2021

Pocket Guide to 

Large Truck and Bus Statistics
To access a printable version of this guide, please visit: 

www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety/data-and-statistics/commercial-motorvehicle-facts. For more information about this publication, contact: 

E-mail: FMCSA_Host@dot.gov

Mail: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

	 Office of Analysis, Research, and Technology

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE

6th Floor

Washington, DC 20590

Information Service: 

Phone: 1-800-832-5660

RRA-21-004

December 2021
2021

Pocket Guide to 

Large Truck and Bus Statistics

December 2021
4 2021 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics

Introduction

The primary mission of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety 

Administration (FMCSA) is to reduce crashes, injuries, and 

fatalities involving large trucks and buses. In carrying out its 

safety mandate, FMCSA develops and enforces data-driven 

regulations that balance motor carrier safety with efficiency.

For more information about the Agency and its safety-based 

initiatives, please visit www.fmcsa.dot.gov.

Contents

The Motor Carrier Management Information System........ 6

Section 1. Overview: Large Trucks and Buses.................. 7

Section 2. Inspections and Violations................................18

Section 3. Investigations....................................................26

Section 4. Crashes ............................................................32

Section 5. Data Quality......................................................48

Section 6. Grant Programs................................................52

Section 7. Agency Resources............................................56

Glossary and List of Acronyms..........................................57
 2021 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics 5

Locations of Fatal Large Truck and 

Crashes, 201

Note: In 2019, there were 4,696 fatal crashes involving large trucks and buses.

Data Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Fatality Analysis

Reporting System (FARS).

Maps.com, National Atlas of the United States, Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin,

Crash Type

Fatal Large Truck and Bus CrashFatal Bus CrashFatal Large Truck Crash
6 2021 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics

The Motor Carrier Managem

Information Sy

FMCSA created and maintains the Motor Carrier Management 

Information System (MCMIS). MCMIS contains information on 

the safety performance of commercial motor carriers (large 

trucks and buses) and hazardous materials (HM) carriers 

subject to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations

(FMCSRs) and Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMRs). This

system contains crash, census, inspection, and investigation 

files created to monitor and develop safety standards for

commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) operating in interstate 

commerce. The crash file includes information on all trucks

and buses involved in reportable crashes. The census file

includes descriptive information on every motor carrier in 

MCMIS and is updated weekly. FMCSA analyzes motor carrier 

self-reported MCMIS registration data and applies filters

to identify and remove inaccurate entries to avoid over- or 

under-estimating values. The inspection file contains data

from State and Federal inspection actions involving motor 

carriers operating in the United States. Most of the inspection 

data included in MCMIS are collected at the roadside by 

State personnel under the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance 

Program (MCSAP). The investigation file includes data from

warning letters and on-site and off-site investigations and 

reviews conducted on motor carriers that transport property or 

passengers in interstate or intrastate commerce. Most of the 

investigation data is captured on-site during the examination of 

a motor carrier’s operations by a safety investigator. 
 2021 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics 7

1. Overview: Large Trucks and Bus

In 2019, among the 276,491,174 total registered vehicles in

the United States, 10,160,433 were single-unit trucks (straight

trucks), 2,925,210 were combination trucks (tractor-trailers), 

and 995,033 were buses. Also in 2019, there were 3,261.8 

billion vehicle miles traveled (VMT) by all motor vehicles. Large 

trucks traveled 300.1 billion of those miles (9.2 percent of the 

total), and buses traveled 18 billion of those miles (0.6 percent 

of the total). 

FMCSA regulates all motor carriers that operate in interstate 

commerce, and certain requirements for motor carriers and 

commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) that transport hazardous 

materials (HM) in intrastate commerce. As of December 2020, 

637,721 interstate motor carriers and intrastate HM motor 

carriers had recent activity operating in the United States: 

• 373,238 were for-hire carriers

• 201,807 were private carriers

• 59,609 were both for-hire and private carriers

• 3,067 were neither for-hire nor private carriers 

 (e.g., Government). 

FMCSA regulates all drivers involved in interstate commerce, 

as well as all Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) drivers, both 

interstate and intrastate. Approximately 6.5 million CMV drivers 

operate in the United States: 

• 3.7 million operate interstate

- 3.0 million operate interstate and hold CDLs

• 2.8 million operate intrastate

- 1.0 million operate intrastate and hold CDLs.

Notes: The number of carriers and/or drivers in operation at any given time is subject to 

change, due to enforcement actions, business turnovers, licensing issues, and other factors. 

Interstate and some intrastate driver counts are based on motor carrier registration data 

contained in the Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS); intrastate driver 

counts for States that do not require carriers to register with FMCSA were estimated by 

extrapolation from States requiring both interstate and intrastate carriers to register in MCMIS. 

Data Sources: Registration Data - Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Highway 

Statistics 2019; Carrier and CMV Driver Counts - FMCSA, MCMIS, data snapshot as of 

December 28, 2020.
8 2021 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics

1-3 Motorcoach Passenger Trips in the United States and 

Canada by Fleet Size, 2017

Year All Vehicles Large Trucks Buses

2016 268,799,083 11,498,561 976,161

2017 272,480,899 12,229,216 983,231

2018 273,602,100 13,233,910 992,152

2019 276,491,174 13,085,643 995,033

Data Source: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Highway Statistics 2019, 

Table VM-1. 

1-1 Registered Vehicles in the United States, 2016-2019

Year All Vehicles

Large Trucks

Single-Unit Combination Buses

2016 3,174,408 113,338 174,557 16,350

2017 3,212,347 116,102 181,490 17,227

2018 3,240,327 120,699 184,165 18,303

2019 3,261,772 124,746 175,305 17,980

Data Source: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Highway Statistics 2019, 

Table VM-1.

1-2 Million Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) in the United 

States, 2016-2019

Motorcoach 

Fleet Size

Passenger Trips: Average Passenger Trips per:

Total Percent Motorcoach Carrier

100 or more 398,085,000 69.3% 45,314 19,904,251

50 to 99 31,373,100 5.5% 8,653 475,349

25 to 49 56,269,900 9.8% 18,891 541,057

10 to 24 33,736,400 5.9% 6,031 87,627

1 to 9 55,087,900 9.6% 3,384 21,018

Industry Total 574,552,300 100.0% 15,418 179,772

Note: Percentages may not sum to 100 percent because of rounding.

Data Source: Motorcoach Census: A Study of the Size and Activity of the Motorcoach 

Industry in the United States and Canada in 2017. Prepared for the American Bus 

Association Foundation by John Dunham & Associates, June 5, 2019. Available at 

www.buses.org/aba-foundation/research-summary/size-and-scope.
 2021 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics 9

Notes: The number of carriers and/or drivers in operation at any given time is 

subject to change, due to enforcement actions, business turnovers, licensing 

issues, and other factors. Interstate and some intrastate driver counts are based 

on motor carrier registration data contained in the Motor Carrier Management 

Information System (MCMIS); intrastate driver counts for States that do not require 

intrastate carriers to register with FMCSA are estimated via extrapolation of State 

data. 

Data Source: FMCSA, MCMIS, data snapshot as of December 18, 2020. 

1-4 Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) Drivers Operating in 

the United States, 2020

Type 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Interstate Freight 497,349 515,772 541,231 555,567 590,249

Interstate Passenger 12,667 12,771 12,398 11,900 10,846

Intrastate Hazardous 

Materials

28,033 30,450 33,091 35,075 36,626

Total 538,049 558,993 586,720 602,542 637,721

Notes: The count of intrastate hazardous materials (HM) carriers includes a few active 

intrastate non-HM carriers with HM activity that meets the Safety Measurement System 

(SMS) HM threshold definition. Company counts are estimates based on motor

carriers in the Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS) with recent 

activity, defined as those carriers that have had an inspection, a crash, an investigation,

a safety audit, an FMCSAMotor Carrier Identification Report (Form MCS-150) update,

a vehicle registration activity, or a Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) system payment

activity in the past 3 years, or have current operating authority indicated in the FMCSA 

Licensing and Insurance (L&I) database. Beginning on November 1, 2013, FMCSA’s 

Unified Registration System (URS) rule requires all regulated entities to update their

registration information every 24 months. The Agency deactivates the U.S. Department

of Transportation (USDOT) number of any carrier that fails to comply with the biennial 

update requirement. 

Data Source: FMCSA, MCMIS, data snapshots as of December 30, 2016; December 

29, 2017; December 28, 2018; December 27, 2019; and December 18, 2020.

1-5 Active Motor Carriers by Type, 2016-2020

Intrastate NonCDL Drivers 

1,700,000 (26%)

Intrastate CDL 

Drivers 1,000,000 

(15%)

Interstate NonCDL Drivers 

700,000 (11%)

Interstate 

Commercial 

Driver's License 

(CDL) Drivers 

3,000,000 (46%)
10 2021 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics

Active HM Carriers 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Interstate 70,556 75,350 76,131 80,810 84,226

Interstate HM Carriers Meeting 

SMS Threshold 7,420 7,388 7,261 7,218 6,563

Interstate HM Carriers with a 

Safety Permit (HMSP)* 1,144 1,128 883 843 827

Intrastate 28,033 30,450 33,091 35,075 36,626

Intrastate HM Carriers Meeting 

SMS Threshold 2,484 2,449 2,444 2,557 2,276

Intrastate HMSP* 178 174 160 157 142

Total Active HMSP Carriers* 1,322 1,302 1,043 1,000 969

Total HM Carriers 98,589 105,800 109,222 115,885 120,852

*HMSP carriers are a subset of the total HM carrier population.

Note: The count of intrastate HM carriers includes a few active intrastate non-HM carriers with 

HM activity that meets the Safety Measurement System (SMS) threshold definition.

Data Source: FMCSA, Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS), data 

snapshots as of December 30, 2016; December 29, 2017; December 28, 2018; December 27, 

2019; and December 18, 2020.

1-6 Active Hazardous Materials (HM) Carriers, 2016-2020

Year

Active Household 

Goods Carriers

Household Goods 

Brokers Registered

Property Brokers 

Registered

2016 4,205 580 17,184

2017 4,394 671 17,966

2018 4,486 711 19,443

2019 4,666 878 20,892

2020 4,845 956 23,182

Note: A broker is an individual, partnership, or corporation that receives payment for arranging the 

transportation of property or household goods belonging to others by using an authorized motor carrier. 

Data Source: FMCSA, Licensing & Insurance (L&I), data snapshots as of December 30, 2016; 

December 29, 2017; December 28, 2018; December 27, 2019; and December 18, 2020.

1-7 Household Goods Carriers and Brokers Operating in the 

United States, 2016-2020

1-8 FMCSA-Regulated Carriers, 2016-2020

Motor Carrier Census Data 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Active Carriers with 

a USDOT Number 538,049 558,993 586,720 602,542 637,721

Power Units 4,381,344 4,517,800 4,650,605 4,788,339 4,899,374

CDL Drivers 3,331,966 3,556,342 3,615,957 3,634,989 3,765,320

Total Drivers 4,686,239 4,870,951 5,024,814 5,151,130 5,310,094

Notes: Compared to prior publications, total driver and CDL counts changed due to new filters

being applied to exclude erroneous data in the motor carrier registration file. Only interstate

carriers and intrastate HM carriers with recent activity are included in this table. FMCSA regulates 

all motor carriers that operate in interstate commerce, and certain requirements for motor carriers 

and commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) that transport HM in intrastate commerce. Beginning on 

November 1, 2013, FMCSA’s Unified Registration System (URS) rule requires all regulated entities

to update their registration information every 24 months. The Agency deactivates the USDOT

number of any carrier that fails to comply with the biennial update requirement.

