49 CFR Reference Library
FMCSA regulations, translated out of regulation-speak
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations are written to be precise, not readable. This library takes the parts that actually govern a small carrier and says what each one requires, who it binds, how long you keep the records, and what typically goes wrong in an audit.
Every page links to the controlling text on the eCFR. These are summaries, not legal advice.
Every part, in order
| Part | Title | What it covers | Applies to |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | Procedures for Transportation Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing Programs | The DOT-wide procedures every drug and alcohol test must follow, from collection to SAP. | Carriers and drivers |
| 376 | Lease and Interchange of Vehicles | What a motor carrier must put in every owner-operator lease under the truth-in-leasing rules. | Motor carriers |
| 380 | Special Training Requirements | Entry-level driver training, the Training Provider Registry, and LCV training rules. | Carriers and drivers |
| 382 | Controlled Substances and Alcohol Use and Testing | The six required DOT drug and alcohol tests, Clearinghouse duties, and record retention. | Carriers and drivers |
| 383 | Commercial Driver's License Standards; Requirements and Penalties | Who needs a CDL, classes and endorsements, and the exact disqualification periods. | Carriers and drivers |
| 387 | Minimum Levels of Financial Responsibility for Motor Carriers | The minimum liability limits motor carriers must carry, by commodity and vehicle weight. | Motor carriers |
| 390 | Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations; General | Who the FMCSRs apply to, what counts as a CMV, USDOT numbers, and the accident register. | Carriers and drivers |
| 391 | Qualifications of Drivers | Driver qualification files, MVR checks, medical certification, and record retention rules. | Motor carriers |
| 392 | Driving of Commercial Motor Vehicles | The on-the-road conduct rules every CMV driver and carrier must follow, from fatigue to phones. | Carriers and drivers |
| 393 | Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation | The equipment standards every CMV must meet — brakes, tires, lamps, and cargo securement. | Motor carriers |
| 395 | Hours of Service of Drivers | Driving and duty limits, the 30-minute break, sleeper berth splits, ELDs, and log retention. | Carriers and drivers |
| 396 | Inspection, Repair, and Maintenance | Daily DVIRs, the annual inspection, inspector qualifications, and maintenance record retention. | Carriers and drivers |
| 397 | Transportation of Hazardous Materials; Driving and Parking Rules | Driving, parking, attendance and routing rules for placarded hazardous materials loads. | Carriers and drivers |
Common questions
- Which FMCSA regulations apply to a small trucking company?
- A US motor carrier operating commercial vehicles in interstate commerce is generally subject to 49 CFR Parts 390 through 399, plus Part 40 and Part 382 for drug and alcohol testing, Part 383 for commercial driver licensing, and Part 387 for minimum insurance. Part 391 (driver qualification) and Part 396 (inspection, repair and maintenance) generate the most audit findings for small carriers.
- What is the difference between DOT and FMCSA regulations?
- The Department of Transportation is the parent agency; the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is the DOT agency that regulates commercial motor carriers. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations live in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, which is why people use "DOT regulations" and "FMCSA regulations" interchangeably.
- Where is the official text of these regulations?
- The controlling text is the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations at ecfr.gov, under Title 49, Subtitle B, Chapter III. Every page in this library links to the corresponding eCFR part. These summaries are general information, not legal advice.
The records these rules require, tracked automatically
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