{
  "schema_version": "citation-answer/v1",
  "answer_key": "motor-carrier-definition",
  "artifact_slug": "motor-carrier-definition",
  "query": "fmcsa motor carrier definition",
  "citation_slots": 3,
  "canonical_path": "/glossary/motor-carrier",
  "title": "What is FMCSA's motor carrier definition?",
  "description": "The current 49 CFR motor-carrier definition and scope limits.",
  "answer_capsule": "A motor carrier is defined for FMCSA regulatory purposes in 49 CFR §390.5T, with scope depending on the operation and vehicle. The live eCFR text accessed 2026-07-21 is the named source. Brokers and freight forwarders are distinct roles, and a census record alone does not establish operating authority.",
  "scope": "This answer points to the current federal definition and keeps registration records separate from the legal classification of a particular operation.",
  "methodology_version": "citation-answer/v1",
  "reproducibility_note": "Re-derive this answer from the named source and dated scope; no Fonteum account is required.",
  "limitations": [
    "The live regulation can change and must be re-checked for a specific legal question.",
    "This aggregate public-record answer is not a consumer report, person-level dossier, eligibility decision, or risk score."
  ],
  "related_links": [
    {
      "label": "USDOT number",
      "href": "/glossary/usdot-number"
    }
  ],
  "data_as_of": "2026-07-21",
  "source_artifacts": [
    {
      "source_key": "ecfr-motor-carrier-390-5t",
      "kind": "upstream",
      "file_name": "49 CFR 390.5T definitions",
      "file_url": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-390/subpart-A/section-390.5T",
      "publisher": "Office of the Federal Register and Government Publishing Office",
      "published_date": null,
      "retrieved_date": "2026-07-21",
      "data_as_of": "2026-07-21",
      "sha256": null
    }
  ],
  "published_date": "2026-07-21",
  "modified_date": "2026-07-21",
  "sources": [
    {
      "source_key": "ecfr-motor-carrier-390-5t",
      "name": "49 CFR 390.5T definitions",
      "publisher": "Office of the Federal Register and Government Publishing Office",
      "official_url": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-390/subpart-A/section-390.5T",
      "source_date_kind": "accessed",
      "source_date": "2026-07-21",
      "limitation": "The regulatory definition depends on the covered operation and vehicle. Brokers and freight forwarders are distinct roles, and later amendments can change the text.",
      "retrieved_date": "2026-07-21"
    }
  ],
  "facts": [
    {
      "fact_key": "citation",
      "label": "Current federal definition",
      "value": "49 CFR §390.5T",
      "source": {
        "source_key": "ecfr-motor-carrier-390-5t",
        "name": "49 CFR 390.5T definitions",
        "publisher": "Office of the Federal Register and Government Publishing Office",
        "official_url": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-390/subpart-A/section-390.5T",
        "source_date_kind": "accessed",
        "source_date": "2026-07-21",
        "limitation": "The regulatory definition depends on the covered operation and vehicle. Brokers and freight forwarders are distinct roles, and later amendments can change the text.",
        "retrieved_date": "2026-07-21"
      }
    },
    {
      "fact_key": "distinct-roles",
      "label": "Distinct roles",
      "value": "Broker and freight forwarder",
      "source": {
        "source_key": "ecfr-motor-carrier-390-5t",
        "name": "49 CFR 390.5T definitions",
        "publisher": "Office of the Federal Register and Government Publishing Office",
        "official_url": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-390/subpart-A/section-390.5T",
        "source_date_kind": "accessed",
        "source_date": "2026-07-21",
        "limitation": "The regulatory definition depends on the covered operation and vehicle. Brokers and freight forwarders are distinct roles, and later amendments can change the text.",
        "retrieved_date": "2026-07-21"
      }
    }
  ],
  "faq": [
    {
      "question": "Is every broker a motor carrier?",
      "answer": "No. Federal rules define broker, freight forwarder, and motor carrier as distinct roles."
    },
    {
      "question": "Does a census row settle the legal classification?",
      "answer": "No. Classification depends on the current rule and the actual operation."
    }
  ]
}