Data Source: FMCSA, Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS), data snapshots 

as of December 30, 2016; December 29, 2017; December 28, 2018; December 27, 2019; and 

December 18, 2020.
 2021 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics 11

1-9 Carriers by Headquarters (Domicile) Location, 2020

Notes: Domicile refers to the headquarters location for a carrier. This map displays only interstate 

carriers and intrastate hazardous materials (HM) carriers. Intrastate non-HM carriers are not 

displayed. FMCSA regulates all motor carriers that operate in interstate commerce, and certain 

requirements for motor carriers and commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) that transport HM in 

intrastate commerce. The number of carriers depicted in this map may not be the same as 

reported elsewhere by FMCSA. Due to potential differences in reporting dates and quality issues 

with carrier addresses, this map may not include all current carriers. Additionally, the number of 

carriers that operate at any given time is subject to change due to enforcement actions, business 

turnover, and other factors. 

Data Source: FMCSA, Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS), data 

snapshot as of December 18, 2020.
12 2021 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics

1-10 FMCSA-Regulated Carriers by Domicile, 2020

Country

Active Carriers with 

a USDOT Number

Power 

Units

CDL 

Drivers

Total 

Drivers

United States 619,492 4,762,224 3,639,585 5,167,657

Canada 12,551 103,339 102,697 112,432

Mexico 5,349 31,002 22,812 28,773

Certificate Carriers 171 636 522 631

Commercial Zone Carriers 5,030 28,841 21,249 26,544

Enterprise Carriers 1,012 6,846 6,198 6,738

Long Haul Carriers 62 1,132 737 1,172

Other Countries 329 2,809 226 1,232

All Domiciles 637,721 4,899,374 3,765,320 5,310,094

Notes: U.S. domiciled carriers include carriers domiciled in the 50 U.S. States, the 

District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories. The sum of the Mexican carrier types 

may not sum to the total as some of the Mexican-owned carriers are domiciled 

in the United States. Only interstate carriers and intrastate hazardous materials 

(HM) carriers with recent activity are included in this table. FMCSA regulates all 

motor carriers that operate in interstate commerce, and certain requirements 

for motor carriers and commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) that transport HM 

in intrastate commerce. Beginning on November 1, 2013, FMCSA’s Unified

Registration System (URS) rule requires all regulated entities to update their

registration information every 24 months. The Agency deactivates the USDOT

number of any carrier that fails to comply with the biennial update requirement. 

A Mexican certificate carrier is a Mexico-domiciled motor carrier that transports

exempt commodities or operates as a private motor carrier. These motor carriers 

were issued authority to operate trucks to points in the United States beyond the 

commercial zones. FMCSA stopped issuing these certificates in 2002. A Mexican

commercial zone carrier is a Mexico-domiciled carrier that has authority to operate 

its trucks only within the U.S.-Mexico border commercial zones in the United 

States. A Mexican enterprise carrier is a Mexican-owned or controlled carrier that 

is domiciled in the United States and operates in the United States, conducting 

cross-border transportation of international cargo that originates in or is destined 

for a foreign country. A Mexican long-haul carrier is a Mexico-domiciled carrier that 

has authority to engage in long-haul transportation in the United States as a motor 

carrier of property (except household goods and placardable HM) in interstate 

commerce in or beyond the border commercial zones. The authority does not 

allow point-to-point transportation services within the United States for goods other 

than international cargo. Reports include activity for all U.S. operations from the

date the carrier was first allowed to operate up through the date of the current data

snapshot. 

Data Source: FMCSA, Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS), 

data snapshot as of December 18, 2020.
 2021 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics 13

1-11 FMCSA-Regulated Carriers by Number of Power Units, 

2016-2020

Power Units 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

1 Power Unit 249,972 261,116 278,448 289,408 317,791

2 Power Units 93,596 95,979 99,221 101,044 104,620

3–10 Power Units 139,549 143,248 147,710 149,225 150,545

11–100 Power Units 47,117 48,515 50,075 51,211 52,121

>100 Power Units 4,176 4,282 4,396 4,572 4,604

No Power Units/Unreported 3,639 5,853 6,870 7,082 8,040

Total 538,049 558,993 586,720 602,542 637,721

Only interstate carriers and intrastate hazardous materials (HM) carriers with 

recent activity are included in this table. FMCSA regulates all motor carriers that 

operate in interstate commerce, and certain requirements for motor carriers and 

commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) that transport HM in intrastate commerce. Data 

Source: FMCSA, Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS), data 

snapshots as of December 30, 2016; December 29, 2017; December 28, 2018; 

December 27, 2019; and December 18, 2020.

1-12 Transportation Services Index (TSI) Freight and 

Passenger Movement Estimates, 2000-2020

Notes: The Transportation Services Index (TSI), created by the U.S. Department of 

Transportation (USDOT), Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), measures the 

movement of freight and passengers. The index, which is seasonally adjusted and 

updated monthly, combines available data on freight traffic, as well as passenger

travel, that have been weighted to yield a monthly measure of transportation 

services output. TSI numbers are BTS estimates. The index numbers for the latest 

3 months are considered to be preliminary. BTS releases the preliminary number 

for the latest month and replaces the number for the oldest preliminary month with 

a revised number. Seasonal adjustment models for the modal data have been 

updated for the data from January 2000 to the present. 

Data Source: USDOT, BTS, TSI, available at https://www.transtats.bts.gov/OSEA/

TSI/ as of April 19, 2021. 

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

Freight Passengers Total
14 2021 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics

Notes: In this map, both private and for-hire trucks are included. Trucks that are 

used in movements for multiple modes and mail, or that move in conjunction 

with domestic air cargo, are excluded. For more information on Freight Analysis 

Framework (FAF) mode classes, refer to: https://www.bts.gov/archive/subject_areas/

freight_transportation/faf/users_guide/. 

Data Source: Federal Highway Administration, Office of Freight Management and

Operations, FAF, Version V2016.09 as of April 2017

1-13 Average Daily Truck Traffic on the National Highway 

System, 2012
 2021 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics 15

1-14 Weight of Freight Shipped within the United States by 

Mode (in Millions of Tons), 2014-2018

Mode 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Truck 11,257 11,391 11,595 11,599 11,920

Rail 1,891 1,797 1,704 1,750 1,782

Water 748 737 734 780 838

Air* 5 5 5 6 6

Multiple Modes & Mail 491 487 484 495 504

Pipeline 2,950 2,985 2,959 3,062 3,346

Other** 248 247 241 244 221

Total 17,590 17,649 17,722 17,936 18,617

*Includes air and truck-air. 

**Includes other, unknown, and no domestic mode.

Note: Includes domestic trade and the domestic portion of imports and exports. 

Data Sources: U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation 

Statistics and Federal Highway Administration, Freight Analysis Framework, version 

4.5.1, as of May 2020, available at http://faf.ornl.gov. 

1-15 Percent of Total Weight of Freight Moved by Mode, 2018

Notes: Includes domestic trade and the domestic portion of imports and exports. 

Air accounts for 0.03 percent of total domestic freight and is excluded from this 

chart. Percentages may not sum to 100 percent due to rounding.

Data Sources: U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation 

Statistics and Federal Highway Administration, Freight Analysis Framework, version 

4.5.1, as of May 2020, available at http://faf.ornl.gov.

Truck:

64.0%

Rail:

9.6%

Water:

4.5%

Multiple Modes:

2.7%

Pipeline:

18.0%

Other:

1.2%
16 2021 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics

1-16 Driver and Passenger Safety Belt Usage by Commercial 

Motor Vehicle (CMV) Body Type, 2010, 2013, and 2016

Driver and Other Occupant 

Group 2010 2013 2016

Buses

Commercial Bus 47.0% 74.4% 65.4%

School Bus 81.7% 85.9% 91.9%

15-Passenger Van - - 96.2%

Mini Bus 87.9% 86.3% 88.8%

Transit Bus - - 53.4%

Large Trucks

Bobtail 70.9% 86.2% 84.8%

Intermodal Container 75.3% 81.5% 92.6%

Dump 64.5% 69.3% 77.7%

Flatbed 74.0% 81.9% 82.2%

Van (Enclosed Box Truck) 80.2% 85.7% 87.4%

Tanker 82.5% 85.3% 87.9%

Other 73.3% 80.9% 84.7%

Notes: Prior to 2016, the body type “15-Passenger Van” was captured in the “Mini 

Bus” category. “Transit Bus” was included as a category for the first time in 2016.

The Seat Belt Use by Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers (SBUCMVD) Survey is 

conducted every 3 years. In 2016, a total of 39,319 commercial motor vehicles, 

39,319 drivers, and 2,451 other occupants were observed at 1,008 sites. Only driver

belt use is observed for buses (for the purpose of this study, 15-passenger vans are 

counted as buses). “Other occupants” are right-front passengers. 

Data Source: FMCSA, SBUCMVD 2016 Survey. For more information, refer to: 

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety/safety-belt/safety-belt-studies.

Occupant Type 2010 2013 2016

All Occupants 77.1% 83.0% 84.9%

Drivers 78.1% 83.7% 86.1%

Other Occupants 64.0% 72.9% 69.8%

Notes: The Seat Belt Use by Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers (SBUCMVD) Survey 

is conducted every 3 years. In 2016, a total of 39,319 commercial motor vehicles, 

39,319 drivers, and 2,451 other occupants were observed at 1,008 sites. Only driver

belt use is observed for buses (for the purpose of this study, 15-passenger vans are 

counted as buses). “Other occupants” are right-front passengers.

Data Source: FMCSA, SBUCMVD 2016 Survey. For more information, refer to: 

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety/safety-belt/safety-belt-studies.

1-17 CMV Driver and Passenger Safety Belt Usage by 

Occupant Type, 2010, 2013, and 2016
 2021 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics 17

1-18 Number of Medical Examiners Certified by State, 2021

Notes: In April 2021, there were 76,396 medical examiners certified on the

National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (National Registry). If a medical

examiner has multiple offices in the same State, the examiner is counted once.

However, if a medical examiner has a business office in two or more States, the

examiner will be counted once in each State.

Data Source: FMCSA, National Registry, April 27, 2021. Available at https://

nationalregistry.fmcsa.dot.gov.

Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, FAO, NOAA,

Certified

≤ 400401 - 800801 - 1,2001,201 - 1,600> 1,600

Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, FAO, NOAA,
18 2021 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics

2-2 Safety Inspectors, Federal and State, 2016-2020

What is an Inspection?

An inspection is an examination of an individual commercial 

motor vehicle (CMV) and/or driver by an authorized safety 

inspector. State inspectors conduct approximately 95 percent 

of inspections, with the remainder conducted by Federal 

inspectors. The inspection determines whether the driver and/

or the CMV is in compliance with the Federal Motor Carrier 

Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) or the Hazardous Materials

Regulations (HMRs), as appropriate. Serious violations result

in the issuance of vehicle or driver out-of-service (OOS) 

orders. These violations must be corrected before the affected 

driver or vehicle can return to service.

2. Inspections and Violati

2-1 Inspections Conducted by Federal and State Inspectors, 

2016-2020

2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Inspections 3,401,103 3,457,130 3,515,954 3,469,717 2,570,280

State 3,280,166 3,334,891 3,390,262 3,361,353 2,545,582

Federal 120,937 122,239 125,692 108,364 24,698

Data Source: FMCSA, Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS), 

data snapshot as of January 29, 2021.

Inspector Type 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Safety Inspectors 14,830 14,182 13,839 13,588 12,760

State 14,321 13,657 13,320 13,080 12,401

Federal 509 525 519 508 359

Note: Not all personnel indicated are assigned full-time to conducting inspections. 

Data Source: FMCSA, Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS), 

data snapshot as of January 29, 2021.
 2021 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics 19

2-3 Inspections by County, 2020

Data Source: FMCSA, Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS), 

data snapshot as of January 31, 2021. 

Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, FAO, NOAA,

Inspections

01-100101 - 500501 - 1,0001,001 - 10,00010,001 - 20,000> 20,000

Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, FAO, NOAA,
20 2021 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics

2-4 Inspection Out-of-Service (OOS) Rates, 2016-2020

Type of Inspection 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Driver Inspections* 3,283,556 3,344,956 3,402,946 3,353,735 2,460,580

With OOS Violation 161,111 170,843 161,203 170,874 129,442

Driver OOS Rate 4.9% 5.1% 4.7% 5.1% 5.3%

Vehicle Inspections** 2,337,164 2,382,217 2,410,876 2,384,413 1,759,961

With OOS Violation 466,839 493,581 501,729 492,129 364,598

Vehicle OOS Rate 20.0% 20.7% 20.8% 20.6% 20.7%

Hazmat Inspections*** 201,309 200,067 202,077 202,912 149,805

With OOS Violation 7,930 7,935 8,437 9,150 6,557

Hazmat OOS Rate 3.9% 4.0% 4.2% 4.5% 4.4%

*Driver Inspections were computed based on inspection levels I, II, III, and VI.

**Vehicle Inspections were computed based on inspection levels I, II, V, and VI. 

***Hazmat Inspections were computed based on inspection levels I, II, III, IV, V, 

and VI when hazardous materials were present. 

Notes: Inspection OOS rates depicted in this table include both large trucks and 

buses. Counts in this table include Federal and State inspections. For more 

information on inspections and inspection levels, please refer to http://cvsa.org/

inspections/inspections/all-inspection-levels/. 

Data Source: FMCSA, Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS), 

data snapshot as of January 29, 2021.
 2021 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics 21

2-5 Inspections by Level, 2016-2020

2-6 Inspections by Level, 2020

Inspection Level 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

I. Full 1,013,253 1,039,143 1,104,938 1,069,471 771,662

With OOS Violation(s)* 252,221 266,480 278,174 266,595 191,625

II. Walk-Around 1,217,351 1,237,851 1,202,248 1,208,460 889,351

With OOS Violation(s)* 269,558 285,232 280,165 285,658 217,833

III. Driver Only 1,052,708 1,067,350 1,094,817 1,074,811 798,973

With OOS Violation(s)* 64,117 65,297 55,528 58,498 43,772

IV. Special Study 11,231 7,563 10,261 10,493 11,346

With OOS Violation(s)* 2,079 1,596 1,998 1,753 1,842

V. Terminal 106,316 104,611 102,747 105,489 98,354

With OOS Violation(s)* 6,184 5,837 5,722 5,862 4,516

VI. Radioactive Materials 244 612 943 993 594

With OOS Violation(s)* 11 13 5 8 5

Total 3,401,103 3,457,130 3,515,954 3,469,717 2,570,280

*Out-of-service (OOS) violation numbers are based on inspections. For example, 

in 2020, there were 771,662 Level I inspections. Out of all the Level I inspections 

completed, 191,625 resulted in at least one OOS violation. 

Note: For more information on inspections and inspection levels, please refer to http://

cvsa.org/inspections/inspections/all-inspection-levels/. 

Data Source: FMCSA, Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS), data 

snapshot as of January 29, 2021. 

Note: For more information on inspections and inspection levels, please refer to http://

cvsa.org/inspections/inspections/all-inspection-levels/. 

Data Source: FMCSA, Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS), data 

snapshot as of January 29, 2021. 

I. Full

771,662

30.0%

II. Walk-Around

889,351

34.6%

III. Driver Only

798,973

31.1%

IV. Special Study

11,346

0.04%

V. Terminal

98,354

3.8%

VI. Radioactive 

Materials

594

0.02%
22 2021 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics

2-7 Inspections by Carrier Fleet Size, 2016-2020

2-8 Inspections by Carrier Operation, 2016-2020

2-9 Inspections by Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR), 

2016-2020

Carrier Fleet Size 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Very Small 

(1-6 Power Units) 1,070,118 1,096,781 1,118,490 1,090,273 823,135

Small 

(7-20 Power Units) 598,280 605,352 614,298 610,541 441,460

Medium 

(21-100 Power Units) 725,612 733,737 737,394 728,794 531,871

Large 

(>100 Power Units) 853,350 878,085 895,320 891,735 679,554

Unknown 153,743 143,175 150,448 148,374 94,260

Total 3,401,103 3,457,130 3,515,950 3,469,717 2,570,280

Note: Carriers listed as having zero power units are included in the “Unknown” category.

Data Source: FMCSA, Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS), 

data snapshot as of January 29, 2021.

Carrier Operation 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Interstate 2,777,374 2,808,415 2,794,424 2,766,763 2,029,951

Intrastate 623,729 648,715 721,530 702,954 540,329

Total 3,401,103 3,457,130 3,515,954 3,469,717 2,570,280

Data Source: FMCSA, Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS), 

data snapshot as of January 29, 2021.

GCWR 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

<10,000 pounds 16,743 16,613 15,657 15,087 9,285

10,000 - 26,000 pounds 470,646 494,965 547,994 561,200 449,281

>26,000 pounds 2,735,246 2,816,227 2,829,302 2,775,774 2,007,230

Unknown 178,468 129,325 123,001 117,656 104,484

Total 3,401,103 3,457,130 3,515,954 3,469,717 2,570,280

Note: GCWRs are based on Inspection Reports as reported in MCMIS.

Data Source: FMCSA, Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS), 

data snapshot as of January 29, 2021.
 2021 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics 23

2-10 Most Frequent Driver Violations in Inspections, 2020

Violation Code Category Violation Description

Number of 

Violations

392.2SLLS2 Traffic Enforcement State/Local Laws - Speeding 6-10 miles per hour 

over the speed limit.

58,134

392.2C Traffic Enforcement Failure to obey traffic control device 49,454

392.16 Seat Belt Failing to use seat belt while operating a CMV 45,397

395.8E No Log/Log Not 

Current

False report of drivers record of duty status 35,056

392.2LV Traffic Enforcement Lane Restriction violation 33,022

395.8 No Log/Log Not 

Current

Record of Duty Status violation (general/formand

manner)

32,577

383.23A2 All Other Driver 

Violations

Operating a CMV without a CDL 32,538

392.2SLLS3 Traffic Enforcement State/Local Laws - Speeding 11-14miles per hour

over the speed limit.

29,327

391.41AF Medical Certificate Operating a property-carrying vehicle without 

possessing a validmedical certificate.

27,381

395.8AELD No Log/Log Not 

Current

ELD - No record of duty status (ELD Required) 26,227

391.41A Medical Certificate Nomedical certificate in driver's possession 25,635

392.2SLLS4 Traffic Enforcement State/Local Laws - Speeding 15 or more miles per 

hour over the speed limit.

20,021

395.24D No Log/Log Not 

Current

ELD cannot transfer ELD records electronically 19,796

395.22H4 No Log/Log Not 

Current

Driver failed to maintain supply of blank drivers 

records of duty status graph-grids

16,342

395.22H2 No Log/Log Not 

Current

Driver failing to maintain ELD instruction sheet 16,332

395.8F01 No Log/Log Not 

Current

Drivers record of duty status not current 16,179

395.22G All Other Driver 

Violations

Portable ELD notmounted in a fixed position and

visible to driver 

15,768

392.82A1 All Other Driver 

Violations

Using a hand-held mobile telephone while 

operating a CMV

14,634

395.22H1 No Log/Log Not 

Current

Driver failing tomaintain ELD user'smanual 13,261

395.24C2III All Other Driver 

Violations

Driver failed to manually add shipping document 

number

12,515

Notes: Total number of driver inspections in 2020: 2,460,580. Total number of

driver violations in 2020: 765,526. Total number of driver out-of-service (OOS) 

violations in 2020: 151,145. Only the top 20 driver violations (based on frequency

of occurrence) are listed in this table. 

Data Source: FMCSA, Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS), 

data snapshot as of January 29, 2021.
24 2021 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics

Violation 

Code Category Violation Description

Number of 

Violations

393.9 Lighting Inoperable Required Lamp 311,791

396.17C Periodic 

Inspection

Operating a CMV without proof of a periodic inspection 136,106

393.47E Brakes Clamp or Roto type brake out-of-adjustment 113,386

393.95A Emergency 

Equipment

No/discharged/unsecured fire extinguisher 99,321

396.3A1 All Other Vehicle 

Defects

Inspection, repair and maintenance of parts and 

accessories

90,580

393.9TS Lighting Inoperative turn signal 88,361

393.11 Lighting No or defective lighting devices or reflective material

as required

80,162

393.75A3 Tires Tire-flat and/or audible air leak 70,584

393.75C Tires Tire-other tread depth less than 2/32 of inch measured 

in a major tread groove

69,656

393.78 Windshield Windshield wipers inoperative/defective 64,711

393.53B Brakes CMV manufactured after 10/19/94 has an automatic

airbrake adjustment system that fails to compensate 

for wear

62,932

396.5B All Other Vehicle 

Defects

Oil and/or grease leak 57,441

393.95F Emergency 

Equipment

No / insufficient warning devices 51,584

396.3A1BOS Brakes Brakes Out Of Service: The number of defective brakes 

is equal to or greater than 20 percent of the service 

brakes on the vehicle or combination

45,465

393.48A Brakes Inoperative/defective brakes 44,629

393.9H Lighting Inoperable head lamps 44,471

393.45B2 Brakes Brake hose or tubing chafing and/or kinking 43,704

393.55E Brakes No or Defective ABS Malfunction Indicator Lamp for 

trailer manufactured after 03/01/1998

42,870

396.3A1B Brakes Brakes (general) 40,383

393.60C Windshield Damaged or discolored windshield 34,858

Notes: Total number of vehicle inspections in 2020: 1,759,961. Total number 

of vehicle violations in 2020: 2,543,126. Total number of vehicle out-of-service

violations in 2020: 549,413. Only the top 20 vehicle violations (based on frequency

of occurrence) are listed in this table.

Data Source: FMCSA, Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS), 

data snapshot as of January 29, 2021.

2-11 Most Frequent Vehicle Violations in Inspections, 2020
 2021 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics 25

2-12 Traffic Enforcement Inspections, 2016-2020

Activity Summary 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Number of Traffic Enforcement

Inspections (Driver observed)

314,049 328,866 350,102 353,646 291,579

With Moving Violations 310,685 325,186 345,943 349,427 288,086

With Drug & Alcohol Violations 4,160 4,679 5,365 5,493 4,273

With Railroad Crossing

Violations 218 223 210 252 183

Number of Traffic Enforcement

Inspections (Vehicle observed) 234,651 223,944 217,400 237,167 197,204

Total Number of Traffic 

Enforcement Inspections 548,700 552,810 567,501 590,813 488,783

Notes: One inspection may result in more than one violation; therefore, totals may 

not equal the sum of all components. The traffic enforcement program involves the

enforcement of 26 moving and non-moving driver violations, which are included in 

the driver violation portion of the inspection procedures. As of January 2017, two new 

traffic enforcement violations were added: “driving a commercial motor vehicle (CMV)

while texting” and “using a hand-held mobile telephone while operating a CMV.” These 

violations are included in the moving violations category. 

Data Source: FMCSA, Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS), data 

snapshot as of January 29, 2021.

Activity Summary 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Number of Traffic Enforcement

Violations (Driver observed)

337,098 354,488 378,827 384,212 316,520

Moving Violations 331,962 348,691 372,043 377,138 310,788

Drug & Alcohol Violations 4,917 5,573 6,573 6,821 5,181

Railroad Crossing Violations 219 224 211 253 184

Number of Traffic Enforcement

Violations (Vehicle observed) 450,827 437,138 426,697 470,692 405,317

Total Number of Traffic 

Enforcement Violations 787,925 791,626 805,524 854,904 721,837

Notes: The traffic enforcement program involves the enforcement of 26 moving and

non-moving driver violations, which are included in the driver violation portion of the 

inspection procedures. Inspections that result in drug- or alcohol-related violations 

are included as traffic enforcement type inspections if another moving violation

is present. As of January 2017, two new traffic enforcement violations were added:

“driving a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) while texting” and “using a hand-held mobile 

telephone while operating a CMV.” These violations are included in the moving violations 

category. 

