Complying with DOT Requirements for Commercial Motor Vehicles

摘要

In regard to U.S. Department of Transportation regulatory compliance, there are five general areas in which all companies operating commercial motor vehicles must comply. These specific requirements are outlined in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) and include Driver Qualification Files, Driver Hours of Service, Vehicle Maintenance, Substance/Alcohol and CDL Licensing. In this article, we will look at CDL Licensing, Driver Qualification Files and Vehicle Maintenance requirements. Before getting into specific regulatory requirements, it's important to first understand the jurisdiction of both the federal and state Department of Transportation (DOT). The federal DOT defines a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) as a vehicle with a singleor combination gross weight or gross weight rating of at least 10,001 pounds utilized in interstate commerce. (49 CFR 390.5) All U.S. states have adopted the FMCSR in part or in their entirety, so it's important to understand any nuances of jurisdictionwithin your individual state. For example, a number of states define a CMV beginning at 26,001 pounds gross weight, where others mirror the federal definition at 10,001 pounds.