Established within the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) on the 1st of January, 2000, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is responsible for the regulation of the trucking industry in the States. It has its headquarters in Washington, DC and has over 1000 employees who are assigned jobs aimed at ensuring the safety of commercial motor vehicles (CMV).

The FMCSA carries out various activities intended to help reduce fatalities resulting due to accidents involving trucks. These include enforcing safety rules and regulations, keeping an eye on high risk motor carriers and CMV drivers who flout safety rules, enhancing systems involved in safety information transmission and CMV technologies. They work on strengthening CMV instruments and operating standards. FMCSA works towards making drivers aware of the importance of measures to be taken to ensure complete safety at the work front.

To accomplish its goals, the Administration works hand in hand with Federal, State and local enforcement organizations, labor safety interest groups and the motor carrier industry amongst others.

Drivers pursuing Trucking Careers are expected to be well-versed with the functioning of the FMCSA and be aware of the rules and regulations it frames. Those undergoing truck driver training at any authorized truck school are given updated information about the FMCSA and the importance of following the guidelines set by it.

Information from this Wikipedia article.