Data Source: FMCSA, Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS), data 

snapshot as of January 29, 2021. 

2-13 Traffic Enforcement Violations, 2016-2020
26 2021 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics

3. Investigation

This chapter provides summarized data for the past 5 years 

on all types of investigations and reviews conducted on motor 

carriers that transport property or passengers in interstate 

or intrastate commerce. Investigations are conducted to 

investigate identified areas of non-compliance and safety

concerns, with a focus on carriers identified as high risk; to

investigate complaints; or in response to other safety and 

compliance concerns. It is intended that through education, 

heightened safety regulation awareness, and the enforcement 

effects of investigations, motor carriers will improve the safety 

of their commercial vehicle operations and, ultimately, reduce 

their involvement in crashes. 

The Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program is 

FMCSA’s enforcement model to focus the Agency’s efforts 

on large truck and bus safety and to prevent crashes, 

injuries, and fatalities related to commercial motor vehicles 

(CMVs). This program has introduced an enforcement 

and compliance model that allows FMCSA and its State 

partners to contact more carriers earlier in order to address 

safety deficiencies before crashes occur. The CSA program

provides a nationwide system for making the roads safer for 

motor carriers and the public alike. 

Companies investigated by FMCSA include, but are not 

limited to: trucking companies, household goods moving 

companies, bus companies, cargo tank facilities, and 

hazardous materials shippers. 

For more statistics on investigations, please refer to: 

http://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/SafetyProgram/Review.aspx.
 2021 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics 27

3-1 Investigations by State, 2020

Data Source: FMCSA, Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS), 

data snapshot as of January 31, 2021. 

Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, FAO, NOAA,

Reviews

≤ 2021 - 5051 - 150151 - 300301 - 650> 650

Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, FAO, NOAA,
28 2021 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics

3-3 Interventions by Type, 2016-2020

Intervention Type 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Investigations 14,082 15,044 14,222 13,037 11,433

Onsite Comprehensive 6,080 6,440 5,883 5,358 1,968

Onsite Focused 6,907 7,675 7,418 5,936 3,596

Offsite 118 76 330 1,374 5,753

Cargo Tank Facility Reviews 82 131 92 82 27

Shipper Reviews 169 40 12 7 2

Non-Rated Reviews 742 697 502 292 88

Warning Letters 35,756 28,508 30,150 26,564 22,230

Security Contact Reviews 532 426 349 344 164

Totral Terminal Investigations 5,799 15,296 20,439 24,996 23,485

Notes: Warning letters are based on a Safety Measurement System (SMS) algorithm 

that was implemented nationally in December of 2010. 

Data Source: FMCSA, Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS), data 

snapshot as of January 29, 2021.

3-2 Investigations Conducted by Federal and State 

Investigators, 2016-2020

Investigations 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

State 6,320 6,460 6,048 5,376 4,396

Federal 7,762 8,584 8,174 7,661 7,037

Total 14,082 15,044 14,222 13,037 11,433

Data Source: FMCSA, Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS), data 

snapshot as of January 29, 2021.

Safety 

Rating

Interstate 

Freight 

Carriers

Intrastate HM 

Carriers

Interstate 

Passenger 

Carriers All Carriers

Conditional 12,035 529 191 12,755

Satisfactory 32,544 1,801 2,755 37,100

Unsatisfactory 986 115 12 1,113

No Rating 526,921 34,144 7,459 568,524

Total 572,486 36,589 10,417 619,492

Note: In order to receive a safety rating, a carrier must have received a compliance 

review or comprehensive onsite investigation.

Data Source: FMCSA, Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS), data 

snapshot as of December 18, 2020.

3-4 FMCSA-Regulated Carriers by Safety Rating, 2020
 2021 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics 29

3-5 Passenger Carrier, Hazardous Materials Carrier, and

Household Goods Carrier Investigations, 2016-2020

Carriers by Vehicle Type 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Any Passenger Vehicles* 1,324 1,552 1,166 1,162 399

Motorcoaches 984 1,199 915 964 227

School Buses 168 186 176 315 107

Vans 302 348 281 160 91

Mini Buses 417 541 390 178 70

Limousines 140 116 100 219 80

Hazardous Materials 808 643 524 560 439

Household Goods 177 181 172 135 62

*The “Any Passenger Vehicles” row might not equal the sum of subcategories for a 

given row due to carriers applying for multiple passenger authority at the time of the 

application.

Notes: Passenger carriers were those carriers that registered to transport passengers 

and owned or leased at least one passenger vehicle (motorcoach, school bus, van, 

mini-bus, or limousine). Beginning in 2014, reporting criteria for identifying passenger

carrier investigations was updated. As a result, data may differ from previous versions. 

Passenger carrier investigations now reflect investigations performed by Federal

and State personnel on motor carriers that were subject to the Safety Measurement 

System (SMS) passenger carrier threshold at the time of the investigations. 

Data Source: FMCSA, Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS), data 

snapshot as of January 29, 2021.

3-6 Investigations by Carrier Fleet Size, 2016-2020

Carrier Fleet Size 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Very Small (1-6 Power Units) 8,181 8,976 8,465 7,498 6,131

Small (7-20 Power Units) 3,593 3,741 3,615 3,425 3,243

Medium (21-100 Power Units) 1,720 1,836 1,709 1,663 1,696

Large (>100 Power Units) 348 335 344 374 332

No Power Units/Unreported 240 156 89 77 31

Total 14,082 15,044 14,222 13,037 11,433

Note: Carriers listed as having zero power units are included in the “No Power 

Units/Unreported” category. 

Data Source: FMCSA, Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS), 

data snapshot as of January 29, 2021.
30 2021 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics

Year Safety Audits Safety Audit Pass Rate

2016 37,548 88.6%

2017 36,214 89.8%

2018 37,348 89.3%

2019 40,276 88.2%

2020 40,129 92.6%

Notes: A new entrant is a motor carrier that applies for a USDOT number in order 

to initiate operations in interstate commerce or the intrastate transportation of 

hazardous materials (HM). Carriers remain in the New Entrant Safety Assurance 

Program until they pass the safety audit and have been in business for 18 

months. For more information on the New Entrant Safety Assurance Program, 

visit http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety/new-entrant-safety-assurance-program.

Data Source: FMCSA, Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS), 

data snapshot as of January 29, 2021.

3-7 New Entrant Safety Audits, 2016-2020
 2021 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics 31

3-8 Summary of Closed Enforcement Cases, 2016-2020

2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Subject Type

Cases

(Amount 

Settled)

Cases

(Amount 

Settled)

Cases

(Amount 

Settled)

Cases

(Amount 

Settled)

Cases

(Amount 

Settled)

Broker

0

($0)

0

($0)

0

($0)

0

($0)

0

($0)

Cargo Tank 

Facility

27

 ($732,110)

35

 ($938,720)

25

 ($593,650)

15

 ($118,830)

9

 ($12,288,560)

Carrier

4,309

($32,493,395)

4,617

 ($33,288,715)

4,125

 ($29,116,929)

3,498

($22,453,405)

2,404

($14,601,314)

Drug Consortium

0

($0)

0

($0)

0

($0)

1

($5,890)

0

($0)

Freight Forwarder

79

($901,410)

64

 ($922,352)

70

($955,874)

41

($416,212)

11

 ($59,700)

HM Carrier

144

 ($1,908,390)

166

($2,341,200)

139

 ($1,673,220)

121

 ($1,161,700)

54

($405,289)

HM Carrier 

(Not Placarded)

0

($0)

0

($0)

0

($0)

0

($0)

1

 ($3,110)

HM Carrier/

Shipper

147

($1,561,249)

107

($1,407,510)

80

 ($963,390)

52

 ($575,100)

25

 ($287,780)

Other

3

 ($28,300)

3

 ($15,360)

4

 ($16,716)

3

($19,640)

0

 ($0)

Passenger 

Carrier

185

($1,726,254)

206

($1,779,542)

92

($972,746)

63

($449,133)

34

 ($217,650)

Shipper

3

 ($30,790)

5

($41,650)

2

 ($30,110)

0

($0)

0

($0)

Small Passenger 

Carrier

0

($0)

0

($0)

0

($0)

0

($0)

0

($0)

Total

4,897

 ($39,381,898)

5,203

 ($40,735,049)

4,537

 ($34,322,635)

3,794

 ($25,199,910)

2,538

 ($27,863,403)

Notes: FMCSA is responsible for ensuring full compliance with all Federal Motor 

Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) and Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMRs)

required of large truck and bus companies regulated by the U.S. Department 

of Transportation (USDOT). This table provides data for 5 calendar years of 

enforcement cases considered “closed” for large truck and bus companies regulated 

by the USDOT. An enforcement case is deemed “closed” once FMCSA issues a 

carrier a “Notice of Claim” (NOC) and the carrier has (1) paid the penalty in full, 

(2) signed a settlement agreement, (3) defaulted on the NOC, upon which a “Final 

Agency Order” is issued, or (4) found liable for violations charged in the NOC after

adjudication. 

Data Sources: FMCSA, Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS), 

Enforcement Management Information System (EMIS), January 29, 2021. 
32 2021 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics

4. Crashe

In 2019, of the 33,244 fatal crashes on the Nation’s roadways, 4,696 (14.1

percent) involved at least one large truck or bus. In addition, there were an 

estimated 6,722,000 nonfatal crashes, 575,000 (8.6 percent) of which involved 

at least one large truck or bus. For more information on large truck and bus 

crashes, please refer to the annual Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts publication 

available at http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety/data-and-statistics/large-truck-andbus-crash-facts.

Data Sources:

FARS: Maintained by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

(NHTSA), the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) is an annual census of

fatal crashes involving motor vehicles traveling on public trafficways. Beginning

with data for 2016, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

implemented changes to revise vehicle classification based on gross vehicle

weight rating (GVWR), which reclassified 329 light pickup trucks as large trucks.

Due to this methodology change, comparisons of the 2016 (and later) FARS

large truck data with prior years should be performed with caution. For more 

information on FARS, refer to http://www.nhtsa.gov/FARS.

CRSS: NHTSA established the Crash Report Sampling System (CRSS) in

2016 when the long-running General Estimates System (GES) was retired. 

CRSS is a sample of police-reported crashes involving all types of motor

vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists, ranging from property-damage-only crashes 

to those that result in fatalities. CRSS is used to estimate the overall crash

picture, identify highway safety problem areas, measure trends, inform consumer 

information initiatives, and support cost and benefit analyses of highway safety

initiatives and regulations. The data from CRSS yield national estimates through

a weighting procedure but cannot give State-level estimates. Because CRSS is

a sample of motor vehicle crashes, the results generated are estimates rounded 

to the nearest 1000; however, associated percentages and rates are based on 

the unrounded data. To learn more about CRSS, visit https://www. nhtsa.gov/

national-center-statistics-and-analysis-ncsa/crash-report-sampling-systemcrss#crash-report-sampling-system-crss-data-files.

MCMIS: Maintained by FMCSA, the Motor Carrier Management Information 

System (MCMIS) Crash File contains data on commercial trucks and buses 

in fatal, injury, and towaway crashes (crashes in which at least one vehicle is 

disabled as a result of the crash and transported away from the crash scene). 

Crash severity thresholds and vehicle type definitions in MCMIS differ slightly

from those in FARS and GES/CRSS, and all tables are noted accordingly.
 2021 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics 33

All MCMIS crash data presented are considered preliminary for 22 months. 

For more information on MCMIS, refer to https://ask.fmcsa.dot.gov/app/

mcmiscatalog/mcmishome.

