2019

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-19-012

January 2020
2019

Pocket Guide to 

Large Truck and Bus Statistics

January 2020
4 2019 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics

Introductio

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.

Content

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
 2019 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics 5

LocatIons of fataL Large truck and Bus 

crashes, 2017

Note: In 2017, there were 4,455 fatal crashes involving large trucks and buses. 

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

Reporting System (FARS).
6 2019 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics

The Motor Carrier Manage

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 onsite during the examination of 

a motor carrier’s operations by a safety investigator. 
 2019 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics 7

1. Overview: Large Trucks and Bu

In 2017, among the 272,480,899 total registered vehicles in 

the United States, 9,336,998 were single-unit trucks (straight 

trucks), 2,892,218 were combination trucks (tractor-trailers), 

and 983,231 were buses. Also in 2017, there were 3,212.3 

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

trucks traveled 297.6 billion of those miles (9.3 percent of the 

total), and buses traveled 17.2 billion of those miles (0.5 percent 

of the total). 

FMCSA regulates all registered commercial motor vehicles 

(CMVs) that operate interstate or that carry hazardous 

materials (HM). As of December 2018, 560,809 interstate 

motor carriers and intrastate HM motor carriers had recent 

activity operating in the United States: 

• 311,135 were for-hire carriers

• 193,445 were private carriers

• 53,138 were both for-hire and private carriers

• 3,091 were neither for-hire nor private carriers 

 (e.g., government). 

FMCSA regulates all drivers involved in interstate commerce 

or intrastate transportation of HM, as well as all Commercial 

Driver’s License (CDL) drivers, both interstate and intrastate. 

Approximately 6.6 million CMV drivers operate in the United 

States: 

• 4.0 million operate interstate

- 3.2 million operate interstate and hold CDLs

• 2.6 million operate intrastate

- 1.1 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 2017; Carrier and CMV Driver Counts - FMCSA, MCMIS, data snapshot as of 

December 28, 2018.
8 2019 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics

1-1 Registered Vehicles in the United States, 2014-2017

Year All Vehicles Large Trucks Buses

2014 260,350,938 10,905,956 872,027

2015 263,610,219 11,203,184 888,907

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

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

Data Source: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Highway Statistics 2017, 

Table VM-1. 

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

States, 2014-2017

Year All Vehicles Single-Unit Combination Buses

2014 3,025,656 109,301 169,830 15,999

2015 3,095,373 109,597 170,246 16,230

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

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

Large Trucks

1-3 Motorcoach Passenger Trips in the United States and

Canada by Fleet Size, 2017

Data Source: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Highway Statistics 2017, 

Table VM-1.

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.
 2019 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics 9

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

the United States, 2018

Intrastate 

Non-CDL 

Drivers

1,500,000

22.7%

Intrastate 

CDL Drivers

1,100,000

16.7%

Interstate 

Non-CDL 

Drivers

800,000

12.1%

Interstate 

Commercial 

Driver's 

License 

(CDL) 

Drivers

3,200,000

48.5%

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 28, 2018. 

1-5 Active Motor Carriers by Type, 2014-2018

Type 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Interstate Freight 503,417 521,248 493,730 511,746 527,403

Interstate Passenger 12,487 13,274 12,603 12,699 12,185

Intrastate Hazardous Materials 16,120 16,628 17,725 18,616 21,221

Total 532,024 551,150 524,058 543,061 560,809

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 19, 2014, December 

28, 2015, December 30, 2016, December 29, 2017, and December 28, 2018.
10 2019 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics

1-6 Active Hazardous Materials (HM) Carriers, 2014-2018

Active HM Carriers 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Interstate 63,043 68,113 70,681 75,398 74,930

Interstate HM Carriers Meeting 

SMS Threshold 7,772 7,549 7,420 7,388 7,251

Interstate HM Carriers with a 

Safety Permit (HMSP)* 1,200 1,182 1,144 1,128 882

Intrastate 16,120 16,628 17,725 18,616 21,221

Intrastate HM Carriers Meeting 

SMS Threshold 3,001 2,974 2,886 2,842 2,750

Intrastate HMSP* 229 212 179 174 159

Total Active HMSP Carriers* 1,429 1,394 1,323 1,302 1,041

Total HM Carriers 79,163 84,741 88,406 94,014 96,151

*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 19, 2014, December 28, 2015, December 30, 2016, December 29, 

2017, and December 28, 2018.

1-7 Household Goods Carriers and Brokers Operating in the 

United States, 2014-2018

Year

Active Household 

Goods Carriers

Household Goods 

Brokers Registered

Property Brokers 

Registered

2014 3,782 456 15,272

2015 4,032 507 16,238

2016 4,205 580 17,184

2017 4,394 671 17,966

2018 4,486 711 19,443

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 19, 2014, 

December 28, 2015, December 30, 2016, December 29, 2017, and December 28, 2018.

1-8 FMCSA-Regulated Carriers, 2014-2018

Motor Carrier Census Data 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Active Carriers with 

a USDOT Number 532,024 551,150 524,058 543,061 560,809

Power Units 4,248,157 4,412,912 4,339,986 4,470,910 4,578,236

CDL Drivers 3,241,961 3,327,197 3,304,388 3,425,446 3,469,096

Total Drivers 4,511,862 4,658,566 4,640,118 4,820,948 4,946,903

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 hazardous materials (HM) carriers with recent activity are included in this table. 

