Part 390: General Requirements

Part 390: General Requirements for Commercial Motor Vehicles

Part 390 establishes the general requirements for the inspection, repair, and maintenance of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) as required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). This foundational section defines key terms, establishes applicability, and sets forth the regulatory framework that governs all aspects of CMV safety and compliance.

What You'll Learn

Our Part 390 curriculum covers essential topics that every DOT inspector must understand:

Why Part 390 Matters

Part 390 serves as the foundation for all other inspection-related regulations. Understanding these general requirements is essential for:

• Properly identifying commercial motor vehicles
• Understanding regulatory applicability
• Maintaining compliance records
• Conducting accurate inspections
• Avoiding violations and penalties

Key Regulatory References

This section covers important regulatory references including:

• 49 CFR Part 390.1 - Purpose and scope
• 49 CFR Part 390.3 - General requirements
• 49 CFR Part 390.5 - Definitions
• 49 CFR Part 390.9 - Motor carrier identification