadside inspections conducted by CVSA-certified officers, compliance reviews (on-site audits of carrier records), and the Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program. CSA assigns BASIC scores to carriers across seven safety categories. High CSA scores increase a carrier's risk of being targeted for inspections and, if scores cross intervention thresholds, can trigger a formal compliance review. FMCSA also operates the SAFER system — a public database where shippers, brokers, and insurers can look up a carrier's safety rating, authority status, and crash history.
Carriers operating in interstate commerce must register with FMCSA and obtain a USDOT number. Carriers that transport regulated commodities or operate for hire must also obtain operating authority (an MC number). ELD compliance software and fleet management platforms can automate much of the record-keeping required under FMCSRs — HOS logs, DVIR records, vehicle inspection reports, and driver qualification files.
- Verify your USDOT number is active and operating authority (MC number) is current in FMCSA's SAFER system
- Ensure all CDL drivers have valid medical certificates and up-to-date driver qualification files (Part 391)
- Confirm ELD mandate compliance — most property carriers must use an FMCSA-registered ELD (Part 395)
- Maintain systematic pre-trip and post-trip vehicle inspection records (Part 396 / DVIR)
- Monitor your CSA BASIC scores monthly — scores above intervention thresholds increase audit risk
- Keep maintenance records for each vehicle for at least 1 year while in service and 6 months after