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 19, 2014, December 28, 2015, December 30, 2016, December 29, 2017, and 

December 28, 2018.
 2019 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics 11

1-9 Carriers by Headquarters (Domicile) Location, 2019

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. 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 January 25, 2019.
12 2019 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics

1-10 FMCSA-Regulated Carriers by Domicile, 2018

Country

Active Carriers with 

a USDOT Number

Power 

Units

CDL 

Drivers

Total 

Drivers

United States 542,375 4,440,647 3,341,475 4,803,829

Canada 13,097 108,289 105,241 115,831

Mexico 5,132 28,539 22,229 26,741

Certificate Carriers 179 643 563 619

Commercial Zone Carriers 4,902 27,213 21,021 25,423

Enterprise Carriers 955 5,778 5,257 5,731

Long Haul Carriers 47 568 532 585

Other Countries 205 761 151 502

All Domiciles 560,809 4,578,236 3,469,096 4,946,903

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. 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 28, 2018.
 2019 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics 13

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

2014-2018

Power Units 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

1 Power Unit 248,088 257,695 242,832 253,035 263,987

2 Power Units 92,665 96,034 90,910 92,937 94,505

3–10 Power Units 137,817 142,080 136,322 139,569 142,224

11–100 Power Units 45,600 47,193 46,636 47,989 49,337

>100 Power Units 4,012 4,192 4,171 4,273 4,370

No Power Units/Unreported 3,842 3,956 3,187 5,258 6,386

Total 532,024 551,150 524,058 543,061 560,809

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

data snapshots as of December 19, 2014, December 28, 2015, December 30, 

2016, December 29, 2017, and December 28, 2018. 

1-12 Transportation Services Index (TSI) Freight and 

Passenger Movement Estimates, 2000-2018

80

90

100

110

120

130

140

Jan-00Jan-01Jan-02Jan-03Jan-04Jan-05Jan-06Jan-07Jan-08Jan-09Jan-10Jan-11Jan-12Jan-13Jan-14Jan-15Jan-16Jan-17Jan-18

TSI-Freight TSI-Passengers TSI-Total

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 May 24, 2019. 
14 2019 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics

1-13 Average Daily Truck Traffic on the National Highway 

System, 2012

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 (FHWA), Office of Freight

Management and Operations, FAF, Version 4.3 available at http://faf.ornl.gov as of 

March 2017.
 2019 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), 2013-2017

Mode 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

Truck 10,269 10,542 10,658 10,806 10,745 

Rail 1,516 1,552 1,476 1,378 1,384 

Water 524 539 531 521 525 

Air* 2 2 2 2 2 

Multiple Modes & Mail 317 327 320 318 318 

Pipeline 2,637 2,733 2,745 2,696 2,776 

Other** 36 37 34 29 30 

Total 15,301 15,733 15,767 15,750 15,780 

*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: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Freight Analysis 

Framework (FAF), Version 4.5 as of May 24, 2019, available at http://faf.ornl.gov. 

1-15 Percent of Total Weight of Freight Moved by Mode, 2017

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: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Freight Analysis 

Framework (FAF), Version 4.5 as of May 24, 2019, available at http://faf.ornl.gov. 
16 2019 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.

1-17 CMV Driver and Passenger Safety Belt Usage by 

Occupant Type, 2010, 2013, and 2016

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.
 2019 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics 17

1-18 Number of Medical Examiners Certified by State, 2019

y 

, 

y 

Source: National Registry (VOLPE) May 30, 2019

MAP ID: MedicalExaminers

DATE: 6/5/2019

U.S Department of Transportation

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

Certified

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

Notes: In May 2019, there were 65,535 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, May 30, 2019. Available at https://

nationalregistry.fmcsa.dot.gov.
18 2019 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics

2. Inspections and Viola

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. 

2-1 Inspections Conducted by Federal and State Inspectors, 

2014-2018

2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Inspections 3,413,399 3,382,980 3,401,103 3,457,102 3,508,719

State 3,282,960 3,252,724 3,280,166 3,334,720 3,385,977

Federal 130,439 130,256 120,937 122,382 122,742

2-2 Safety Inspectors, Federal and State, 2014-2018

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

data snapshot as of January 25, 2019.

Inspector Type 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Safety Inspectors 16,145 15,741 14,830 14,182 13,839

State 15,598 15,204 14,321 13,657 13,323

Federal 547 537 509 525 516

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 25, 2019.
 2019 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics 19

2-3 Inspections by County, 2018

Roadside Inspections by County, 2018 

Source:FMCSA, MCMIS data snapshot Jan 2019

MAP ID: Inspections_2018

DATE: 5/28/2019

U.S Department of Transportation

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

Inspections

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

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

data snapshot as of January 25, 2019. 
20 2019 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics

2-4 Inspection Out-of-Service (OOS) Rates, 2014-2018

Type of Inspection 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Driver Inspections* 3,293,826 3,264,016 3,283,556 3,344,964 3,395,955

With OOS Violation 166,179 158,814 161,111 170,910 161,585

Driver OOS Rate 5.1% 4.9% 4.9% 5.1% 4.8%

Vehicle Inspections** 2,341,484 2,321,376 2,337,164 2,382,194 2,405,751

With OOS Violation 476,886 471,393 466,839 493,613 501,113

Vehicle OOS Rate 20.4% 20.3% 20.0% 20.7% 20.8%

Hazmat Inspections*** 196,158 191,730 201,309 200,056 201,721

With OOS Violation 7,794 7,373 7,930 7,932 8,435

Hazmat OOS Rate 4.0% 3.9% 3.9% 4.0% 4.2%

*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 25, 2019.
 2019 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics 21

2-5 Inspections by Level, 2014-2018

Inspection Level 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

I. Full 1,063,322 1,060,023 1,013,253 1,039,210 1,101,999

With OOS Violation(s)* 271,459 267,193 252,221 266,508 277,705

II. Walk-Around 1,168,952 1,154,438 1,217,351 1,237,797 1,200,315

With OOS Violation(s)* 261,961 258,829 269,558 285,260 280,166

III. Driver Only 1,061,074 1,049,329 1,052,708 1,067,345 1,092,701

With OOS Violation(s)* 67,795 62,539 64,117 65,324 55,737

IV. Special Study 10,841 12,275 11,231 7,563 10,267

With OOS Violation(s)* 1,989 2,198 2,079 1,596 1,998

V. Terminal 108,732 106,689 106,316 104,575 102,497

With OOS Violation(s)* 6,908 6,318 6,184 5,834 5,704

VI. Radioactive Materials 478 226 244 612 940

With OOS Violation(s)* 5 2 11 13 5

Total 3,413,399 3,382,980 3,401,103 3,457,102 3,508,719

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

in 2018, there were 1,101,999 Level I inspections. Out of all the Level I inspections 

completed, 277,705 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 25, 2019. 

