Truck drivers are a crucial cog in the supply chain that ensures goods are delivered to industries for consumption.
However, their jobs come with responsibilities too. Following the rules isn’t just about not getting fined; it’s about road safety, avoiding accidents, and keeping your career stable.
Whenever these rules are ignored, there are high chances of accidents, which often lead to legal issues. In such cases, truck accident attorneys can assist by taking care of the legal process for the victim to get fair compensation and seek justice.
Below is a simple guide to the key federal trucking regulations and what they mean.
1. Hours of Service (HOS) Rules
HOS regulations allow a driver to drive a commercial vehicle for a period of time to prevent accidents due to driver fatigue. These include:
- A maximum of 11 driving hours within a 14-hour work period after 10 consecutive hours off duty.
- Mandatory 30-minute breaks after 8 cumulative hours of driving.
- A 34-hour restart provision to reset the weekly driving limits.
- They have to record these hours accurately on the Electronic Logging Devices, or else fines or license suspension may be given.
2. Drug and Alcohol Testing
FMCSA requires all drivers to be subject to pre-employment, random, and post-accident testing for drugs and alcohol. In a proposed rule in 2024, current urine tests would be replaced by oral fluid testing, easing the process and making it more accurate and harder to cheat. An additional requirement for drivers involves staying registered in the FMCSA’s Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse to confirm compliance.
3. Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance
Truck drivers should also inspect their vehicles daily to make sure brakes, tires, lights, and other important parts of the vehicle are operational. The FMCSA requires annual inspections done by certified inspectors; violations can result in fines or the decommissioning of the vehicle.
4. Emissions Standards
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken a step further by instituting more stringent emissions requirements for trucks. Some states have already put in their requirements to comply with such rules; for instance, California requires California Air Resources Board (CARB) registration for drayage trucks. Truckers and fleets that operate throughout the country should be ready for these changing regulations.
5. Detention Time and Driver Compensation
The FMCSA has been studying the impact detention times (during loading and unloading) have on driver compensation. Based on current data, uncompensated detention could cost drivers as much as $1,500 a week, and such trends may be driving regulatory changes in how drivers are paid.
6. Speed Limiters and Competency Tests
A new FMCSA proposal would introduce the addition of speed-limiting devices to trucks made after 2003 for better highway safety. A proposed competency test for new drivers would include knowledge of federal safety and regulatory standards so there would be better-qualified newcomers in the profession.
7. Classification of Drivers (California AB5 and Beyond)
The AB5 law in California makes trucking companies classify independent contractors as employees in order to be entitled to health insurance and minimum wage. While this is limited to California, the federal government is eyeing similar regulations across the country that could significantly alter the trucking workforce.
