FMCSA Accident Reporting and Recordkeeping 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the FMCSA's definition of a 'recordable accident' for motor carriers under 49 CFR 390.15?
- Any accident involving a CMV where a police report is filed
- An accident resulting in a citation to the CMV driver
- An accident involving a fatality, off-scene medical treatment for injuries, or a vehicle requiring towing (Correct answer)
- Any collision between a CMV and another vehicle on a public road
Correct answer: An accident involving a fatality, off-scene medical treatment for injuries, or a vehicle requiring towing
A recordable accident involves a fatality, bodily injury requiring medical treatment away from the scene, or disabling damage requiring a vehicle to be towed.
Question 2: How long must motor carriers retain accident records under 49 CFR 390.15?
- 6 months
- 1 year
- 2 years
- 3 years (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 3 years
Under 49 CFR 390.15(b)(2), motor carriers must maintain accident registers for three years after the date of each accident.
Question 3: Which of the following information is required in a motor carrier's accident register?
- Driver's CDL number and endorsements held
- Insurance policy number and deductible amount
- Number of fatalities, injuries, and whether hazardous materials were released (Correct answer)
- Vehicle weight, cargo description, and shipper information
Correct answer: Number of fatalities, injuries, and whether hazardous materials were released
The accident register must include the accident date, location, driver name, number of injuries, number of fatalities, and whether hazardous materials were released.
Question 4: Under FMCSA regulations, which accident would be considered 'recordable'?
- A CMV blows a tire and the driver changes it on the shoulder with no injuries
- A CMV driver receives a speeding citation during a routine traffic stop
- A CMV cargo door opens and causes minor roadway debris with no injuries
- A CMV rear-ends a vehicle, sending the other driver to the hospital (Correct answer)
Correct answer: A CMV rear-ends a vehicle, sending the other driver to the hospital
An accident where another person requires medical treatment away from the scene meets FMCSA's definition of a recordable accident.
Question 5: Where must a motor carrier's accident register be maintained?
- In the CMV's cab at all times
- At the motor carrier's principal place of business (Correct answer)
- At the nearest state DOT office
- With the driver's personnel file at the hiring terminal
Correct answer: At the motor carrier's principal place of business
The accident register must be kept at the motor carrier's principal place of business and be available for authorized inspection.
Question 6: Which of the following accidents would NOT be recordable under FMCSA regulations?
- A CMV strikes a parked car, disabling it and requiring it to be towed
- A CMV collision results in one fatality
- A pedestrian struck by a CMV is transported to the emergency room
- A CMV sideswipes a barrier, sustaining minor scratches, with no injuries and no towing required (Correct answer)
Correct answer: A CMV sideswipes a barrier, sustaining minor scratches, with no injuries and no towing required
Without a fatality, off-scene medical treatment, or towing, a minor scraping incident does not meet any of FMCSA's three recordable accident criteria.
Question 7: What document must motor carriers maintain to track accidents involving their commercial vehicles?
- Driver safety performance history report
- Accident register (Correct answer)
- Vehicle incident log
- Safety compliance journal
Correct answer: Accident register
FMCSA requires motor carriers to maintain an accident register containing details about each recordable accident under 49 CFR 390.15.
FMCSA Accident Reporting and Recordkeeping 1
What is the FMCSA's definition of a 'recordable accident' for motor carriers under 49 CFR 390.15?