The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is the U.S. government agency responsible for regulating commercial motor vehicle safety. While many drivers refer broadly to “DOT rules,” most trucking compliance requirements are enforced by the FMCSA.

DOT compliance refers to the full set of federal safety regulations that commercial truck drivers and motor carriers must follow in the United States. These rules are not optional, and failure to comply can result in fines, out-of-service orders, or enforcement actions.

Hours of Service (HOS) regulations are among the most strictly enforced FMCSA rules for commercial truck drivers. These regulations limit how long drivers may operate a commercial motor vehicle and require specific rest periods to reduce fatigue-related accidents.

Between 2025 and 2026, FMCSA and DOT enforcement priorities continue to shift toward data-driven oversight, documentation accuracy, and technology-based compliance. While many core regulations remain unchanged, enforcement focus and operational expectations for drivers and carriers have evolved.

Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) are a core enforcement tool used by the FMCSA to monitor Hours of Service (HOS) compliance. Most interstate commercial truck drivers are required to use ELDs to automatically record driving time and duty status.

The Driver Qualification File (DQF) is a mandatory compliance record required by the FMCSA for most commercial motor vehicle drivers. It documents whether a driver is legally qualified to operate a commercial vehicle and is one of the first items reviewed during audits and inspections.

DOT vehicle inspection and maintenance requirements are a core part of FMCSA compliance for commercial motor vehicles. These rules exist to ensure that trucks operating on public roads are safe, properly maintained, and free of defects that could cause accidents or mechanical failures.

DOT recordkeeping and document retention requirements are a foundational part of FMCSA compliance. Even when drivers operate safely, missing or improperly retained documents can result in violations during roadside inspections and audits.

DOT compliance audits are formal reviews conducted by the FMCSA to evaluate whether a motor carrier is operating in compliance with federal safety regulations. Audits are not random in the way many drivers assume; most are triggered by specific risk signals and enforcement indicators.

Common DOT violations are rarely caused by a single serious mistake. In most cases, violations result from repeated documentation errors, inconsistent records, or failure to follow basic compliance procedures.