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Compliance Definitions Center

Compliance in Transportation

Compliance in transportation is not optional — it's operational. Use these resources to understand every requirement that applies to your business.

FMCSA Glossary →Compliance Library

Reference

FMCSA Glossary

40+ FMCSA terms with regulation references

Reference

Transportation Glossary

50+ industry terms across freight and logistics

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Compliance Library

DOT audit prep, DQF, CSA, drug testing

Key Compliance Requirements by Category

Six areas every transportation business must understand. Each section includes applicable federal regulation references and direct links to BridgeWorks knowledge resources.

Operating Authority

49 CFR Parts 365, 390

Every carrier transporting freight for compensation in interstate commerce must have active FMCSA operating authority (MC Number) and a valid DOT Number. Authority must be maintained continuously — any lapse requires reactivation and may create an enforcement gap.

Key Requirements

  • 1Register with FMCSA to obtain a DOT Number via the Unified Registration System (URS)
  • 2Apply for MC Authority and complete the 10-business-day waiting period
  • 3File a BOC-3 (designation of process agents in all operating states)
  • 4Maintain active status — address any deactivation notices within required timelines
  • 5Display DOT number on all commercial vehicles
→ FMCSA Glossary — MC Authority→ FMCSA Resource Center→ Startup Resource Center

Insurance Requirements

49 CFR Part 387

FMCSA mandates minimum insurance levels for all motor carriers as a condition of operating authority. Insurance must be filed directly with FMCSA by the insurer — a certificate of insurance alone does not satisfy the filing requirement.

Key Requirements

  • 1General freight carriers: $750,000 minimum liability (most carriers carry $1,000,000)
  • 2Household goods carriers: $300,000 minimum liability
  • 3Hazmat carriers: $1,000,000 to $5,000,000 depending on commodity
  • 4Cargo insurance: minimum $5,000 per vehicle / $10,000 per occurrence
  • 5Insurance must be filed with FMCSA — Form BMC-91 or BMC-91X
  • 6Freight brokers: $75,000 surety bond (BMC-84) or trust fund agreement
→ FMCSA Glossary — Cargo Insurance→ FMCSA Glossary — Freight Broker Bond→ Insurance Requirements Guide

Hours of Service (HOS)

49 CFR Part 395

Hours of Service regulations limit the amount of time a commercial driver may drive and be on duty before mandatory rest periods are required. HOS compliance is one of the most frequently cited violations at roadside inspections and a top CSA BASIC score driver.

Key Requirements

  • 111-hour driving limit: no driving after 11 cumulative hours following 10 consecutive off-duty hours
  • 214-hour window: driving is prohibited after 14 consecutive hours on duty, even with breaks
  • 330-minute break: required after 8 hours of driving time (2020 update allows off-duty time)
  • 460/70-hour rule: maximum 60 hours on duty in 7 days or 70 hours in 8 days
  • 5Sleeper berth provision: drivers may split the 10-hour off-duty period under specific conditions
  • 6ELD mandate: most drivers must use a registered ELD to record HOS automatically
→ FMCSA Glossary — Hours of Service→ FMCSA Glossary — ELD→ Understanding Hours of Service Rules

Vehicle Maintenance

49 CFR Part 396

Motor carriers must systematically inspect, repair, and maintain all commercial motor vehicles. Vehicle maintenance deficiencies are a major source of out-of-service orders at roadside inspections and contribute to the Vehicle Maintenance BASIC in CSA scores.

Key Requirements

  • 1Drivers must perform and document pre-trip inspections before every trip
  • 2Written defect reports (DVIRs) must be submitted at the end of every duty day
  • 3Carriers must repair all defects affecting safety before the vehicle operates
  • 4Periodic inspections required at least annually — equivalent to CVSA Level 1 inspection
  • 5Maintenance records must be retained for at least 1 year and made available for audit
  • 6Brake, tire, light, and coupling system maintenance are highest-priority inspection points
→ FMCSA Glossary — Pre-Trip Inspection→ Transportation Compliance Library

Driver Qualifications

49 CFR Part 391

All commercial drivers must meet minimum qualification standards set by FMCSA. Motor carriers are responsible for verifying driver qualifications before dispatch and maintaining compliant Driver Qualification Files for every driver — including owner-operators under their authority.

Key Requirements

  • 1Valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL) appropriate for vehicle and cargo type
  • 2Current DOT medical examiner certificate — typically renewed every 2 years
  • 3Employment application with 10-year employment history
  • 4Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) check at time of hire and annually thereafter
  • 5Road test or equivalent certification before first dispatch
  • 6Driver Qualification File (DQF) maintained and retained 3 years after separation
  • 7Enrollment in a DOT drug and alcohol testing program
→ FMCSA Glossary — Driver Qualification File→ FMCSA Glossary — DAC Report→ Driver Qualification File Requirements

IFTA Filing

IFTA Articles of Agreement

The International Fuel Tax Agreement requires qualified motor carriers operating in two or more member jurisdictions to report and pay fuel taxes quarterly. IFTA simplifies what was previously a state-by-state filing process into a single quarterly report submitted to the carrier's base jurisdiction.

Key Requirements

  • 1Register with your base state IFTA jurisdiction before operating in multiple states
  • 2Display current IFTA decals on both sides of each qualified vehicle
  • 3Maintain detailed fuel purchase records and mileage records by jurisdiction
  • 4File quarterly IFTA return by the last day of the month following the quarter end
  • 5Q1 (Jan–Mar): due April 30 | Q2 (Apr–Jun): due July 31 | Q3 (Jul–Sep): due October 31 | Q4 (Oct–Dec): due January 31
  • 6Retain all fuel receipts and trip reports for 4 years for audit
→ FMCSA Glossary — IFTA→ FMCSA Glossary — IRP→ IFTA Resource Center

Jump to Category

Operating AuthorityInsurance RequirementsHours of Service (HOS)Vehicle MaintenanceDriver QualificationsIFTA Filing

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