FMCA Filings Shares Insightful Perspectives on Interstate Driving vs. Intrastate

FMCA Filings Team Shares What Carriers Should Know About Interstate vs. Intrastate Driving for a Smoother Ride

United States - February 1, 2024 / Federal Motor Carrier Authority Filings /

Differentiating the terms "interstate" and "intrastate" is relatively straightforward. While interstate trucking refers to crossing state or country lines, intrastate driving remains inside the primary state. However, interstate driving vs. intrastate operations have more complex definitions for carriers in the United States, as it determines various insurance requirements and driver rules.

In addition to compliance with USDOT number registration requirements, carriers need to follow Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rules and regulations when undertaking interstate and intrastate trips. This article reviews the pertinent details for drivers and carriers.

Interstate or Intrastate: The Differences

In short, interstate drivers can legally transport freight across state lines, and intrastate truckers must only operate within a single state. However, both truckers and carriers should understand how the two definitions may differ in terms of:

• Insurance
• Vehicle type
• Operating authority

Insurance Requirements

Interstate and intrastate trucking require different types of insurance coverage. Since intrastate drivers remain in their state, they must abide by that state's specific insurance requirements.

It's important to remember that each state has different rules and regulations regarding freight transportation. State-bound owner-operators and carriers must do their research to understand how they can remain legally compliant with their insurance policies. Meanwhile, interstate drivers will need to follow Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration guidelines for insurance coverage.

For example, the FMCSA minimum coverage requirements may vary depending on the weight of the freight and truck in the following categories:

• Trucks carrying less than 10,001 pounds of non-hazardous materials
• Trucks carrying more than 10,001 pounds of non-hazardous materials
• Trucks with private carriers carrying any amount of hazardous material

Truck Types

Since interstate trucking requires drivers to cross state or national lines (such as into Canada or Mexico), they tend to involve longer trips. As such, interstate driving will often involve larger vehicles, such as:

• Semi-trucks
• Flatbed trailers
• Refrigerated trailers
• Dry vans
• Tankers

Intrastate trucking is often far simpler and may only require the driver to take the freight from one part of the state to another without crossing any borders. Due to the shorter hauls and smaller loads, these intrastate vehicles typically include things like garbage trucks, concrete mixing trucks, tow trucks, box trucks, or dump trucks.

Still, regardless of interstate driving vs. intrastate operations, each driver must have a Commercial Driver's License to legally operate the vehicle.

Operating Authority

Another key difference between driving within states or between them would be the question of operating authority. For instance, interstate drivers must follow the federal operating authority regulations, which may include the following:

• Interstate drivers must have a USDOT number.
• Interstate carriers must register their fleets with the Unified Carrier Registration program annually (even if their main state of operation doesn't partake).
• Interstate carriers must remain compliant with the International Registration Plan and International Fuel Tax Agreement.

Intrastate truckers often do not have to follow federal operating authority regulations as closely, though they must still comply with the International Fuel Tax Agreement and International Registration Plan. Operating authority regulations also vary with each state, so its important to keep an eye on your local requirements. For example, some states require commercial vehicles to have a DOT number, even if they're intrastate trucks.

Why Should Truckers Know the Difference?

Understanding the difference between interstate and intrastate trucking is essential for carriers and owner-operators since each state or country will have slightly different regulations.

Remaining compliant with the appropriate governing authority sets the right tone for carriers and owner-operators who want operational success. It also helps carriers avoid the various profit-draining consequences of noncompliance. For example, interstate carriers that fail to comply with FMCSA regulations may be subject to out-of-order services, which force them to shut down until they meet proper requirements.

It's also important for carriers to realize that some situations may seem like intrastate issues when they're actually subject to interstate driving regulations. For instance, if a driver picks up freight and drops it off in the same state but then crosses a state line in the process, the FMCSA will generally consider this trip an interstate delivery.

About FMCA Filings

Understanding interstate and intrastate driving is crucial for carriers and owner-operators alike. While interstate carriers comply with FMCSA regulations, intrastate drivers will need to research their state's specific laws regarding commercial vehicles and drivers. With so many regulations to follow and steep consequences for noncompliance, some help can be invaluable.

Fortunately, Federal Motor Carrier Authority Filings helps carriers and owner-operators remain compliant by streamlining the FMCSA application processes. From applying for a DOT number for intrastate hauls to understanding compliance requirements for interstate driving vs. intrastate operations, Federal Motor Carrier Authority Filings makes it easy.

Those looking for help with FMCSA applications and compliance can contact FMCA Filings and speak with a live agent.

Contact Information:

Federal Motor Carrier Authority Filings

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United States

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