DOT and FMCSA glossary

The compliance terms every trucking company runs into, explained in plain English.

Apportioned plates
IRP license plates that cover a vehicle in every member jurisdiction.
BASIC
One of seven Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories in CSA.
BOC-3
The filing that designates process agents for a carrier in each state.
Clearinghouse
FMCSA's Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse database of CDL driver violations.
CSA
Compliance, Safety, Accountability: FMCSA's carrier enforcement program.
DataQs
FMCSA's system for challenging inaccurate inspection, violation or crash data.
Driver qualification file
The records a carrier must keep for each CMV driver under 49 CFR 391.51.
ELD
Electronic logging device used to record drivers' hours of service.
Hazmat registration
The annual PHMSA registration required to transport certain hazardous materials.
Hours of service
Federal limits on how long CMV drivers can drive and be on duty.
IFTA
The International Fuel Tax Agreement for reporting fuel tax across jurisdictions.
IRP
The International Registration Plan for apportioned vehicle registration.
MC number
The docket number issued with interstate for-hire operating authority.
MCS-150
The Motor Carrier Identification Report used to register and update a USDOT number.
Medical examiner's certificate
The medical card showing a driver passed a DOT physical.
New entrant program
FMCSA's 18-month monitoring period for new interstate carriers.
Operating authority
FMCSA permission to transport regulated freight or passengers for hire across state lines.
Out-of-service order
An order that stops a driver, vehicle or carrier from operating until a problem is fixed.
Power unit
A self-propelled vehicle such as a truck or tractor, as counted on the MCS-150.
Process agent
A person or company designated to receive legal papers for a carrier in a state.
Safety rating
FMCSA's rating of a carrier after a compliance review: Satisfactory, Conditional or Unsatisfactory.
SMS
The Safety Measurement System that calculates CSA BASIC percentiles.
UCR
Unified Carrier Registration, an annual fee for interstate carriers, brokers and forwarders.
USDOT number
The unique number FMCSA uses to identify a motor carrier for safety monitoring.