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Historical textIn force on June 1, 2015Source: annual CFR editions 2014–2015

§ 390.3 General applicability.

Wording in the annual edition revised as of Oct. 1, 2014, superseded by the 2016 annual edition.

govinfo, 2014 edition ↗
Before Jan. 1, 2017 the record is one snapshot per annual CFR edition, revised as of October 1. This is the 2014 edition's wording. An amendment that took effect between Oct. 1, 2014 and June 1, 2015 would not appear until the next edition, so check the citations below and the Federal Register for exact effective dates.
What changedOct. 1, 2009 wording → Oct. 1, 2014 wording+317 added−157 removedHide

Link to an amendment published at 78 FR 52652, Aug. 23, 2013.
Link to a correction published at 78 FR 63100, Oct. 23, 2013.
(a) The rules in subchapter B of this chapter are applicable to all employers, employees, and commercial motor vehicles, which transport property or passengers in interstate commerce.
(b) The rules in part 383, Commercial Driver's License Standards; Requirements and Penalties, are applicable to every person who operates a commercial motor vehicle, as defined in § 383.5 of this subchapter, in interstate or intrastate commerce and to all employers of such persons.
(c) The rules in part 387, Minimum Levels of Financial Responsibility for Motor Carriers, are applicable to motor carriers as provided in § 387.3 or § 387.27 of this subchapter.
(d) Additional requirements. Nothing in subchapter B of this chapter shall be construed to prohibit an employer from requring and enforcing more stringent requirements relating to safety of operation and employee safety and health.
(e) Knowledge of and compliance with the regulations. (1) Every employer shall be knowledgeable of and comply with all regulations contained in this subchapter which are applicable to that motor carrier's operations.
(2) Every driver and employee shall be instructed regarding, and shall comply with, all applicable regulations contained in this subchapter.
(3) All motor vehicle equipment and accessories required by this subchapter shall be maintained in compliance with all applicable performance and design criteria set forth in this subchapter.
(f) Exceptions. Unless otherwise specifically provided, the rules in this subchapter do not apply to—
(1) All school bus operations as defined in § 390.5;, except for the provisions of §§ 391.15(e) and (f), 392.80, and 392.82 of this chapter.
(2) Transportation performed by the Federal government, a State, or any political subdivision of a State, or an agency established under a compact between States that has been approved by the Congress of the United States;
(3) The occasional transportation of personal property by individuals not for compensation nor in the furtherance of a commercial enterprise;
(4) The transportation of human corpses or sick and injured persons;
(5) The operation of fire trucks and rescue vehicles while involved in emergency and related operations;
(6)(i) The operation of commercial motor vehicles designed or used to transport between 9 and 15 passengers (including the driver), not for direct compensation, provided the vehicle does not otherwise meet the definition of a commercial motor vehicle, except that motor carriers and drivers operating such vehicles are required to comply with §§ 390.15, 390.19, and 390.21(a) and (b)(2), 391.
15(iie) The operation of commercial motor vehicles designed or used to transport between 9 and 15 passengers (including the driverf) for direct compensation, provided the vehicle is not being operated beyond a 75 air-mile radius (86392.380 statuteand miles or 138392.982 kilometers) from the driver's normal work-reporting location, and provided the vehicle does not otherwise meet the definition of athis commercial motor vehicle, except that motor carriers operating such vehicles are required to comply with §§ 390chapter.15, 390.19, and 390.21(a) and (b)(2).
(7) Either a driver of a commercial motor vehicle used primarily in the transportation of propane winter heating fuel or a driver of a motor vehicle used to respond to a pipeline emergency, if such regulations would prevent the driver from responding to an emergency condition requiring immediate response as defined in § 390.5.
(g) Motor carriers that transport hazardous materials in intrastate commerce. The rules in the following provisions of subchapter B of this chapter apply to motor carriers that transport hazardous materials in intrastate commerce and to the motor vehicles that transport hazardous materials in intrastate commerce:
(1) Part 385, subparts A and E, for carriers subject to the requirements of § 385.403 of this chapter.
(2) Part 386, Rules of practice for motor carrier, broker, freight forwarder, and hazardous materials proceedings, of this chapter.
(3) Part 387, Minimum Levels of Financial Responsibility for Motor Carriers, to the extent provided in § 387.3 of this chapter.
(4) Section 390.19, Motor carrier identification report, and § 390.21, Marking of CMVs, for carriers subject to the requirements of § 385.403 of this chapter. Intrastate motor carriers operating prior to January 1, 2005, are excepted from § 390.19(a)(1).
(h) Intermodal equipment providers. On and after December 17, 2009, the rules in the following provisions of subchapter B of this chapter apply to intermodal equipment providers:
(1) Subpart F, Intermodal Equipment Providers, of Part 385, Safety Fitness Procedures.
(2) Part 386, Rules of Practice for Motor Carrier, Intermodal Equipment Provider, Broker, Freight Forwarder, and Hazardous Materials Proceedings.
(3) Part 390, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations; General, except § 390.15(b) concerning accident registers.
(4) Part 393, Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation.
(5) Part 396, Inspection, Repair, and Maintenance.
[53 FR 18052, May 19, 1988]
Editorial Note:
For Federal Register citations affecting § 390.3, assee amendedthe atList 54of FRCFR 12202Sections Affected, Marwhich appears in the Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.fdsys.gov.
Editorial 24,Note:
For 1989;Federal 58Register FRcitations 33776affecting § 390.3, Junesee 21the List of CFR Sections Affected, 1993;which 59appears in the Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.fdsys.gov.
Effective Date Note:
At 78 FR 875252652, FebAug. 23, 1994;2013, 59§ 390.3 FRwas 67554revised, Deceffective Oct. 2923, 1994;2015. 62At 78 FR 129663100, JanOct. 923, 19972013, this revision was corrected in paragraph (f)(1) by removing “All school bus operations as defined in § 390.5 except for the provisions of §§ 391.15(e) and 392.80;” 63and FRadding 33276,in Juneits 18place “All school bus operations as defined in § 390.5 except for the provisions of §§ 391.15(e) and (f), 1998392.80, and 392.82 of this chapter;”, 64in FRparagraph 48516(f)(6), Septby removing “except for the texting provisions of §§ 391.15(e) 3and 392.80, 1999;and 66except FRthat 2766motor carriers operating such vehicles are required to comply with §§ 390.15, Jan390.21(a) 11and (b)(2), 2001;390.201 68and FR390.205.” 47875and adding in its place, Aug“except for the provisions of §§ 391.15(e) 12and (f), 2003;392.80, 69and FR392.82, 39372and except that motor carriers operating such vehicles are required to comply with §§ 390.15, June390.21(a) 30and (b)(2), 2004;390.201, 72and FR390.205” 36790and in paragraph (k), Julyby 5removing “The rules in subpart C of this part,” 2007;and 73adding FRin 76820its place, Dec“The rules in subpart E of this part,”. 17For the convenience of the user, 2008]the revised text, as corrected, is set forth as follows:

