# 49 CFR § 385.301: Requirements before beginning interstate operations

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-385.301

## Section

- **Citation:** 49 CFR § 385.301
- **Heading:** Requirements before beginning interstate operations
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** September 22, 2026
- **Source:** Publisher's official text
- **Location:** Title 49—Transportation > Subtitle B—Other Regulations Relating to Transportation > CHAPTER III—FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION > SUBCHAPTER B—FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY REGULATIONS > PART 385—SAFETY FITNESS PROCEDURES > Subpart D—New Entrant Safety Assurance Program

## 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 CFR § 385.1 § 385.1 Purpose and scope.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-385.1.md)
- [49 CFR § 385.3 § 385.3 Definitions and acronyms.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-385.3.md)
- [49 CFR § 385.4 § 385.4 Matter incorporated by reference.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-385.4.md)
- [49 CFR § 385.5 § 385.5 Safety fitness standard.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-385.5.md)
- [49 CFR § 385.7 § 385.7 Factors to be considered in determining a safety rating.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-385.7.md)
- [49 CFR § 385.9 § 385.9 Determination of a safety rating.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-385.9.md)
- [49 CFR § 385.11 § 385.11 Notification of safety fitness determination.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-385.11.md)
- [49 CFR § 385.13 § 385.13 Unsatisfactory rated motor carriers; prohibition on transportation; ineligibility for Federal contracts.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-385.13.md)
- [49 CFR § 385.14 § 385.14 Motor carriers, brokers, and freight forwarders delinquent in paying civil penalties: prohibition on transportation.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-385.14.md)
- [49 CFR § 385.15 § 385.15 Administrative review.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-385.15.md)
- [49 CFR § 385.17 § 385.17 Change to safety rating based upon corrective actions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-385.17.md)
- [49 CFR § 385.19 § 385.19 Safety fitness information.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-385.19.md)
- [49 CFR § 385.21 § 385.21 Separation of functions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-385.21.md)
- [49 CFR § 385.101 § 385.101 Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-385.101.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-385.301. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.