The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates large trucks and buses that weigh over 10,000 pounds and are engaged in interstate commerce. Its far-reaching regulations impact everything from licensing requirements and background screening to the safe operation and maintenance of commercial trucks. The truck accident attorneys at Salango Law, PLLC, understand these regulations and can help gather evidence to establish that a trucking company has violated one of these regulations when an accident occurs. Some of the most essential FMCSA federal trucking regulations include:
Hiring Requirements
Commercial drivers must take a written and skills test to obtain their commercial driver’s license. For any driver obtaining a Class A or Class CDL for the first time on or after Feb. 7, 2022, an entry-level driver training course must be completed with a registered training provider. The driver must also be found physically fit to perform the job and carry medical certification while driving.
Potential employers must conduct a pre-employment background check of the applicant to check for:
- Motor vehicle records for the past three years
- Safety history, including any accidents
- Substance abuse history, including any violations of drug or alcohol rules
The employer must also complete a pre-employment drug test.
Hours of Service Rules
Once drivers are on the road, they must adhere to hours-of-service rules. These rules are designed to prevent truck accidents caused by fatigued driving. Under these rules, truck drivers must:
- Take a 30-minute break after driving for 8 hours
- Do not drive more than 11 hours after taking a 10-hour break
- Not be on duty for more than 14 consecutive hours
- Take a break of at least 10 consecutive hours after being on duty for 14 hours
- Not be on duty for more than 60 hours in a seven-day period or 70 hours in an eight-day period
Commercial trucks must be equipped with electronic logging devices to track compliance with these rules.
Drug and Alcohol Testing
The FMCSA requires trucking companies to conduct drug and alcohol testing at the following intervals:
- Before hiring a driver
- Upon reasonable suspicion of drug or alcohol use
- Randomly
- After an accident that injures someone
- After returning to duty after a violation
Cargo Securement
If cargo shifts during transit, the truck could tip over or jackknife, potentially causing serious injuries and fatalities on the roadway. Because of this potential danger, the FMCSA has strict cargo securement rules. These rules dictate the type and number of tie-downs companies must use to secure cargo. There are also special rules for certain types of cargo.
Vehicle Inspections
Trucking companies are required to complete an annual inspection of their trucks by a qualified inspector. If any problems are noted, they must be fixed before the vehicle can go back on the road. Truck drivers are also responsible for inspecting the truck at the beginning of each trip, within 50 miles after a load has been added, and every three hours, 150 miles, or a duty change after that.
We Can Investigate Possible Violations of FMCSA Federal Trucking Regulations
At Salango Law, PLLC, we help truck accident victims. We are familiar with FMCSA federal trucking regulations and will seek to hold negligent parties responsible when they break these crucial rules and cause injury. Call us today at (304) 342-0512 to arrange a free and confidential consultation with a knowledgeable truck accident lawyer.