Frequently Asked Questions
The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) are questions and answers about Compliance,
Safety, Accountability (CSA) that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
(FMCSA) compiled to assist the public. As questions come in through the website,
FMCSA adds them to the database along with their answers. If you do not see your
question or topic addressed, please
contact us
by submitting a feedback form. We will respond to you directly and consider your
question for inclusion in the FAQs.
The FAQ area has recently been enhanced. Users can now search FAQs by stakeholder
group, topics (displayed on the left side of the page), or by entering a keyword
below. Choosing “Show All” will display the entire collection of FAQs.
-
What is the proposed approach for the Safety Fitness Determination
(SFD)?
Answer
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) uses the safety rating methodology
as outlined in 49 CFR Part 385 and will continue to use this methodology until the
rulemaking process is completed. Accordingly, just like today, a motor carrier will
receive an Unsatisfactory safety rating following an onsite review if FMCSA determines
that the carrier's safety management controls fail to meet the safety fitness standard
outlined in 49 CFR Part 385. There are four important differences between FMCSA's
current safety rating methodology and the proposed Compliance, Safety, Accountability
SFD:
|
Newly Proposed SFD
|
Existing SFD
|
|
Not exclusively tied to Onsite Investigations
|
Only to be issued or downgraded via an Onsite Investigation/compliance review
|
|
Updated regularly
|
Provides a snapshot of compliance only on the date of the most recent compliance
review
|
|
Based on violations of all safety-based regulations
|
Based only on Critical and Acute Violations
|
(
link)