NHTSA Crash Severity Levels:

This Pocket Guide includes data on police-reported crashes collected by 

NHTSA, which include fatal, injury, and property-damage-only (PDO) crashes.

 

1. Fatal crashes include police-reported crashes involving a motor vehicle in 

transport on a trafficway in which at least one person dies within 30 days of

the crash. The fatality does not have to occur at the scene of the crash and 

includes any person involved, including non-motorists. 

 

2. Injury crashes include police-reported crashes involving a motor vehicle 

in transport on a trafficway in which no one died but at least one person

was reported to have: (1) an incapacitating injury; (2) a visible but not 

incapacitating injury; (3) a possible, not visible injury; or (4) an injury of

unknown severity. 

3. PDO crashes include police-reported crashes involving a motor vehicle in 

transport on a trafficway in which no one involved in the crash suffered any

injuries. 

For more information on crash severity levels, refer to NHTSA’s

National Center for Statistics and Analysis (NCSA) Data Resource Web site at:

https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/#/. 

Vehicles in Crashes: 

Large Trucks: FARS and GES/CRSS define a large truck as a truck with a

gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) greater than 10,000 pounds. The Motor

Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS) defines a large truck as

a vehicle designed, used, or maintained primarily for carrying property, with 

a GVWR or gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of more than 10,000

pounds, or any vehicle carrying hazardous materials that requires placarding, 

regardless of weight.

Buses: A bus is defined as a vehicle with seats for at least nine people,

including the driver.
34 2021 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics

4-2 Fatal Crashes by Vehicle Type, 2016-2019

Year

Number of Crashes Involving: 

Large Trucks Buses Large Trucks and Buses All Vehicle Types

2016 4,177 231 4,396 34,748

2017 4,367 231 4,587 34,560

2018 4,461 234 4,678 33,919

2019 4,479 231 4,696 33,244

Notes: Individual subtotals may not add to the totals due to the potential for double counting 

(e.g., crashes involving both a truck and a bus). A large truck is defined here as a truck with

a GVWR greater than 10,000 pounds. A bus is defined as a vehicle with seats for at least

nine people, including the driver. The “All Vehicle Types” category includes crashes involving 

passenger cars, light trucks, large trucks, buses, motorcycles, or any other type of motorized 

vehicle.

Data Source: NHTSA, FARS.

4-1 Total Crashes by Vehicle Type, 2016-2019

Year

Number of Crashes Involving:

Large Trucks Buses Large Trucks and Buses All Vehicle Types

2016 434,000 67,000 496,000 6,821,000

2017 450,000 66,000 512,000 6,454,000

2018 499,000 65,000 560,000 6,735,000

2019 510,000 72,000 580,000 6,755,000

Notes: Individual subtotals may not add to the totals due to the potential for double counting 

(e.g., crashes involving both a truck and a bus). A large truck is defined here as a truck with

a GVWR greater than 10,000 pounds. A bus is defined as a vehicle with seats for at least

nine people, including the driver. The “All Vehicle Types” category includes crashes involving 

passenger cars, light trucks, large trucks, buses, motorcycles, or any other type of motorized 

vehicle. These numbers include fatal crash data from FARS and injury crash and propertydamage-only (PDO) crash data from CRSS. CRSS takes samples motor vehicle crashes—the

results generated are estimates rounded to the nearest one thousand; however, associated 

percentages and rates are based on the unrounded data.

Data Sources: NHTSA, FARS, and CRSS.
 2021 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics 35

4-3 Injury Crashes by Vehicle Type, 2016-2019

Year

Number of Crashes Involving: 

Large Trucks Buses Large Trucks and Buses All Vehicle Types

2016 97,000 16,000 112,000 2,116,000

2017 102,000 15,000 116,000 1,889,000

2018 107,000 15,000 121,000 1,894,000

2019 114,000 13,000 127,000 1,916,000

Notes: Individual subtotals may not add to the totals due to the potential for double counting 

(e.g., crashes involving both a truck and a bus). A large truck is defined here as a truck with a

gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) greater than 10,000 pounds. A bus is defined as a vehicle

with seats for at least nine people, including the driver. The “All Vehicle Types” category 

includes crashes involving passenger cars, light trucks, large trucks, buses, motorcycles, or 

any other type of motorized vehicle. These numbers include injury crash data from CRSS.

CRSS takes samples motor vehicle crashes—the results generated are estimates rounded

to the nearest one thousand; however, associated percentages and rates are based on the 

unrounded data. 

Data Sources: NHTSA, and CRSS.

4-4 Property-Damage-Only (PDO) Crashes by Vehicle Type, 

2016-2019

Year

Number of Crashes Involving: 

Large Trucks Buses Large Trucks and Buses All Vehicle Types

2016 333,000 51,000 380,000 4,670,000

2017 344,000 51,000 391,000 4,530,000

2018 388,000 50,000 434,000 4,807,000

2019 392,000 59,000 448,000 4,806,000

Notes: Individual subtotals may not add to the totals due to the potential for double counting 

(e.g., crashes involving both a truck and a bus). A large truck is defined here as a truck with a

gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) greater than 10,000 pounds. A bus is defined as a vehicle

with seats for at least nine people, including the driver. The “All Vehicle Types” category 

includes crashes involving passenger cars, light trucks, large trucks, buses, motorcycles, or 

any other type of motorized vehicle. These numbers include PDO crash data from CRSS.

CRSS takes samples of motor vehicle crashes—the results generated are estimates rounded

to the nearest one thousand; however, associated percentages and rates are based on the 

unrounded data. 

Data Sources: NHTSA and CRSS.
36 2021 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics

4-5 Large Truck Fatal Crashes, 1975-2019

Year

Fatal 

Crashes 

Involving 

Large 

Trucks

Large 

Truck 

Occupant 

Fatalities

Total 

Fatalities 

in Large 

Truck 

Crashes

Million 

VMT by 

Large 

Trucks

Rates per 

100 Million VMT

Large 

Trucks 

Registered

Fatal 

Crashes 

Involving 

Large 

Trucks

Fatalities 

in Large 

Truck 

Crashes

1975 3,722 961 4,483 81,330 4.58 5.51 5,362,369

1980 5,042 1,262 5,971 108,491 4.65 5.50 5,790,653

1985 4,841 977 5,734 123,504 3.92 4.64 5,996,337

1990 4,518 705 5,272 146,242 3.09 3.60 6,195,876

1995 4,194 648 4,918 178,156 2.35 2.76 6,719,421

2000 4,573 754 5,282 205,520 2.23 2.57 8,022,649

2005 4,551 804 5,240 222,523 2.05 2.35 8,481,999

2010 3,271 530 3,686 286,527 1.14 1.29 10,770,054

2011 3,365 640 3,781 267,594 1.26 1.41 10,270,693

2012 3,486 697 3,944 269,207 1.29 1.47 10,659,380

2013 3,554 695 3,981 275,017 1.29 1.45 10,597,356

2014 3,429 656 3,908 279,132 1.23 1.40 10,905,956

2015 3,622 665 4,094 279,844 1.29 1.46 11,203,184

2016† 4,177 815 4,678 287,895 1.45 1.62 11,498,561

2017† 4,367 878 4,906 297,593 1.47 1.65 12,229,216

2018† 4,461 890 5,006 304,864 1.46 1.64 13,233,910

2019† 4,479 892 5,005 300,050 1.49 1.67 13,085,643

†Beginning with data for 2016, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) implemented

changes to revise vehicle classification based on gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), which reclassified

329 light pickup trucks as large trucks. Due to this methodology change, comparisons of the 2016 (and 

later) Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) large truck data with prior years should be performed

with caution.

Notes: A large truck is defined here as a truck with a GVWR greater than 10,000 pounds. The Federal

Highway Administration (FHWA) implemented an enhanced methodology for estimating registered 

vehicles and vehicle miles traveled (VMT) by vehicle type beginning with data from 2007. As a result, 

involvement rates may differ, and in some cases significantly, from earlier years.

4-6 Large Truck Injury Crashes, 2016-2019

Year

Injury 

Crashes 

Involving 

Large 

Trucks

Large 

Trucks 

Involved 

in Injury 

Crashes

Persons 

Injured 

in Large 

Truck 

Crashes

Million 

VMT by 

Large 

Trucks

Rates per 

100 Million VMT

Large 

Trucks 

Registered

Injury 

Crashes 

Involving 

Large 

Trucks

Persons 

Injured 

in Large 

Truck 

Crashes

2016 97,000 102,000 134,000 287,895 33.7 46.7 11,498,561

2017 102,000 107,000 148,000 297,593 34.4 49.7 12,229,216

2018 107,000 112,000 151,000 304,864 35.0 49.4 13,233,910

2019 114,000 119,000 158,000 300,050 38.0 52.8 13,085,643

Notes: “Persons Injured” includes all nonfatally injured persons in injury and fatal crashes. A large truck 

is defined here as a truck with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) greater than 10,000 pounds.

The rates displayed in this table are based on unrounded CRSS data. CRSS takes samples of motor

vehicle crashes—the results generated are estimates rounded to the nearest one thousand; however,

associated percentages and rates are based on the unrounded data. 

Data Sources: Vehicle Miles Traveled and Registered Vehicles: FHWA, Highway Statistics 2019. Injury 

Crashes, Vehicles Involved, and Persons Injured: NHTSA and CRSS.
 2021 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics 37

4-7 Large Truck and Bus Fatality Rates Per 100 Million Total 

Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) by State, 2018 and 2019

State

2018 2019

Fatalities Million VMT Fatality Rate Fatalities Million VMT Fatality Rate

Alabama 126 71,167 0.18 141 71,735 0.20

Alaska 10 5,487 0.18 9 5,881 0.15

Arizona 100 66,145 0.15 92 70,281 0.13

Arkansas 89 36,675 0.24 82 37,099 0.22

California 399 348,796 0.11 429 340,836 0.13

Colorado 97 53,954 0.18 106 54,634 0.19

Connecticut 31 31,596 0.10 23 31,601 0.07

Delaware 19 10,179 0.19 17 10,245 0.17

D.C. 6 3,691 0.16 0 3,756 0.00

Florida 339 221,816 0.15 368 226,514 0.16

Georgia 203 131,456 0.15 217 133,128 0.16

Hawaii 8 10,887 0.07 4 11,024 0.04

Idaho 56 17,709 0.32 44 18,058 0.24

Illinois 174 107,954 0.16 148 107,525 0.14

Indiana 155 81,529 0.19 146 82,719 0.18

Iowa 64 33,282 0.19 70 33,537 0.21

Kansas 87 32,190 0.27 86 31,843 0.27

Kentucky 109 49,544 0.22 119 49,410 0.24

Louisiana 110 50,045 0.22 93 51,360 0.18

Maine 18 14,784 0.12 18 14,871 0.12

Maryland 76 59,775 0.13 69 60,216 0.11

Massachusetts 38 66,772 0.06 34 64,890 0.05

Michigan 113 102,398 0.11 111 102,174 0.11

Minnesota 48 60,438 0.08 62 60,731 0.10

Mississippi 113 40,730 0.28 93 41,091 0.23

Missouri 138 76,595 0.18 140 79,168 0.18

Montana 17 12,700 0.13 35 12,892 0.27

Nebraska 52 20,975 0.25 66 21,242 0.31

Nevada 27 28,319 0.10 43 28,794 0.15

New Hampshire 24 13,776 0.17 7 13,828 0.05

New Jersey 99 77,539 0.13 89 78,205 0.11

New Mexico 68 27,288 0.25 78 27,772 0.28

New York 111 123,510 0.09 136 123,986 0.11

North Carolina 184 121,127 0.15 165 122,475 0.13

North Dakota 31 9,856 0.31 21 9,826 0.21

Ohio 188 114,474 0.16 179 114,694 0.16

Oklahoma 119 45,433 0.26 105 44,648 0.24

Oregon 74 36,848 0.20 68 35,808 0.19

Pennsylvania 157 102,109 0.15 142 102,864 0.14

Rhode Island 3 8,009 0.04 4 7,581 0.05

South Carolina 124 56,801 0.22 126 57,939 0.22

South Dakota 29 9,719 0.30 16 9,922 0.16

Tennessee 132 81,321 0.16 156 82,892 0.19

Texas 677 282,037 0.24 671 288,227 0.23

Utah 41 32,069 0.13 47 32,911 0.14

Vermont 12 7,346 0.16 12 7,346 0.16

Virginia 116 85,336 0.14 115 85,432 0.13

Washington 66 62,367 0.11 84 62,530 0.13

West Virginia 54 19,447 0.28 43 19,077 0.23

Wisconsin 78 65,885 0.12 74 66,348 0.11

Wyoming 32 10,438 0.31 41 10,208 0.40

National Totals 5,241 3,240,327 0.16 5,244 3,261,772 0.16

Notes: D.C. = District of Columbia. Fatality rate is equal to “Fatalities” divided by “Million VMT,” multiplied by 100. A 

large truck is defined here as a truck with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) greater than 10,000 pounds. A bus is defined as a vehicle with seats for at least nine people, including the driver. Data Sources: VMT - Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Highway Statistics 2019; Fatalities - National 

Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
38 2021 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics

4-8 Large Truck and Bus Fatality Rates Per 100 Million Total 

Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) by State, 2019

Data Sources: Vehicle Miles Traveled - FHWA, Highway Statistics 2019; Fatalities - 

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Fatality Analysis Reporting

System (FARS).

Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, FAO, NOAA,

2019 Crash Rate

≤ 0.100.100001 -0.150.150001 - 0.200.200001 - 0.25> 0.25

Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, FAO, NOAA,
 2021 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics 39

4-9 Vehicle Occupants Killed in Large Truck Crashes 

by Vehicle Type, 2016-2019

4-10 Nonmotorists Killed in Large Truck Crashes, 2016-2019

Occupant of: 2016 2017 2018 2019

Passenger Car 1,629 1,741 1,696 1,645

Light Truck 1,364 1,469 1,536 1,570

Large Truck 815 878 890 892

Motorcycle 302 285 288 299

Bus 18 17 25 4

Other/Unknown 38 23 18 26

Total Vehicle Occupants 4,166 4,413 4,453 4,436

Notes: A passenger car is defined here as a motor vehicle used primarily for carrying

passengers, including convertibles, sedans, and station wagons. A light truck is defined as

a truck with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less, including pickups, vans, truck-based station

wagons, and sport utility vehicles. A large truck is defined as a truck with a GVWR greater than

10,000 pounds. A bus is defined as a vehicle with seats for at least nine people, including the

driver.

Data Source: NHTSA, FARS.

Nonmotorist Type 2016 2017 2018 2019

Total Nonmotorist Fatalities 511 493 553 569

Pedestrian 397 391 452 454

Pedalcyclist 97 78 78 88

Other/Unknown Nonmotorist 17 24 23 27

Total Fatalities 4,678 4,906 5,006 5,005

Percent Nonmotorist Fatalities 10.9% 10.0% 11.0% 11.4%

Notes: A large truck is defined here as a truck with a GVWR greater than 10,000 pounds. A

nonmotorist is defined as any person who is not an occupant of a motor vehicle, including, but

not limited to, the following: pedestrians, pedalcyclists, or others such as skateboard riders, 

people riding on animals, and persons riding in other nonmotorized conveyances.

Data Source: NHTSA, FARS.
40 2021 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics

4-12 Fatal Crashes by Work Zone, 2016-2019

Crash Type:

2016 2017 2018 2019

No. Pct. No. Pct. No. Pct. No. Pct.

Large Truck Fatal Crashes 4,177 100.0% 4,367 100.0% 4,461 100.0% 4,479 100.0%

Work Zone 194 4.6% 221 5.1% 207 4.6% 248 5.5%

Not a Work Zone 3,983 95.4% 4,146 94.9% 4,254 95.4% 4,231 94.5%

All Fatal Crashes 34,748 100.0% 34,560 100.0% 33,919 100.0% 33,244 100.0%

Work Zone 687 2.0% 720 2.1% 672 2.0% 762 2.3%

Not a Work Zone 34,061 98.0% 33,840 97.9% 33,247 98.0% 32,482 97.7%

Percent of Work-Zone 

Fatal Crashes that 

Involved at Least One 

Large Truck

28.2% 30.7% 30.3% 32.5%

Percent of All Fatal 

Crashes that Involved at 

Least One Large Truck

12.0% 12.6% 13.1% 13.5%

Notes: “Not a Work Zone” counts include crashes where the location was unknown. A large 

truck is defined here as a truck with a GVWR greater than 10,000 pounds. A work zone is

defined as an area of a trafficway where construction, maintenance, or utility work activities are

identified by warning signs/signals/indicators.

Data Source: NHTSA, FARS.

4-11 Nonmotorists Killed in Bus Crashes, 2016-2019

Nonmotorist Type 2016 2017 2018 2019

Total Nonmotorist Fatalities 68 54 64 73

Pedestrian 53 42 54 58

Pedalcyclist 12 11 7 12

Other/Unknown Nonmotorist 3 1 3 3

Total Fatalities 290 276 267 258

Percent Nonmotorist Fatalities 23.4% 19.6% 24.0% 28.3%

Notes: A bus is defined here as a vehicle with seats for at least nine people, including the driver.

A nonmotorist is defined as any person who is not an occupant of a motor vehicle, including,

but not limited to, the following: pedestrians, pedalcyclists, skateboard riders, people riding on 

animals, and persons riding in other nonmotorized conveyances. 

Data Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Fatality Analysis Reporting

System.
 2021 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics 41

4-14 Percentage of Large Truck Drivers in Fatal Crashes Not 

Wearing Any Type of Safety Belt, 2009-2019

†Beginning with data for 2016, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

implemented changes to revise vehicle classification based on gross vehicle weight rating

(GVWR), which reclassified 329 light pickup trucks as large trucks. Due to this methodology

change, comparisons of the 2016 (and later) Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) large

truck data with prior years should be performed with caution.

Note: A large truck is defined here as a truck with a GVWR greater than 10,000 pounds.

Data Source: NHTSA, FARS.

4-13 Truck Weight Rating for Large Trucks in Fatal Crashes, 

2016-2019

Truck Weight Rating 2016 2017 2018 2019

Class 3: 10,001 - 14,000 lb 478 593 637 656

Class 4: 14,001 - 16,000 lb 116 102 115 131

Class 5: 16,001 - 19,500 lb 112 151 174 163

Class 6: 19,501 - 26,000 lb 249 246 287 275

Class 7: 26,001 - 33,000 lb 225 271 229 238

Class 8: > 33,000 lb 3,082 3,319 3,327 3,424

Unknown/Other 300 123 140 118

Total 4,562 4,805 4,909 5,005

Notes: A large truck is defined here as a truck with a GVWR greater than 10,000 pounds.

Data Source: NHTSA, FARS.

11.0%

10.4%

9.6% 9.3% 9.0% 9.0%

8.1%

10.1% 9.8% 9.6% 9.2%

0%

2%

4%

6%

8%

10%

12%

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016† 2017† 2018† 2019†
42 2021 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics

Cargo Release

Number of Large Trucks

2016 2017 2018 2019 2020*

Cargo Release: No 2,500 2,793 2,954 2,692 2,131

Cargo Release: Yes 553 605 664 625 556

Corrosives 41 41 50 36 41

Explosives 18 11 16 20 13

Flammable Liquid 295 284 345 287 290

Flammable Solids 6 7 7 9 6

Gases 65 66 57 76 69

Miscellaneous 

Dangerous Goods 37 51 61 58 35

Oxidizing Substances 5 2 12 2 7

Poison & Infectious 

Substances 4 8 7 2 6

Radioactive Material 0 3 0 1 1

Unknown 82 132 109 134 88

Cargo Release: Unknown 524 496 501 373 265

Total 3,577 3,894 4,119 3,690 2,952

*Crash records reported to the Motor Carrier Management Information System 

(MCMIS) through March 26, 2021, are included in this table. States are expected 

to report crash data to FMCSA within 90 days of the crash. Data are considered 

preliminary for 22 months to allow for changes.

Notes: Large trucks are defined here as vehicles designed, used, or maintained

primarily for carrying property, with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or gross

combination weight rating (GCWR) of more than 10,000 pounds or any vehicle

carrying HM that requires placarding, regardless of weight. 

Data Source: FMCSA, MCMIS, data snapshot as of March 26, 2021.

4-15 Hazardous Materials (HM) Cargo Release in Crashes 

Involving Large Trucks with HM Placards, 2016-2020
 2021 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics 43

License Class

Number of Vehicles Involved

2016 2017 2018 2019 2020*

Class A 115,051 118,155 125,662 123,189 106,851

Class B 22,712 22,195 23,322 23,253 15,485

Class C 11,429 12,866 15,540 15,588 12,779

Class D 21,055 21,114 22,969 22,975 19,874

Class M 184 176 116 86 69

Unknown 7,662 8,251 8,996 9,295 9,191

Total 178,093 182,757 196,605 194,386 164,249

*Crash records reported to the Motor Carrier Management Information System 

(MCMIS) through March 26, 2021, are included in this table. States are expected 

to report crash data to FMCSA within 90 days of the crash. Data are considered 

preliminary for 22 months to allow for changes.

Notes: Large trucks are defined here as vehicles designed, used, or maintained

primarily for carrying property, with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or gross

combination weight rating (GCWR) of more than 10,000 pounds, or any vehicle

carrying hazardous materials (HM) that requires placarding, regardless of weight. 

A bus is defined as a vehicle with seats for at least nine people, including the

driver. Descriptions for driver’s license classes are as follows: Class A pertains to 

any combination of vehicles which has a GCWR or gross combination weight of

26,001 pounds or more, whichever is greater, inclusive of a towed unit(s) with a 

GVWR or gross vehicle weight of more than 10,000 pounds, whichever is greater.

Class B pertains to any single vehicle which has a GVWR or gross vehicle weight

of 26,001 pounds or more, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle with a GVWR or

gross vehicle weight that does not exceed 10,000 pounds. Class C pertains to 

any single vehicle, or combination of vehicles, that does not meet the definition

of Class A or Class B, but is either designed to transport 16 or more passengers, 

including the driver, or is transporting material that has been designated as 

hazardous and is required to be placarded or is transporting any quantity of a 

material listed as a select agent or toxin. Class D pertains to any vehicle, or any 

combination of vehicles, with a GVWR of 26,000 pounds or less that is not used 1)

for the purpose of transporting HM which are required by law to be placarded, 2) to 

transport more than 15 passengers including the driver, and 3) is not a school bus 

used to transport children to and from school for compensation. Class M pertains 

to motorcycles and motor-driven cycles. 

Data Source: FMCSA, MCMIS, data snapshot as of March 26, 2021. 

4-16 Large Truck and Bus Drivers in Crashes, by Driver’s 

License Class, 2016-2020
44 2021 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics

Carrier Operation 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020*

Interstate 111,478 115,725 123,385 114,682 105,710

Intrastate Hazardous Materials (HM) 1,499 1,731 1,858 1,918 1,724

Intrastate Non-HM** 17,977 19,865 21,666 20,645 19,150

Unknown Carrier Operation** 11 17 1,334 1,313 944

No USDOT Number 28,899 26,042 28,139 27,331 26,870

Total 159,864 163,380 176,382 165,889 154,398

*Crash records reported to the Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS) 

through March 26, 2021 are included in this table. States are expected to report crash data to 

FMCSA within 90 days of the crash. Data are considered preliminary for 22 months to allow 

for changes.

