A family of technologies designed to enhance vehicle safety. These include adaptive cruise control systems, AEB, lane keeping assist, blind spot warning, camera-based mirror systems, and many others. 

AEB is an advanced technology (ADAS) that activates brakes when sensors (such as radar, LIDAR, cameras) detect an imminent threat ahead. It is already available on some trucks but NHTSA and FMCSA may require AEB on all new trucks in the future.

A vehicle, car or truck, which does not require the active direction of a driver. There are various levels of automation under discussion, from those which assist drivers, to those where the presence and emergency actions of a driver are intended, to those where there may be no interaction at all with humans.

The seven categories where FMCSA evaluates the safety of motor carriers are:
• Vehicle Maintenance
• Unsafe Driving
• Hours of Service Compliance
• Driver Fitness
• Controlled Substances and Alcohol
• Hazardous Materials Compliance
• Crash Indicator
FMCSA obtains data for these BASICs from vehicle inspection reports, citations and crash reports over the past 24 months. The more recent and more severe a safety event, the more weight it is given. FMCSA considers Hours of Service Compliance, Unsafe Driving, and Crash Indicator as priority BASICs. Motor carriers can challenge the accuracy of reports and citations through the FMCSA DataQs program and can seek to have a crash considered as non-preventable using the FMCSA Crash Preventability Determination Program, part of DataQs.

The license required by FMCSA regulations to operate a CMV. In order to obtain a CDL, an applicant must pass both skills and knowledge testing geared to the higher standards of CMV operation. Applicants typically begin by obtaining a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) and completing Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) according to federal standards. The actual issuance of CDLs is performed by state governments through their departments of motor vehicles (DMVs), also referred to as state driver licensing agencies (SDLAs).

The official citation format for federal regulations of all sorts, shown as (Title no.) CFR (Part no.). FMCSA regulations are found under Title 49.

Related to CDL.

A permit that allows drivers to practice driving commercial motor vehicles on public roads, but only when accompanied by a qualified CDL holder who has the correct endorsements for the vehicle.

Similar to ME.

A Certified Medical Examiner (ME or CME) is listed on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (National Registry) as a person who can effectively determine if interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers meet FMCSA’s physical qualification standards.

A CMV is a truck or truck combination with a gross vehicle weight of 26,001 pounds or more; a bus capable of carrying 16 or more passengers, including the driver; or any commercial vehicle transporting hazardous materials.

FMCSA’s safety evaluation program, CSA looks at the performance of motor carriers in seven BASICs (Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories) and compares that performance to similar carriers, using an algorithm in the Safety Management System (SMS). A similar algorithm is used to assign motor carriers scores under FMCSA’s Inspection Selection System (ISS), which advises states as to which CMVs might be pulled into a weigh station for inspection.

Related to BASICs.

DataQs is an FMCSA system that allows users to request and track a review of Federal and State data issued by FMCSA believed to be incomplete or incorrect. It allows users to assist in improving the accuracy of FMCSA's data-driven safety systems that help prevent crashes, injuries, and fatalities related to commercial motor vehicles.

Related to CDL.

A government agency in the United States responsible for vehicle registration, driver licensing, and maintaining driving records. The DMV handles tasks like issuing driver's licenses, registering vehicles, and conducting driving tests.

The device installed on a truck to automatically record time driving (hours of service, HOS), as well as the location of the truck and its operation under special circumstances, such as personal conveyance and yard moves.

Related to CDL. 

An FMCSA requirement for drivers wishing to obtain their CDL. It includes theory lessons and behind the wheel training for drivers. Anyone wishing to take the CDL exam must do ELDT and demonstrate proficiency in the subjects. 

A directive from the White House, often setting priorities or parameters for actions by federal regulatory agencies.

The motor carrier safety regulations issued by FMCSA. FMCSA also issues Federal Motor Carrier Commercial Regulations, which pertain to the requirements to qualify as an interstate motor carrier, insurance, agents for service and other requirements not directly related to the safety of operations.

The federal and state regulations governing how long a driver may operate a CMV. Compliance with HOS is also one of the BASICs accorded priority by FMCSA.

A multi-jurisdictional agreement, now codified in federal law, which apportions truck fuel taxes based on travel, and thus consumption, in states and provinces, regardless of where the fuel is actually purchased or dispensed. IFTA allows motor carriers to meet fuel tax obligations without the need to file multiple tax returns. IFTA status is evidenced by a decal and checked by roadside enforcement.

A multi-jurisdictional agreement, now codified in federal law, which apportions truck registration fees between states and provinces, thereby allowing trucks to travel without the need to separately register or obtain trip permits away from their base jurisdiction. IRP status is evidenced by a decal and checked by roadside enforcement.

