What is the FMSCA?

The FMSCA stands for The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. It’s part of the U.S. Department of Transportation and it was established in January of 2000. The FMSCA has its headquarters in Washington, DC and they employ over 1,000 people in every state of the US.

Basically, what the FMSCA has been doing since its conception is trying to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities involving large trucks and buses. This of course also covers the entire auto transport industry. The FMSCA believes that the best way to prevent dangerous large scale accidents with these vehicles is by improving the average person’s driving behavior and intelligence.

A major part of the FMSCA that is vital to their goal is what they refer to as ART. ART stands for Analysis, Research and Technology. This arm of FMSCA is dedicated to mining data and taking the information they’ve gathered and turning it into effective safe driving practices.

The FMSCA has several major programs to forward their goal of increased motor safety.
They enforce HMRs which stands for Hazardous Materials Regulations. The FMSCA makes sure that a set of meticulous handling guidelines are properly followed when dangerous materials are being transported.

Another program they oversee is the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP). Through MCSAP, FMSCA provides funds to their locations throughout the country so they’re well staffed and are able to carry out roadside inspections of motor carriers to ensure they’re up to the safety code and following proper HMRs regulations.

Then there is the Household Goods Program. The FMSCA is the governing body for all moving companies that offer interstate moves. All interstate moving companies have to register with the agency. For consumers, the FMSCA provides a number of services in regards to moving. They have a helpful website called ( ProtectYourMove ) and offer a place for consumers to file complaints against interstate movers and dangerous motor carrier drivers.

The FMSCA has a helpful network of sites, links to which can be found here: www.fmcsa.dot.gov/about/other/other-fmcsa-sites/related.htm