49 CFR Part 379: How long motor carriers must retain financial, operational, and safety records.
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Sell My Truck49 CFR Part 379 establishes minimum retention periods for the financial, operational, and safety records that motor carriers are required to maintain. Knowing how long to keep records — and what kind of storage is acceptable — is an important but often overlooked compliance obligation for carriers of all sizes.
Part 379 sets retention periods ranging from one year to indefinitely depending on the type of record. Financial records like ledgers and journals typically must be kept for three years. Records related to specific claims, accidents, or investigations may need to be retained longer. FMCSA can request any covered record during an audit or investigation, and carriers must be able to produce them.
The regulation also specifies acceptable forms of record storage. Electronic storage is generally permissible as long as records remain accessible and legible. Carriers should also be aware that other parts of the FMCSRs — particularly Part 395 (ELD records) and Part 382 (drug testing records) — have their own, often stricter, retention requirements that supersede Part 379 for those specific record types.
Destroying records before their required retention period is a federal violation — and doing so during or just before a safety audit looks even worse. If you’re buying a carrier’s operation along with its trucks, the status of records retention under Part 379 matters. Gaps in records can indicate past safety problems or create liability exposure if claims or accidents from within the retention window later surface.
Part 379 sets retention periods by record type. Financial records are generally kept 3 years. Driver qualification files must be kept 3 years after the driver leaves (under Part 391). Drug testing records have their own retention periods under Part 382. ELD records must be retained for at least 6 months under Part 395.
Yes — Part 379 permits electronic storage of required records as long as the records remain accurate, complete, and accessible for inspection. Carriers must be able to produce readable copies of electronically stored records on request from FMCSA or other authorized officials.
Early destruction of required records is a violation of Part 379 and can result in civil penalties. It also creates significant problems in accident litigation and FMCSA audits, where missing records are often interpreted negatively. Carriers should err on the side of longer retention when in doubt.
Read the official legal text: 49 CFR Part 379 — eCFR.gov (official)
This page is provided for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Always verify current requirements at fmcsa.dot.gov or with a qualified transportation attorney.
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