---
kind: "section"
citation: "49 U.S.C. § 14501"
title: "49"
title_heading: "Transportation"
number: "14501"
heading: "Federal authority over intrastate transportation"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/49/14501"
units:
  - "Subtitle IV — Interstate Transportation"
  - "Part B — Motor Carriers, Water Carriers, Brokers, and Freight Forwarders"
  - "Chapter 145 — Federal-State Relations"
---

# §14501. Federal authority over intrastate transportation

- (a) **Motor Carriers of Passengers.—**
  - (1) **Limitation on state law.—** No [State](/usc/49/10102.md?p=8) or political subdivision thereof and no interstate agency or other political agency of 2 or more [States](/usc/49/10102.md?p=8) shall enact or enforce any law, rule, regulation, standard, or other provision having the force and effect of law relating to—
    - (A) scheduling of interstate or intrastate [transportation](/usc/49/10102.md?p=9) (including discontinuance or reduction in the level of service) provided by a [motor carrier](/usc/49/13102.md?p=14) of passengers subject to jurisdiction under subchapter I of [chapter 135](/usc/49/chstIV/ptB/ch135.md) of this title on an interstate route;
    - (B) the implementation of any change in the [rates](/usc/49/10102.md?p=7) for such [transportation](/usc/49/10102.md?p=9) or for any charter [transportation](/usc/49/10102.md?p=9) except to the extent that notice, not in excess of 30 days, of changes in schedules may be required; or
    - (C) the authority to provide intrastate or interstate charter bus [transportation](/usc/49/10102.md?p=9).

    This paragraph shall not apply to intrastate commuter bus operations, or to intrastate bus [transportation](/usc/49/10102.md?p=9) of any nature in the [State](/usc/49/10102.md?p=8) of Hawaii.

  - (2) **Matters not covered.—** [Paragraph (1)](#a-1) shall not restrict the safety regulatory authority of a [State](/usc/49/10102.md?p=8) with respect to [motor vehicles](/usc/49/13102.md?p=16), the authority of a [State](/usc/49/10102.md?p=8) to impose [highway](/usc/49/13102.md?p=9) route [controls](/usc/49/13102.md?p=5) or limitations based on the size or weight of the [motor vehicle](/usc/49/13102.md?p=16), or the authority of a [State](/usc/49/10102.md?p=8) to regulate [carriers](/usc/49/13102.md?p=3) with regard to minimum amounts of financial responsibility relating to insurance requirements and self-insurance authorization.
- (b) **Freight Forwarders and Brokers.—**
  - (1) **General rule.—** Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, no [State](/usc/49/10102.md?p=8) or political subdivision thereof and no intrastate agency or other political agency of 2 or more [States](/usc/49/10102.md?p=8) shall enact or enforce any law, rule, regulation, standard, or other provision having the force and effect of law relating to intrastate [rates](/usc/49/10102.md?p=7), intrastate routes, or intrastate services of any [freight forwarder](/usc/49/13102.md?p=8) or [broker](/usc/49/13102.md?p=2).
  - (2) **Continuation of hawaii’s authority.—** Nothing in this subsection and the amendments made by the Surface [Freight Forwarder](/usc/49/13102.md?p=8) Deregulation Act of 1986 shall be construed to affect the authority of the [State](/usc/49/10102.md?p=8) of Hawaii to continue to regulate a [motor carrier](/usc/49/13102.md?p=14) operating within the [State](/usc/49/10102.md?p=8) of Hawaii.
- (c) **Motor Carriers of Property.—**
  - (1) **General rule.—** Except as provided in paragraphs [(2)](#c-2) and [(3)](#c-3), a [State](/usc/49/10102.md?p=8), political subdivision of a [State](/usc/49/10102.md?p=8), or political authority of 2 or more [States](/usc/49/10102.md?p=8) may not enact or enforce a law, regulation, or other provision having the force and effect of law related to a price, route, or service of any [motor carrier](/usc/49/13102.md?p=14) (other than a [carrier](/usc/49/13102.md?p=3) affiliated with a direct air [carrier](/usc/49/13102.md?p=3) covered by [section 41713(b)(4)](/usc/49/41713.md?p=b-4)) or any [motor private carrier](/usc/49/13102.md?p=15), [broker](/usc/49/13102.md?p=2), or [freight forwarder](/usc/49/13102.md?p=8) with respect to the [transportation](/usc/49/10102.md?p=9) of property.
  - (2) **Matters not covered.—** [Paragraph (1)](#c-1)—
    - (A) shall not restrict the safety regulatory authority of a [State](/usc/49/10102.md?p=8) with respect to [motor vehicles](/usc/49/13102.md?p=16), the authority of a [State](/usc/49/10102.md?p=8) to impose [highway](/usc/49/13102.md?p=9) route [controls](/usc/49/13102.md?p=5) or limitations based on the size or weight of the [motor vehicle](/usc/49/13102.md?p=16) or the hazardous nature of the cargo, or the authority of a [State](/usc/49/10102.md?p=8) to regulate [motor carriers](/usc/49/13102.md?p=14) with regard to minimum amounts of financial responsibility relating to insurance requirements and self-insurance authorization;
    - (B) does not apply to the intrastate [transportation](/usc/49/10102.md?p=9) of [household goods](/usc/49/13102.md?p=10); and
    - (C) does not apply to the authority of a [State](/usc/49/10102.md?p=8) or a political subdivision of a [State](/usc/49/10102.md?p=8) to enact or enforce a law, regulation, or other provision relating to the regulation of tow truck operations performed without the prior consent or authorization of the owner or operator of the [motor vehicle](/usc/49/13102.md?p=16).
  - (3) **State standard transportation practices.—**
    - (A) **Continuation.—** [Paragraph (1)](#c-1) shall not affect any authority of a [State](/usc/49/10102.md?p=8), political subdivision of a [State](/usc/49/10102.md?p=8), or political authority of 2 or more [States](/usc/49/10102.md?p=8) to enact or enforce a law, regulation, or other provision, with respect to the intrastate [transportation](/usc/49/10102.md?p=9) of property by [motor carriers](/usc/49/13102.md?p=14), related to—
      - (i) uniform cargo liability rules,
      - (ii) uniform bills of lading or receipts for property being transported,
      - (iii) uniform cargo credit rules,
      - (iv) antitrust immunity for joint line [rates](/usc/49/10102.md?p=7) or routes, classifications, mileage guides, and pooling, or
      - (v) antitrust immunity for agent-van line operations (as set forth in [section 13907](/usc/49/13907.md)),

