Federal Rules & Regulations

Transportation Regulations

For Operators (motorcoach companies) and Drivers of Vehicles Designed to Carry 16 or More Persons (including driver)

49 CFR Part 604 [1]
Administrative practice and procedure, Charter service, Mass transportation. In consideration of the foregoing, FTA amends chapter VI of title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations as set forth below.

49 CFR Part 604 [2]
Charter Service; Final Rule
This final rule amends regulations which govern the provision of charter service by recipients of Federal funds from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).

49 CFR Parts 380, 383, and 384 [3]
Minimum Training Requirements for Entry-Level Commercial Motor Vehicle Operators
FMCSA proposes to revise the standards for mandatory training requirements for entry-level operators of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate operations who are required to possess a commercial driver’s license (CDL).

49 CFR Part 387 [4]
Insurance Requirements
Operators of any passenger vehicle with a seating capacity of 16 or more passengers, including the driver, must maintain a minimum of $5 million dollars in liability insurance. Smaller passenger vehicles must have a minimum of $1.5 million in liability insurance. Proof of insurance must be kept at the company's place of business.

The guidelines [5]

49 CFR Part 390 [6]
Regulatory Knowledge
All operators of passenger-carrying vehicles must understand, and comply with all the rules and regulations, including the need to have authority to operate, confirm their identity every two years, and must mark their vehicles with their legal name and USDOT number.

[7]The guidelines [8]

49 CFR Part 391 [9]
Driver Qualifications
All drivers must be checked to see if they are qualified to drive. These checks include background checks, road tests and medical examinations.

[10]The guidelines [11]

49 CFR Part 39 [12]
Ensuring Safe Operations
All companies and drivers must obey all laws, ordinances, and regulations wherever they operate.

[13] The guidelines.

49 CFR Part 393 [14]
Parts and Accessories
All companies and drivers must make sure that all lights, reflectors, brakes, windows (including emergency windows), fuel systems, emergency equipment, vehicle frames, and all parts of the vehicle are safe before they go out on the road.

[15]The guidelines [16]

49 CFR Part 395 [17]
Hours of Service
Drivers may not drive more than 10 hours before having 8 consecutive hours off-duty. Drivers are limited to working (driving and other work for the motorcoach company or ANY other employer) 15 hours before having 8 hours off-duty. Drivers are limited to 70 hours of work (driving and other work) in any 8-day period.

[18]The guidelines [19]

49 CFR Part 396 [20]
Inspection, Repair and Maintenance
Companies and drivers must be sure that all of their vehicles are properly maintained and inspected. They must conduct pre-trip and post-trip inspections. Vehicles must be thoroughly inspected by a qualified inspector once every 12 months. A qualified inspector must be state or federally qualified, or have at least one year of training and/or experience.

[21]The guidelines [22]

49 CFR Part 37 [23]
Americans With Disabilities Act
All operators of intercity buses must provide an accessible coach if given 48-hour notice. Certain fixed route carriers are required to purchase lift-equipped motorcoaches when purchasing or leasing new motorcoaches, or to meet certain equipment requirements.

Contact If you have any questions on these or other regulations, please contact: Norm Littler 202-218-7246