DIFFERENT
DEPARTMENTS OF TRANSPORTATION
FMCSA - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrator
• Class A CDL: Combination vehicles (such as a tractor-semi-trailer) with a Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, provided the towed vehicle weighs more than 10,000 pounds. • Class B CDL: Single vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, or such a vehicle towing another vehicle weighing up to 10,000 pounds (e.g., straight trucks, large buses). • Class C CDL: Vehicles designed to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver) or placarded hazardous materials that do not fit Class A or Class B criteria***************************************************DRIVER OPERATIONAL ROLES AND EXAMPLES:• Company Driver: A driver who operates a commercial motor vehicle owned and managed directly by a motor carrier (such as ABC Trucking). • Owner-Operator: An individual who owns their commercial truck or small fleet. They may haul loads independently using their own operating authority or lease their vehicle and driving services to another motor carrier. • Intermittent or First-Time Driver: A driver who occasionally or temporarily operates a commercial motor vehicle and must maintain specific 7-day or monthly history records under FMCSA rules. • Leased Vehicle Driver: A driver operating a truck owned by one entity but leased to another motor carrier (such as XYZ Trucking) that directs the shipping and load operations.
• Class A CDL: Combination vehicles (such as a tractor-semi-trailer) with a Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, provided the towed vehicle weighs more than 10,000 pounds. • Class B CDL: Single vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, or such a vehicle towing another vehicle weighing up to 10,000 pounds (e.g., straight trucks, large buses). • Class C CDL: Vehicles designed to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver) or placarded hazardous materials that do not fit Class A or Class B criteria***************************************************DRIVER OPERATIONAL ROLES AND EXAMPLES:• Company Driver: A driver who operates a commercial motor vehicle owned and managed directly by a motor carrier (such as ABC Trucking). • Owner-Operator: An individual who owns their commercial truck or small fleet. They may haul loads independently using their own operating authority or lease their vehicle and driving services to another motor carrier. • Intermittent or First-Time Driver: A driver who occasionally or temporarily operates a commercial motor vehicle and must maintain specific 7-day or monthly history records under FMCSA rules. • Leased Vehicle Driver: A driver operating a truck owned by one entity but leased to another motor carrier (such as XYZ Trucking) that directs the shipping and load operations.
FAA - FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION • Flight crewmember duties (Pilots, co-pilots, navigators)
• Flight attendant duties
• Flight instruction duties
• Aircraft dispatcher duties
• Aircraft maintenance and preventive maintenance duties (Mechanics and repair personnel)
• Ground security coordinator duties
• Aviation screening duties (Security personnel checking passengers and property)
• Air traffic control duties
Operations control specialist duties• Aviation Safety Inspector (ASI) — Flight Oversight: Develops, administers, and enforces civil aviation safety standards, pilot competence, and air carrier or general aviation operations (excluding hands-on flight crew testing in active service).
• Aviation Safety Inspector (Airworthiness / Maintenance): Evaluates aviation mechanics, training programs, and maintenance facilities, and inspects aircraft for airworthiness.
• Airway Transportation Systems Specialist (ATSS): Maintains and repairs radar, communication systems, navigation aids, and airport lighting across traffic control towers and route centers.
• Aerospace Engineer / Safety Advisor: Focuses on aircraft system safety standards, design certification, and risk analysis.
• Supervisory Aviation Safety Inspector: Manages front-line safety teams, regional oversight, and regulatory compliance programs.
FRA - FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION
• Hours-of-Service Employees (Train and Engine Service): Conductors, locomotive engineers, brakemen, switchmen, hostlers, and other train and engine crew members. • Dispatching Employees: Train dispatchers and control operators who govern train movements. • Signal Employees: Personnel who install, repair, or maintain signal and train control systems. • Maintenance-of-Way (MOW) Employees: Roadway workers who maintain, repair, or construct tracks, roadbeds, and structures under 49 CFR 214.7. • Mechanical (MECH) Employees: Workers who inspect, service, repair, or maintain railroad rolling equipment, locomotives, passenger cars, and freight cars under 49 CFR Parts 215, 221, 229, 230, 232, and 238. • Contractors and Volunteers: Independent contractors or volunteers performing any of the above regulated services on behalf of a railroad.
