Cargo Securement, Coupling Devices, and Periodic Inspection Training

The Transportation Division understands how important business growth is to our state's economy. The compliance program administered by the Transportation Division is a proactive approach to provide information not only to protect the motor carrier's business interest but also to make businesses more efficient and productive. Our goal is to provide you, our Industry partners, with the tools to be successful.

Kansas law requires all commercial motor vehicles (CMV) to comply with State and Federal cargo securement, coupling devices and annual inspection rules. A commercial motor vehicle means: any self-propelled or towed motor vehicle used on a highway in either intrastate or interstate commerce to transport passengers or property when the vehicle:

  1. Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating, or gross vehicle weight or gross combination weight, of 10,001 pounds or more, whichever is greater; or
  2. Is designed or used to transport more than 8 passengers (including the driver) for compensation; or
  3. Is designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver, and is not used to transport passengers for compensation; or
  4. Is used in transporting material found by the Secretary of Transportation to be hazardous under 49 U.S.C. 5103 and transported in a quantity requiring placarding under regulations prescribed by the Secretary under 49 CFR, subtitle B, chapter I, subchapter C.

In addition, K.S.A. 66-1,129(c)(3) requires all private motor carriers domiciled in Kansas operating medium class CMVs with a gross vehicle weight (GVW), gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), gross combination weight (GCW) or gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 10,001 to 26,000 pounds and registered pursuant to K.S.A. 8-126 et seq. to be periodically inspected, per 49 C.F.R. Part 396, to comply with the cargo securement rules, per 49 C.F.R. Part 393, Subpart I and with the coupling device requirements, per 49 C.F.R. 393, Subpart F. For the purpose of this subsection "domicile" shall mean the principle place of business of a motor carrier or a permanent location in Kansas for a vehicle or vehicles annually registered in Kansas.

Every CMV shall be inspected annually as required by K.S.A. 66-1,129(c)(3). The inspection must be performed according to 49 C.F.R. Ch. III, Subchapter B, Appendix A, as adopted by K.A.R. 82-4-3j, and documented on an Annual Periodic Vehicle Inspection Report prepared in accordance with Part 396.21(a). Part 396.19, lists the inspector qualifications.

Every motor carrier must instruct its officers, agents, employees and representatives to be familiar with and comply with all regulations of the Kansas Corporation Commission (K.A.R. 82-4-2). If you have questions or need additional information, please call Mike Hoeme at (785) 271-3333 or Gary Davenport at (785) 271-3151.