49 CFR § 390.3 — General applicability.. Text in force on June 1, 2015. This wording effective October 1, 2014 to October 1, 2016. Source: govinfo, 2014 edition, https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/CFR-2014-title49-vol5/CFR-2014-title49-vol5-sec390-3. Retrieved from FMCSR.com, https://fmcsr.com/reg/390.3?asof=2015-06-01, on October 26, 2026. Unofficial compilation; verify against the official source.

Link to an amendment published at 78 FR 52652, Aug. 23, 2013.

Link to a correction published at 78 FR 63100, Oct. 23, 2013.

(a) The rules in subchapter B of this chapter are applicable to all employers, employees, and commercial motor vehicles, which transport property or passengers in interstate commerce.

(b) The rules in part 383, Commercial Driver's License Standards; Requirements and Penalties, are applicable to every person who operates a commercial motor vehicle, as defined in § 383.5 of this subchapter, in interstate or intrastate commerce and to all employers of such persons.

(c) The rules in part 387, Minimum Levels of Financial Responsibility for Motor Carriers, are applicable to motor carriers as provided in § 387.3 or § 387.27 of this subchapter.

(d) Additional requirements. Nothing in subchapter B of this chapter shall be construed to prohibit an employer from requring and enforcing more stringent requirements relating to safety of operation and employee safety and health.

(e) Knowledge of and compliance with the regulations. (1) Every employer shall be knowledgeable of and comply with all regulations contained in this subchapter which are applicable to that motor carrier's operations.

(2) Every driver and employee shall be instructed regarding, and shall comply with, all applicable regulations contained in this subchapter.

