Owner-Operator FMCSA Requirements

Owner-Operators have additional responsibilities as commercial motor vehicle drivers under the law. Read this article to find out more about the FMCSA Clearinghouse rules and regulations for Owner-operator drivers and penalties that could slow down your business.

In this article we will cover:

The Role of the “Owner-operator”

Owner-operators, also known as “self-employed drivers” or “single-driver operations” are persons who operate a commercial motor vehicle for their own authority. This can be as a single person or under your own company. Owner-operators are required to follow FMCSA regulations as a driver and as an employer.

“Owner-operators…are persons who operate a commercial motor vehicle for their own authority.”

Get owner-operator assistance for the FMCSA Clearinghouse

FMCSA Responsibilities

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration or FMCSA is in charge of regulating commercial motor vehicles, or CMV’s. This includes regulation of drivers, educational information for drivers, enforcement of safety checks, research of best methods, and technology-based improvements to the industry.

Special Duties of the Owner-operator Under FMCSA Regulations

Because owner-operators are self-owned companies, they must act in the dual role as driver and employer in the eyes of the FMCSA Clearinghouse. It is because of this dual role that the self-employed driver must register in the FMCSA Clearinghouse as a driver for activities like consent to access files and record updates. As the employer, the owner-operator must check to see if they are compliant with FMCSA regulations.

6 Steps to Comply with FMCSA Clearinghouse Regulations

Need help, check out our Owner-Operator Membership – assistance program for the FMCSA Clearinghouse.

“Owner-operators…must act in the dual role as driver and employer in the eyes of the FMCSA Clearinghouse.”

Access to the FMCSA Clearinghouse as an Owner-operator

Once you have completed registration, selected your TPA, and picked your query plan, you are ready to access FMCSA Clearinghouse as an owner-operator. This allows you special access to employer sections such as:

  • Substance Abuse Reporting
  • Query on current employee substance abuse records
  • Query on prospective employee substance abuse records
  • Report substance violations of employees of the owner-operator
  • Report negative RTD test results
  • Reporting of successful driver follow-up testing plan
  • And much more!

Get registration help and keep my records current with Clearinghouse Services

ClearinghouseServices.com provides expert assistance from seasoned professionals to employers, drivers and service agents to help you navigate the FMCSA Clearinghouse.  It is our goal to assist employers and CDL drivers with FMCSA mandated responsibilities. Cut out the confusion and register your company with us today. Contact us or call 877-345-2425 for immediate assistance. 

ClearinghouseServices.com is a private company not affiliated with the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) or the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). 

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