SUBCHAPTER I—GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
§14101. Providing transportation and service
(a) On Reasonable Request.—A carrier providing transportation or service subject to jurisdiction under chapter 135 shall provide the transportation or service on reasonable request. In addition, a motor carrier shall provide safe and adequate service, equipment, and facilities.
(b) Contracts With Shippers.—
(1) In general.—A carrier providing transportation or service subject to jurisdiction under chapter 135 may enter into a contract with a shipper, other than for the movement of household goods described in section 13102(10)(A), to provide specified services under specified rates and conditions. If the shipper and carrier, in writing, expressly waive any or all rights and remedies under this part for the transportation covered by the contract, the transportation provided under the contract shall not be subject to the waived rights and remedies and may not be subsequently challenged on the ground that it violates the waived rights and remedies. The parties may not waive the provisions governing registration, insurance, or safety fitness.
(2) Remedy for breach of contract.—The exclusive remedy for any alleged breach of a contract entered into under this subsection shall be an action in an appropriate State court or United States district court, unless the parties otherwise agree.
(Added Pub. L. 104–88, title I, §103, Dec. 29, 1995, 109 Stat. 890.)
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 11101 of this title prior to the general amendment of this subtitle by Pub. L. 104–88, §102(a).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective Jan. 1, 1996, except as otherwise provided in Pub. L. 104–88, see section 2 of Pub. L. 104–88, set out as a note under section 1301 of this title.
§14102. Leased motor vehicles
(a) General Authority of Secretary.—The Secretary may require a motor carrier providing transportation subject to jurisdiction under subchapter I of chapter 135 that uses motor vehicles not owned by it to transport property under an arrangement with another party to—
(1) make the arrangement in writing signed by the parties specifying its duration and the compensation to be paid by the motor carrier;
(2) carry a copy of the arrangement in each motor vehicle to which it applies during the period the arrangement is in effect;
(3) inspect the motor vehicles and obtain liability and cargo insurance on them; and
(4) have control of and be responsible for operating those motor vehicles in compliance with requirements prescribed by the Secretary on safety of operations and equipment, and with other applicable law as if the motor vehicles were owned by the motor carrier.
(b) Responsible Party for Loading and Unloading.—The Secretary shall require, by regulation, that any arrangement, between a motor carrier of property providing transportation subject to jurisdiction under subchapter I of chapter 135 and any other person, under which such other person is to provide any portion of such transportation by a motor vehicle not owned by the carrier shall specify, in writing, who is responsible for loading and unloading the property onto and from the motor vehicle.
(Added Pub. L. 104–88, title I, §103, Dec. 29, 1995, 109 Stat. 890.)
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 11107 of this title prior to the general amendment of this subtitle by Pub. L. 104–88, §102(a).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective Jan. 1, 1996, except as otherwise provided in Pub. L. 104–88, see section 2 of Pub. L. 104–88, set out as a note under section 1301 of this title.
§14103. Loading and unloading motor vehicles
(a) Shipper Responsible for Assisting.—Whenever a shipper or receiver of property requires that any person who owns or operates a motor vehicle transporting property in interstate commerce (whether or not such transportation is subject to jurisdiction under subchapter I of chapter 135) be assisted in the loading or unloading of such vehicle, the shipper or receiver shall be responsible for providing such assistance or shall compensate the owner or operator for all costs associated with securing and compensating the person or persons providing such assistance.
(b) Coercion Prohibited.—It shall be unlawful to coerce or attempt to coerce any person providing transportation of property by motor vehicle for compensation in interstate commerce (whether or not such transportation is subject to jurisdiction under subchapter I of chapter 135) to load or unload any part of such property onto or from such vehicle or to employ or pay one or more persons to load or unload any part of such property onto or from such vehicle; except that this subsection shall not be construed as making unlawful any activity which is not unlawful under the National Labor Relations Act or the Act of March 23, 1932 (47 Stat. 70; 29 U.S.C. 101 et seq.), commonly known as the Norris-LaGuardia Act.
(Added Pub. L. 104–88, title I, §103, Dec. 29, 1995, 109 Stat. 891.)
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The National Labor Relations Act, referred to in subsec. (b), is act July 5, 1935, ch. 372, 49 Stat. 449, which is classified generally to subchapter II (§151 et seq.) of chapter 7 of Title 29, Labor. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 167 of Title 29 and Tables.
Act of March 23, 1932, commonly known as the Norris-LaGuardia Act, referred to in subsec. (b), is act Mar. 23, 1932, ch. 90, 47 Stat. 70, which is classified generally to chapter 6 (§101 et seq.) of Title 29. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 101 of Title 29 and Tables.