**Some States do not require intrastate non-HM carriers to obtain USDOT numbers. 

Note: Large trucks are defined here as vehicles designed, used, or maintained primarily for

carrying property, with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or gross combination weight

rating (GCWR) of more than 10,000 pounds, or any vehicle carrying HM that requires

placarding, regardless of weight.

Data Sources: Crash data for all years: FMCSA, MCMIS, data snapshot as of March 26, 2021. 

Operation classification information: FMCSA, MCMIS, data snapshots as of December 30, 2016;

December 29, 2017; December 28, 2018; December 27, 2019; and December 18, 2020.

4-18 Large Trucks in Crashes by Carrier Operation, 2016-2020

4-17 Large Trucks in Crashes by Operation Classification, 

2016-2020

Operation Classification 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020*

For-Hire 88,716 94,163 100,900 93,535 87,511

Private 27,441 27,375 29,439 27,597 24,220

Both For-Hire and Private 13,114 14,185 15,341 15,051 13,690

Neither For-Hire Nor Private 1,694 1,615 1,497 1,418 1,287

No USDOT Number 28,899 26,042 29,205 28,288 27,690

Total 159,864 163,380 176,382 165,889 154,398

*Crash records reported to the Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS) 

through March 26, 2021 are included in this table. States are expected to report crash data to 

FMCSA within 90 days of the crash. Data are considered preliminary for 22 months to allow 

for changes.

Note: Large trucks are defined here as vehicles designed, used, or maintained primarily for

carrying property, with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or gross combination weight

rating (GCWR) of more than 10,000 pounds, or any vehicle carrying hazardous materials (HM)

that requires placarding, regardless of weight.

Data Sources: Crash data for all years: FMCSA, MCMIS, data snapshot as of March 26, 2021. 

Operation classification information: FMCSA, MCMIS, data snapshots as of December 30, 2016;

December 29, 2017; December 28, 2018; December 27, 2019; and December 18, 2020.
 2021 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics 45

4-19 Bus Fatal Crashes, 1975-2019

Year

Fatal 

Crashes 

Involving 

Buses

Bus 

Occupant 

Fatalities

Total 

Fatalities 

in Bus 

Crashes

Million 

VMT by 

Buses

Rates per 

100 Million VMT

Buses 

Registered

Fatal 

Crashes 

Involving 

Buses

Fatalities 

in Bus 

Crashes

1975 323 53 348 6,055 5.33 5.75 462,156

1980 329 46 390 6,059 5.43 6.44 528,789

1985 337 57 398 4,478 7.53 8.89 593,485

1990 286 32 340 5,726 4.99 5.94 626,987

1995 271 33 311 6,420 4.22 4.84 685,503

2000 323 22 357 7,590 4.26 4.70 746,125

2005 278 58 340 6,980 3.98 4.87 807,053

2010 247 44 278 13,770 1.79 2.02 846,051

2011 243 55 284 13,807 1.76 2.06 666,064

2012 252 39 282 14,781 1.70 1.91 764,509

2013 282 54 320 15,167 1.86 2.11 864,549

2014 235 44 283 15,999 1.47 1.77 872,027

2015 259 49 297 16,230 1.60 1.83 888,907

2016 231 64 290 16,350 1.41 1.77 976,161

2017 231 43 276 17,227 1.34 1.60 983,231

2018 234 44 267 18,303 1.28 1.46 992,152

2019 231 35 258 17,980 1.28 1.43 995,033

Note: A bus is defined as a vehicle with seats for at least nine people, including the driver.

Data Sources: Vehicle Miles Traveled and Registered Vehicles - FHWA, Highway Statistics 

2019; Fatal Crashes, Vehicles Involved, and Fatalities - National Highway Traffic Safety

Administration (NHTSA), Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).

4-20 Bus Injury Crashes, 2016-2019

Year

Injury 

Crashes 

Involving 

Buses

Buses 

Involved 

in Injury 

Crashes

Persons 

Injured 

in Bus 

Crashes

Million 

VMT by 

Buses

Rates per 100 Million 

VMT

Buses 

Registered

Injury 

Crashes 

Involving 

Buses

Persons 

Injured 

in Bus 

Crashes

2016 16,000 17,000 35,000 16,350 96.8 213.5 976,161

2017 15,000 15,000 25,000 17,227 84.6 142.5 983,231

2018 15,000 15,000 27,000 18,303 80.9 145.4 992,152

2019 13,000 14,000 25,000 17,980 74.6 140.4 995,033

Notes: “Persons Injured” includes all nonfatally injured persons in injury and fatal crashes. A bus 

is defined here as a vehicle with seats for at least nine people, including the driver. The rates

displayed in this table are based on unrounded CRSS data. CRSS takes samples of motor

vehicle crashes—the results generated are estimates rounded to the nearest one thousand;

however, associated percentages and rates are based on the unrounded data. 

Data Sources: Vehicle Miles Traveled and Registered Vehicles: FHWA, Highway Statistics 2019. 

Injury Crashes, Vehicles Involved, and Persons Injured: NHTSA, and CRSS.
46 2021 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics

4-21 Fatal Crashes Involving Buses, by Type of Bus, 1975-2019

Year

School 

Bus

Cross-Country 

Intercity Bus 

(Motorcoach)

Transit 

Bus

VanBased 

Bus*

Other 

Bus 

Type

Bus Type 

Unknown Total

1975 129 29 128 — 18 19 323

1980 117 38 149 — 14 11 329

1985 126 29 116 — 33 33 337

1990 111 26 113 — 19 17 286

1995 109 23 101 — 23 15 271

2000 119 40 127 — 20 17 323

2005 110 37 83 — 34 14 278

2010 113 35 84 — 11 4 247

2011 97 40 68 25 10 3 243

2012 101 34 78 30 7 2 252

2013 114 44 82 28 10 4 282

2014 90 32 79 9 21 4 235

2015 99 34 92 14 18 5 259

2016 87 17 97 6 19 6 231

2017 72 13 97 31 16 4 231

2018 81 15 84 30 23 2 234

2019 84 15 78 32 22 1 231

* “Van-based bus” was listed as a bus type for the first time in 2011.

Note: A bus is defined here as a vehicle with seats for at least nine people, including the driver.

Data Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Fatality Analysis

Reporting System (FARS).

4-22 Estimated Costs of Large Truck and Bus Crashes, 

2016-2019

Year

Fatal 

Crashes

Injury 

Crashes

Property-Damage-Only 

(PDO) Crashes

All Large Truck 

and Bus Crashes

2016 $57 Billion $60 Billion $29 Billion $145 Billion

2017 $60 Billion $62 Billion $29 Billion $151 Billion

2018 $61 Billion $65 Billion $33 Billion $158 Billion

2019 $61 Billion $68 Billion $34 Billion $163 Billion

Notes: A large truck is defined here as a truck with a GVWR greater than 10,000 pounds. A bus

is defined as a vehicle with seats for at least nine people, including the driver. The total costs

may not add up exactly due to rounding. Changes to past years are the result of updating for 

inflation and changes in guidance from the Office of the Secretary of Transportation on how to

value fatalities and injuries. Estimates are based on fatal crash data from the Fatality Analysis 

Reporting System (FARS) and injury crash and PDO crash data from CRSS.

Data Sources: T. Miller, E. Zaloshnja, and R. Spicer, Revised Cost of Large Truck and Bus

Involved Crashes (2002), adjusted to 2015 dollars, and a year 2015 value of a statistical life 

(VSL) (as published on August 8, 2016, by the Office of the Secretary of Transportation); NHTSA,

FARS, and CRSS.
 2021 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics 47

Notes: A large truck is defined in FARS as a truck with a GVWR greater than 10,000 pounds. A

large truck is defined in MCMIS as a vehicle designed, used, or maintained primarily for carrying

property, with a GVWR or gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of more than 10,000 pounds,

or any vehicle carrying hazardous materials that requires placarding, regardless of weight. A bus 

is defined as a vehicle with seats for at least nine people, including the driver.

Data Sources: NHTSA, FARS, FMCSA, MCMIS, data snapshot as of January 31, 2020.

Number Category Percentage

4,645 Large trucks and buses matched in FARS and MCMIS 79.3%

66 Large trucks and buses that were partially matched in 

FARS and MCMIS

1.1%

557 Large trucks and buses in FARS and not in MCMIS 9.5%

223 Large trucks and buses in FARS matched to large trucks

and buses in non-fatal crashes in MCMIS

3.8%

232 Large trucks and buses in MCMIS and not in FARS 4.0%

136 Large trucks and buses in MCMIS matched to vehicles in 

FARS that were not large trucks or buses

2.3%

5,859 Total large trucks and buses in fatal crashes in FARS, 

MCMIS, or both

100.0%

4-23 Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) and Motor 

Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS) 

Matching for Large Trucks and Buses in Fatal Crashes, 

2019

557

223

232

136

FARS and MCMIS 

matches: 4,711

large truck and bus 

matches in FARS 

and MCMIS 

(including 4,645 full 

matches and 66

partial matches).

FARS MCMIS
48 2021 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics

5. Data Quali

State Safety Data Quality (SSDQ) Methodology

FMCSA implemented the State Safety Data Quality (SSDQ) 

Methodology to evaluate the completeness, timeliness, 

accuracy, and consistency of State-reported data. The SSDQ 

evaluation uses a 12-month timeframe that ends 3 months 

prior to the Motor Carrier Management Information System 

(MCMIS) snapshot for each measure, unless otherwise 

stated in the rating description. The methodology consists of 

nine performance measures (five crash and four inspection

measures) and one overriding performance indicator (see 

5-1). The SSDQ methodology has changed over the years 

to represent higher thresholds of data quality. Since 2004,

additional performance measures have been added related to 

the completeness of driver and vehicle information contained 

in crash and inspection reports.

The SSDQ evaluation is updated monthly to reflect

improvements in crash and inspection reporting. States 

receive an overall rating of “Good,” “Fair,” or “Poor” for each 

SSDQ measure and rating. FMCSA developed the colorcoded SSDQ map (see 5-2) as a visual tool for States to use 

in improving crash and inspection data reported to FMCSA. 

The overall data quality rating for each State is based on the 

following criteria: 

• Good (green) for States with at least one good crash 

measure, one good inspection measure, and no poor 

measures.

• Fair (yellow) for States with no more than one poor 

measure.

• Poor (red) for States with two or more poor measures. 

States flagged red in Consistency (the overriding

performance indictor shown in 5-1) are rated poor overall. 
 2021 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics 49

5-1 State Safety Data Quality (SSDQ) Performance Measures

Data Source: FMCSA, Analysis & Information (A&I) Online, http://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/DataQuality.
50 2021 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics

5-2 Overall State Safety Data Quality (SSDQ) Ratings, 

June 2004 and December 2020

Note: Ratings depicted on this map are overall State ratings. Washington, D.C. is rated

poor (red) in June 2004 and good (green) in December 2020.

Data Sources: June 2004 Ratings: FMCSA, Analysis & Information (A&I) Online, State

Safety Data Quality (SSDQ) as of June 2004; December 2019 Ratings: FMCSA, A&I

Online, SSDQ as of December 2020. For most recent State ratings, refer to: https://

ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/DataQuality/National.aspx. 

Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, FAO, NOAA, USGS, © OpenStreetMap

Rating

Good

Fair

Poor

Overall SSDQ Ratings, June 2004

Overall SSDQ Ratings, December 2020

Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, FAO, NOAA, USGS, © OpenStreetMap

Rating

Good

Fair

Poor
 2021 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics 51

5-3 Annual Requests for Data Review (RDRs) in DataQs, 

2016-2020

* The Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse and Crash Preventability Determination 

Program began reviewing RDRs in 2020.

Data Source: FMCSA, DataQs, May 13, 2021 (based on submissions received in 

2020). 

