Federal and State Trucking Regulations: It shouldn’t come as a surprise that large commercial trucks can pose a greater risk to other drivers on the road than regular motor vehicles. And because of the danger large commercial trucks pose to other drivers on the road, the commercial trucking industry is subject to a different and more extensive set of state and federal safety regulations than other motor vehicles. As such, trucking companies and their drivers, while engaged in interstate commerce, must comply with federal and state regulations and standards. These standards seek to ensure the safe and professional operation of commercial trucks and are there for the safety of truck drivers and other drivers on the road. Unfortunately, when commercial drivers or trucking companies disregard safety regulations, the results can be catastrophic. If you or a loved one have been injured in a commercial truck accident, contact Wehunt Trial Law for help. Wehunt Trial Law will fight for the compensation you deserve.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Trucking Regulations
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is a federal agency responsible for helping to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities involving large trucks and buses. FMCSA sets and enforces a vast array of safety standards for the commercial trucking industry, with which drivers and companies must comply.
Hours of Service
FMCSA restricts the hours a truck driver may spend behind the wheel in a given day or workweek to keep fatigued drivers off the road and promote public safety. The existing hours of service rules are:
- Interstate commercial truck drivers cannot drive more than 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off-duty.
- Truck drivers may not drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty, following 10 consecutive hours off duty. Off-duty time does not extend the 14-hour period.
- Truck drivers may not drive after 60 hours on duty in 7 consecutive days or 70 hours on duty in 8 consecutive days.
- Trucks drivers may restart a 7/8 consecutive day period after taking 34 or more consecutive hours off duty.
- Mandatory 30-minute break after the first eight hours driving.
Truck drivers must keep track of their time and duty status using logbooks. Part of that requirement is making sure that logbooks reflect an accurate and complete record of the driver’s activities for each 24-hour period. Logbooks can be inspected by state or federal agencies at any time. Unfortunately, violations of the hours of service regulations are not uncommon. In fact, one of the most common violations among truck drivers is the failure to properly log their duty status.
Vehicle Requirements
Pursuant to FMCSA regulations, truck drivers and trucking companies are responsible for making sure that their vehicles and equipment are in proper working order, regularly inspected, repaired, and maintained. Truck drivers and trucking companies must also maintain accurate maintenance records and comply with cargo securement regulations.
Qualification of Drivers
Under federal regulations, commercial truck drivers must meet the following qualifications:
- Be at least 21 years old
- Be able to read, speak, and understand English sufficiently enough to converse with the general public, read traffic signs and signals, to respond to official inquiries, and to maintain proper records
- Have adequate experience or training to safely operate the big rig, 18-wheeler, tractor trailer, or another type of commercial vehicle for which he or she is responsible for driving
- Meet physical qualifications to operate a commercial truck
- Have a current and valid commercial motor vehicle operator’s license issued only by one state or jurisdiction
- Has supplied his or her employer with a driving record or certificates
- Not be disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle
- Has successfully completed a driver’s road test and obtained a certificate of a driver’s road test