2-6 Inspections by Level, 2018

I. Full

1,101,999

31.4%

II. Walk-Around

1,200,315

34.2%

III. Driver Only

1,092,701

31.1%

IV. Special 

Study

10,267

0.3%

V. Terminal

102,497

2.9%

VI.	Radioactive	

Materials

940

<0.1%

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 25, 2019. 
22 2019 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics

2-7 Inspections by Carrier Fleet Size, 2014-2018

Carrier Fleet Size 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Very Small 

(1-6 Power Units) 986,587 1,003,154 1,070,118 1,084,191 1,095,597

Small 

(7-20 Power Units) 583,247 588,991 598,280 619,172 620,932

Medium 

(21-100 Power Units) 707,782 706,199 725,612 742,839 750,049

Large 

(>100 Power Units) 836,521 828,887 853,350 866,515 887,771

Unknown 299,262 255,749 153,743 144,385 154,370

Total 3,413,399 3,382,980 3,401,103 3,457,102 3,508,719

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 25, 2019.

2-8 Inspections by Carrier Operation, 2014-2018

Carrier Operation 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Interstate 2,809,555 2,784,667 2,777,374 2,808,416 2,785,514

Intrastate 603,844 598,313 623,729 648,686 723,205

Total 3,413,399 3,382,980 3,401,103 3,457,102 3,508,719

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

2014-2018

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

data snapshot as of January 25, 2019.

GCWR 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

<10,000 pounds 17,344 17,654 16,743 16,613 15,648

10,000 - 26,000 pounds 430,477 452,307 470,646 494,906 546,485

>26,000 pounds 2,505,250 2,617,938 2,735,246 2,816,284 2,823,602

Unknown 460,328 295,081 178,468 129,299 122,984

Total 3,413,399 3,382,980 3,401,103 3,457,102 3,508,719

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 25, 2019.
 2019 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics 23

2-10 Most Frequent Driver Violations in Inspections, 2018

Violation 

Code Category Violation Description

Number of 

Violations

395.8 No Log/Log Not Current Record of Duty Status Violation (General/Form

and Manner)

81,046

392.2SLLS2 Traffic Enforcement State/Local Laws - Speeding 6-10 Miles Per Hour 

Over the Speed Limit

72,224

392.16 Seat Belt Failing to Use Seat Belt While Operating a 

Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV)

60,433

392.2C Traffic Enforcement Failure toObey Traffic Control Device 53,947

391.41AF Medical Certificate Operating a Property-carrying Vehicle Without 

Possessing a ValidMedical Certificate

52,616

383.23A2 All Other Driver 

Violations

Operating a CMV Without a Commercial Driver’s 

License (CDL)

38,687

395.22A All Other Driver 

Violations

Operating with a Device That Is Not Registered

with FMCSA

36,498

392.2LV Traffic Enforcement Lane Restriction Violation 35,598

392.2SLLS3 Traffic Enforcement State/Local Laws - Speeding 11-14 Miles Per Hour 

Over the Speed Limit

32,871

395.8E No Log/Log Not Current False Report of Driver’s Record of Duty Status 31,664

391.41A Medical Certificate NoMedical Certificate in Driver’s Possession 27,528

395.8F01 No Log/Log Not Current Driver’s Record of Duty Status Not Current 26,708

395.8A No Log/Log Not Current No Driver’s Record of Duty Status WhenOne Is

Required

23,138

392.82A1 All Other Driver 

Violations

Using a Handheld Mobile Telephone While 

Operating a CMV

20,367

395.3A3II Hours of Service Driving Beyond 8-hour Limit Since the End of the Last 

Off-duty or Sleeper Period of At Least 30 Minutes

20,118

395.8AELD No Log/Log Not Current Electronic Logging Device (ELD) - No Record of

Duty Status (ELD Required)

18,291

392.2SLLS4 Traffic Enforcement State/Local Laws - Speeding 15 or More Miles Per 

Hour Over the Speed Limit

17,996

395.3A2PROP Traffic Enforcement Driving Beyond 14-hour Duty Period (Propertycarrying Vehicle)

16,323

395.22H4 No Log/Log Not Current Driver Failed to Maintain Supply of Blank Driver’s 

Records of Duty StatusGraph-grids

16,205

395.22H2 No Log/Log Not Current Driver Failing to Maintain ELD Instruction Sheet 15,142

Notes: Total number of driver inspections in 2018: 3,395,955. Total number of 

driver violations in 2018: 992,681. Total number of driver out-of-service (OOS) 

violations in 2018: 187,874. 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 25, 2019.
24 2019 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics

2-11 Most Frequent Vehicle Violations in Inspections, 2018

Violation 

Code Category Violation Description

Number of 

Violations

393.9 Lighting Inoperable Required Lamp 492,655

393.47E Brakes, All Others Clamp or Roto Type Brake Out ofAdjustment 185,593

396.17C Periodic 

Inspection

Operating a CMV Without Proof of a Periodic 

Inspection

176,002

396.3A1 All Other Vehicle 

Defects

Inspection, Repair, and Maintenance of Parts and

Accessories

145,131

393.95A Emergency 

Equipment

No/Discharged/Unsecured Fire Extinguisher 141,384

396.5B All Other Vehicle 

Defects

Oil and/or Grease Leak 124,291

393.9TS Lighting Inoperative Turn Signal 120,207

393.11 Lighting No or Defective Lighting Devices or Reflective Material

As Required

115,707

393.75C Tires Tire—Other Tread Depth Less than 2/32 of Inch 

Measured in a Major Tread Groove

113,406

393.53B Brakes, All Others CMV Manufactured After 10/19/94 Has an Automatic 

Airbrake Adjustment System That Fails to Compensate 

for Wear

90,763

393.78 Windshield Windshield Wipers Inoperative/Defective 89,158

393.75A3 Tires Tire—Flat and/or Audible Air Leak 84,009

393.45B2 Lighting Brake Hose or Tubing Chafing and/or Kinking 82,826

393.55E Brakes, All Others No or Defective ABS Malfunction Indicator Lamp for 

Trailer Manufactured after 03/01/1998

79,088

369.3A1BOS Brakes, All Others 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

69,065

393.95F Emergency 

Equipment

No/Insufficient Warning Devices 69,016

396.3A1B Brakes, All Others Brakes (General) 63,371

393.48A Brakes, All Others Inoperative/Defective Brakes 62,519

393.9H Lighting Inoperable Head Lamps 62,126

393.60C Windshield Damaged or Discolored Windshield 53,050

Notes: Total number of vehicle inspections in 2018: 2,405,751. Total number of 

vehicle violations in 2018: 3,859,361. Total number of vehicle OOS violations 

in 2018: 753,845. 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 25, 2019.
 2019 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics 25

2-12 Traffic Enforcement Inspections, 2014-2018

Activity Summary 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Traffic Enforcement

Inspections

386,216 374,880 369,096 377,592 394,937

With Moving Violations 215,247 210,480 220,810 228,924 243,882

With Drug & Alcohol 

Violations 850 865 903 836 348

With Railroad Crossing

Violations 254 283 218 223 212

With Non-specified State Law/

Miscellaneous Violations 181,887 175,008 159,217 159,795 162,870

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 25, 2019.

