Truck Drivers Need to Obey Federal Laws in Addition to State Laws
Like all states, Virginia has many laws that truck drivers must obey when they get behind the wheel. They must drive at or below the speed limit, come to a complete stop at stop signs, not run red lights, and maintain their lanes, just to name a few.
But when truck drivers are behind the wheel of trucks with USDOT numbers, it means they’re also subject to rules and regulations set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. That means that in addition to following state and local traffic laws, they also must follow federal rules.
Some of these rules include:
- Hours of service restrictions—Truck drivers must follow strict schedules for how long they can work in a given time period. They also must take mandatory rest breaks during these time periods.
- Medical certification requirements—Truck drivers must be in good health and must receive medical certifications that state they’re healthy enough to drive big trucks on public roads.
- Commercial driver’s license requirements—Truck drivers who operate trucks with USDOT numbers need commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs). It’s against the law to drive semi-trucks with only a standard driver’s license.
These additional rules mean that there are more opportunities to find and assign fault to negligent truck drivers after semi-truck crashes. However, finding those opportunities requires the help of an experienced Roanoke truck accident lawyer.
If you or someone you love was hurt in a crash involving a big truck, Skolrood Law Firm is here to help. Contact us today for a free consultation.
