Are There Federal Regulations for Truck Drivers?

In the United States, there are laws that govern truck drivers. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration or FMCSA is responsible for the laws and regulations that motor carriers follow. This agency also devises the laws that truckers have to follow. These laws are supposed to increase the safety of commercial trucks and help to decrease trucking accidents. These laws protect everyone on the road, not only truck drivers.

Regulations for Drivers

Drivers have to have a license issues by their home state. You receive this license if you pass your knowledge and skill exams. Now, if you happen to be a hazmat carrier or another specialized trucker, then you may have to pass additional exams in order to have that specific license.

You may also have to pass special training or physical requirements. You take this test every two years. In addition, you will have to undergo regular controlled substance tests. In addition to these regulations, the FMCSA also regulates how many hours a trucker can drive in a workday. Normally you can only drive `11 hours at a time or 14 maximum. After that, you have to take a mandatory 10-hour break.

Regulations for Trucks

When it comes to your truck, there are specific rules for securing your cargo. You have to secure your cargo in such a way that there is minimal risk of anything coming loose or falling off of the vehicle. When something falls off your vehicle, it can cause massive damage or injury to other people on the road. This is why it’s crucial to know the laws for how to secure the cargo. You have to use the right provisions to secure and tie down cargo based on the type of cargo and the weight. In addition, you have to display markings that help identify the cargo in your truck.

In addition to drivers and the trucks, there are regulations for the trucking companies as well. They have to comply with USDOT safety rules, hours of service rules and unfit carrier rules.

There are federal regulations regarding truckers in the United States. Since most truckers use interstate travel, it makes sense to have federal regulations. It’s crucial that every trucker pays close attention to the regulations. If something happens on the road, you could be liable for an accident, fines or fees for not following regulations. In some cases, you may even lose your commercial license. For information on your rights as a trucker, you should set up a consultation with a truck accident lawyer today.

Source: Truck Accident Lawyer Trenton, NJ, Davis & Brusca, LLC