2-13 Traffic Enforcement Violations, 2014-2018

Activity Summary 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Traffic	Enforcement	Violations 435,971 419,654 409,143 416,973 435,304

Moving Violations 223,739 217,170 226,921 235,222 250,100

Drug & Alcohol Violations 999 1,020 1,016 955 419

Railroad	Crossing	Violations 254 284 219 224 213

Non-specified	State	Law/

Miscellaneous Violations 210,979 201,180 180,987 180,572 184,572

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 25, 2019. 
26 2019 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics

3. Investigatio

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.
 2019 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics 27

3-1 Investigations by State, 2018

In

v

e

stig

atio

n

s

b

y

State, 2

018

Source: Inspection Counts, MCMIS Snapshot Jan 2019

Title: Investigations by State, 2018

DATE: 5/28/2019 U.S Department of Transportation

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

Reviews

< 2021 - 5051 - 150151 - 300301 - 650> 650

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

data snapshot as of January 25, 2019. 
28 2019 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics

3-2 Investigations Conducted by Federal and State 

Investigators, 2014-2018

Investigations 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

State 7,077 6,254 6,320 6,462 6,038

Federal 7,121 8,353 7,762 8,583 8,167

Total 14,198 14,607 14,082 15,045 14,205

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

snapshot as of January 25, 2019.

3-3 Interventions by Type, 2014-2018

Intervention Type 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Investigations 14,198 14,607 14,082 15,045 14,205

Onsite Comprehensive 5,950 5,645 6,078 6,440 5,878

Onsite Focused 7,206 8,237 6,909 7,676 7,409

Offsite 316 148 118 76 330

Cargo	Tank	Facility	Reviews 56 86 72 120 77

Shipper	Reviews 163 131 163 36 11

Non-Rated	Reviews 509 360 742 697 500

Warning Letters 20,115 20,659 35,756 28,508 30,150

Terminal	Reviews 597 549 532 426 347

Security	Contact	Reviews 85 87 5,799 15,287 20,322

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 25, 2019.

3-4 FMCSA-Regulated Carriers by Safety Rating, 2018

Safety Rating

Interstate 

Freight 

Carriers

Intrastate HM 

Carriers

Interstate 

Passenger 

Carriers All Carriers

Conditional 17,215 13 371 17,599

Satisfactory 48,295 76 3,789 52,160

Unsatisfactory 1,369 1 51 1,421

No Rating 460,524 21,131 7,974 489,629

Total 527,403 21,221 12,185 560,809

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 28, 2018.
 2019 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics 29

3-5 Passenger Carrier, Hazardous Materials Carrier, and

Household Goods Carrier Investigations, 2014-2018

Carriers by Vehicle Type 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Any Passenger Vehicles* 1,340 1,221 1,324 1,552 1,166

Motorcoaches 980 958 984 1,199 915

School Buses 183 155 168 186 176

Vans 332 276 302 348 281

Mini Buses 447 403 417 541 390

Limousines 133 126 140 116 100

Hazardous Materials 770 783 808 643 524

Household Goods 161 184 177 181 172

*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 25, 2019.

3-6 Investigations by Carrier Fleet Size, 2014-2018

Carrier Fleet Size 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Very Small (1-6 Power Units) 5,845 6,045 5,692 6,304 5,846

Small (7-20 Power Units) 4,319 4,392 4,387 4,712 4,534

Medium (21-100 Power Units) 2,893 3,037 2,895 2,974 2,889

Large (>100 Power Units) 914 909 873 899 848

No Power Units/Unreported 227 224 235 156 88

Total 14,198 14,607 14,082 15,045 14,205

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 25, 2019.
30 2019 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics

3-7 New Entrant Safety Audits, 2014-2018

Year Safety Audits Safety Audit Pass Rate

2014 39,519 83.6%

2015 39,235 84.9%

2016 37,548 88.6%

2017 36,210 89.8%

2018 36,254 89.3%

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 December 28, 2018.
 2019 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics 31

3-8 Summary of Closed Enforcement Cases, 2014-2018

2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

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

28

($534,360)

32

($747,300)

26

($658,130)

35

($938,720)

25

($593,650)

Carrier

3,989

($28,123,128)

4,476

($31,785,521)

4,308

($32,475,935)

4,614

($33,267,045)

4,127

($29,125,689)

Freight 

Forwarder

93

($1,491,940)

60

($740,800)

77

($897,580)

64

($922,352)

70

($955,874)

HM Carrier

162

($2,444,285)

163

($1,954,745)

144

($1,908,390)

166

($2,341,200)

139

($1,673,220)

HM Carrier 

(Not Placarded)

1

($63,960)

0

($0)

0

($0)

0

($0)

0

($0)

HM Carrier/

Shipper

118

($1,474,658)

125

($1,499,180)

147

($1,561,249)

107

($1,407,510)

80

($963,390)

Other

2

($22,000)

3

($16,060)

3

($28,300)

3

($15,360)

4

($16,716)

Passenger 

Carrier

238

($2,424,748)

210

($1,888,238)

185

($1,726,254)

205

($1,777,342)

89

($911,176)

Shipper

4

($20,260)

4

($66,280)

3

($30,790)

5

($41,650)

2

($30,110)

Small 

Passenger 

Carrier

0

($0)

1

($2,400)

0

($0)

0

($0)

0

($0)

Total

4,635 

($36,599,339)

5,074 

($38,700,524)

4,893

($39,286,628)

5,199

($40,711,179)

4,536

($34,269,825)

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), March 29, 2019. 
32 2019 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics

4. Crashe

In 2017, of the 34,247 fatal crashes on the Nation’s roadways, 4,455 (13.0 

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

an estimated 6,419,000 nonfatal crashes, 507,000 (7.9 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/dataand-statistics/large-truck-and-bus-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. For more information on FARS, refer to http://www.nhtsa.gov/

FARS.

