The Special Regulations a Commercial Truck Needs to Follow
Commercial trucking in the United States is a lucrative business—with many challenges. Commercial trucking presents a host of challenges for businesses, from operating in some of the roughest terrains on the planet to operating under strict federal and state regulations. In addition to these challenges, commercial trucking also poses risks to every operator who ventures into this field. Doing so involves incurring cost and time penalties that may force operators out of business if not managed properly. However, with knowledge comes empowerment. To help you save money and time as an operator, we’ve outlined some commercial truck regulations every owner should know about:
The trucking industry is highly regulated, and many rules and regulations must be followed. But still, truck accidents are on the rise. Finding an experienced truck accident lawyer is mandatory when you get into an accident due to the truck driver’s negligence. The attorney will be familiar with all of the relevant laws and regulations and be able to help you build a strong case.
Commercial truck weight limits
The commercial truck weight limit in the United States is 80,000 pounds (36,000 kg). This limit is set by the federal government and applies to all interstate highways. However, some states have lower limits for certain roads and bridges, so it’s important to check the regulations in each state before traveling. The weight limit is enforced by weigh stations located at regular intervals along highways. Trucks that exceed the weight limit will be fined.
Most trucks have to have a special commercial license to drive.
Commercial vehicles have special regulations that apply to them because they’re bigger and heavier than most personal vehicles. To drive these specialized vehicles safely from place to place, you will need a commercial license from the state where you live.
A normal driver’s license does not allow you to drive any commercial vehicle (including private ones). You also won’t be able to use this license in interstate commerce (driving between two states) or abroad without special permission from both countries involved and their respective governments (such as Canada).
Truck drivers are only allowed to drive for certain periods of time before they must rest.
Truck drivers are only allowed to drive for certain periods of time before they must rest. The rules are as follows:
Drivers are not allowed to drive for more than 11 hours daily. Drivers who have been driving for more than 10 hours in a day, or at least 14 hours during the previous 24-hour period, must take one hour off every six hours during their shift.
Tail lamps and reflectors
The law requires that a trucking company replace missing or damaged tail lights as soon as possible after an accident involving one of their trucks. This is because the failure to do so could result in increased insurance premiums, fines, and other penalties on behalf of drivers who were involved in accidents while driving without functioning headlights or taillights.
Truck drivers are also required by law to ensure their vehicles are equipped with working lights when they’re on duty at night (and even during daylight hours).
Be aware of specific roadways where they cannot go because
Additionally, truck drivers will have to be aware of specific roadways where they cannot go because their tires are not wide enough or because their weight may cause damage to bridges or overpasses. For example, if a truck is carrying construction equipment and exceeds the maximum width of 32 feet (9 meters), it will be forced onto a highway that does not allow for oversize vehicles.
Conclusion
These are just some of the special rules that a commercial truck driver needs to follow. It is important for anyone who drives a commercial truck to be aware of all these regulations before getting behind the wheel.