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FMCSA and State Trucking Regulations

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What is the FMCSA?

The FMCSA, or the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, is a government agency that establishes safety standards and regulations for commercial motor vehicles in order to make the roads safer for the public. This agency was created in 2000 to stand alone within the Department of Transportation (DOT) after existing as a sector in another DOT agency, the Federal Highway Administration. The FMCSA was specifically established to help reduce the large number of crashes involving commercial motor vehicles (CMVs).

Though there are many commercial trucks, buses, and other large vehicles to share the road with, only some of them are required to comply with FMCSA regulations:

  • CMVs that cross state lines. CMVs remaining in-state are exempt from federal law and only have to follow state regulations.
  • Vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of at least 10,001 pounds.
  • CMVs that are designed to carry 9-15 passengers for any form of compensation.
  • Vehicles that are designed to carry 15 or more passengers, even without compensation.
  • CMVs that transport hazardous or dangerous cargo.

What kind of safety regulations do commercial truck drivers follow?

If you were to read through the entirety of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR), it would probably take you weeks to comb through the thousands of standards that commercial vehicle motor carriers have to follow. Though the average CMV driver certainly doesn’t have every regulation memorized, here are some of the important ones truck drivers regularly have to abide by:

  • Accurately reporting and retaining records of duty status (RODS) when required.
  • Ensuring driving, operating, and medical licenses are valid and up to date.
  • Carefully avoiding moving violations, like speeding or failing to obey traffic signals
  • Steering clear of using a cell phone while driving, which is strictly prohibited.
  • Completing daily pre-trip and post-trip inspections to remain FMCSA-compliant.
  • Securing equipment or cargo with an adequate amount of tiedowns.
  • Avoiding any kind of reckless driving (tailgating, improper turns, driving under the influence, etc.)
  • Scheduling driving breaks based on the FMCSA’s Hours of Service guidelines.

In addition to the FMCSA’s regulations, truck drivers also have to abide by whatever trucking guidelines are established in the state they are driving in. Whether a CMV licensee only ever drives in one state or regularly completes interstate routes, they are bound by the state laws of the land they’re on.

Can FMCSA and state laws play a role in my truck accident lawsuit?

Absolutely— these regulations are usually a major contributing factor in determining which of the involved parties are found liable in a truck accident. If a personal injury lawyer finds that the truck driver responsible for an accident did not comply with FMCSA or state regulations, it will be much easier for the jury to find that trucking company liable. 

Trucking cases are notoriously difficult to win because trucking companies intentionally make it difficult for plaintiffs to walk away with damages, but staying informed about some of the general regulations these corporations are forced to adhere to can help you turn the tides on a tricky case.

File a truck accident lawsuit

If you or a close family member got hurt in an accident involving a large truck or passenger vehicle, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit against the driver and get compensated for your injuries.

Ready to file a claim ?

See if you’re eligible for a truck accident lawsuit.

Referenced Articles

The references used by our writers at FreeLegalReviews.com are deemed to be from credible and reputable sources, including peer-reviewed studies, court records, non-profit organizations, government agencies, highly regarded news media, and legal subject experts. Before making any medical or financial decisions, please seek the opinion of a qualified professional.
  1. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. (2013, December 12). About Us. Retrieved from https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/mission/about-us
  2. General Regulations, 49 C.F.R. §§ 300-325 (2023). Retrieved from https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-A
  1. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, 49 C.F.R. §§ 350-399 (2023). Retrieved from https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B