GES: Also maintained by NHTSA, the General Estimates System (GES) 

is a probability-based nationally representative sample of police-reported 

fatal, injury, and property-damage-only crashes. The data from GES yield 

national estimates, calculated using a weighting procedure, but cannot 

give State-level estimates. Because GES is a sample 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. NHTSA retired GES in 2017 and replaced it with the 

Crash Report Sampling System. For more information on GES, go to

https://www.nhtsa.gov/national-automotive-sampling-system-nass/nassgeneral-estimates-system.

CRSS: NHTSA’s newly established CRSS builds on GES, beginning with

data for 2016. Although the two systems are both samples of policereported crashes involving all types of motor vehicles, CRSS includes a

more efficient and flexible sample using updated traffic and demographic

information. As a result, comparisons of 2016 (and later) CRSS estimates

with older GES estimates should be performed with caution. To learn more 

about CRSS, visit https://www.nhtsa.gov/national-center-statistics-andanalysis-ncsa/crash-report-sampling-system-crss#crash-report-samplingsystem-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 
 2019 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics 33

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. 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 2019 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics

4-1 Total Crashes by Vehicle Type, 2014-2017

Year

Number of Crashes Involving:

Large Trucks Buses Large Trucks and Buses All Vehicle Types

2014 411,000 68,000 476,000 6,065,000

2015 415,000 67,000 480,000 6,296,000

2016* 434,000 67,000 496,000 6,820,000

2017* 450,000 66,000 511,000 6,453,000

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

replaced the General Estimates System (GES) with the Crash Report Sampling System

(CRSS). Comparisons of 2016 (and later) CRSS estimates with older GES estimates should

be performed with caution. 

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 fatal crash data from the Fatality 

Analysis Reporting System (FARS) and injury crash and property-damage-only (PDO) crash

data from GES and CRSS. GES and CRSS are 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, FARS, GES, and CRSS.

4-2 Fatal Crashes by Vehicle Type, 2014-2017

Year

Number of Crashes Involving: 

Large Trucks Buses Large Trucks and Buses All Vehicle Types

2014 3,429 235 3,656 30,056

2015 3,622 259 3,864 32,539

2016 3,896 231 4,116 34,748

2017 4,237 229 4,455 34,247

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.

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

Reporting System (FARS).
 2019 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics 35

4-3 Injury Crashes by Vehicle Type, 2014-2017

Year

Number of Crashes Involving: 

Large Trucks Buses Large Trucks and Buses All Vehicle Types

2014 82,000 11,000 93,000 1,648,000

2015 83,000 14,000 97,000 1,715,000

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

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

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

replaced the General Estimates System (GES) with the Crash Report Sampling System

(CRSS). Comparisons of 2016 (and later) CRSS estimates with older GES estimates should

be performed with caution.

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 GES and 

CRSS. GES and CRSS are 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, GES and CRSS.

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

2014-2017

Year

Number of Crashes Involving: 

Large Trucks Buses Large Trucks and Buses All Vehicle Types

2014 326,000 57,000 379,000 4,387,000

2015 328,000 53,000 379,000 4,548,000

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

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

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

replaced the General Estimates System (GES) with the Crash Report Sampling System

(CRSS). Comparisons of 2016 (and later) CRSS estimates with older GES estimates should

be performed with caution. 

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 GES and 

CRSS. GES and CRSS are 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, GES and CRSS.
36 2019 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics

4-5 Large Truck Fatal Crashes, 1975-2017

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 1262 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

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 3,896 725 4,369 287,895 1.35 1.52 11,498,561

2017 4,237 841 4,761 297,593 1.42 1.60 12,229,216

Notes: A large truck is defined here as a truck with a gross vehicle weight rating (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.

Data Sources: Vehicle Miles Traveled and Registered Vehicles - FHWA, Highway Statistics 2017; Fatal 

Crashes, Vehicles Involved, and Fatalities - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA),

Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).

4-6 Large Truck Injury Crashes, 2014-2017

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

2014 82,000 88,000 111,000 279,132 29.4 39.8 10,905,956

2015 83,000 87,000 116,000 279,844 29.5 41.5 11,203,184

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

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

General Estimates System (GES) with the Crash Report Sampling System (CRSS). Comparisons of

2016 (and later) CRSS estimates with older GES estimates should be performed with caution.

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 GES and CRSS data. GES and CRSS are

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 2017. Injury 

Crashes, Vehicles Involved, and Persons Injured: NHTSA, GES and CRSS.
 2019 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, 2016 and 2017

