34-Hour Restart
An optional HOS provision allowing CDL drivers to reset their weekly on-duty total by taking 34 or m…
CDL & Trucking Compliance Glossary
Definitions of key terms used in CDL licensing, driver compliance, and FMCSA regulations.
Annual Review
The annual review of each CDL driver's driving record required by 49 CFR Part 391, which must be con…
Commercial Driver's License
A license issued by a U.S. state that authorizes the holder to operate commercial motor vehicles (CM…
Commercial Driver's License Information System
The national database maintained by AAMVA that stores CDL information for all U.S. commercial driver…
Commercial Learner's Permit
A permit that allows a CDL applicant to practice operating a commercial motor vehicle under the supe…
Commercial Motor Vehicle
A vehicle used in interstate commerce that meets one or more of the following: GVWR or GCWR of 10,00…
Compliance, Safety, Accountability
FMCSA's safety measurement system that tracks carrier and driver safety performance using roadside i…
Consortium/Third-Party Administrator
An organization that manages DOT drug and alcohol testing programs for employers, including enrollin…
DataQs
FMCSA's online data quality challenge system that carriers and drivers use to dispute inaccurate cra…
Disqualification
A period during which a CDL holder is prohibited from operating a commercial motor vehicle due to a …
DOT Drug Test
A required test for controlled substances that CDL drivers must pass before employment, after accide…
Driver Application
The employment application required for each CDL driver hire, which must include specific informatio…
Driver Qualification File
A file that carriers must maintain for each CDL driver, containing required documents such as the dr…
Driver Vehicle Inspection Report
A written report completed by a CDL driver before and after each trip documenting the vehicle's cond…
Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse
The FMCSA's secure online database of CDL driver drug and alcohol violations, including positive tes…
Electronic Logging Device
A device that automatically records a CDL driver's hours of service data by connecting to the vehicl…
Endorsement
An authorization added to a CDL that allows the holder to operate specific types of vehicles or carr…
Entry-Level Driver Training
Federally required training for certain CDL applicants, consisting of theory and behind-the-wheel co…
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
The U.S. Department of Transportation agency responsible for regulating and enforcing commercial mot…
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations
The body of federal regulations governing commercial motor vehicle safety, primarily found in Title …
Full Query
A Clearinghouse query that returns the complete drug and alcohol violation record for a specific dri…
Gross Combination Weight Rating
The maximum weight a combination vehicle (truck plus trailer) is designed to handle, including both …
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
The maximum weight a single vehicle is designed to carry, as specified by the manufacturer, includin…
Hazardous Materials Placard
A standardized warning sign required on vehicles carrying hazardous materials in quantities triggeri…
Hours of Service
Federal rules in 49 CFR Part 395 limiting how long a CDL driver may drive and remain on duty in a gi…
Independent Contractor
A worker classification designation (as opposed to employee) that affects tax obligations, benefit e…
International Fuel Tax Agreement
A cooperative agreement among U.S. states and Canadian provinces simplifying fuel tax reporting for …
International Registration Plan
A cooperative vehicle registration agreement among U.S. states, D.C., and Canadian provinces that al…
Interstate
Commercial vehicle operations that cross state lines or involve the movement of goods or passengers …
Intrastate
Commercial vehicle operations that begin and end within a single state's borders without crossing in…
Limited Query
A Clearinghouse query that returns only whether a driver has a record (yes or no), without showing t…
Log Book
A paper form used to record a CDL driver's duty status changes — also called paper RODS — used by dr…
MC Number
A number issued by FMCSA granting a carrier operating authority to transport regulated cargo or pass…
Medical Examiner's Certificate
A document issued by a certified medical examiner certifying that a CDL driver meets federal physica…
Motor Vehicle Record
An official record issued by a state motor vehicle agency showing a driver's licensing history, viol…
National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners
The FMCSA database of medical examiners certified to conduct DOT physical examinations and issue med…
Operating Authority
FMCSA authorization required to transport regulated freight or passengers for hire in interstate com…
Out-of-Service Order
An order that prohibits a CMV driver or vehicle from operating until cited safety violations are res…
Owner-Operator
A truck driver who owns their own commercial motor vehicle and operates as an independent contractor…
Personal Conveyance
The authorized use of a CMV for personal transportation recorded as off-duty time in the ELD when th…
Pre-employment Screening Program
An FMCSA program giving employers access to a CDL driver's 5-year crash history and 3-year inspectio…
Pre-Trip Inspection
An inspection performed by a CDL driver before beginning a trip to verify the vehicle is in safe ope…
Previous Employer Inquiry
A written investigation of a new CDL driver's safety performance history with prior DOT-regulated em…
Random Drug and Alcohol Testing
A DOT requirement under 49 CFR Part 382 in which a percentage of CDL drivers are selected at random …
Records of Duty Status
The official record showing a CDL driver's duty status changes — off duty, sleeper berth, driving, o…
Restriction
A limitation placed on a CDL that restricts the types of vehicles or equipment the holder may legall…
Road Test Certificate
A certificate documenting that a driver has passed a road test administered by the carrier before op…
Safety Measurement System
FMCSA's database that calculates carrier BASIC percentile scores using roadside inspection violation…
Short-Haul Exemption
An exemption from ELD and RODS requirements for drivers operating within 150 air-miles of their norm…
Substance Abuse Professional
A licensed professional who evaluates CDL drivers who have violated DOT drug or alcohol regulations,…
Training Provider Registry
The FMCSA database listing all providers authorized to deliver Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT). O…
USDOT Number
A unique identifier assigned by FMCSA to carriers and certain other entities subject to its safety r…