USA compliance for transportation companies

I collected authoritative federal and state sources and summarized the key compliance obligations, state variations, and practical steps transportation companies (US business owners/LLC founders) must follow to comply in the United States.

Key topics covered: federal registration and safety requirements (USDOT, MC/operating authority, Unified Registration System/URS, MCS‑150 biennial updates), primary FMCSA-regulated compliance areas (hours-of-service, driver qualification files, drug & alcohol testing, vehicle inspection/maintenance, ELDs, minimum insurance under 49 CFR part 387), HazMat requirements, and major state-specific examples (California CARB Truck & Bus rules, Florida CDL rules, New York ELDT and Clearinghouse requirements).

I also gathered resources for IFTA, IRP, and UCR registration and operation. Practical checklist for transportation companies (summary): - Determine whether FMCSA jurisdiction applies (interstate commerce; CMV definitions under 49 CFR).

If yes, register with FMCSA and get a USDOT number (URS / MCSA-1) before operations, and complete any operating authority (MC) filings if for-hire interstate operations. - File Form MCSA-1 / MCS-150 and complete biennial updates every 24 months according to your USDOT number schedule. - New carriers enter the New Entrant Safety Assurance Program and must pass a safety audit within 18 months. - Maintain required programs and records: driver qualification files (Part 391), hours-of-service compliance and ELDs (Part 395), vehicle inspection/maintenance (Part 396), drug & alcohol testing and Clearinghouse queries (Part 382 and FMCSA Clearinghouse), and hazardous materials rules (PHMSA / HMR where applicable). - Ensure minimum financial responsibility/insurance per 49 CFR part 387; passenger carriers may require $1.5M or $5M depending on seating capacity. - For interstate operations, register for IRP (apportionment) and IFTA for fuel tax reporting; enroll in Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) where required; ensure state weight/size permits and oversize/overweight routing permits are obtained. - Watch for important state-specific rules (examples below): CA enforces stringent diesel truck engine-year and emissions compliance; some states have residency or testing requirements for CDL applicants; states implement ELDT and Clearinghouse checks; state DOT/DMV pages are primary resources. - Recommended next steps for business owners: set up a compliance binder and calendar (USDOT/URS filing schedule, DOT medical cards, drug test enrollments and random pools, vehicle inspection logs, insurance filings, IRP/IFTA filings, state permits), consult a transportation compliance specialist for operating authority and insurance filings, and bookmark federal and relevant state agency pages.

I collected authoritative federal and state sources and summarized the key compliance obligations, state variations, and practical steps transportation companies (US business owners/LLC founders) must follow to comply in the United States.

Key topics covered: federal registration and safety requirements (USDOT, MC/operating authority, Unified Registration System/URS, MCS‑150 biennial updates), primary FMCSA-regulated compliance areas (hours-of-service, driver qualification files, drug & alcohol testing, vehicle inspection/maintenance, ELDs, minimum insurance under 49 CFR part 387), HazMat requirements, and major state-specific examples (California CARB Truck & Bus rules, Florida CDL rules, New York ELDT and Clearinghouse requirements).

I also gathered resources for IFTA, IRP, and UCR registration and operation. Practical checklist for transportation companies (summary): - Determine whether FMCSA jurisdiction applies (interstate commerce; CMV definitions under 49 CFR).

If yes, register with FMCSA and get a USDOT number (URS / MCSA-1) before operations, and complete any operating authority (MC) filings if for-hire interstate operations. - File Form MCSA-1 / MCS-150 and complete biennial updates every 24 months according to your USDOT number schedule. - New carriers enter the New Entrant Safety Assurance Program and must pass a safety audit within 18 months.

391), hours-of-service compliance and ELDs (Part 395), vehicle inspection/maintenance (Part 396), drug & alcohol testing and Clearinghouse queries (Part 382 and FMCSA Clearinghouse), and hazardous materials rules (PHMSA / HMR where applicable). - Ensure minimum financial responsibility/insurance per 49 CFR part 387; passenger carriers may require $1.5M or $5M depending on seating capacity.

• Maintain required programs and records: driver qualification files (Part
• For interstate operations, register for IRP (apportionment) and IFTA for fuel tax reporting; enroll in Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) where required; ensure state weight/size permits and oversize/overweight routing permits are obtained.
• Watch for important state-specific rules (examples below): CA enforces stringent diesel truck engine-year and emissions compliance; some states have residency or testing requirements for CDL applicants; states implement ELDT and Clearinghouse checks; state DOT/DMV pages are primary resources.
• Recommended next steps for business owners: set up a compliance binder and calendar (USDOT/URS filing schedule, DOT medical cards, drug test enrollments and random pools, vehicle inspection logs, insurance filings, IRP/IFTA filings, state permits), consult a transportation compliance specialist for operating authority and insurance filings, and bookmark federal and relevant state agency pages.