The United States Department of Transportation (USDOT or DOT) is a federal Cabinet department established by the Department of Transportation Act of Congress in 1966. Its main mission is "to develop and coordinate policies that will provide an efficient and economical national transportation system, with due regard for need, the environment, and the national defense." Within the DOT, there are several subordinate administrations, such as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Here is the current list of administrations:
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)
Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
Maritime Administration (MARAD)
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
Office of Inspector General (OIG)
Office of the Secretary of Transportation (OST)
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)
Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (SLSDC)
John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center
Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS)
The FMCSA, established in 2000, has a primary goal of ensuring safety in motor carrier operations. It is the issuing entity for new brokers registering for the first time. When setting up as a freight broker, dealing with the FMCSA will likely be among the first organizational interactions you'll have, as you'll need to apply for your broker authority through them. However, the FMCSA has a much broader scope of activities than this initial interaction suggests.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) engages in various activities to ensure motor carrier safety and compliance:
Commercial Drivers' Licenses: The Administration develops standards for testing and licensing commercial motor vehicle drivers.
Data and Analysis: It collects and disseminates data on motor carrier safety while directing resources to enhance safety.
Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement: The Administration operates programs to improve safety performance and remove high-risk carriers from highways.
Research and Technology: It coordinates research and development to enhance motor carrier operations' safety, vehicles, and drivers.
Safety Assistance: The Administration provides States with financial aid for roadside inspections and other safety programs, promoting motor vehicle and carrier safety.
Additionally, the FMCSA engages in other activities such as supporting unified motor carrier safety requirements across North America. It actively participates in international technical organizations to share best safety practices globally. The Administration enforces regulations ensuring the safe transportation of hazardous materials. Moreover, it has established a task force to investigate carriers of household goods exhibiting a pattern of consumer abuse.
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