(3) All motor vehicle equipment and accessories required by this subchapter shall be maintained in compliance with all applicable performance and design criteria set forth in this subchapter.

(f) Exceptions. Unless otherwise specifically provided, the rules in this subchapter do not apply to—

(1) All school bus operations as defined in § 390.5, except for the provisions of §§ 391.15(e) and (f), 392.80, and 392.82 of this chapter.

(2) Transportation performed by the Federal government, a State, or any political subdivision of a State, or an agency established under a compact between States that has been approved by the Congress of the United States;

(3) The occasional transportation of personal property by individuals not for compensation nor in the furtherance of a commercial enterprise;

(4) The transportation of human corpses or sick and injured persons;

(5) The operation of fire trucks and rescue vehicles while involved in emergency and related operations;

(6) The operation of commercial motor vehicles designed or used to transport between 9 and 15 passengers (including the driver), not for direct compensation, provided the vehicle does not otherwise meet the definition of a commercial motor vehicle, except that motor carriers and drivers operating such vehicles are required to comply with §§ 390.15, 390.19, 390.21(a) and (b)(2), 391.15(e) and (f), 392.80 and 392.82 of this chapter.

(7) Either a driver of a commercial motor vehicle used primarily in the transportation of propane winter heating fuel or a driver of a motor vehicle used to respond to a pipeline emergency, if such regulations would prevent the driver from responding to an emergency condition requiring immediate response as defined in § 390.5.

(g) Motor carriers that transport hazardous materials in intrastate commerce. The rules in the following provisions of subchapter B of this chapter apply to motor carriers that transport hazardous materials in intrastate commerce and to the motor vehicles that transport hazardous materials in intrastate commerce:

(1) Part 385, subparts A and E, for carriers subject to the requirements of § 385.403 of this chapter.

(2) Part 386, Rules of practice for motor carrier, broker, freight forwarder, and hazardous materials proceedings, of this chapter.

(3) Part 387, Minimum Levels of Financial Responsibility for Motor Carriers, to the extent provided in § 387.3 of this chapter.

(4) Section 390.19, Motor carrier identification report, and § 390.21, Marking of CMVs, for carriers subject to the requirements of § 385.403 of this chapter. Intrastate motor carriers operating prior to January 1, 2005, are excepted from § 390.19(a)(1).

(h) Intermodal equipment providers. On and after December 17, 2009, the rules in the following provisions of subchapter B of this chapter apply to intermodal equipment providers:

(1) Subpart F, Intermodal Equipment Providers, of Part 385, Safety Fitness Procedures.

(2) Part 386, Rules of Practice for Motor Carrier, Intermodal Equipment Provider, Broker, Freight Forwarder, and Hazardous Materials Proceedings.

(3) Part 390, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations; General, except § 390.15(b) concerning accident registers.

(4) Part 393, Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation.

(5) Part 396, Inspection, Repair, and Maintenance.

[53 FR 18052, May 19, 1988]

Editorial Note:

For Federal Register citations affecting § 390.3, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.fdsys.gov.

Editorial Note:

For Federal Register citations affecting § 390.3, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.fdsys.gov.

Effective Date Note:

At 78 FR 52652, Aug. 23, 2013, § 390.3 was revised, effective Oct. 23, 2015. At 78 FR 63100, Oct. 23, 2013, this revision was corrected in paragraph (f)(1) by removing “All school bus operations as defined in § 390.5 except for the provisions of §§ 391.15(e) and 392.80;” and adding in its place “All school bus operations as defined in § 390.5 except for the provisions of §§ 391.15(e) and (f), 392.80, and 392.82 of this chapter;”, in paragraph (f)(6), by removing “except for the texting provisions of §§ 391.15(e) and 392.80, and except that motor carriers operating such vehicles are required to comply with §§ 390.15, 390.21(a) and (b)(2), 390.201 and 390.205.” and adding in its place, “except for the provisions of §§ 391.15(e) and (f), 392.80, and 392.82, and except that motor carriers operating such vehicles are required to comply with §§ 390.15, 390.21(a) and (b)(2), 390.201, and 390.205” and in paragraph (k), by removing “The rules in subpart C of this part,” and adding in its place, “The rules in subpart E of this part,”. For the convenience of the user, the revised text, as corrected, is set forth as follows:

Amendment history

19 distinct wordings on file since Oct. 1, 1996
  1. Nov. 8, 2021 → presenteCFR, day-precisediff vs. previous
    [80 FR 63710, Oct. 21, 2015, as amended at 83 FR 22877, May 17, 2018; 86 FR 55743, Oct. 7, 2021]
  2. Oct. 7, 2021 → Nov. 8, 2021eCFR, day-precisediff vs. previous
    [80 FR 63710, Oct. 21, 2015, as amended at 83 FR 22877, May 17, 2018]
  3. June 18, 2018 → Oct. 7, 2021eCFR, day-precisediff vs. previous
    [80 FR 63710, Oct. 21, 2015, as amended at 83 FR 22877, May 17, 2018]
  4. May 17, 2018 → June 18, 2018eCFR, day-precisediff vs. previous
    [80 FR 63710, Oct. 21, 2015]
  5. Jan. 17, 2017 → May 17, 2018eCFR, day-precisediff vs. previous
    [80 FR 63710, Oct. 21, 2015]
  6. Oct. 1, 2016 → Jan. 17, 2017annual edition 2016diff vs. previous
    [53 FR 18052, May 19, 1988]
  7. Oct. 1, 2014 → Oct. 1, 2016annual editions 2014–2015diff vs. previousviewing
    [53 FR 18052, May 19, 1988]
  8. Oct. 1, 2013 → Oct. 1, 2014annual edition 2013diff vs. previous
    [53 FR 18052, May 19, 1988]
  9. Oct. 1, 2012 → Oct. 1, 2013annual edition 2012diff vs. previous
    [53 FR 18052, May 19, 1988, as amended at 54 FR 12202, Mar. 24, 1989; 58 FR 33776, June 21, 1993; 59 FR 8752, Feb. 23, 1994; 59 FR 67554, Dec. 29, 1994; 62 FR 1296, Jan. 9, 1997; 63 FR 33276, June 18, 1998; 64 FR 48516, Sept. 3, 1999; 66 FR 2766, Jan. 11, 2001; 68 FR 47875, Aug. 12, 2003; 69 FR 39372, June 30, 2004; 72 FR 36790, July 5, 2007; 73 FR 76820, Dec. 17, 2008; 75 FR 5002, Feb. 1, 2010; 75 FR 59135, Sept. 27, 2010; 76 FR 75487, Dec. 2, 2011]
  10. Oct. 1, 2011 → Oct. 1, 2012annual edition 2011diff vs. previous
    [53 FR 18052, May 19, 1988, as amended at 54 FR 12202, Mar. 24, 1989; 58 FR 33776, June 21, 1993; 59 FR 8752, Feb. 23, 1994; 59 FR 67554, Dec. 29, 1994; 62 FR 1296, Jan. 9, 1997; 63 FR 33276, June 18, 1998; 64 FR 48516, Sept. 3, 1999; 66 FR 2766, Jan. 11, 2001; 68 FR 47875, Aug. 12, 2003; 69 FR 39372, June 30, 2004; 72 FR 36790, July 5, 2007; 73 FR 76820, Dec. 17, 2008; 75 FR 5002, Feb. 1, 2010; 75 FR 59135, Sept. 27, 2010]
  11. Oct. 1, 2010 → Oct. 1, 2011annual edition 2010diff vs. previous
    [53 FR 18052, May 19, 1988, as amended at 54 FR 12202, Mar. 24, 1989; 58 FR 33776, June 21, 1993; 59 FR 8752, Feb. 23, 1994; 59 FR 67554, Dec. 29, 1994; 62 FR 1296, Jan. 9, 1997; 63 FR 33276, June 18, 1998; 64 FR 48516, Sept. 3, 1999; 66 FR 2766, Jan. 11, 2001; 68 FR 47875, Aug. 12, 2003; 69 FR 39372, June 30, 2004; 72 FR 36790, July 5, 2007; 73 FR 76820, Dec. 17, 2008; 75 FR 5002, Feb. 1, 2010]
  12. Oct. 1, 2009 → Oct. 1, 2010annual edition 2009diff vs. previous
    [53 FR 18052, May 19, 1988, as amended at 54 FR 12202, Mar. 24, 1989; 58 FR 33776, June 21, 1993; 59 FR 8752, Feb. 23, 1994; 59 FR 67554, Dec. 29, 1994; 62 FR 1296, Jan. 9, 1997; 63 FR 33276, June 18, 1998; 64 FR 48516, Sept. 3, 1999; 66 FR 2766, Jan. 11, 2001; 68 FR 47875, Aug. 12, 2003; 69 FR 39372, June 30, 2004; 72 FR 36790, July 5, 2007; 73 FR 76820, Dec. 17, 2008]
