Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCS)

On January 1, 2000, pursuant to the Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act of 1999 (49 U.S.C. 113), the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) was established as part of the Department of Transportation. The goal of the FMCS is to prevent commercial motor vehicle-related fatalities and injuries. To accomplish this goal the FMCSA "enforces safety regulations, targets high-risk carriers and commercial motor vehicle drivers, improves safety information systems and commercial motor vehicle technologies and strengthens commercial motor vehicle equipment and operating standards."

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCS) has control primarily over interstate travel. This means that if a commercial vehicle, for profit or nonprofit, crosses over state lines it is subject to federal jurisdiction. Commercial vehicles which operate only within one state must comply with applicable state and local regulations, although these regulations and laws generally mirror the regulations established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCS). The FMCS does have regulations for intrastate travel for commercial driver's license requirements for drug and alcohol consumption and driving.