What Are Federal Trucking Regulations?

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) creates and enforces commercial vehicle regulations in the U.S. Commercial vehicles include those that transport cargo or people for compensation. The most common is the semi-truck, also called a tractor-trailer or 18-wheeler.

FMCSA regulations include but are not limited to:

  • Insurance requirements
  • Hazardous material handling
  • Vehicle size and weight limits
  • Vehicle inspection and maintenance requirements
  • Licensing requirements
  • Hours of service limits
  • Drug testing and blood alcohol concentration limits

In the 2020 fiscal year, the FMCSA issued 22,686 warning letters. After thousands of investigations, it cited 8,668 acute/critical violations.

Pennsylvania Trucking Regulations

States also have their own commercial trucking regulations within their borders. Commercial vehicle owners have to register their vehicles in Pennsylvania or under the International Registration Plan and pay the relevant taxes.

Pennsylvania oversees Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs) and endorsements for its residents, although the FMCSA decides CDLs and Commercial Learner’s Permit requirements.

Pennsylvania also manages commercial vehicles’ size and weight. Oversized or overweight trucks must obtain a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) permit to operate in the state. Trucks may also need permission to use certain bridges depending on the bridge’s weight restrictions and condition.

Truck Regulations & Your Truck Accident Case

Atlee Hall has years of experience handling truck accident cases. Our success is primarily due to our in-depth investigations and trial preparation. We dive deep into your case to uncover not only what happened at the time of your crash but also to learn about the truck driver and trucking company’s history. We assess all the evidence to determine whether your case involved a regulatory violation.

We also work with highly respected trucking experts who understand the close connection between non-compliance and negligence. Motor carriers and drivers who breach their legal duties put everyone on the road in harm’s way. We work to put a stop to that.

Did the Trucking Company Violate FMCSA Regulations?

It’s impossible to know whether your case involves a violation of one or more FMCSA or Pennsylvania trucking regulations right away. It may take some time to push through discovery and uncover violations.

We recommend working with our truck accident lawyers in Lancaster to ensure experienced attorneys and experts review the evidence. Being able to prove a regulatory violation may boost your compensation claim. It also forces the violator to comply with the law and reduces the risk of another similar accident.

Contact Our Pennsylvania Truck Regulation Lawyers

If a Pennsylvania truck accident caused you or a loved one harm, you should speak with our experienced truck accident lawyers right away. At Atlee Hall, we have been working with truck accident victims for years. We will get the right experts on your case and look for truck regulation violations immediately.

Call Atlee Hall today at (717) 393-9596 or use our online contact form to reach out for a free consultation.