  13. Oct. 1, 2007 → Oct. 1, 2009annual editions 2007–2008diff vs. previous
    [53 FR 18052, May 19, 1988, as amended at 54 FR 12202, Mar. 24, 1989; 58 FR 33776, June 21, 1993; 59 FR 8752, Feb. 23, 1994; 59 FR 67554, Dec. 29, 1994; 62 FR 1296, Jan. 9, 1997; 63 FR 33276, June 18, 1998; 64 FR 48516, Sept. 3, 1999; 66 FR 2766, Jan. 11, 2001; 68 FR 47875, Aug. 12, 2003; 69 FR 39372, June 30, 2004; 72 FR 36790, July 5, 2007]
  14. Oct. 1, 2004 → Oct. 1, 2007annual editions 2004–2006diff vs. previous
    [53 FR 18052, May 19, 1988, as amended at 54 FR 12202, Mar. 24, 1989; 58 FR 33776, June 21, 1993; 59 FR 8752, Feb. 23, 1994; 59 FR 67554, Dec. 29, 1994; 62 FR 1296, Jan. 9, 1997; 63 FR 33276, June 18, 1998; 64 FR 48516, Sept. 3, 1999; 66 FR 2766, Jan. 11, 2001; 68 FR 47875, Aug. 12, 2003; 69 FR 39372, June 30, 2004]
  15. Oct. 1, 2003 → Oct. 1, 2004annual edition 2003diff vs. previous
    [53 FR 18052, May 19, 1988, as amended at 54 FR 12202, Mar. 24, 1989; 58 FR 33776, June 21, 1993; 59 FR 8752, Feb. 23, 1994; 59 FR 67554, Dec. 29, 1994; 62 FR 1296, Jan. 9, 1997; 63 FR 33276, June 18, 1998; 64 FR 48516, Sept. 3, 1999; 66 FR 2766, Jan. 11, 2001; 68 FR 47875, Aug. 12, 2003]
  16. Oct. 1, 2001 → Oct. 1, 2003annual editions 2001–2002diff vs. previous
    [53 FR 18052, May 19, 1988, as amended at 54 FR 12202, Mar. 24, 1989; 58 FR 33776, June 21, 1993; 59 FR 8752, Feb. 23, 1994; 59 FR 67554, Dec. 29, 1994; 62 FR 1296, Jan. 9, 1997; 63 FR 33276, June 18, 1998; 64 FR 48516, Sept. 3, 1999; 66 FR 2766, Jan. 11, 2001]
  17. Oct. 1, 1999 → Oct. 1, 2001annual editions 1999–2000diff vs. previous
    [53 FR 18052, May 19, 1988, as amended at 54 FR 12202, Mar. 24, 1989; 58 FR 33776, June 21, 1993; 59 FR 8752, Feb. 23, 1994; 59 FR 67554, Dec. 29, 1994; 62 FR 1296, Jan. 9, 1997; 63 FR 33276, June 18, 1998; 64 FR 48516, Sept. 3, 1999]
  18. Oct. 1, 1998 → Oct. 1, 1999annual edition 1998diff vs. previous
    [53 FR 18052, May 19, 1988, as amended at 54 FR 12202, Mar. 24, 1989; 58 FR 33776, June 21, 1993; 59 FR 8752, Feb. 23, 1994; 59 FR 67554, Dec. 29, 1994; 62 FR 1296, Jan. 9, 1997; 63 FR 33276, June 18, 1998]
  19. Oct. 1, 1996 → Oct. 1, 1998annual edition 1996
    [53 FR 18052, May 19, 1988, as amended at 54 FR 12202, Mar. 24, 1989; 58 FR 33776, June 21, 1993; 59 FR 8752, Feb. 23, 1994; 59 FR 67554, Dec. 29, 1994]

A new entry appears whenever the regulatory words change between government snapshots. Day-precise from the eCFR (2017 onward); before that, one snapshot per annual CFR edition (revised as of October 1). Bracketed citations are the Federal Register history printed with the section.