A data-intensive approach recommended by the National Academy of Sciences for the improvement of CSA. IRT is intended to bring mathematical validity to what has been seen as arbitrary assessments of fleet safety, but FMCSA has not been unable to collect the data needed.

Related to CSA. 

An ISS score is association with a company's CSA score. ISS is a score that inspector's use to quickly determine if a vehicle should be pulled in for an inspection. The higher the score, the higher the likelihood that a vehicle will be inspected.  

Related to FMCSA. 

Also known as Operating Authority. The FMCSA assigns this number to carriers working for-hire and it allows them to work between multiple states. 

A Certified Medical Examiner (ME or CME) is listed on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (National Registry) as a person who can effectively determine if interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers meet FMCSA’s physical qualification standards.

A Medical Review Officer (MRO) is a licensed physician who is responsible for receiving and reviewing laboratory results from an employer's drug testing program and evaluating medical explanations for certain drug test results.

Sensitive data that could be used to identify, contact, or locate an individual. Examples of PII include name, driver's license (CDL) number, social security number, date and place of birth, mother's maiden name, and biometric records.

REAL ID is a driver’s license issued following enhanced security and background checks. While not required to simply operate a vehicle, a REAL ID replaces a normal driver’s license as acceptable identification for boarding domestic airline flights beginning in May 2023. For trucking operations, a REAL ID may become necessary to access certain federal, nuclear and military facilities.

RODS is a general term for the records a CMV driver must maintain showing time driving, whether those are electronic logging device (ELD) records or paper logs.

Related to CDL. 

The State Driver's Licensing Agency performs many functions related to a driver's CDL. These include verifying ELDT, reinstating commercial driving privileges, and potentially waiving the CDL skills test for eligible candidates. 

Related to BASICs.

SMS is used by the FMCSA to identify motor carriers that may need help with safety. It includes the seven BASICs of safety. It also includes any incidents and inspections in the last 24 months.

Size refers to the overall truck combination length, width, and height, plus the number and dimensions of the combination components, the tractor, and trailer(s). Weight goes to the overall (“gross”) weight of the truck combination, plus the weights of axles and axle configurations (e.g., tandem and tridem axles) and the “interior bridge” limits – weight allowance per distances between axles.

A credential required by the Maritime Transportation Security Act for workers who access secure areas of ports, maritime facilities and vessels. TWIC applicants, including truck drivers wishing to access ports, complete a background check and threat assessment administered by TSA (see Federal Government definitions below).

Replacing the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) and state-level Public Utilities Commissions/Public Service Commissions (PUC/PSC), Congress created the UCR. The UCR requires annual fees from interstate and international motor carriers, private carriers of property, brokers, freight forwarders and leasing companies. Payment of UCR fees is checked by roadside enforcement

Proposed by the law enforcement community, a Unique Identification Device (UID) is an electronic device capable of communicating a unique CMV identification number so that roadside enforcement may query the device and obtain truck and trailer data, potentially including evidence of safety problems or violations.

The official citation format for federal statutes, shown as (Title no.) USC (Section no.). Statutes affecting transportation, including motor carriers, are found under Title 49.

Related to FMCSA. 

A unique identifier given to any company that operates commercial vehicles by the FMCSA. 

Vehicle miles traveled is, simply, distance of operation. Vehicle mileage tax, on the other hand, is a tax directly on that distance traveled, as compared to a tax on fuel consumed.

This Cabinet-level department covers all areas of transportation and all modes of transport – truck, bus, rail, maritime, air, pipeline, transit. Under its umbrella, the DOT has regulatory agencies, which set the federal rules for each mode of transportation and for the building and maintenance of transportation infrastructure – roads, bridges, tracks, pipelines, ports, airports. The phrase “DOT-regulated” is a catchall term for rules issued by one of the DOT’s regulatory agencies. Trucking commonly deals with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and, for hazardous materials carriers, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). Trucking relies on the roads and bridges whose construction and maintenance are overseen by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

Related to HHS. 

The FDA is a US federal agency that protects public health by ensuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, medical devices, our nation's food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation.

The federal regulatory agency under the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT or USDOT) which, working through state-level departments of transportation, distributes federal highway taxes and, oversees the construction and maintenance of roads and bridges. The FHWA standards to which those roads and bridges are built and the technologies incorporated into them impact many aspects of trucking.

The federal regulatory agency under the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT or USDOT) whose mission is to “reduce crashes, injuries and fatalities involving large trucks and buses.” Working with state-level departments and commercial vehicle law enforcement, FMCSA regulates who can operate in interstate commerce (USDOT number), who can charge for their services (MC number), what prospective truck and bus drivers must first learn (Commercial Learner’s Permit, CLP), how truck and bus drivers are licensed (Commercial Driver’s License, CDL), and the many regulations, such as hours of service limits (HOS), motor carriers, bus companies and their drivers must follow in the interest of highway safety (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, FMCSRs). FMCSA then evaluates the safety of each interstate operator and can levy fines and penalties and ultimately prohibit a motor carrier from interstate operation.