State

2016 2017

Fatalities Million VMT Fatality Rate Fatalities Million VMT Fatality Rate

Alabama 137 69,227 0.20 100 70,677 0.14

Alaska 4 5,259 0.08 5 5,519 0.09

Arizona 88 65,786 0.13 102 65,070 0.16

Arkansas 69 35,755 0.19 84 36,389 0.23

California 341 340,115 0.10 383 343,862 0.11

Colorado 88 52,152 0.17 91 53,382 0.17

Connecticut 33 31,639 0.10 26 31,500 0.08

Delaware 10 10,178 0.10 16 10,467 0.15

D.C. 5 3,622 0.14 1 3,716 0.03

Florida 313 215,551 0.15 310 218,826 0.14

Georgia 199 122,802 0.16 225 124,733 0.18

Hawaii 7 10,635 0.07 10 10,749 0.09

Idaho 34 17,199 0.20 46 17,300 0.27

Illinois 150 107,314 0.14 159 108,011 0.15

Indiana 110 83,183 0.13 145 81,752 0.18

Iowa 71 33,337 0.21 71 33,482 0.21

Kansas 74 32,103 0.23 88 32,258 0.27

Kentucky 104 49,313 0.21 91 49,239 0.18

Louisiana 94 49,156 0.19 103 49,221 0.21

Maine 20 14,838 0.13 25 14,738 0.17

Maryland 67 59,137 0.11 55 60,045 0.09

Massachusetts 32 61,825 0.05 30 62,660 0.05

Michigan 112 99,433 0.11 96 101,757 0.09

Minnesota 64 59,029 0.11 63 59,971 0.11

Mississippi 78 40,755 0.19 112 40,877 0.27

Missouri 117 74,019 0.16 117 75,911 0.15

Montana 23 12,599 0.18 25 12,645 0.20

Nebraska 55 20,700 0.27 39 21,002 0.19

Nevada 32 26,788 0.12 42 27,587 0.15

New Hampshire 5 13,513 0.04 13 13,681 0.10

New Jersey 67 77,093 0.09 60 77,509 0.08

New Mexico 38 27,886 0.14 71 29,680 0.24

New York 117 122,930 0.10 137 123,732 0.11

North Carolina 162 116,749 0.14 172 119,176 0.14

North Dakota 13 9,739 0.13 26 9,717 0.27

Ohio 133 118,608 0.11 169 119,598 0.14

Oklahoma 126 49,013 0.26 138 49,402 0.28

Oregon 55 36,719 0.15 56 36,753 0.15

Pennsylvania 184 101,362 0.18 176 101,614 0.17

Rhode Island 3 7,927 0.04 8 8,001 0.10

South Carolina 109 54,553 0.20 98 55,497 0.18

South Dakota 5 9,507 0.05 22 9,643 0.23

Tennessee 129 76,884 0.17 137 82,253 0.17

Texas 584 271,263 0.22 671 272,981 0.25

Utah 21 31,449 0.07 40 31,475 0.13

Vermont 7 7,382 0.09 10 7,424 0.13

Virginia 96 84,463 0.11 103 85,263 0.12

Washington 59 61,018 0.10 80 61,420 0.13

West Virginia 28 19,539 0.14 52 19,072 0.27

Wisconsin 71 64,046 0.11 89 65,324 0.14

Wyoming 21 9,323 0.23 17 9,785 0.17

National Totals 4,564 3,174,408 0.14 5,005 3,212,347 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 2017; Fatalities - National 

Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
38 2019 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, 2017

Data Sources: Vehicle Miles Traveled - FHWA, Highway Statistics 2017 (VM-2); 

Fatalities - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Fatality Analysis

Reporting System (FARS).
 2019 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics 39

4-9 Vehicle Occupants Killed in Large Truck Crashes 

by Vehicle Type, 2014-2017

Occupant of: 2014 2015 2016 2017

Passenger Car 1,443 1,495 1,534 1,687

Light Truck 1,162 1,264 1,307 1,448

Large Truck 656 665 725 841

Motorcycle 221 226 275 275

Bus 15 18 18 17

Other/Unknown 18 12 36 23

Total Vehicle Occupants 3,515 3,657 3,895 4,291

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 gross vehicle weight rating (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 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: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Fatality

Analysis Reporting System (FARS).

4-10 Nonmotorists Killed in Large Truck Crashes, 2014-2017

Nonmotorist Type 2014 2015 2016 2017

Total Nonmotorist Fatalities 393 414 476 471

Pedestrian 308 337 368 372

Pedalcyclist 61 55 89 76

Other/Unknown Nonmotorist 24 22 19 23

Total Fatalities 3,903 4,094 4,369 4,761

Percent Nonmotorist Fatalities 10.1% 10.1% 10.9% 9.9%

Notes: A large truck is defined here as a truck with a gross vehicle weight rating

(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: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Fatality

Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
40 2019 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics

4-11 Nonmotorists Killed in Bus Crashes, 2014-2017

Nonmotorist Type 2014 2015 2016 2017

Total Nonmotorist Fatalities 92 90 68 53

Pedestrian 78 80 53 41

Pedalcyclist 14 9 12 11

Other/Unknown Nonmotorist 0 1 3 1

Total Fatalities 283 297 290 274

Percent Nonmotorist Fatalities 32.5% 30.3% 23.4% 19.3%

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 (NHTSA), Fatality

Analysis Reporting System (FARS).

4-12 Fatal Crashes by Work Zone, 2014-2017

Crash Type:

2014 2015 2016 2017

Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent

Large Truck Fatal Crashes 3,429 100.0% 3,622 100.0% 3,896 100.0% 4,237 100.0%

Work Zone 183 5.3% 175 4.8% 187 4.8% 216 5.1%

Not a Work Zone 3,246 94.7% 3,447 95.2% 3,709 95.2% 4,021 94.9%

All Fatal Crashes 30,056 100.0% 32,539 100.0% 34,748 100.0% 34,247 100.0%

Work Zone 607 2.0% 653 2.0% 687 2.0% 710 2.1%

Not a Work Zone 29,449 98.0% 31,886 98.0% 34,061 98.0% 33,537 97.9%

Percent of Work-Zone 

Fatal Crashes that 

Involved at Least One 

Large Truck

30.1% 26.8% 27.0% 30.4%

Percent of All Fatal 

Crashes that Involved at 

Least One Large Truck

11.4% 11.1% 11.2% 12.4%

Notes: “Not a Work Zone” counts include crashes where the location was 

unknown. A large truck is defined here as a truck with a gross vehicle weig

rating (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: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Fatality

Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
 2019 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics 41

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

2014-2017

Truck Weight Rating 2014 2015 2016 2017

Class 3: 10,001 - 14,000 lb 155 144 238 468

Class 4: 14,001 - 16,000 lb 70 70 101 97

Class 5: 16,001 - 19,500 lb 79 85 105 142

Class 6: 19,501 - 26,000 lb 221 221 258 243

Class 7: 26,001 - 33,000 lb 235 257 234 271

Class 8: > 33,000 lb 2,902 3,191 3,210 3,309

Unknown/Other 87 106 105 127

Total 3,749 4,074 4,251 4,657

Notes: A large truck is defined here as a truck with a gross vehicle weight rating

(GVWR) greater than 10,000 pounds.

Data Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), FARS.