Prior Provisions
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 11109 of this title prior to the general amendment of this subtitle by Pub. L. 104–88, §102(a).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective Jan. 1, 1996, except as otherwise provided in Pub. L. 104–88, see section 2 of Pub. L. 104–88, set out as a note under section 1301 of this title.
Collection of Data on Delays in Goods Movement
Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title V, §5501(b), Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1550, provided that: "Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 4, 2015], the Secretary [of Transportation] shall establish by regulation a process to collect data on delays experienced by operators of commercial motor vehicles before the loading and unloading of such vehicles and at other points in the pick-up and delivery process."
§14104. Household goods carrier operations
(a) General Regulatory Authority.—
(1) Paperwork minimization.—The Secretary may issue regulations, including regulations protecting individual shippers, in order to carry out this part with respect to the transportation of household goods by motor carriers subject to jurisdiction under subchapter I of chapter 135. The regulations and paperwork required of motor carriers providing transportation of household goods shall be minimized to the maximum extent feasible consistent with the protection of individual shippers.
(2) Performance standards.—
(A) In general.—Regulations of the Secretary protecting individual shippers shall include, where appropriate, reasonable performance standards for the transportation of household goods subject to jurisdiction under subchapter I of chapter 135.
(B) Factors to consider.—In establishing performance standards under this paragraph, the Secretary shall take into account at least the following—
(i) the level of performance that can be achieved by a well-managed motor carrier transporting household goods;
(ii) the degree of harm to individual shippers which could result from a violation of the regulation;
(iii) the need to set the level of performance at a level sufficient to deter abuses which result in harm to consumers and violations of regulations;
(iv) service requirements of the carriers;
(v) the cost of compliance in relation to the consumer benefits to be achieved from such compliance; and
(vi) the need to set the level of performance at a level designed to encourage carriers to offer service responsive to shipper needs.
(3) Limitations on statutory construction.—Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the Secretary's authority to require reports from motor carriers providing transportation of household goods or to require such carriers to provide specified information to consumers concerning their past performance.
(b) Estimates.—
(1) Required to be in writing.—
(A) In general.—Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, every motor carrier providing transportation of household goods described in section 13102(10)(A) as a household goods motor carrier and subject to jurisdiction under subchapter I of chapter 135 shall conduct a physical survey of the household goods to be transported on behalf of a prospective individual shipper and shall provide the shipper with a written estimate of charges for the transportation and all related services.
(B) Waiver.—A shipper may elect to waive a physical survey under this paragraph by written agreement signed by the shipper before the shipment is loaded. A copy of the waiver agreement must be retained as an addendum to the bill of lading and shall be subject to the same record inspection and preservation requirements of the Secretary as are applicable to bills of lading.
(C) Estimate.—
(i) In general.—Notwithstanding a waiver under subparagraph (B), a carrier's statement of charges for transportation must be submitted to the shipper in writing and must indicate whether it is binding or nonbinding. The written estimate shall be based on a physical survey of the household goods if the household goods are located within a 50-mile radius of the location of the carrier's household goods agent preparing the estimate.
(ii) Binding.—A binding estimate under this paragraph must indicate that the carrier and shipper are bound by such charges. The carrier may impose a charge for providing a written binding estimate.
(iii) Nonbinding.—A nonbinding estimate under this paragraph must indicate that the actual charges will be based upon the actual weight of the individual shipper's shipment and the carrier's lawful tariff charges. The carrier may not impose a charge for providing a nonbinding estimate.
(2) Other information.—At the time that a motor carrier provides the written estimate required by paragraph (1), the motor carrier shall provide the shipper a copy of the Department of Transportation publication FMCSA–ESA–03–005 (or its successor publication) entitled "Ready to Move?". Before the execution of a contract for service, the motor carrier shall provide the shipper copy of the Department of Transportation publication OCE 100, entitled "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move" required by section 375.213 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation).
(3) Applicability of antitrust laws.—Any charge for an estimate of charges provided by a motor carrier to a shipper for transportation of household goods subject to jurisdiction under subchapter I of chapter 135 shall be subject to the antitrust laws, as defined in the first section of the Clayton Act (15 U.S.C. 12).
(c) Flexibility in Weighing Shipments.—The Secretary shall issue regulations that provide motor carriers providing transportation of household goods subject to jurisdiction under subchapter I of chapter 135 with the maximum possible flexibility in weighing shipments, consistent with assurance to the shipper of accurate weighing practices. The Secretary shall not prohibit such carriers from backweighing shipments or from basing their charges on the reweigh weights if the shipper observes both the tare and gross weighings (or, prior to such weighings, waives in writing the opportunity to observe such weighings) and such weighings are performed on the same scale.
