What does 49 CFR 385.3 (Definitions and acronyms) require?

Short answer

49 CFR 385.3 defines terms and acronyms used in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, including "applicable safety regulations" "CMV," "FMCSA," and "safety audit."

The rule says

Applicable safety regulations or requirements means 49 CFR chapter III, subchapter B—Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations or, if the carrier is an intrastate motor carrier subject to the hazardous materials safety permit requirements in subpart E of this part, the equivalent State standards; and 49 CFR chapter I, subchapter C—Hazardous Materials Regulations — 49 CFR 385.3.

"CMV means a commercial motor vehicle as defined in 390.5 of this subchapter." (49 CFR 385.3)

"FMCSA means the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration." (49 CFR 385.3)

A safety audit means an examination of a motor carrier's operations to provide educational and technical assistance on safety and the operational requirements of the FMCSRs and applicable HMRs and to gather critical safety data needed to make an assessment of the carrier's safety performance and basic safety management controls — 49 CFR 385.3.

In plain English

The definitions in 49 CFR 385.3 provide a foundation for understanding the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. These definitions are crucial for motor carriers to ensure compliance with safety regulations and to understand the requirements for operating commercial motor vehicles. The definition of "safety audit" explains the purpose of these audits, which is to assess a motor carrier's safety performance and provide educational assistance.

What to do

• Review the definitions in 49 CFR 385.3 to ensure understanding of key terms and acronyms.
• Verify that your company's policies and procedures align with the definitions and requirements outlined in the regulation.
• Ensure that all relevant personnel are trained on the definitions and requirements in 49 CFR 385.3 to maintain compliance with federal safety regulations.