Question 32: May a motor carrier with a single business location, including a private residence, designate a different location as its "principal place of business?"

Guidance: No. The definition of "principal place of business" in 49 CFR 390.5T allows a carrier with multiple terminals or offices to designate a single terminal or office as its primary business location for identification purposes. Consistent with this definition, a motor carrier with a single place of business may designate only its actual place of business as the "principal place of business." Notwithstanding this restriction, a motor carrier and an authorized representative of FMCSA may agree that a compliance review or other investigation of a motor carrier will be conducted at a mutually acceptable location other than the motor carrier's principal place of business.

[74 FR 37654, July 29, 2009]