The definitive guide to transportation compliance terminology
This glossary provides authoritative definitions for terms related to U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) compliance requirements. Each term is linked to its governing regulation and related training programs.
A DER is the person an employer designates to receive drug and alcohol test results and to immediately remove a driver from safety-sensitive duty when required. The DER must be an employee of the company — the role cannot be delegated to a service agent or consortium.
A Substance Abuse Professional evaluates a driver who has violated a DOT drug or alcohol regulation and sets the education or treatment required before that driver may return to safety-sensitive duty. The SAP is independent of the employer.
A federal database recording CDL drivers’ drug and alcohol program violations, refusals and return-to-duty status. Employers must query it before hiring a driver and at least annually for each current driver, and must report violations to it.
The full Clearinghouse query an employer must run, with the driver’s written consent, before allowing a newly hired CDL driver to perform safety-sensitive functions. A limited query is not sufficient for pre-employment.
Reasonable suspicion refers to a supervisor's belief that a CDL driver is using drugs or alcohol, based on specific, contemporaneous, articulable observations as defined by FMCSA regulations under 49 CFR §382.307.
DOT drug and alcohol testing under 49 CFR Part 40 requires testing for safety-sensitive employees in transportation industries. Testing includes pre-employment, random, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, return-to-duty, and follow-up testing.
The UN identification number for lithium ion batteries shipped on their own, without equipment. Shipments require hazmat-trained personnel, correct packaging and marking. UN3481 covers batteries packed with or contained in equipment.
The guidebook first responders use to identify hazards and initial protective actions during a transport incident involving dangerous goods. PHMSA publishes it and it must be carried on vehicles transporting placarded hazardous materials.
Hazmat training under 49 CFR Part 172.704 requires all hazmat employees to receive general awareness, function-specific, safety, and security awareness training. Training must be completed within 90 days of employment and recertified every 3 years.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is the U.S. agency responsible for regulating and providing safety oversight of commercial motor vehicles. FMCSA is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Hours of Service regulations under 49 CFR Part 395 limit how long commercial motor vehicle drivers may drive and work, and require specific rest periods. HOS rules include the 11-hour driving limit, 14-hour on-duty window, 30-minute break requirement, and 60/70 hour weekly limits.
An Electronic Logging Device is technology that automatically records a driver's Record of Duty Status (RODS). The ELD mandate under 49 CFR Part 395 requires most CMV drivers to use ELDs to track Hours of Service compliance.
Cargo securement refers to the methods and equipment used to prevent cargo from shifting or falling during transportation. FMCSA cargo securement rules under 49 CFR Part 393 specify tie-down requirements, working load limits, and commodity-specific securement standards.
Working Load Limit is the maximum load that may be applied to a tie-down device during normal service. Under 49 CFR Part 393.102, the aggregate WLL of all tie-downs must equal at least 50% of the cargo weight.
Forklift Operator Training is required under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.178 for employees who operate powered industrial trucks. Training must include formal instruction, practical training, and operator evaluation. Operators must be re-evaluated every 3 years.
The FSMA Sanitary Transportation Rule under 21 CFR Part 1 Subpart O establishes requirements for shippers, loaders, carriers, and receivers involved in transporting human and animal food. The rule aims to prevent practices that create food safety risks during transportation.
A Commercial Driver's License is required to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) as defined by FMCSA. CDL holders are subject to DOT drug and alcohol testing regulations and must maintain a valid medical certificate.
An Out-of-Service order is a declaration by an authorized enforcement officer that a driver, CMV, or motor carrier operation is prohibited from operating until the identified safety violation(s) are corrected. OOS violations are recorded in the CSA system.
CSA is FMCSA's data-driven safety compliance and enforcement program. CSA scores measure carrier safety performance across seven Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories (BASICs) including unsafe driving, HOS compliance, and vehicle maintenance.
CDL Schools USA training courses are designed to support regulatory compliance requirements for U.S. transportation and safety regulations. Our programs align with published regulatory standards and are commonly used by employers for compliance documentation.
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