A Cabinet-level department that includes departments such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the National Institute of Health (NIH). FMCSA has issued several waivers of hours of service (HOS) regulations in response to emergency declarations based on the findings of HHS agencies. On an ongoing basis, trucking pays closest attention to the actions of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). SAMHSA is responsible for the scientific and technical requirements that, by law, all DOT agencies like FMCSA must follow in regulating drug and alcohol tests, including urinalysis, oral fluids testing and hair testing.

Abolished by Congress in 1996, the ICC previously oversaw the economic regulation of trucking and railroads. For trucking, most ICC functions were transferred to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), with minor portions going to the Surface Transportation Board (STB).

The federal regulatory agency under the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT or USDOT) which sets manufacturing standards for all new cars and commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) – trucks and buses. For example, if Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) is required for trucks in the future, NHTSA would set the technical standards and require AEB installation on new vehicles, while FMCSA would require the use of AEB on those newer model trucks and its maintenance throughout the vehicle life. For this reason, there are often joint NHTSA/FMCSA rulemakings.

Related to HHS.

The NIH is a US government agency that conducts and supports medical research.

The NTSB is an independent body which investigates accidents of all modes and issues recommended practices. NTSB has no regulatory authority but speaks from a “bully pulpit".

Related to OMB. 

An arm of OMB, the OIRA reviews all significant federal rulemakings and information collection. Major FMCSA or NHTSA rulemakings, for example, at one step in the process are said to be “under review by OIRA.”

OMB is an executive branch office under the White House, which oversees the administrative performance – budgeting and spending – of all federal agencies. OMB also sets out the policy priorities that federal regulatory agencies are directed to follow. 

The federal regulatory agency under the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT or USDOT) which regulates the transportation of hazardous materials and energy by all modes of transport, but with an emphasis on pipelines. Motor carriers which transport certain hazardous materials must file a Certificate of Registration with PHMSA and complete hazardous materials security awareness training, as part of obtaining a Hazardous Materials Safety Permit from FMCSA.

Related to HHS. 

SAMSHA is an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that works to improve the nation's behavioral health by leading public health efforts to improve mental health and substance abuse treatments.

The Surface Transportation Board is an independent federal agency, the successor agency to the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC), which was abolished in 1996. STB is charged with the economic regulation of various modes of surface transportation, primarily freight rail, but retains some limited role over motor carrier collective ratemaking and household goods carriers.

The enforcement arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), TSA is best known for screening passengers and baggage at airports and the development of the REAL ID, but TSA also issues the TWIC and has security oversight over all surface transportation modes, including trucking.

Related to NPRM.

A draft of a NPRM, in which the agency tests out a proposal or solicits ideas before it drafts an official NPRM.

The federal statute that sets the steps any rulemaking must follow to become a federal regulation. APA emphasizes notice of intended regulatory actions through publication in the Federal Register and the requirement that regulatory agencies request and consider public comments.

The official government publication of all federal rules, proposed rules, and public notices. Published every weekday, except federal holidays.

Before any federal agency can require the public to provide data or other information, it must get approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the terms of the Paperwork Reduction Act. The information may be data needed by FMCSA, or other agencies, to justify or administer a new regulation. ICRs are published in the Federal Register. Public comments on the cost and necessity of the information are requested.

Under the terms of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), an NPRM is the step where the regulatory agency shares its actual intended regulation and asks for public comment. An NPRM must contain “(1) the time, place, and nature of public rulemaking proceedings; (2) reference to the legal authority under which the rule is proposed; and (3) either the terms or substance of the proposed rule or a description of the subjects and issues involved.” Prior to publishing an NPRM in the Federal Register, a regulatory agency may first publish an ANPRM. At every stage, public comments are requested.

Related to NPRM.

A document reflecting proposed changes to a NPRM if an agency gathers more information or faces changed circumstances.

Insurance that protects an insured from claims arising from injury or damage to others in the event of an accident.

A transportation document that serves as the contract of carriage along with any other conditions between a shipper and a transportation provider.

Owner-operator coverage specifically for the tractor and typically required under a Contractor-Carrier Lease Agreement. Also see Non-Trucking Liability Insurance (NTL).

A commercial trucking insurance policy designed to cover cargo (loads) during transit. It is important to verify exclusions and warranties when purchasing cargo insurance.

A common carrier or trucking company will be held liable for all shipment loss, damage, and delay other than an act of God, public authority/enemy, shipper, or the product itself.

