CMVs play a significant role in moving our nation’s economy. They transport volumes of goods and carry thousands of passengers across the country every day. Every mode of transportation moves freight, but trucking is the primary mode of freight travel.

At the same time, CMVs pose unique safety and regulatory challenges due to their size, weight, and unique operation—from wide turns and massive blind spots, to transportation of hazardous materials.

That’s why FMCSA asks everyone to be a partner in truck and bus safety.

MISSION: CRITICAL

As the lead government agency responsible for regulating and providing safety oversight of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs), FMCSA’s mission is to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities involving large trucks and buses.

Established in 2000, FMCSA partners with industry, safety advocates, and state and local governments to keep our nation’s roadways safe. Approximately 1,100 dedicated FMCSA employees across the country work diligently every day to improve CMV safety by preventing large truck and bus crashes and saving lives through:

SAFETY FIRST

Three objectives drive all FMCSA safety initiatives:

• Raising the bar for entry into the motor carrier industry
• Requiring high safety standards to remain in the industry
• Removing high-risk carriers and drivers from the industry
• Regulation
• Enforcement
• Education
• Research
• Technology
• Partnerships

FMCSA sponsors a wide array of programs for industry, drivers, and the public, including those featured below.

SAFETY PROGRAMS

Compliance, Safety, Accountability

Enforces compliance with CMV safety regulations by an array of measures including Safety Measurement System (SMS), FMCSA’s performance-based method of focusing resources on the highest risk carriers.

National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners

Provides CMV drivers with access to a database of trained and tested medical professionals certified to perform required medical examinations.

Hazardous Materials (HM) Program

Provides industry information, training, and education on HM transportation safety, regulations, and emergency response.

Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Program

Educates prospective commercial drivers on the process and requirements for obtaining a state-issued CDL.

Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program

Provides financial assistance to states to reduce the number and severity of accidents by sponsoring states’ CMV enforcement efforts.

New Entrant Program

Requires CMV operators to register with FMCSA before beginning interstate operations, and subjects new entrants to a safety audit and monitoring for the first 18 months.

CONSUMER PROGRAMS

Look Before You Book

Helps travel planners and bus passengers learn about bus safety and research bus company performance history online or through a convenient mobile app.

Protect Your Move

Educates consumers on household goods moving fraud and how to research interstate moving companies using
FMCSA resources.