The United States government authority that sets the basic requirements for license of drivers is the

• A. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
• B. Department of Homeland Security
• C. Department of Transportation
• D. National Transportation Safety Board

Answer: (C)

Federal policy on driver licensing is set at the Department of Transportation. This department oversees transportation safety and policy for the nation, and through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration it establishes the safety-related standards and basic requirements that states use when issuing licenses, especially for commercial drivers. States handle the actual licensing, but they must align with these federal minimums. The other agencies play different roles: Homeland Security focuses on security and border issues, the NTSB investigates accidents, and the FMCSA operates under the DOT to administer the CDL program and related rules.