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

Wearing Any Type of Safety Belt, 2007-2017

12.1%

11.4% 11.0% 10.4%

9.6% 9.3% 9.0% 9.0%

8.1%

9.5% 9.4%

0%

2%

4%

6%

8%

10%

12%

14%

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

Note: A large truck is defined here as a truck with a gross vehicle weight rating

(GVWR) greater than 10,000 pounds.

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

Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
42 2019 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics

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

Involving Large Trucks with HM Placards, 2014-2018

Cargo Release

Number of Large Trucks

2014 2015 2016 2017 2018*

Cargo Release: No 2,458 2,650 2,486 2,785 2,077

Cargo Release: Yes 434 483 551 606 470

Corrosives 36 43 41 42 33

Explosives 13 12 18 11 7

Flammable Liquid 252 264 295 284 240

Flammable Solids 2 6 6 7 6

Gases 41 64 65 66 40

Miscellaneous 

Dangerous Goods 28 27 37 52 39

Oxidizing Substances 6 8 5 2 11

Poison & Infectious 

Substances 6 4 4 8 5

Radioactive Material 1 1 0 3 0

Unknown 49 54 80 131 89

Cargo Release: Unknown 727 579 520 490 361

Total 3,619 3,712 3,557 3,881 2,908

*Crash records reported to the Motor Carrier Management Information System 

(MCMIS) through December 31, 2018, 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 January 25, 2019.
 2019 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics 43

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

License Class, 2014-2018

License Class

Number of Vehicles Involved

2014 2015 2016 2017 2018*

Class A 107,109 111,601 114,977 117,673 91,125

Class B 21,367 22,291 22,685 21,957 16,717

Class C 10,836 11,364 11,276 12,804 10,600

Class D 14,977 18,702 21,060 20,854 16,247

Class M 1,344 160 185 176 82

Unknown 7,495 7,704 7,888 8,273 6,374

Total 163,128 171,822 178,071 181,737 141,145

*Crash records reported to the Motor Carrier Management Information System 

(MCMIS) through December 31, 2018, 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 January 25, 2019. 
44 2019 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics

4-17 Large Trucks in Crashes by Operation Classification,

2014-2018

Classification 2014 2015 2016 2017

For-Hire 78,102 84,856 88,716 94,163

Private 25,326 26,393 27,441 27,375

Both For-Hire and Private 12,224 12,429 13,114 14,185

Neither For-Hire Nor Private 1,647 1,560 1,694 1,615

No USDOT Number 28,441 28,658 28,899 26,042

Total 145,740 153,896 159,864 163,380

2018*

27,974

96,559

14,673

26,629

1,425

167,260

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

through December 31, 2018, 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 January 25, 2019. 

Operation classification information: FMCSA, MCMIS, data snapshots as of December 19, 2014,

December 28, 2015, December 30, 2016, December 29, 2017, and December 28, 2018.

4-18 Large Trucks in Crashes by Carrier Operation, 2014-2018

Carrier Operation 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018*

Interstate 102,987 107,576 111,478 115,725 118,072

Intrastate Hazardous Materials (HM) 1,367 1,446 1,499 1,731 1,764

Intrastate Non-HM** 12,945 16,216 17,977 19,865 20,556

Unknown Carrier Operation** 0 0 11 17 239

No USDOT Number 28,441 28,658 28,899 26,042 26,629

Total 145,740 153,896 159,864 163,380 167,260

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

through December 31, 2018, 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 January 25, 

2019. Carrier operation information: FMCSA, MCMIS, data snapshots as of December 19, 

2014, December 28, 2015, December 30, 2016, December 29, 2017, and December 28, 2018.
 2019 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics 45

4-19 Bus Fatal Crashes, 1975-2017

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 4.7 746,125

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

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

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 229 44 274 17,227 1.33 1.59 983,231

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 

2017; Fatal Crashes, Vehicles Involved, and Fatalities - National Highway Traffic Safety

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

4-20 Bus Injury Crashes, 2014-2017

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

2014 11,000 11,000 22,000 15,999 68.7 139.0 872,027

2015 14,000 15,000 24,000 16,230 89.2 146.8 888,907

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

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

replaced the General Estimates System (GES) with the Crash Report Sampling System (CRSS).

Comparisons of 2016 (and later) CRSS estimates with older GES estimates should be performed

with caution. 

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 GES and CRSS data. GES and CRSS are

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 2017. 

Injury Crashes, Vehicles Involved, and Persons Injured: NHTSA, GES and CRSS.
46 2019 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics

4-21 Fatal Crashes Involving Buses, by Type of Bus, 1975-2017

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

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 95 32 15 4 229

* “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, 

2014-2017

Year

Fatal 

Crashes

Injury 

Crashes

Property-Damage-Only

(PDO) Crashes

All Large Truck 

and Bus Crashes

2014 $42 Billion $44 Billion $28 Billion $114 Billion

2015 $44 Billion $46 Billion $28 Billion $118 Billion

2016* $47 Billion $53 Billion $29 Billion $129 Billion

2017* $51 Billion $55 Billion $29 Billion $135 Billion

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

replaced the General Estimates System (GES) with the Crash Report Sampling System (CRSS).

Since the 2016 estimates of injury and PDO crash costs are based on CRSS data and pre-2016

estimates are based on GES data, comparisons of 2016 (and later) crash cost estimates with 

earlier estimates should be performed with caution.

