A Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) is defined as any motor vehicle used on a highway in interstate commerce to transport property or passengers when the vehicle:

• • Has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 10,001 pounds or more
  • Is single or combination of vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more
  • Is designed or used to transport more than 8 passengers (including the driver) for compensation; or more than 15 passengers if not receiving compensation for the transportation.
  • Any size vehicle that transports hazardous materials that require federal placarding

On the other hand, a non-Commercial Motor Vehicle would not meet the above criteria. For example, consider a vehicle where either the power unit alone or when combined with a trailer does not meet the minimum weight threshold of 10,001 pounds. For instance, a pickup truck with a GVWR of 7,000 pounds and a trailer with a GVWR of 2,000 pounds would not qualify as a CMV.

Visit the vehicle configuration page to learn more about the different types of CMVs

When you're choosing a mover did you know that some companies are moving brokers?

What is a moving broker?

A moving broker is not a mover. A broker does not assume responsibility for, and is not authorized to transport, your household goods. Brokers do not have moving trucks or professional movers. Brokers for interstate moves are required to use only movers that are registered with FMCSA. Moving brokers are sales teams that book your move and sell it to an actual moving company.

Sometimes the broker is not able to sell the job for various reasons - low estimates, availability, resources and the list goes on - in this case you can get stuck without a mover on the day of your move. Many moving brokers operate from call centers located anywhere in the country.

When you book your move make sure to ask the company whether they are an actual moving company or broker. For example, ABC Moving is a local moving company with an office (and supervisors) close to you that can assist with any problems or concerns that may arise during the moving process. To ensure this, confirm that the company uses their own crews and trucks to pick up your shipment.

Moving Broker Checklist

A household goods broker arranges transportation by connecting people that need their shipment of household goods transported with movers that are capable and willing to transport their shipment for compensation. The broker does not operate the truck, or handle the shipment but does make all the arrangements for the truck and labor to load and unload the shipment. Brokers can provide estimates for service on behalf of motor carriers based on the rates in the motor carrier's tariff.

FMCSA has strengthened consumer protections when you utilize a broker to arrange for the transportation of your Household Goods. All household goods brokers must:

• Be registered with FMCSA;
• Provide you with the FMCSA Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move booklet and the Ready to Move brochure;
• Provide you with a list of the moving companies they use;
• Use only movers that are registered with FMCSA;
• Have a written agreement with movers they use;
• Base binding or non-binding estimates on the tariff of the mover that will transport your shipment;
• Reference in their advertisements their physical business location, MC number, and their status as a broker that does not transport household goods but arranges for this service; and
• Have the mover that is transporting your shipment perform a physical survey of your household goods if they are within a 50-mile radius of the mover or its agent's location, whichever is closer. It is your option to waive this requirement.

To check whether your broker or mover is registered with FMCSA and/or check its complaint history, use our search tool.

• Under Important Resources, select "Search Movers/Brokers & Complaint History"
• Complete the form "Search by Company"
• Enter either the broker/mover name, U.S. DOT number or MC number
• Press "Search"

There are two main types of grants: discretionary and mandatory. Discretionary grants permit the agency to exercise judgment in selecting recipients through a competitive grant process. Mandatory grants are required to be awarded if the recipients meet certain predetermined conditions.

Last Updated : March 4, 2014

If you perform trade, traffic, or transportation exclusively in your business’s domicile state, this is considered intrastate commerce.

If your trade, traffic, or transportation is one of the following, this is considered interstate commerce. Source: 49 CFR 390.5.:

• Between a place in a state and a place outside of such state (including a place outside of the United States)
• Between two places in a state through another state or a place outside of the United States
• Between two places in a state as part of trade, traffic, or transportation originating or terminating outside the state or the United States

Driver inspections:

The intermodal equipment provider (IEP) final rule (73 FR 76794) adds an inspection requirement for drivers. Drivers preparing to transport IME must make an inspection of the following components, and must be satisfied they are in good working order before the equipment is operated over the road. Drivers who operate the equipment over the road are deemed to have confirmed that the following components were in good working order when the driver accepted the equipment.

