The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Motor Carrier Safety Unit
- Department Of Public Safety
- Highway Patrol
- Motor Carrier Safety Unit
- Motor Carrier Safety Unit
The Motor Carrier Safety Unit (MCSU) works cooperatively with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to reduce crashes, injuries,and fatalities involving commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) and passenger coaches.
Forms
Federal Application for USDOT#
Confirmation - Receipt of CDL Medical Card/Affidavit
CDL Self Certification Affidavit
Required Compliance Forms
Training
Cargo Securement
Information for Intermodal Equipment Providers (IEP)
Hours of Service Summary Page
Qualifying Vehicles
Other Information
Medical Card Requirements
Alabama Driver License - Classes, Endorsem*nts, and Restrictions
Alabama Driver License - Office Schedule:CDL testing offices and their schedules
Alabama Driver License - Point System
Buses Operations - Non-Business
Conspicuity Requirements
Intrastate Commercial Motor Vehicle Regulations
Lamp and Reflective Device Regulations
Purchase Driver/Vehicle, Post Accident, or Alabama Only Carrier Profiles
Weight - Auxiliary Power Units
Weight - Interstate Bridge Law
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a ban on hand held cellular phones?
Yes. See 49 CFR 392.82.
Where do I get a physical examination and medical card? Can my regular doctor give me one?
Any licensed medical doctor or advanced practice nurse can perform a physical examination and complete your medical card so long as they meet the criteria under (49 CFR 390.103) and is familiar with the physical requirements for drivers as specified in (49 CFR 391.41). The medical examiner should have the necessary paperwork to issue you a medical card.
Find certified medical examiners in your area—or anywhere in the country—easily by following:
1. Visit the National Registry and search by Zip Code, State, or examiner name.
2. Choose a certified medical examiner from the list and call to make an appointment.
3. If your preferred health care professional isn’t on the list, simply refer him or her to Certified Medical Examiners to learn more about getting certified.
Do I have to have a DOT number?
If you qualify as a commercial motor vehicle as defined by (49 CFR 390.5), the answer is YES. All commercial vehicles in Alabama must be marked with either an Interstate USDOT# or an Intrastate USDOT#.However, ifyou are an Intrastate company operating straight trucks and trucks with trailers having Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings (GVWR) or Gross Combination Weight Ratings (GCWR) of 26,000 pounds or less (other than passenger buses and hazardous material or hazardous waste haulers), you are exempt from all Federal Regulations while operating within the State of Alabama and a USDOT# is NOT required.
A trooper weighed my vehicle and said I was overweight. How can I figure out how much weight I can carry?
The manufacturer of the vehicle must put a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) on the vin spec plate of the vehicle.The plateis usually located inside the driver’s door jam of the power unit. There should also be a separate rating displayed on the vin spec plate of the trailer if one is used. You cannot carry more than the manufacturer’s GVWR or the amount of gross weight allowed to be imposed on the highway as defined inSection 32-9-20(a)(4), Code of Alabama 1975.
Where can I get books and information about these requirements?
TheAlabama Trucking Associationcan help you with information about the requirements for legally operating a commercial motor vehicle on the highway. A Motor Carrier's Guide to Improving Highway Safety is intendedto provide educational and technical assistance to the motor carrier industry and provide basic guidanceon the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.
If my trucks are leased, do I have to repair the trucks or does the leasing company have to make the repairs?
Repairs to the trucks arebetween you and the company you lease from. If a citation was issued, you are responsible for paying any fines. You are also responsible for sending the driver/vehicle inspection form back to the Motor Carrier Safety Unit within 15 days of inspection.
I got a ticket when the trooper did an inspection, how much is the ticket and where do I pay it?
You must call the district court in the county where the ticket was issued. Each county sets the fines for tickets issued in their county. The fine will be sent to that court. The inspection form should be signed and returned to the Motor Carrier Safety Unit within 15 days.
How do I get a list of Alabama inspections reported to FMCSA.
You may purchase a carrier profile from us. The profileprovides you a list of all inspections and accidents reported in Alabama. You may also obtain a carrier profile from FMCSA showing all reports and accidents nationwide.
Where can I get my truck tags?
The Alabama Department of Revenue issues all registration, tags, and fuel stickers. You can contact them at (334)242-9000.
I am not required to have to have a CDL. Why did a trooper pull me over and inspect my vehicle?
If you operate a vehicle in connection with your business, you will be considered commercial and inspected if your vehicle has a GVWR of over 10,000 lbs. or if the combination of your truck and trailer have a GVWR of 26,001 lbs. and meets the criteria of a commercial motor vehicle as defined in (49 CFR 390.5). If the total GVCR is under 26,000 and you operate Intrastate only,you are exempt from all federal regulations while in the state of Alabama.
Why did the trooper write me a ticket for no medical card and no logbook when my truck does not weigh enough to have a CDL?
Even though youare not requiredto have a CDL, you are required to have a current medical card. A logbook is required if you do not qualify for the 100 air-mile exemption.
How do I qualify for the short haul exemption?
A driver is not required to make out a log thus qualifying for the “Short Haul Exemption” under (49 CFR 395.1(e)) if the following criteria are met:
- The driver operates within a 100/150 air-mileradius of the normal work reporting location
- The driver (except a driver salesperson) returns to the work reporting location and is released from work within 12 consecutive hours
- At least 10 consecutive hours off duty separate each 12 hours on duty
- The driver does not drive more than 11 hours
- The motor carrier maintains time records for 6 months showing:
- The time the driver reports for duty each day
- The time the driver is released from duty each day
- Total number of hours on duty each day
- Total time on duty for the preceding 7 days for drivers used for the first time or intermittently
Time records must also be maintained for days in which the driver does not work. Drivers are not required to have copies of the time records in their possession. A driver can cross a state line and still come under the short haul exemption, if the five criteria listed above are met. A short haul driver is not exempt from the 60–hour/7–day or 70-hour/8–day limit.
How do I obtain manuals and forms?
How to obtain manuals and forms
1. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs)
2. Driver Qualification Packets
3. Accident Countermeasure Manuals
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration does not stock or supply manuals and forms, such as the FMCSRs, “Accident Countermeasure” Manual, Medical Examiner’s Certificates, Driver’s Qualification File Forms, Driver’s Daily Log Books, Hazardous Materials Placards, Hazardous Materials Labels, Etc. They may be obtained from printing firms, or other sources including, but not confined to, those listed below. Please note that the following suppliers may carry only certain items.
2003 LOUISIANA STREET
LITTLE ROCK, AR 72216
(501)374-6427
(Placards & Labels)
108 W. 19TH STREET
KANSAS CITY MO 64105
(816) 842-5068
5724 NORTH PULASKI ROAD
CHICAGO, IL 60646-6797
(800) 621-5808
J. J. KELLER & ASSOCIATION, INC.
3003 WEST BREEZEWOOD LANE
P O BOX 368
NEENAH, WI 54957-0368
(877) 564-2333
5950 WEST TOUHY AVENUE
NILES, IL 60714-4610
(847) 677-4730
SUPERINTENDENT OF DOCUMENTS
U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20402
(202) 512-1800
Leadership
Motor Carrier Safety UnitCaptain Robert Till
Contact Motor Carrier Safety Unit
334.676.6004
MCSUInfo@alea.gov
More In This Division
- Alabama Move Over Act
- Alabama Tinting Regulations
- Child Restraints Law
- Communications Unit
- Highway Patrol Contact Information
- Motor Carrier Safety Unit
- Seat Belt Law
- Speed Limits
- Superload Law Enforcement Escort
- Volunteer First-Responder Vehicle Operators
