Frequently Asked Questions

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) are rules developed by the United States Department of Transportation and are found in Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 390 through 399. These regulations are in place to ensure that commercial vehicles are safe, not just for other motorists on the highways, but are in safe operational condition for drivers of these types of vehicles. Missouri has adopted these regulations as state statute, making them applicable to intrastate operation as well as interstate operation. These regulations can be obtained at www.fmcsa.dot.gov.

The FMCSR are applicable to anyone who operates a commercial vehicle.

A commercial vehicle is defined in Part 390.5 of the FMCSR as: Any self-propelled or towed motor vehicle operated in commerce, and; has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), or a gross combination weight rating (GCWR), or a gross vehicle weight, or a gross combination weight of 10,001 pounds or more, or; is designed or used to transport more than 8 passengers (including the driver) for compensation, or; is designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers (including the driver) and is not used to transport passengers for compensation, or; a vehicle, regardless of weight, used to transport a type or quantity of hazardous materials required to be placarded. Also, there are some exceptions in state statute for some types of vehicles, such as solid waste hauler and farm licensed vehicles. There is an exception for medical certificate requirements for some drivers.

The quick answer is all of the regulations apply, but it is also dependent upon the type of operation you are engaged in and the size and type of vehicles you operate. Typically, the regulations dealing with driver qualifications such as medical certificate or medical waiver; vehicle markings; vehicle equipment such as required braking equipment for trailers pulled, steering, suspension, tires, load securement and emergency equipment; drivers' hours of service and record of duty status; and vehicle inspection and maintenance.

If you operate a vehicle meeting the definition of a commercial vehicle, the answer is yes. This number is assigned to those carriers, both for hire and private, that operate commercial vehicles in interstate as well as intrastate commerce.

Missouri truck licenses are based on the gross weight of the truck and any trailer and load carried. An example would be a truck weighing 7,800 pounds pulling a trailer weighing 3,500 pounds hauling a load of lumber weighing 6,000 pounds. The truck must be licensed to cover this entire situation, or for at least 18,000 pounds in this example.

This requirement is based upon the size and type of vehicle operated. Missouri CDL requirements are based on gross vehicle weight rating of the vehicle, or combination of vehicles. Then the gross vehicle weight rating or actual gross weight of the trailer must be considered. If you have questions regarding this issue, please contact the nearest Missouri State Highway Patrol troop headquarters office and speak to a CDL Examiner.

If they operate a commercial vehicle in interstate commerce, yes. If they operate a commercial vehicle in intrastate commerce, the answer may change a little. A driver is not required to be medically certified to operate a commercial vehicle if they operate solely intrastate (they do not operate a commercial vehicle outside the borders of Missouri) and had a valid chauffeur's license on or before May 13, 1988.

To obtain a copy of a basic motor vehicle crash report, including certified copies, investigated by the Highway Patrol, please wait 10 days from the date of the crash investigation, then follow the link below to complete the records request form. Forward the completed form to the appropriate troop headquarters or Patrol Records Division along with your check or money order for $6.00 made payable to DPS - Missouri State Highway Patrol. Cash payments are not accepted and will be returned. Requests can be mailed to Missouri State Highway Patrol, Patrol Records Division, Attention: Traffic Crash Reports, P.O. Box 568, Jefferson City, MO 65102. If you have any questions regarding requests for Highway Patrol investigated traffic crash reports, please telephone the appropriate troop headquarters or the Patrol Records Division at (573) 526-6113, ext. 1702.

Request a copy of a crash report

Requests for report copies of crash reports, including certified copies, that occurred in 1997 or later can be forwarded to the Highway Patrol headquarters nearest you. However, requests for report copies of crashes that occurred in 1996 or earlier, certified crash reports, crash report photographs or crash reconstruction reports must be forwarded to the Patrol Records Division.

The FMCSA Safety and Fitness Electronic Records (SAFER) System offers company safety data and related services to industry and the public over the Internet. Users can search FMCSA databases, register for a USDOT number, pay fines online, order company safety profiles, challenge FMCSA data using the DataQs system, access the Hazardous Material Route registry, obtain National Crash and Out of Service rates for Hazmat Permit Registration, get printable registration forms and find information about other FMCSA Information Systems.

safer.fmcsa.dot.gov

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration establishes policy as well as sets and enforces standards to help prevent incidents.

www.phmsa.dot.gov