What is the FMCSA?

FMCSA is short for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Why is the FMCSA important?

All motor carriers must register with the FMCSA in order to operate. Depending on the type of operation, a variety of registration documentation must be filed with the administration in order to carry out business operations. The FMCSA implements many rules and regulations in order to keep people and their businesses safe. The primary mission of the FMCSA “is to reduce crashes, injuries and fatalities involving large trucks and buses.”

The FMCSA has four main strategies:

-Develop regulations that balance between safety and efficiency

-Target high risk carriers and enforce safety regulations

-Implement and distribute educational messages

-Partner with the motor carrier industry, as well as Federal, State, and local agencies to reduce bus and truck crashes

The FMCSA has a portal of online tools that can be useful to you. The website is called SAFER. SAFER stands for Safety and Fitness Electronic Records System.  All documentation to register with FMCSA can be found on the SAFER website. The most useful information on this site for customers is the Company Snapshot search capability. As a customer you can search any freight carrier and find out detailed information about the carrier. This information includes where they are located, the types of freight they are willing to transport, the insurance they use, as well as their inspection, class, and safety ratings. This information can be valuable to you when deciding which carrier to use for transporting your freight. At ShippingDiscounts.com, we encourage our customers to become knowledgeable about the transportation industry and the carriers involved. It is in your best interest to know your carrier and what they have to offer along with their great low shipping rates!