Department of Transportation Programs

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) was established as a separate administration within the U.S. Department of Transportation on January 1, 2000, pursuant to the Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act of 1999. Their primary mission is to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities involving large trucks and buses . FMCSA is headquartered in Washington, DC. They employ more than 1,000 individuals, in all 50 States and the District of Columbia.

In carrying out its safety mandate, FMCSA develops and enforces data-driven regulations that balance motor carrier (truck and bus companies) safety with industry efficiency; harnesses safety information systems to focus on higher risk carriers in enforcing the safety regulations; and targets educational messages to carriers, commercial drivers, and the public. FMCSA partners with stakeholders including Federal, State, and local enforcement agencies, the motor carrier industry, safety groups, and organized labor on efforts to reduce bus and truck-related crashes.

Regulations

FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY REGULATIONS (FMCSRs): FMCSA develops, maintains, and enforces federal regulations that promote carrier safety, industry productivity, and new technologies. FMCSRs establish safe operating requirements for commercial vehicle drivers, carriers, vehicles, and vehicle equipment. Copies of these regulations are available on the Regulations page of this website.

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS REGULATIONS (HMRs): FMCSA enforces HMRs, which are designed to ensure the safe and secure transportation of hazardous materials. These rules address the classification of hazardous materials, proper packaging, employee training, hazard communication, and operational requirements. Copies of these regulations are available on the Regulations page of this website.

Driver Logs

The new FMCSRs require certain driver to maintain a log of their driving activities. For more information about this log or who must maintain the log, please visit the Logs page of this website.

Training Materials

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)of the US Department of Transportation requires employers to train employees on all DOT subjects that pertain to those employees. It is the responsibility of the employeer to determine which DOT, HAZMAT or FMCSR regulations are applicable and then to train employees on those subjects. This website has been designed to assists employers in finding the appropriate information, regulations and training materials. To view training programs and information about training programs please visit our Training Materials page.

OSHA Products

Many workplaces that comply with DOT regulations must also comply with OSHA safety regulations. For books, posters, videos, DVDS and other resources to comply with OSHA regulations, please visit this website.