FMCSA Federal & California Trucking Regulations

Federal and state trucking regulations aim to keep all parties on the road safe. These regulations have increased over time, making it clear that both the truck driver and their employer could be held accountable for the losses they cause with their truck. It is critical that anyone involved in an accident know the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration federal laws and California state trucking regulations.

Speak with an Orange County semi-truck accident lawyer about your case today.

California Trucking Regulations

In California, all trucks and buses, including all diesel-powered vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of over 14,000 pounds, must adhere to specific regulations. Some of the most specific state regulations in California include:

• Commercial driver’s license requirements, including the requirement to hold a permit for at least 14 days, pass vision, medical, and written tests, and take a road test to verify skill
• Truck driver logs must be kept by commercial drivers of all activities, including where they stop, when they take breaks, and any inspections they perform on their route
• Drivers must inspect vehicles to identify and repair mechanical issues or damaged components before operating on the roadway, with a written log of all maintenance and repairs kept for at least 12 months

Federal Trucking Regulations

There are federal regulations also in place to minimize the risk to drivers on the roadways with semi-trucks. There are numerous rules that drivers and trucking companies must abide by to minimize the risk of fines or even the loss of their right to operate on state and interstate roads. Some of the most important trucking regulations at the federal level include:

• Hours of service requirements that limit how many hours at a time drivers can operate, including consecutively without a break, as well as days per week
• DOT numbers must be displayed on all commercial trucks, which is a type of vehicle identification number that must be visible on either side of the truck
• Size and weight limits exist for trucks as well, with common tractor-trailers having a requirement of weighing no more than 80,000 pounds when fully loaded and extending no more than 65 feet without special permission

The Importance of Federal and State Trucking Regulations

These regulations are meant to protect everyone on the road, including truck drivers, companies, and other vehicles. There are several reasons for this:

• Truck accidents often cause serious injury and loss of life. Their size and rate of speed can cause a significant risk to anyone they strike on the roadway.
• Truck drivers often operate their vehicles for long hours at a time, which can lead to driver fatigue. When a driver suffers fatigue, they are unable to control their vehicle as they would otherwise.
• Demand for trucking continues to grow, leading to less-than-skilled drivers on the road to meet the demand for enough employees. Trucking regulations ensure that those behind the wheel have the necessary skills to operate these large vehicles safely.

When you are in an accident with a truck and violations of any of these regulations become clear, you have the right to hold those individuals accountable.

Seek Out a Consultation with an Experienced Attorney Today

At DiMarco | Araujo | Montevideo, our priority is helping you prove that the truck driver or company is responsible for your losses. Reach out to us now for a free consultation.