Federal Trucking Laws Index: Every FMCSA Regulation A-Z
A complete directory of every federal law and regulation governing commercial trucking in the United States. Click any law below for a full breakdown including key provisions, FAQs, and a link to the official legal text.
Want the full overview in one page? See the Complete Guide to Federal Trucking Laws ›
Founding Federal Statutes
The Acts of Congress that created federal trucking regulation — the legal authority that FMCSA’s rules are built on.
- Motor Carrier Act of 1935 — first federal authority over interstate trucking
- Motor Carrier Act of 1980 — deregulated rates and routes, created the owner-operator industry
- Motor Carrier Safety Act of 1984 — created the federal safety mandate behind today’s FMCSRs
- ICC Termination Act of 1995 — abolished the ICC, transferred oversight to DOT
- Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act of 1999 — created FMCSA as its own agency
- SAFETEA-LU (2005) — highway funding law that strengthened motor carrier safety programs
- MAP-21 (2012) — created the CSA safety scoring system
- FAST Act (2015) — authorized the ELD mandate and Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse
49 CFR Subchapter B — Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations
Every part of the federal motor carrier safety code, in order. These are the regulations FMCSA enforces at roadside and in compliance reviews.
Related Federal Rules Outside FMCSA
These rules apply to interstate trucking but are enforced by agencies other than FMCSA or administered through state-federal compacts.
- Hazardous Materials Regulations (49 CFR Parts 100–185, PHMSA)
- International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA)
- International Registration Plan (IRP)
- Federal Bridge Formula — Weight & Size Limits (23 CFR Part 658)
- Unified Carrier Registration (UCR)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many federal trucking regulations are there?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations under 49 CFR Subchapter B consist of 35 active parts (Parts 360 through 399, with Part 394 reserved). Combined with 8 founding federal statutes and 5 related non-FMCSA rules, there are 48 distinct federal laws and regulations governing commercial trucking covered in this index.
Where can I find the actual text of federal trucking regulations?
The official, current text of all 49 CFR Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations is available free at ecfr.gov. The founding statutes are available at govinfo.gov. Each individual law page on this site includes a direct link to the official government source for that specific regulation.
What is 49 CFR Subchapter B?
49 CFR Subchapter B is the section of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations containing the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations — the complete rulebook FMCSA enforces for commercial trucking. It spans Parts 360 through 399 and covers every aspect of carrier operations from registration and insurance to driver qualifications, hours of service, vehicle maintenance, and hazardous materials transport.
This index is provided for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Federal trucking regulations change frequently — always verify current requirements directly at fmcsa.dot.gov or with a qualified transportation attorney.
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