A low-probability, high-cost event. These events can be natural disasters, such as earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, volcanoes, and sinkholes, or human-made disasters, such as terrorist attacks, rioting, and explosions.

Money that is set aside for the future payment of a loss event that has occurred (aka incurred loss) that has not yet been settled. The reserve is an estimate based on the general or specific details of an accident or loss event. An appropriate amount, adequate to cover all the indemnification and expenses, is used for the reserve.

A contingent insurance policy often held by freight brokers that will defend against and pay settlements per the terms of a policy if the primary cargo policy held by the trucking company or single-truck operator fails to pay a claim.

A commercial trucking policy that provides additional limits of coverage intended to apply in the event that primary cargo coverage has been exhausted. Example: $250,000 primary and $100,000 excess for a $350,000 total limit on cargo coverage. Excess typically follows the same coverage terms as the primary limit policy.

Comparable to “Umbrella Insurance,” excess provides more limits over one line of the primary coverage. The excess would be over one coverage line, like Auto Liability (AL) or General Liability (GL). Unlike an Umbrella, it is not over multiple lines of coverage. Excess typically follows the same coverage terms as the primary limit policy.

A business insurance policy that provides coverage for other claims or incidents that are not related to the direct operation of an auto/truck. Slander, libel, injuries to visitors on the premises, property damage by employees on the premises of others, and contractual lawsuits are some examples where GL may respond to defend and indemnify as required. This has become a common requirement in transportation contracts and a standard in most landlord or property management company agreements. This coverage has a per-occurrence and an aggregate limit.

Coverage for bodily injury and property damage caused by a vehicle the carrier hires (including rented and loaned vehicles) or coverage caused by non-owned vehicles (owned by others, including employees and contractors).

A practice or arrangement by which a company or government agency provides a conditional agreement of compensation for specified loss, damage, illness, or death in return for payment of insurance premium.

A process through which a licensed insurance agent notifies a motor carrier of what his or her insurance coverage will cost.

Forms issued by insurance companies to track the date, type, and descriptions of insurance losses of the insured.

A business contracted by an insurance company to serve as an intermediary to obtain insurance clients from independent agents. The MGA may handle underwriting, policy service, and other duties under the agreement.

An FMCSA-required endorsement to a commercial trucking coverage for compliance with sections of the Motor Carrier Act of 1980.

Commercial transportation insurance to cover the commodity or cargo hauled by a motor carrier.

Referred to as a driving record, this is issued by each state and shows information related to driver licenses, including traffic violations.

A tariff utilized to describe and classify commodities into like classes.

Comprehensive/collision coverage to a non-owned trailer while attached to a covered (scheduled) power unit on an active policy.

A vehicular mishap where a driver, exercising normal judgment and foresight, could not have foreseen the possibility of the accident that in fact occurred, and could not have avoided it by taking steps within his/her control.

A policy or an endorsement that provides coverage when the truck is not under dispatch and/or is being utilized for personal use. Example: the truck is not generating revenue miles or advancing the business interests of the lessee motor carrier.

Insurance to cover a vehicle being towed by a tow truck.

A specific risk or cause of loss covered by an insurance policy.

Insurance that covers the truck and/or trailer if damaged or stolen. Coverage must be specific to perils covered by the insurance policy. Typically known as the Comprehensive and Collision Coverage for a vehicle.

A vehicular mishap where a driver, exercising normal judgment and foresight, could have foreseen the possibility of the accident that in fact occurred, and avoided it by taking steps within his/her control which would not have risked causing another kind of mishap. This includes when the driver or CMV was legally prohibited from operating at the time or location of the crash, and includes a post-crash inspection report showing there was an out-of-service (OOS) violation.

A customs duty or tax levied on imports of merchandise goods.

The inherent risk involved with a transportation or logistics activity.

Transportation experts with knowledge and experience in the trucking and logistics marketplace.

Auto liability (AL) for commercial trucking insurance that is required by FMCSA. The minimum required limit is $750,000. Most shipping contracts list $1,000,000 as the minimum limit requirement. Certain commodities, as outlined on the MCS-90, require $1 or $5 million in Auto Liability (AL) limits.

Commercial auto insurance for motor carriers.

Insurance coverage that increases the limit of the primary policy(ies) and protects the named insured in a catastrophic event. It is required in certain contracts. Umbrella insurance typically provides excess limits over Auto Liability (AL), General Liability (GL), and Workers Compensation (WC). This coverage would pay up to the limits provided after the primary limit has been fully exhausted.

Coverage for property that the insured takes possession of and stores at a warehouse facility.

Coverage for people when injured or become ill at work. This is state-mandated coverage, and the wage and medical benefits vary by state. Medical expenses, lost wages, rehabilitation costs, death benefits, and employer’s liability are the primary coverages provided. Coverage can apply to employees and contractors who work for the named insured.