Enforcement of Operating Authority Requirements

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA or the Agency) adopts as final, with minor changes, its interim regulations as published in the Federal Register in August 2002. Since that time, enforcement officials have discovered many carriers operating without the required operating authority or beyond the scope of their authority. By making minor changes to the rule, FMCSA facilitates enforcement of these regulatory requirements by the agency's employees and its State counterparts. Clarifying that operating authority means registration as required by statute assists State enforcement officers in identifying the correct violation and not confusing operating authority with other registration requirements.