CMC FMCSA & DOT Compliance 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An FMCSA-registered household goods broker must maintain what document to verify carrier authority before tendering a shipment?
- A copy of the carrier's Bill of Lading
- Proof of the carrier's active FMCSA operating authority and insurance (Correct answer)
- The carrier's state business license
- A signed moving contract from the shipper
Correct answer: Proof of the carrier's active FMCSA operating authority and insurance
HHG brokers are required to verify that any carrier they use holds active FMCSA operating authority and adequate insurance before tendering shipments.
Question 2: What is the purpose of the FMCSA's Unified Registration System (URS)?
- To track driver Hours of Service violations
- To consolidate carrier, broker, and freight forwarder registration into one system (Correct answer)
- To manage cargo insurance claims
- To assign ICC numbers to interstate movers
Correct answer: To consolidate carrier, broker, and freight forwarder registration into one system
The URS is a single online registration system that combines USDOT number issuance, operating authority, and insurance filings for motor carriers, brokers, and freight forwarders.
Question 3: Under FMCSA regulations, a household goods carrier must acknowledge a shipper's loss or damage claim within how many days of receipt?
- 15 days
- 30 days (Correct answer)
- 60 days
- 90 days
Correct answer: 30 days
FMCSA requires household goods carriers to acknowledge receipt of a written claim within 30 days and to make a settlement offer or deny the claim within 120 days.
Question 4: Which FMCSA safety measurement system is used to identify high-risk commercial motor carriers for intervention?
- CSA (Compliance, Safety, Accountability) (Correct answer)
- SAFER (Safety and Fitness Electronic Records)
- PRISM (Performance and Registration Information Systems Management)
- MCMIS (Motor Carrier Management Information System)
Correct answer: CSA (Compliance, Safety, Accountability)
CSA is FMCSA's data-driven safety compliance and enforcement program that uses BASICs scores to identify carriers posing the greatest safety risk.
Question 5: A moving company driver receives a roadside inspection. Which document must the driver have in the cab to demonstrate current FMCSA operating authority?
- Original articles of incorporation
- A copy of the MC certificate or proof of operating authority (Correct answer)
- The company's annual DOT report
- The driver's personal CDL training certificate
Correct answer: A copy of the MC certificate or proof of operating authority
Drivers must carry proof of the carrier's FMCSA operating authority (MC number documentation) to present during roadside inspections.
Question 6: Under FMCSA's HHG rules, when must a carrier provide the binding estimate to the shipper?
- Only upon request by the shipper
- Before the shipment is loaded (Correct answer)
- At delivery
- Within 24 hours of the move date
Correct answer: Before the shipment is loaded
A binding estimate must be provided to the shipper before loading begins so the shipper can make an informed decision.
Question 7: What is the FMCSA's 'chameleon carrier' concern?
- Carriers that operate in multiple states under different names
- Carriers that evade enforcement by closing and reopening under new identities after safety violations (Correct answer)
- Carriers that switch between freight and household goods hauling
- Carriers using unmarked vehicles to avoid weigh stations
Correct answer: Carriers that evade enforcement by closing and reopening under new identities after safety violations
A 'chameleon carrier' is one that shuts down after accumulating safety violations and reopens under a new name or ownership to avoid FMCSA oversight.
CMC FMCSA & DOT Compliance 3
An FMCSA-registered household goods broker must maintain what document to verify carrier authority before tendering a shipment?