While FMCSA is primarily responsible for developing Federal safety regulations, it partners with State and local governments (e.g., State DOTs) and law enforcement (e.g., police/highway patrol) to conduct roadside inspections, Safety Audits, interventions, and other types of carrier monitoring. Funded through several critical grants that FMCSA distributes, State Partners employ approximately 7,000 certified roadside inspectors throughout the United States that work with FMCSA to conduct approximately 3.5 million roadside inspections and 8,000 investigations per year.
- Only law enforcement officials that have been trained and certified will conduct inspections or audits that are used in FMCSA data systems, but any enforcement official may access FMCSA’s Safety Measurement System (SMS) to view a carrier’s safety record.
- States may also have their own intrastate motor carrier regulations and registration fees, and are responsible for issuing Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs).
- Motor carriers are required to comply with both State and Federal regulations that are applicable.