• Hours-of-Service Employees (Train and Engine Service): Conductors, locomotive engineers, brakemen, switchmen, hostlers, and other train and engine crew members. • Dispatching Employees: Train dispatchers and control operators who govern train movements. • Signal Employees: Personnel who install, repair, or maintain signal and train control systems. • Maintenance-of-Way (MOW) Employees: Roadway workers who maintain, repair, or construct tracks, roadbeds, and structures under 49 CFR 214.7. • Mechanical (MECH) Employees: Workers who inspect, service, repair, or maintain railroad rolling equipment, locomotives, passenger cars, and freight cars under 49 CFR Parts 215, 221, 229, 230, 232, and 238. • Contractors and Volunteers: Independent contractors or volunteers performing any of the above regulated services on behalf of a railroad.
USCG - UNITED STATES COAST GUARD
All commercial vessel crewmembers, Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) holders, inspected and towing vessel operators, offshore facility staff, and civilian Testing Designated Positions
• Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) Holders: Anyone holding a license, certificate of registry, or merchant mariner document who operates or is available to operate a commercial vessel.
• Commercial & Passenger Vessel Crews: Personnel on documented or inspected commercial vessels, uninspected passenger vessels (such as "six-pack" charter captains carrying paying passengers), towing vessels, and offshore facilities.
• Seasonal & Temporary Crew: Temporary, part-time, and seasonal workers aboard commercial vessels are subject to the exact same testing rules as permanent crew.
• Civilian TDPs (USCG Internal/Shore-side): Civilian Coast Guard employees in safety-sensitive roles, holders of commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs), and personnel holding security clearances (Secret or Top Secret for drugs).
FTA - FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION
• Revenue service vehicle operators (bus, van, and rail operators, including part-time and contracted workers)
• Vehicle maintenance personnel who repair, overhaul, or maintain revenue service vehicles
• Dispatchers or controllers who direct the movement of revenue service vehicles
• Commercial Driver's License (CDL) holders who perform safety-sensitive functions for the transit agency (holding a CDL alone doesn't automatically trigger FTA coverage unless performing a safety-sensitive function, though CDL drivers remain subject to FMCSA rules)
• Armed security personnel responsible for transit safety or security
• Qualifying volunteers who operate vehicles requiring a CDL
Specialized & Other Transit Modes:
• Monorails
• Aerial tramways (TR)
• Cable cars (CC)
• Inclined railways (funiculars)
• Automated guideway/people movers
• Vanpools and jitneys (JT
PHMSA - Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
• Direct Operators & Technicians: Employees of pipeline or LNG facility operators who handle active pipeline operations, valve control, or facility monitoring. • Maintenance Personnel: Workers who repair, inspect, test, or maintain pipeline assets, gas distribution systems, or LNG infrastructure (where work is performed directly on or affecting the pipeline system). • Emergency-Response Personnel: Staff designated to respond to pipeline leaks, ruptures, or safety emergencies. • Contractors and Subcontractors: Third-party workers, craft labor, or service personnel who perform any of the above safety-sensitive operations, maintenance, or emergency functions
• Direct Operators & Technicians: Employees of pipeline or LNG facility operators who handle active pipeline operations, valve control, or facility monitoring. • Maintenance Personnel: Workers who repair, inspect, test, or maintain pipeline assets, gas distribution systems, or LNG infrastructure (where work is performed directly on or affecting the pipeline system). • Emergency-Response Personnel: Staff designated to respond to pipeline leaks, ruptures, or safety emergencies. • Contractors and Subcontractors: Third-party workers, craft labor, or service personnel who perform any of the above safety-sensitive operations, maintenance, or emergency functions
- 49 CFR Part 40 is the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) regulation that establishes standard procedures for workplace drug and alcohol testing programs across all federally regulated transportation industries