      if such law, regulation, or provision meets the requirements of [subparagraph (B)](#c-3-B).

    - (B) **Requirements.—** A law, regulation, or provision of a [State](/usc/49/10102.md?p=8), political subdivision, or political authority meets the requirements of this subparagraph if—
      - (i) the law, regulation, or provision covers the same subject matter as, and compliance with such law, regulation, or provision is no more burdensome than compliance with, a provision of this part or a regulation issued by the [Secretary](/usc/49/13102.md?p=20) or the [Board](/usc/49/10102.md?p=1) under this part; and
      - (ii) the law, regulation, or provision only applies to a [carrier](/usc/49/13102.md?p=3) upon request of such [carrier](/usc/49/13102.md?p=3).
    - (C) **Election.—** Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a [carrier](/usc/49/13102.md?p=3) affiliated with a direct air [carrier](/usc/49/13102.md?p=3) through common controlling ownership may elect to be subject to a law, regulation, or provision of a [State](/usc/49/10102.md?p=8), political subdivision, or political authority under this paragraph.
  - (4) **Nonapplicability to hawaii.—** This subsection shall not apply with respect to the [State](/usc/49/10102.md?p=8) of Hawaii.
  - (5) **Limitation on statutory construction.—** Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent a [State](/usc/49/10102.md?p=8) from requiring that, in the case of a [motor vehicle](/usc/49/13102.md?p=16) to be towed from private property without the consent of the owner or operator of the vehicle, the [person](/usc/49/13102.md?p=18) towing the vehicle have prior written authorization from the property owner or lessee (or an employee or agent thereof) or that such owner or lessee (or an employee or agent thereof) be present at the time the vehicle is towed from the property, or both.
- (d) **Pre-Arranged Ground Transportation.—**
  - (1) **In general.—** No [State](/usc/49/10102.md?p=8) or political subdivision thereof and no interstate agency or other political agency of 2 or more [States](/usc/49/10102.md?p=8) shall enact or enforce any law, rule, regulation, standard or other provision having the force and effect of law requiring a license or fee on account of the fact that a [motor vehicle](/usc/49/13102.md?p=16) is providing [pre-arranged ground transportation service](/usc/49/13102.md?p=19) if the [motor carrier](/usc/49/13102.md?p=14) providing such service—
    - (A) meets all applicable registration requirements under [chapter 139](/usc/49/chstIV/ptB/ch139.md) for the interstate [transportation](/usc/49/10102.md?p=9) of passengers;
    - (B) meets all applicable vehicle and intrastate passenger licensing requirements of the [State](/usc/49/10102.md?p=8) or [States](/usc/49/10102.md?p=8) in which the [motor carrier](/usc/49/13102.md?p=14) is domiciled or registered to do business; and
    - (C) is providing such service pursuant to a contract for—
      - (i) [transportation](/usc/49/10102.md?p=9) by the [motor carrier](/usc/49/13102.md?p=14) from one [State](/usc/49/10102.md?p=8), including intermediate stops, to a destination in another [State](/usc/49/10102.md?p=8); or
      - (ii) [transportation](/usc/49/10102.md?p=9) by the [motor carrier](/usc/49/13102.md?p=14) from one [State](/usc/49/10102.md?p=8), including intermediate stops in another [State](/usc/49/10102.md?p=8), to a destination in the original [State](/usc/49/10102.md?p=8).
  - (2) **Intermediate stop defined.—** In this section, the term “intermediate stop”, with respect to [transportation](/usc/49/10102.md?p=9) by a [motor carrier](/usc/49/13102.md?p=14), means a pause in the [transportation](/usc/49/10102.md?p=9) in order for one or more passengers to engage in personal or business activity, but only if the driver providing the [transportation](/usc/49/10102.md?p=9) to such passenger or passengers does not, before resuming the [transportation](/usc/49/10102.md?p=9) of such passenger (or at least 1 of such passengers), provide [transportation](/usc/49/10102.md?p=9) to any other [person](/usc/49/13102.md?p=18) not included among the passengers being transported when the pause began.
  - (3) **Matters not covered.—** Nothing in this subsection shall be construed—
