FMCSR – Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations

Looking for expert advice or testimony
about the FMCSR’s? You’ve come to the right place. Analysis, Inc.
offers years of training and experience to help you understand the
regulations or to make your case in court. Contact us. We can help.

If you answer “YES” to any ONE of the following questions, you are subject to
the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.

• Do you operate a motor vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or a Gross
  Combination weight rating of 10,001 lbs. or more in Inter or Intra State Commerce?
  (Yes/No)
• Do you operate a motor vehicle, regardless of the GVWR, which transports Hazardous
  Materials that require Placarding?  (Yes/No)
• Do you operate a motor vehicle DESIGNED to carry 16 or more passengers,
  including the driver?  (Yes/No)

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations apply to the following type of motor
carriers of property or passengers: (1) Private (2) For-Hire and (3) Contract.

Enforcement of these regulations is the responsibility of the following: (1) Federal
Motor Carrier Safety Administration (2) Rhode Island State Police, Commercial Enforcement
Unit; and (3) Certified Local Police Officers. Federal DOT or the State Police review the
records of motor carriers who operate interstate to determine their safety rating. DOT
Investigators or State Troopers will visit carriers to inspect driver qualification files;
maintenance records; hours of service records of drivers; payroll records; toll receipts,
etc.

PENALTIES FOR NON COMPLIANCE: Depending on the seriousness of the
violations, Civil or Criminal sanctions can be assed. The sanctions can range from
monetary fines up to and including prison sentences. Sanctions can also include a
directive to correct the violation up to and including an immediate shutdown order.

For more information, click here for the Regulatory Guidance for Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) on the department of transportation website.