---
kind: "section"
citation: "49 U.S.C. § 31131"
title: "49"
title_heading: "Transportation"
number: "31131"
heading: "Purposes and findings"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/49/31131"
units:
  - "Subtitle VI — Motor Vehicle and Driver Programs"
  - "Part B — Commercial"
  - "Chapter 311 — Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety"
  - "Subchapter III — Safety Regulation"
---

# §31131. Purposes and findings

- (a) **Purposes.—** The purposes of this subchapter are—
  - (1) to promote the safe operation of [commercial motor vehicles](/usc/49/31101.md?p=1);
  - (2) to minimize dangers to the health of [operators](/usc/49/30501.md?p=6) of [commercial motor vehicles](/usc/49/31101.md?p=1) and other [employees](/usc/49/31101.md?p=2) whose employment directly affects motor carrier safety; and
  - (3) to ensure increased compliance with traffic laws and with the [commercial motor vehicle](/usc/49/31101.md?p=1) safety and health [regulations](/usc/49/31132.md?p=7) and standards prescribed and orders issued under this chapter.
- (b) **Findings.—** Congress finds—
  - (1) it is in the public interest to enhance [commercial motor vehicle](/usc/49/31101.md?p=1) safety and thereby reduce highway fatalities, injuries, and property damage;
  - (2) improved, more uniform [commercial motor vehicle](/usc/49/31101.md?p=1) safety measures and strengthened enforcement would reduce the number of fatalities and injuries and the level of property damage related to [commercial motor vehicle](/usc/49/31101.md?p=1) operations;
  - (3) enhanced protection of the health of [commercial motor vehicle](/usc/49/31101.md?p=1) [operators](/usc/49/30501.md?p=6) is in the public interest; and
  - (4) interested [State](/usc/49/31101.md?p=4) governments can provide valuable assistance to the [United States](/usc/49/31132.md?p=11) Government in ensuring that [commercial motor vehicle](/usc/49/31101.md?p=1) operations are conducted safely and healthfully.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 999.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Revised<br>Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
| 31131(a) | 49 App.:2501. | Oct. 30, 1984, Pub. L. 98–554, §§ 202, 203, 98 Stat. 2832. |
| 31131(b) | 49 App.:2502. |  |

In subsection (a)(3), the words “this chapter” are substituted for “this Act” because title II of the Act of October 30, 1984 (Public Law 98–554, 98 Stat. 2832), amended and enacted provisions restated in this chapter.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Exemptions From Requirements of This Subchapter for Certain Farm Vehicles

For provisions relating to exemptions from certain requirements of this subchapter with respect to certain farm vehicles and individuals operating those vehicles, see section 32934 of Pub. L. 112–141, set out as a note under section 31136 of this title.

### Traffic Law Initiative

Pub. L. 106–159, title II, § 220, Dec. 9, 1999, 113 Stat. 1769, provided that: In General.—In cooperation with one or more States, the Secretary may carry out a program to develop innovative methods of improving motor carrier compliance with traffic laws. Such methods may include the use of photography and other imaging technologies. Report.—The Secretary shall transmit to Congress a report on the results of any program conducted under this section, together with any recommendations as the Secretary determines appropriate.”