DataQs is an online system that provides affected 

commercial motor carriers, commercial drivers, and others 

an opportunity to seek and obtain correction of information 

maintained and disseminated by FMCSA. Through the 

system, users can request and track a review of data issued 

by FMCSA; the system automatically forwards a Request for

Data Review (RDR) to the appropriate office for resolution

and collects updates and responses for current RDRs.

For more information on DataQs, please refer to:

https://dataqs.fmcsa.dot.gov.

0

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

70,000

80,000

2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Total RDRs

Inspection RDRs

Crash RDRs

Other RDRs

Drug and Alcohol RDRS*
52 2021 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics

6. Grant Progr

FMCSA achieves its goal of preventing commercial motor 

vehicle (CMV)-related fatalities and injuries by working closely 

with a host of important safety partners through its grant 

programs. Safety partners include State and local government 

agencies, non-profit organizations, universities and other

organizations who support FMCSA’s national safety priorities. 

Activities conducted through FMCSA’s grant programs include 

conducting high-visibility traffic enforcement in CMV crash

corridors, targeting high-risk motor carriers and CMV drivers 

for compliance investigations, implementing innovative safety 

information systems and CMV technologies at the roadside, 

strengthening CMV equipment and operating standards,

implementing and updating CMV safety training, and increasing

public awareness of CMV safety challenges.

In December 2015, the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation 

Act, or FAST Act, Public Law 114-94, directed the consolidation

of multiple FMCSA grant programs into the Motor Carrier Safety 

Assistance Program (MCSAP) and High Priority (HP) grant 

programs. Beginning October 1, 2016 (or with Fiscal

Year 2017), MCSAP and HP now include components of the 

previously separate New Entrant, Border Enforcement, State 

Safety Data Quality (SSDQ) (formerly known as the Safety 

Data Improvement Program, or SaDIP), Performance and 

Registration Information Systems Management (PRISM), and

the Innovative Technology Deployment (ITD) (formerly known 

as Commercial Vehicle Information Systems and Networks, or 

CVISN) grant programs. The FAST Act also increased focus on 

accountability, performance standards, efficiency, and

effectiveness while reducing administrative burdens on FMCSA 

grantees. More information on FMCSA’s grant programs can be 

found at http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/mission/grants.
 2021 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics 53

6-1 FMCSA Grant Awards, Fiscal Year 2019

Grant Program Total Awards

MCSAP $299,735,500

High Priority $43,340,000

CDL Program Implementation $32,012,500

CMVOST $2,000,000

Total Grant Awards $377,088,000

Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP)

Governed by 49 U.S.C. Sections 31102–31104 and by 49 CFR Part

350, the MCSAP grant is a formula grant program that provides financial

assistance to the States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth 

of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands,

American Samoa, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands to reduce the number 

and severity of crashes and hazardous material incidents involving CMVs. 

Specifically, only the State lead agency (as designated by the Governor) is

eligible to apply for MCSAP grant funding. There are five national program

elements for the MCSAP, outlined in 49 CFR 350.109. These include driver/

vehicle inspections, traffic enforcement, compliance reviews (Compliance,

Safety, Accountability investigations), public education and awareness, 

and data collection. FMCSA establishes annual national priorities based on 

emerging or continuing issues.

Per the FAST Act grant consolidation, MCSAP-eligible program activities 

now include Border Enforcement, New Entrant Safety Audits, SSDQ, 

PRISM, and ITD operations and maintenance. The Border Enforcement

component provides financial assistance to States and entities that share

a land border with another country. Border Enforcement activities focus on 

the compliance of CMVs entering the United States with the Federal Motor 

Carrier Safety Regulations and Hazardous Materials Regulations, as well

as U.S. financial responsibility and registration requirements. All drivers of

those vehicles must be properly licensed and qualified to operate a CMV in

the United States.

High Priority (HP) Grant 

HP grant funding is available for activities and projects that are national 

in scope, increase public awareness and education, demonstrate new 

technologies, and augment efforts to reduce the number and rate of CMV 

crashes. Eligible recipients are States, local governments, Federallyrecognized Indian tribes, and other political jurisdictions as necessary.

FMCSAmay reserve HP funding for innovative traffic enforcement projects,

with particular emphasis on work zone enforcement and rural road safety.
54 2021 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics

State Safety Data Quality (SSDQ)

SSDQ activities included within the HP grant program focus on providing 

financial and technical assistance to the States to facilitate the collection

of accurate, complete, and timely data on all large commercial truck and 

bus crashes that involve a fatality, injury, or a vehicle towed from the crash 

scene. Reports from the Government Accountability Office and the USDOT

Inspector General have previously recommended that improvements be 

made in FMCSA crash and enforcement data. Congress has responded by 

providing funding annually under HP for States to improve their reporting of 

large commercial truck and bus crash data.

Performance and Registration Information Systems Management (PRISM)

PRISM activities included within the HP grant program are focused on a

cooperative Federal-State safety program developed to reduce commercial 

vehicle crashes. The performance of unsafe carriers is improved through a 

comprehensive system of identification, education, data gathering, safety

monitoring, and enforcement. The PRISM program incorporates registration

and enforcement processes to identify motor carriers and hold them 

responsible for the safety of their operations. To be eligible, State agencies 

located in one of the 50 States or a U.S. territory must work on highway 

traffic safety activities and demonstrate a capacity to work with highway

traffic safety stakeholders.

Innovative Technology Deployment (ITD)

The ITD activities included within HP are a key component of FMCSA’s 

drive to improve CMV safety through technology and information 

connectivity. The ITD grant program eligibility requirements differ from 

traditional HP grants, providing discretionary funding to the States, 

the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Guam, 

and the U.S. Virgin Islands to deploy, operate, and maintain elements of 

their ITD programs. FMCSA may award ITD funds to prospective recipients 

that have an approved plan, as outlined in the FAST Act.

The goals of the ITD Program are to:

• Improve the safety and productivity of motor carriers, commercial 

vehicles, and CMV drivers.

• Simplify enforcement operations.

• Improve the efficiency and effectiveness of commercial vehicle safety

programs through targeted enforcement.

• Improve data security and commercial vehicle data sharing within the 

States and between the States and FMCSA.

• Reduce Federal/State and industry regulatory and administrative costs.

• Achieve nationwide deployment of the program, with all jurisdictions 

participating.
 2021 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics 55

Commercial Driver’s License Program Implementation 

(CDLPI) Grant 

The CDLPI grant provides financial assistance to the States, to help them

achieve compliance with the requirements of 49 CFR Parts 383 and 384.

The grant also provides funding to other entities capable of executing 

national projects that aid States in their compliance efforts and that will 

improve the national Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) program. The 

goal of the program is to reduce the number and severity of CMV crashes 

in the United States by ensuring that only qualified drivers receive and

retain a CDL. This is achieved by focusing on the concept that for every 

driver, there is only one driving record and only one licensing document, 

commonly referred to as “One Driver–One License–One Record.” States

are required to conduct knowledge and skills testing before issuing 

a CDL, to maintain a complete and accurate driver history record for 

anyone who obtains a CDL, and to impose appropriate disqualifications

against any driver who commits certain offenses. The Federal share of 

CDLPI grants in FY 2019 was 90 percent of the expenditures approved in 

the State or entity’s application.

Commercial Motor Vehicle Operator Safety Training 

(CMVOST) Grant

The CMVOST Grant Program is a discretionary program that provides 

financial assistance to public or private organizations that train operators

of CMVs, as defined by 49 U.S.C. 31103 and 31104 (i.e., accredited

post-secondary educational institutions such as colleges, universities, 

vocational-technical schools, associations, and truck driver training 

schools). The goals of the CMVOST grant program are to expand the 

number of CDL holders who possess enhanced operator safety training to 

help reduce the severity and number of crashes involving CMVs on U.S. 

roads, and to assist current or former members of the U.S. Armed Forces 

(including National Guard members and Reservists) and their spouses

who are transitioning to the CMV operation industry by offering training.
56 2021 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics

7. Agency Resourc

FMCSA Web site

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov

Analysis & Information (A&I) Online

http://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov

Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA)

https://csa.fmcsa.dot.gov

DataQs

http://dataqs.fmcsa.dot.gov

FMCSA Grants and Financial Assistance

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/mission/grants

FMCSA New Entrant Safety Assurance Program

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety/new-entrant-safety-assurance-program

FMCSA Portal

https://portal.fmcsa.dot.gov

Freight Analysis Framework (FAF)

http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/FREIGHT/freight_analysis/faf/index.htm

Innovative Technology Deployment (ITD) Program

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/information-systems/itd/innovative-technologydeployment-itd

Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS)

https://ask.fmcsa.dot.gov/app/mcmiscatalog/mcmishome

Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS)

http://www.nhtsa.gov/FARS

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Highway Statistics Series

https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/policyinformation/statistics.cfm

General Estimates System (GES)

https://www.nhtsa.gov/national-automotive-sampling-system-nass/nassgeneral-estimates-system

Crash Report Sampling System (CRSS)

https://www.nhtsa.gov/national-center-statistics-and-analysis-ncsa/crashreport-sampling-system-crss#crash-report-sampling-system-crss-data-files

Licensing & Insurance (L&I)

http://li-public.fmcsa.dot.gov
 2021 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics 57

Glossary and List of Acro

A&I Analysis & Information

ABS Antilock Braking System

BTS Bureau of Transportation Statistics

CDL Commercial Driver’s License

CDLPI Commercial Driver’s License Program Improvement

CMV Commercial Motor Vehicle (includes both large trucks and 

buses)

CMVOST Commercial Motor Vehicle Operator Safety Training

CRSS Crash Report Sampling System

CSA Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) is a major 

FMCSA safety measurement and reporting initiative. 

Designed to replace the SafeStat program, CSA was 

previously known as “Comprehensive Safety Analysis,” or 

more commonly “CSA 2010.” 

CVISN Commercial Vehicle Information Systems and Networks

DataQs DataQs is an FMCSA system that allows users to request and 

track reviews of Federal and State data issued by FMCSA. 

The system automatically forwards a user’s Request for Data

Review to the appropriate office for resolution and collects

updates and responses for current requests.

Domicile Refers to the headquarters location of a carrier.

EMIS Enforcement Management Information System

FAF Freight Analysis Framework

FARS Fatality Analysis Reporting System

FAST Act Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act, 2015

FHWA Federal Highway Administration

FMCSA Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

FMCSRs Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations

Form MCS-150 Motor Carrier Identification Report (Application for USDOT

Number)

GES General Estimates System

GCWR Gross Combination Weight Rating

GVWR Gross Vehicle Weight Rating

HM Hazardous Materials

HMRs Hazardous Materials Regulations
58 2021 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics

HMSP Hazardous Materials Carrier with a Safety Permit

HOS Hours of Service

ITD Innovative Technology Deployment (formerly CVISN)

L&I Licensing & Insurance

MCMIS The Motor Carrier Management Information System 

(MCMIS) is an FMCSA system that contains crash, census, 

and inspection files created to monitor and develop safety

standards for commercial motor vehicles operating in 

interstate commerce. 

MCSAP Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program

MMUCC Model Minimum Uniform Crash Criteria

NHTSA National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

OOS Out of Service

PDO Property Damage Only

PRISM Performance and Registration Information Systems

Management

RDR Request for Data Review

SaDIP State Safety Data Improvement Program

SBUCMVD Seat Belt Usage by Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers

SMS Safety Measurement System

SSDQ State Safety Data Quality

TSI Transportation Services Index

UCR Unified Carrier Registration

URS Unified Registration System

USDOT U.S. Department of Transportation

VIN Vehicle Identification Number

VMT Vehicle Miles Traveled

VSL Value of a Statistical Life
 2021 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics 59

Cover photo by Elena Kuchko