    - (A) as subjecting [taxicab service](/usc/49/13102.md?p=22) to regulation under [chapter 135](/usc/49/chstIV/ptB/ch135.md) or [section 31138](/usc/49/31138.md);
    - (B) as prohibiting or restricting an airport, train, or bus terminal operator from contracting to provide preferential access or facilities to one or more providers of [pre-arranged ground transportation service](/usc/49/13102.md?p=19); and
    - (C) as restricting the right of any [State](/usc/49/10102.md?p=8) or political subdivision of a [State](/usc/49/10102.md?p=8) to require, in a nondiscriminatory manner, that any individual operating a vehicle providing prearranged ground [transportation](/usc/49/10102.md?p=9) service originating in the [State](/usc/49/10102.md?p=8) or political subdivision have submitted to pre-licensing drug testing or a criminal background investigation of the records of the [State](/usc/49/10102.md?p=8) in which the operator is domiciled, by the [State](/usc/49/10102.md?p=8) or political subdivision by which the operator is licensed to provide such service, or by the [motor carrier](/usc/49/13102.md?p=14) providing such service, as a condition of providing such service.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 104–88, title I, § 103, Dec. 29, 1995, 109 Stat. 899; amended Pub. L. 105–178, title IV, § 4016, June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 412; Pub. L. 105–277, div. C, title I, § 106, Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–586; Pub. L. 107–298, § 2, Nov. 26, 2002, 116 Stat. 2342; Pub. L. 109–59, title IV, §§ 4105(a), 4206(a), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1717, 1754; Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title V, § 5514, Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1557.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

The Surface Freight Forwarder Deregulation Act of 1986, referred to in subsec. (b)(2), is Pub. L. 99–521, Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2993. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 1986 Amendment note set out under section 10101 of this title and Tables.

### Prior Provisions

Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 11501 of this title prior to the general amendment of this subtitle by Pub. L. 104–88, § 102(a).

### Amendments

2015—Subsec. (c)(2)(C). Pub. L. 114–94 substituted “the regulation of tow truck operations” for “the price of for-hire motor vehicle transportation by a tow truck, if such transportation is”.

2005—Subsec. (c)(2)(B). Pub. L. 109–59, § 4206(a), inserted “intrastate” before “transportation”.

Subsec. (c)(5). Pub. L. 109–59, § 4105(a), added par. (5).

2002—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 107–298 added subsec. (d).

1998—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 105–178 reenacted heading without change and amended text of subsec. (a) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “No State or political subdivision thereof and no interstate agency or other political agency of 2 or more States shall enact or enforce any law, rule, regulation, standard, or other provision having the force and effect of law relating to scheduling of interstate or intrastate transportation (including discontinuance or reduction in the level of service) provided by motor carrier of passengers subject to jurisdiction under subchapter I of chapter 135 of this title on an interstate route or relating to the implementation of any change in the rates for such transportation or for any charter transportation except to the extent that notice, not in excess of 30 days, of changes in schedules may be required. This subsection shall not apply to intrastate commuter bus operations.”

Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 105–277 substituted “operations, or to intrastate bus transportation of any nature in the State of Hawaii” for “operations” in concluding provisions.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 2015 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 114–94 effective Oct. 1, 2015, see section 1003 of Pub. L. 114–94, set out as a note under section 5313 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

### 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.