Notes: 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 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

GES and 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, GES, and CRSS.
 2019 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics 47

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

Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS) 

Matching for Large Trucks and Buses in Fatal Crashes, 

2017

Number Category Percentage

4,564 Large trucks and buses matched in FARS and MCMIS 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 82.8%

68 Large trucks and buses that were partially matched in 1.2%

FARS and MCMIS	 	

377 Large trucks and buses in FARS and not in MCMIS 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 6.8%

178 Large trucks and buses in FARS matched to large trucks 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	

and buses in non-fatal crashes in MCMIS

3.2%

202 Large trucks and buses in MCMIS and not in FARS 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 3.7%

125 Large trucks and buses in MCMIS matched to vehicles in 2.3%

FARS that were not large trucks or buses 	 	 	 	 	 	 	

5,514 Total large trucks and buses in fatal crashes in FARS, 100.0%

MCMIS, or both

178

202

125

FARS and MCMIS Matches:

4,632 Large Trucks and Buses

Matched in FARS and MCMIS

(including 4,564 full matches

and 68 partial matches)

FARS MCMIS

377

Notes: A large truck is defined in FARS as a truck with a gross vehicle weight rating

(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: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), FARS;

FMCSA, MCMIS, data snapshot as of January 25, 2019.
48 2019 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics

5. Data Qual

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. 
 2019 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 2019 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics

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

June 2004 and December 2018

Overall SSDQ Ratings, June 2004 State Safety Data Quality (SSDQ) Map, June 2004 

Source:SSDQ mapping tool A&I

MAP ID: SSDQ June 2004

DATE: 3/18/2016

U.S Department of Transportation

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

Rating

Good

Fair

Poor

Overall SSDQ Ratings, December 2018 State Safety Data Quality (SSDQ) Map, December 2018

Source:SSDQ mapping tool A&I

MAP ID: SSDQ Dec 2018

DATE: 5/28/2019

U.S Department of Transportation

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

Rating

Good

Fair

Poor

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, 2018. 

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

Safety Data Quality (SSDQ) as of June, 2004; December 2018 Ratings: FMCSA, A&I

Online, SSDQ as of December, 2018. For most recent State ratings, refer to: https://

ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/DataQuality/National.aspx. 
 2019 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics 51

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

2014-2018

0

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

Total	RDRs

Inspection	RDRs

Crash	RDRs

Other	RDRs

2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Data Source: FMCSA, DataQs, May 22, 2018 (based on submissions received in 

2018). 

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.
52 2019 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.
 2019 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics 53

6-1 FMCSA Grant Awards, Fiscal Year 2018

Grant Program Total Awards

MCSAP $294,416,500 

High Priority $42,453,500 

CDL Program Implementation $31,323,000 

CMVOST $1,000,000 

Total Grant Awards $369,193,000 

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 2019 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 in one of the U.S. territories 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 has different eligibility requirements 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 agencies of States, the District of Columbia, or U.S. 

territories 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. 
 2019 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 2018 was 95 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 2019 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
 2019 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics 57

Glossary and List of Acr

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 2019 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
 2019 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics 59

Visor Cards for Law Enforcement 

The FMCSA State Safety Data Quality (SSDQ) Program created five

quick-reference visor identification cards for use by law enforcement

officers. The cards are laminated and may be placed in the law

enforcement vehicle sun visor. How Do I Find This?

 U.S. Department of Transportation

 www.fmcsa.dot.gov

How to Find the Responsible Carrier and Correct U.S. DOT Number

SIDE OF THE VEHICLE

SHIPPING PAPERS

Driver Log Lease Agreement

In most cases, this is good for name and number. Look for a number preceded by the letters: USDOT.

DON’T STOP ...keep on looking...The information on the side of the truck may not be the U.S. DOT number, name, or address of the responsible motor carrier.

DRIVER INTERVIEW

1. Is the vehicle leased or rented?2. Who is the motor carrier  responsible for this load?3. Who is directing and controlling  the movement of this vehicle?4. Where is the motor carrier’s  principal place of business?

SHIPPING PAPERS provide 

the name of the motor carrier responsible for the load, but not the carrier's U.S. DOT number.

DRIVER’S LO

G

contains the name of the motor carrier and the city and State for the carrier’s principal place of business.

LEASE AGREEMENT

identifies the name of the lessee and their U.S. DOT number.

NOTE: VEHICLE REGISTRATIONGenerally good for identifying owner or registrant. CAREFUL: This may not be the responsible carrier! 

FMCSA WEB SITE: http://safer.fmcsa.dot.gov/CompanySnapshot.aspx 

is an excellent source for verifying a motor carrier’s U.S. DOT number, legal name, “doing business as” name, physical address, and phone number.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

Revised 06/05
60 2019 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics

These cards are intended to assist officers in the process of determining

FMCSA’s selection criteria for completing the commercial motor vehicle 

(CMV) section of their State’s crash report form. The pictured visor card 

aids officers in identifying the responsible motor carrier and USDOT

number. All five visor cards are available for download at: https://www.

fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/enforcement/visor-cards-law-enforcement. How to Find the Responsible Carrier and Correct U How Do I Find This? .S. DOT Number John Smith is the motor carrier, because he is the entity that has agreed to carry this particular load. EXAMPLE 3: John Smith, driving his truck tractor, leases his services to Polyester Chemical Company. Polyester directs Smith to deliver a semi-trailer from New York to St. Louis. Who is the Motor Carrier: A. John Smith? B. Polyester? EXAMPLE 4: John Smith is driving a tractor/semi-trailer owned and operated by ABC Trucking. Who is the Motor Carrier: A. John Smith? B. ABC Trucking? EXAMPLE 5: John Smith is driving a tractor owned by ABC Trucking, which has been leased to XYZ Trucking. XYZ uses the tractor to pull XYZ trailers in its regular shipping service. www.fmcsa.dot.gov U.S. Department of Transportation EXAMPLE 1: John Smith owns his own truck tractor, operating under John Smith Trucking. He contracts with White Manufacturing to take one of its trailers loaded with its goods from New York to Los Angeles. Who is the Motor Carrier:

A. John Smith?B. White Manufacturing?

EXAMPLE 2: John Smith, driving his truck tractor, utilizes a cargo broker, K&S Trucking, to obtain goods from Intermodal Inc. shipping company for his return trip back to New York. Who is the Motor Carrier:A. John Smith?B. K&S Trucking?C. Intermodal Inc.?

John Smith is the motor carrier, because K&S transferred theresponsibility of the load to John Smith.

The lease agreement between Polyester and Mr. Smith makes Polyester the motor carrier responsible for the load.

ABC Trucking is the motor carrier.John Smith is just a driver forABC Trucking.

Who is the Motor Carrier:A. John Smith?B. ABC Trucking?C. XYZ Trucking?

In this case XYZ is the motor carrier, because XYZ is directing the carrying of the load. 

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
 2019 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics 61

Photo Credits

Cover 

 iStockphoto/Viktorcvetkovic