subject: The Purpose Of Usdot Numbers And Fmcsa Registration [print this page] The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) was established under the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), becoming effective in January 2000 to regulate the U.S. trucking industry. The mission of the program is to increase the safety of large trucks and buses by reducing accidents, injuries, and fatalities. An FMCSA motor carrier registration or united carrier registration must be completed by companies that haul interstate cargo and those that operate commercial passenger transportation services.
Companies that own or operate a commercial vehicle of gross weight of over 10,000 pounds that hauls either cargo or nine or more passengers, and companies that haul hazardous materials that require a safety permit, must also have a USDOT number. This number is used as identification for monitoring a company's safety information that is obtained during requisite audits, reviews of compliance, inspections, and accident investigations.
Upon application for a USDOT number, the company is automatically enrolled in the FMCSA Safety Assurance Program. New applicants must pass a safety audit and perform at an acceptable safety level for a probationary period of 18 months before being awarded a permanent registration status.
The FMCSA determines the company's motor company safety rating of Satisfactory, Conditional, or Unsatisfactory through a compliance review during which a number of factors are evaluated. These include an on-site evaluation of the company operations, maintenance inspections, accident record, hazardous materials, company financial responsibility, and overall safety fitness standards. It will also review driver qualifications including the hours of service and commercial license requirements.
Evidence of safety violations can result in a compliance review that can result in action being taken against the company. A compliance review may be done in response to complaints or potential violations of safety regulations, or can be done on request to change a safety rating in place from a previous review. A Satisfactory rating means that the company has met all safety fitness standards determined to be appropriate for the type and size of the carrier. Conditional or Unsatisfactory ratings mean that the company is not in compliance with safety fitness standards.
A company given an Unsatisfactory rating after a compliance review will be prohibited from operating a commercial motor vehicle until compliance is attained, unless the rating becomes permanent at which time an order will be placed to prohibit any further interstate operations.
When looking for a cargo or passenger carrier, it is important to make sure the company is in compliance with a USDOT number and FMCSA registration in good order to ensure the safety record of the company.
