FMCSA

Also known as: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

By Korey Sharp-Paar · Reviewed by the Fast Trucking Compliance team

Definition

FMCSA - the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration - is the US Department of Transportation agency that regulates commercial motor vehicle safety. Created by the Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act of 1999, FMCSA inherited carrier-safety oversight from the Federal Highway Administration. Headquartered in Washington DC with field offices in every state. FMCSA issues USDOT and MC numbers, administers the Motus registration system (which replaced the legacy URS portal on May 14, 2026), runs the Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse, oversees CSA scoring, conducts compliance reviews, and enforces 49 CFR Title 49 Subtitle B Chapter III. The day-to-day touchpoint for almost every motor-carrier compliance question.

Authoritative source

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

DOT Compliance Handbook

The complete federal compliance roadmap from USDOT through CSA - the pillar reference.

Related terms

USDOT Number(DOT Number)
MC Number(Motor Carrier Number)
FHWA(Federal Highway Administration)
PHMSA(Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration)

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