The trucking industry is vital to the nation’s economy, but poses a significant threat to road safety. Large trucks are much heavier and longer than other vehicles on the road, making them much more challenging to navigate safely. So, state and federal regulatory agencies have taken steps to facilitate safe trucking operations and reduce the number of truck accidents nationwide.
The FMCSA - or Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration - is a federal regulatory agency that oversees more than 500,000 trucking services and 4 million commercial drivers. Its safety guidelines affect several aspects of trucking operations, including minimum driver hiring requirements, safety compliance, vehicle inspections, record keeping, cargo securement, and transporting hazardous materials.
Who Has to Comply With FMCSA Trucking Regulations?
Generally speaking, any commercial vehicle operators that engage in interstate commerce are subject to safety regulations established by the FMCSA.
- Commercial vehicle: a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or gross combination weight rating (GCWR) exceeding 10,000 pounds used for the transportation of goods or multiple passengers
- Interstate commerce: transporting goods, services, or people across state lines
Ultimately, most trucking companies - along with their employees and drivers - are required to comply with federal safety regulations. Pursuant to federal law, carriers must be “knowledgeable and comply” with all FMCSA guidelines, teach their employees the guidelines and mandate compliance, and maintain their trucks within the “performance and design criteria” set by the FMCSA.
Key FMCSA Trucking Regulations
Here’s a breakdown of some of the most noteworthy and important federal trucking regulations established by the FMCSA.
CDL Requirements
Commercial trucks can only be operated by someone with a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). The FMCSA doesn’t issue CDLs, but it does set testing and licensing standards that must be followed by the states.
Before a driver can obtain a CDL, they must:
- Have a valid driver’s license issued by their state of residence
- Get a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP)
- Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of relevant traffic laws and safety regulations
- Pass practical skills tests and a road test
- Pass a vision and health screening
Drivers may also be required to undergo additional testing or screenings to obtain certain CDL endorsements.
Hours of Service Regulations
Driving a truck is taxing, so the FMCSA limits the amount of time a truck driver can spend behind the wheel of a rig with its Hours of Service regulations.
While there are some exceptions - including those for short-haul drivers or driving in adverse conditions - drivers must adhere to a 14-hour driving window. During this window, they can only drive for up to 11 hours.
Drivers must take breaks for at least 30 minutes every 8 hours spent behind the wheel consecutively.
Cargo Securement
Unsecured cargo can throw tractor-trailers and other large trucks off balance or, in some cases, spill from the vehicle onto the roadway. FMCSA cargo securement regulations aim to minimize these risks.
Some requirements include:
- Tie-downs and other securement systems that can prevent cargo from moving significantly when a truck decelerates, accelerates, or moves laterally
- Using at least two tie-down straps for cargo up to 5,000 pounds, typically spaced 10 feet apart, with additional tie-downs used for heavier loads
- Rig walls, floors, and anchor points must be strong enough to secure the weight of the vehicle’s cargo load
Cargo securement requirements are enhanced for carriers transporting hazardous materials.
Vehicle Inspections
Large commercial trucks must undergo regular safety inspections to identify potential defects and mechanical problems.
These include:
- Pre- and post-trip inspections: conducted by the truck driver before every trip, including checks on the brakes, lights, horns, emergency equipment, wheels, mirrors, axles, and steering mechanisms
- Periodic inspections: carriers must complete periodic inspections of every commercial vehicle at least once every 12 months
If issues with a truck are discovered, it must be pulled out of service until repairs can be made.
Drug and Alcohol Testing
Truck drivers must agree to submit to random drug and alcohol screenings. The FMCSA has a zero-tolerance policy for drunk and drugged driving. As a result, drivers risk losing their CDLs and/or facing criminal charges if they are involved in a truck accident while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Compliance, Safety, and Accountability (CSA) Compliance
The CSA program is designed to identify safe trucking services, as well as carriers who frequently violate critical FMCSA safety regulations.
Trucking companies receive a CSA score based on:
- Compliance with hours of service limitations
- Vehicle maintenance and inspection records
- Driver records and safety violations
- Crash rates and severity
- Violations of standard traffic safety laws, including distracted driving, speeding, unsafe lane changes, and failing to wear a seatbelt
- Adherence to the FMCSA minimum driving hiring requirements
- Record keeping, including
The lower a trucking company’s score, the more it’s embraced its responsibility to follow FMCSA federal trucking regulations and strive to promote safe trucking operations.
Trucking Companies, Drivers Can Be Liable When FMCSA Violations Contribute to Truck Accidents
The FMCSA’s trucking regulations are in place to reduce the risk of traffic accidents involving tractor-trailers, semi-trucks, big rigs, and other large commercial trucks. However, trucking companies are ultimately profit-motivated businesses. So, there might be times when a truck driver or trucking company cuts corners or prioritizes the company’s bottom line over safety.
When a trucking company (or one of its employees) violates a federal safety regulation, it can be liable for resulting property damage, personal injury, or wrongful deaths.
Proving that a trucking company violated federal law can be challenging, especially if you don’t have a thorough working knowledge of applicable statutes and regulations. That’s why truck accident victims across the nation turn to Singleton Schreiber.
Our San Diego personal injury lawyers and San Diego truck accident attorneys have an unmatched working knowledge of FMCSA trucking regulations and understand that each truck accident is a unique experience. We can identify the best way to approach an investigation, determine what evidence will be most beneficial to your case, and bring in the best possible expert witnesses to support our legal team as we fight to get you a top-tier financial award.
We offer a free consultation, so contact our truck accident lawyers for assistance today.