• § 390.42(b) requires drivers to advise the intermodal equipment provider (IEP) of any damage, defects, or deficiencies found during their pre-trip assessment:
  • Service brake components that are readily visible to a driver performing as thorough a visual inspection as possible without physically going under the vehicle, and trailer brake connections
  • Lighting devices and reflectors
  • Tires
  • Coupling devices
  • Rails or support frames
  • Tie-down bolsters
  • Locking pins, clevises, clamps, or hooks
  • Sliders or sliding frame lock

• § 390.40(i) requires the IEP to have procedures to repair the deficiencies that the driver reports
• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) do not require a written pre-trip inspection report
• IEPs and motor carriers may use a written or electronic pre-trip inspection form that does not conflict with the FMCSRs

Last Updated : April 3, 2014

A driver with a diagnosis of hypertension on treatment should have at least an annual certification.

A CMV driver with a Blood pressure (BP) 140/90 may be certified for 2 years.
First time BP elevated:

• Stage 1 - BP 140-159/90-99 Certification Period 1 year
• Stage 2 - BP 160-179/100-109 Certification Period 3 months as one time certification. Within the 3 months, if the blood pressure is below 140/90, the driver may receive 1 year certification.
• Stage 3 - BP Reading >180/110 Disqualified. When the blood pressure is less than 140/90, the driver can be certified at 6 month intervals.

Last Updated : April 1, 2014

The Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act of 1999 created the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) as a separate administration within the U.S. Department of Transportation on January 1, 2000. The primary mission of FMCSA is to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities involving large trucks and buses. FMCSA is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and employs more than 1,000 individuals in all 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. For more information, go to About Us section on the FMCSA Web site.

Last Updated : April 1, 2014

The FMCSA Portal provides single sign-on access to FMCSA systems via a single password and user ID, which must be set up via Login.gov. The FMCSA Portal enables Federal, State, and industry users to access the Agency's existing information systems with a single set of credentials and have easy access to safety data about the companies regulated by the FMCSA. Motor carriers, brokers, freight forwarders, intermodal equipment providers, and cargo tank facilities will have secure access to their company information on file with the FMCSA.

Definitions of the 2 types of Portal accounts:

• Company Official Account - The Company Official is responsible for approving and managing account requests from other company employees or associates, such as service providers. This user ensures that all FMCSA Portal accounts for company users are accurate and up to date. Responsibilities include approving and deactivating accounts when users leave the company, as well as assigning appropriate roles and access. Each USDOT Number must have one designated Company Official and only the Official can approve/deny access for other company users. To request a Company Official user account, you must have the PIN associated with your USDOT. If you do not have a PIN, or do not know your PIN, follow instructions in our FMCSA Portal Registration User Guide for FMCSA Registered Entities and Associates
• Associate of a Company Account - An associate of a company can be an employee of the company or associates, such as 3rd party service providers. These users are approved by the Company Official to have access to view current registration details and make any necessary updates to company records through their portal accounts. These users do not have the ability to manage user accounts, but they can create their own account by following instructions in our FMCSA Portal Registration User Guide for FMCSA Registered Entities and Associates.

FMCSA Portal Password Reset:

There is no longer an option to reset your password on the FMCSA Portal as Login.gov is now required to sign in/sign up for an FMCSA Portal account. You can now follow instructions in our FMCSA Portal Registration User Guide for FMCSA Registered Entities and Associates.

For further assistance, you can contact us via https://ask.fmcsa.dot.gov/app/ask. 

The policy focuses specifically on the use of Safety Measurement System (SMS) data to continually monitor HMSP carrier performance and to determine when an HMSP carrier will be selected for intervention.

Last Updated : July 29, 2015

On July 23, 2019, FMCSA announced a final rule that permanently bans drivers convicted of human trafficking from operating a CMV for which a commercial driver’s license or a commercial learner’s permit is required.

The Medical Review Board (MRB) is a nationally recognized standing board of licensed physicians established by FMCSA to provide expert advice to the Secretary of Transportation on matters related to physical qualifications of drivers, medical standards and guidelines, materials for training medical examiners, functional tests for drivers with multiple disabilities and identifying risks of sudden incapacitation.

Last Updated : April 1, 2014

A broker must maintain a surety bond or a trust fund agreement in the amount of $75,000 to comply with FMCSA’s financial security requirements.

For more information about insurance requirements and filings, click here.

A broker or freight forwarder must obtain and file with FMCSA a surety bond or trust fund agreement in the amount of $75,000 to comply with FMCSA’s financial security requirements. Source: 78 FR 54720, Sept. 5, 2013.

Last Updated : April 8, 2014

The New Entrant Program introduces new interstate motor carriers to federal safety standards and regulations. When a carrier registers and receives a U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Number, they are considered a New Entrant for 18 months. A Safety Audit will be conducted within 12 months after the New Entrant begins operations.

