Federal Regulations For Truck Drivers

Common federal safety rules

Some of the laws that all commercial vehicle owners, trucking companies, shippers, and others who operate or maintain vehicles that drive across state lines or on federal highways must know are:

• Commercial driving laws. All drivers of semi-trailers, buses, vehicles that carry hazardous waste, and any vehicle defined as commercial are required to obtain a commercial driver’s license. Companies who hire drivers to transport cargo or people must make sure their drivers have a current commercial driver’s license. Commercial drivers need to pass a physical examination and a special test to prove they have the ability to operate these larger vehicles.
• Drunk driving. For most drivers, if the operator’s blood alcohol content (BAC) is .08 or more, there is a presumption that they were driving under the influence. The standard for drivers with a commercial driver’s license is higher. Commercial drivers are presumed intoxicated if their BAC is .04 or higher. Truck drivers must wait at least four hours after consuming any alcohol before they drive again. Employers are allowed to conduct random sobriety tests to determine the driver’s condition.
• Requirement for regular inspections. Trucking companies must routinely inspect their vehicles and conduct all necessary repairs before the truck can be placed on the road. The inspections include the engine and all parts necessary to make the truck run. Required inspections also include safety items such as mirrors, lights, brakes, reflectors, and windshields.
• Hours of operation. Most commercial drivers cannot drive more than 11 hours in a day and cannot work and drive more than 14 hours in a day. Drivers who reach these limits must stop driving/working for 10 continuous hours before they can drive again.
• Weight limits. Federal law regulates the gross vehicle weight of trucks. The weight limits are meant to protect the roads, prevent accidents, and protect the cargo from spilling.

Depending on the circumstances, other state or federal laws may have been breached by the driver. While some reasons, such as speeding, are obvious, many times defendants can be held liable because they failed to comply with state and federal regulations. Those regulations are designed to keep you safe. Violating them is a strong indication that the driver or company directing the driver failed in their duty to protect you. You want an experienced Chicago attorney on your side to help you, if you were hurt because of a defective part or an act of negligence.