At the Tennessee Motorcoach Association (TMCA), safety is our highest priority. Bus travel ranks among the safest transportation options, and our members—motorcoach operators and tourism vendors—adhere to the strictest federal safety standards. Whether organizing a group trip or managing a motorcoach, TMCA offers resources and guidance to ensure safe, reliable, and accessible travel. Utilize the information on the left to help you make informed decisions and prioritize safety at every step.
Choosing a motorcoach company is about more than price—it’s about safety. Before booking, take a few minutes to verify a company’s safety record using the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) online tools at www.fmcsa.dot.gov/lookbeforeyoubook. Here’s what to check:
Authorization and Insurance: Confirm the company is authorized to operate and has required liability insurance.
Safety Rating: Look for a “Satisfactory” rating, the highest level, indicating compliance with federal safety requirements. A “Conditional” rating means partial compliance, while an “Unsatisfactory” rating typically prohibits operation.
Safety History: Review for issues like unsafe driving, unqualified drivers, poor maintenance, or non-compliance with regulations preventing impaired driving (e.g., fatigue, alcohol, or drugs).
Red Alerts: Avoid companies with a bold red alert indicating they are “not allowed to operate.”
FMCSA Intervention Threshold: A triangle symbol (△) signals a company exceeds safety violation thresholds or has recent critical violations, prioritizing them for FMCSA intervention or inspection.
Tip: Use the company’s DOT Number for accurate searches, as names can be similar. Ask your bus company for their DOT Number to start your research.
Safe drivers are the backbone of a reliable motorcoach experience. When chartering a bus, confirm with the company that their drivers meet federal standards:
Hold a current Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with a “Passenger Endorsement,” requiring specialized knowledge and road testing for bus operation.
Meet all medical qualifications to ensure physical fitness for driving.
Have significant experience and a strong safety record operating passenger buses.
TMCA encourages members to maintain rigorous driver training programs, ensuring professionalism and safety on every trip.
Safe bus travel requires adherence to federal regulations and responsible planning. TMCA urges trip planners, tour leaders, and passengers to support safe driving practices:
Respect Driver Hours: Drivers cannot drive more than 10 consecutive hours or operate after 15 hours on duty. For long trips, ensure the company provides a backup driver.
Avoid Unsafe Requests: Never ask drivers to extend stops, speed, or operate beyond legal limits to “make up” time, as this risks fatigue and accidents.
Plan Thoughtfully: Schedule trips with realistic timelines to comply with driver hours and safety regulations.
By prioritizing safe operations, you help protect everyone on board and uphold the industry’s high standards.
If you observe unsafe operations or accessibility issues, TMCA encourages prompt reporting to ensure accountability:
FMCSA Hotline: Call 1-888-DOT-SAFT (1-888-368-7238), Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, to report safety or accessibility violations.
Online Complaints: Submit concerns anytime via FMCSA’s consumer complaint site at http://nccdb.fmcsa.dot.gov.
Immediate Danger: If you believe a bus is operating unsafely and poses an immediate risk, call 911.
Reporting helps maintain safety and accessibility standards across the motorcoach industry.
TMCA is committed to inclusive travel. By law, bus operators must provide timely service for passengers with disabilities, ensuring equal access to motorcoach travel. Key requirements include:
Accessible Buses: Charter and tour bus operators may require 48 hours’ advance notice to provide an accessible bus with features like lifts for passengers unable to climb stairs, wheelchair securement areas, and other accommodations.
Timely Service: If an accessible bus is available, operators must provide it upon request to meet the needs of passengers with disabilities.
For more information on passenger ADA rights or to report accessibility issues, visit www.fmcsa.dot.gov/lookbeforeyoubook or contact the FMCSA hotline.
TMCA and the FMCSA are here to help you prioritize safety and accessibility in motorcoach travel. Visit www.fmcsa.dot.gov/lookbeforeyoubook for additional resources, including safety records, consumer guides, and tools to make informed booking decisions. Together, we can ensure every bus trip is safe, reliable, and enjoyable for all passengers.
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