New Entrants will receive a letter from FMCSA explaining what they need to do next.

The maximum penalty is $11,000 for a company, $2,750 for a driver. Source: Appendix B to 49 CFR part 386, paragraphs (a)(3) and (a)(4).

Last Updated : April 3, 2014

A copy of the Medical Examiner's Certificate should be kept on file in the Medical Examiner's office. The driver may request a replacement copy of the certificate from the Medical Examiner or get a copy of the certificate from the motor carrier.

Last Updated : April 1, 2014

The purpose of the Human Trafficking final rule is to revise the list of offenses permanently disqualifying individuals from operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) for which a commercial drivers' license or a commercial learner's permit is required.  This final rule updates the list of offenses found in Table 1 of 49 CFR 383.51.

Created by the Unified Carrier Registration Act of 2005 (UCR Act - 49 United States Code (USC) section 14504a), it replaces the former system for registering and collecting fees from the operators of vehicles engaged in interstate travel – the Single State Registration System (SSRS).

Carriers can apply for their UCR and find more information online.

Last Updated : March 29, 2019

The Unified Registration System (URS) is a new electronic on-line registration system that will streamline and simplify the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) registration process and serve as a clearinghouse and depository of information on all entities regulated by the Agency, including motor carriers, brokers, freight forwarders, intermodal equipment providers (IEPs), hazardous materials safety permit (HMSP) applicants/holders, and cargo tank manufacturing and repair facilities. The URS will combine multiple registration processes, information technology systems and forms into a single, electronic online registration process.

Note: The initial phase of URS affected only new registrants (Dec. 12, 2015). Later phases  will affect all regulated entities.

For more information, please see the October 21, 2015 Federal Register Notice.

On January 17, 2017, FMCSA published a Federal Register notice suspending the January 14 and April 14, 2017 URS effectiveness dates.

While an application for FMCSA operating authority is typically granted within 25 business days, the process may be extended if the application requires additional review. This review, referred to as "Vetting", ensures that operating authority applicants demonstrate a willingness and ability to comply with applicable statutes and regulations to obtain and maintain operating authority registration. During the Vetting process, your application will be listed as "Suspended" in FMCSA systems.

FMCSA evaluates, among other things, the following factors to determine whether an operating authority applicant is willing and able to comply with applicable statutory and regulatory requirements:

• The nature and extent of existing or past violations;
• the degree to which existing or past violations will affect, or have affected, the safety of operations, taking into account any crashes, deaths, or injuries associated with the violations;
• whether existing or past regulatory or statutory violations are the result of a willful failure to comply with applicable requirements;
• the existence and nature of pending and closed enforcement actions;
• whether adequate safety management controls exist to ensure acceptable compliance with applicable requirements; and
• the existence of corrective action, if any.

FMCSA does take into account attempts to correct past violations, corrective action and other similar corrective action plans. FMCSA also considers the existence of any mitigating circumstances surrounding the regulated entity's conduct. Additional information about Vetting can be found here.

FMCSA will notify you by e-mail if your application is subject to vetting and by e-mail and/or mail if additional information is needed for the review.  If you don’t hear from FMCSA within 2 weeks from the day you applied for operating authority – and – your application status is Suspended in FMCSA systems, please contact us by webform, phone or chat. 

Once the Vetting process is complete and the application status is changed from Suspended to Accepted in FMCSA systems, you must comply with additional requirements, including your Process Agent Designation (BOC-3 form), proof of insurance and/or surety bond or trust fund agreement. Only then, FMCSA will grant you operating authority. 

Tips to help your application be processed as efficiently as possible:

1. Motor Carriers: Ensure your USDOT Number is in an Active status.
2. Motor Carriers: Provide a valid Principal Place of Business as your physical address. Do not use a P.O. Box, UPS Store, etc.
3. Contact information (phone, e-mail) in FMCSA systems must be valid and up-to-date.
4. Corporations (LLC, Inc., etc.): Make sure your company name on the application matches what you filed with the Secretary of State.
5. Sole Proprietors: Make sure your legal name is your personal name. Trade name/DBA will be your company name.
6. When filing the application for operating authority, remember to answer whether you currently have, or had within the last 3 years of the date of filing the application, any relationships involving common stock, common ownership, common management, common control or familial relationships with any FMCSA-regulated entities.