# 49 C.F.R. § 385.301 (2026): Requirements before beginning interstate operations

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T49_P385_S385_301

## Section

- **Citation:** 49 C.F.R. § 385.301 (2026)
- **Heading:** Requirements before beginning interstate operations
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Title 49 CFR: Transportation / Chapter III: FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION / Part 385: SAFETY FITNESS PROCEDURES / Subpart D: New Entrant Safety Assurance Program / § 385.301: § 385.301   Requirements before beginning interstate operations.

## Text

(a) Before a motor carrier of property or passengers begins interstate operations, it must register with FMCSA and receive a USDOT Number. In addition, for-hire motor carriers must obtain operating authority from FMCSA, unless exclusively providing transportation exempt from the commercial registration requirements in 49 U.S.C. chapter 139. Both the USDOT Number and operating authority are obtained by following registration procedures described in 49 CFR part 390, subpart E. Part 365 of this chapter provides detailed instructions for obtaining operating authority.
(b) This subpart applies to motor carriers domiciled in the United States and Canada.
(c) The regulations in this subpart do not apply to a Mexico-domiciled motor carrier. A Mexico-domiciled motor carrier of property or passengers must register with FMCSA by following the registration procedures described in 49 CFR parts 365, 368 and 390. Parts 365 (for long-haul carriers) and 368 (for commercial zone carriers) of this chapter provide detailed information about how a Mexico-domiciled motor carrier may obtain operating authority.
[80 FR 63707, Oct. 21, 2015]
Effective Date Note:
At 82 FR 5304, Jan. 17, 2017, § 385.301 was suspended, effective Jan. 14, 2017. At 89 FR 90620, Nov. 18, 2024, the suspension was lifted and the section heading was revised. In that same document, § 385.301 was again suspended indefinitely, effective Nov. 18, 2024.

## Nearby sections

- [49 C.F.R. § 385.301 (2026) § 385.301   Requirements before beginning interstate operations.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T49_P385_S385_301.md)
- [49 C.F.R. § 385.301T (2026) § 385.301T   Requirements before beginning interstate operations.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T49_P385_S385_301T.md)
- [49 C.F.R. § 385.303 (2026) § 385.303   How to register with FMCSA.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T49_P385_S385_303.md)
- [49 C.F.R. § 385.303T (2026) § 385.303T   How to register with FMCSA.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T49_P385_S385_303T.md)
- [49 C.F.R. § 385.305 (2026) § 385.305   Completing the registration process.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T49_P385_S385_305.md)
- [49 C.F.R. § 385.305T (2026) § 385.305T   Completing the registration process.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T49_P385_S385_305T.md)
- [49 C.F.R. § 385.306 (2026) § 385.306   Consequences of furnishing misleading information or making a false statement.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T49_P385_S385_306.md)
- [49 C.F.R. § 385.307 (2026) § 385.307   New entrant safety monitoring procedures.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T49_P385_S385_307.md)
- [49 C.F.R. § 385.308 (2026) § 385.308   Expedited safety audits and compliance reviews of new entrants.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T49_P385_S385_308.md)
- [49 C.F.R. § 385.309 (2026) § 385.309   Safety audit: Purpose.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T49_P385_S385_309.md)
- [49 C.F.R. § 385.311 (2026) § 385.311   Safety audit: Scope.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T49_P385_S385_311.md)
- [49 C.F.R. § 385.313 (2026) § 385.313   Safety audit: Auditor.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T49_P385_S385_313.md)
- [49 C.F.R. § 385.315 (2026) § 385.315   Safety audit: Location.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T49_P385_S385_315.md)
- [49 C.F.R. § 385.317 (2026) § 385.317   Safety audit: Safety fitness determination.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T49_P385_S385_317.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T49_P385_S385_301. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.