(Added Pub. L. 104–88, title I, §103, Dec. 29, 1995, 109 Stat. 891; amended Pub. L. 109–59, title IV, §4205, Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1753.)
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 11110 of this title prior to the general amendment of this subtitle by Pub. L. 104–88, §102(a).
Amendments
2005—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 109–59 added pars. (1) and (2), redesignated former par. (2) as (3), and struck out heading and text of former par. (1). Text read as follows: "Every motor carrier providing transportation of household goods subject to jurisdiction under subchapter I of chapter 135, upon request of a prospective shipper, may provide the shipper with an estimate of charges for transportation of household goods and for the proposed services. The Secretary shall not prohibit any such carrier from charging a prospective shipper for providing a written, binding estimate for the transportation and proposed services."
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective Jan. 1, 1996, except as otherwise provided in Pub. L. 104–88, see section 2 of Pub. L. 104–88, set out as a note under section 1301 of this title.
Amendments to Regulations Relating to Transportation of Household Goods in Interstate Commerce
Pub. L. 117–58, div. B, title III, §23013, Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 772, provided that:
"(a) Definitions.—In this section:
"(1) Administration.—The term 'Administration' means the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
"(2) Covered carrier.—The term 'covered carrier' means a motor carrier that is—
"(A) engaged in the interstate transportation of household goods; and
"(B) subject to the requirements of part 375 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the effective date of any amendments made pursuant to the notice of proposed rulemaking issued under subsection (b)).
"(b) Amendments to Regulations.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act [Nov. 15, 2021], the Secretary [of Transportation] shall issue a notice of proposed rulemaking to amend, as the Secretary determines to be appropriate, regulations relating to the interstate transportation of household goods.
"(c) Considerations.—In issuing the notice of proposed rulemaking under subsection (b), the Secretary shall consider amending the following provisions of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, in accordance with the following recommendations:
"(1) Section 375.207(b) to require each covered carrier to include on the website of the covered carrier a link—
"(A) to the publication of the Administration entitled 'Ready to Move–Tips for a Successful Interstate Move' and numbered ESA–03–005 on the website of the Administration; or
"(B) to a copy of the publication referred to in subparagraph (A) on the website of the covered carrier.
"(2) Subsections (a) and (b)(1) of section 375.213 to require each covered carrier to provide to each individual shipper, together with any written estimate provided to the shipper, a copy of the publication described in appendix A of part 375 of that title, entitled 'Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move' and numbered ESA–03–006 (or a successor publication), in the form of a written copy or a hyperlink on the website of the covered carrier to the location on the website of the Administration containing that publication.
"(3) Section 375.213 to repeal subsection (e) of that section.
"(4) Section 375.401(a) to require each covered carrier—
"(A) to conduct a visual survey of the household goods to be transported by the covered carrier—
"(i) in person; or
"(ii) virtually, using—
"(I) a remote camera; or
"(II) another appropriate technology;
"(B) to offer a visual survey described in subparagraph (A) for all household goods shipments, regardless of the distance between—
"(i) the location of the household goods; and
"(ii) the location of the agent of the covered carrier preparing the estimate; and
"(C) to provide to each shipper a copy of the publication of the Administration entitled 'Ready to Move–Tips for a Successful Interstate Move' and numbered ESA–03–005 on receipt from the shipper of a request to schedule, or a waiver of, a visual survey offered under subparagraph (B).
"(5) Sections 375.401(b)(1), 375.403(a)(6)(ii), and 375.405(b)(7)(ii), and subpart D of appendix A of part 375, to require that, in any case in which a shipper tenders any additional item or requests any additional service prior to loading a shipment, the affected covered carrier shall—
"(A) prepare a new estimate; and
"(B) maintain a record of the date, time, and manner in which the new estimate was accepted by the shipper.
"(6) Section 375.501(a), to establish that a covered carrier is not required to provide to a shipper an order for service if the covered carrier elects to provide the information described in paragraphs (1) through (15) of that section in a bill of lading that is presented to the shipper before the covered carrier receives the shipment.
"(7) Subpart H of part 375, to replace the replace the terms 'freight bill' and 'expense bill' with the term 'invoice'."
Study of Enforcement of Consumer Protection Rules in Household Goods Moving Industry
Pub. L. 106–159, title II, §209(c), Dec. 9, 1999, 113 Stat. 1764, provided that: "The Comptroller General shall conduct a study of the effectiveness of the Department of Transportation's enforcement of household goods consumer protection rules under title 49, United States Code. The study shall also include a review of other potential methods of enforcing such rules, including allowing States to enforce such rules."