By state
“We never leave the state.” Does that help?
Sometimes. Every state adopts the federal driver qualification rules for its own intrastate carriers, but each one sets its own trigger. Georgia reaches down to 10,001 lbs. Florida, North Carolina, Alabama and Tennessee let lighter vehicles out. South Carolina’s safety rule doesn’t state a weight at all.
| State | Intrastate trigger | Parts adopted | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | 10,001 lbs | 49 CFR Parts 350, 376, 382, 383 and 390 through 397 | Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 570-38-1-.05 |
| Florida | 26,001 lbs | 49 CFR Parts 382-386 and 390-397 | Fla. Stat. 316.302(1)(b) |
| North Carolina | 26,001 lbs | 49 CFR Parts 390 through 397 | 14B NCAC 07C .0101 (recodified from 19A NCAC 03D .0801) |
| Alabama | 26,001 lbs | 49 CFR Part 107, Parts 171-180, Part 380, Parts 382-387 and Parts 390-399 | Ala. Code § 32-9A-2 |
| Tennessee | over 26,000 lbs | 49 CFR Parts 390 through 397 | Tenn. Code Ann. § 65-15-111 |
| South Carolina | no weight carve-out in the rule | 49 CFR Parts 382, 383, 385, 387 and 390-399, plus hazardous materials Parts 107 and 171-180 | S.C. Code Regs. 38-424 |
These triggers apply only to carriers operating entirely inside the state. Any interstate movement — including an in-state leg of trade that begins or ends out of state — is governed by the federal definition of a commercial motor vehicle at 10,001 lbs (49 CFR 390.5), whatever the state says.
Georgia
Georgia applies the federal driver file rules to intrastate carriers from 10,001 lbs — the lowest threshold of any state in the Southeast. What Georgia carriers need in every driver file.
Read more →Florida
Florida applies 49 CFR Parts 382-386 and 390-397 to intrastate carriers, with an exemption below 26,001 lbs. What Florida carriers need in every driver file, and the intrastate-only exceptions in 316.302(2).
Read more →North Carolina
North Carolina applies 49 CFR Parts 390-397 to intrastate carriers at 26,001 lbs by rating or actual weight, 16+ passengers, or placarded hazmat. What NC carriers need in every driver file.
Read more →Alabama
Ala. Code 32-9A-2 adopts 49 CFR Parts 107, 171-180, 380, 382-387 and 390-399, exempting intrastate vehicles under 26,001 lbs. What Alabama carriers need in every driver file.
Read more →Tennessee
Tenn. Code Ann. 65-15-111 exempts intrastate property-carrying vehicles at 26,000 lbs or less from 49 CFR Parts 390-397, with hazmat and passenger exceptions. What Tennessee carriers need in every driver file.
Read more →South Carolina
S.C. Code Regs. 38-424 applies 49 CFR Parts 382, 383, 385, 387 and 390-399 to interstate and intrastate carriers, with no weight exemption written into the rule. What SC carriers need in every driver file.
Read more →
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General information, not legal advice. State rules are amended; verify the authority named above in its current form before relying on it.