Understanding Current National Vehicle Safety Standards

A person is inspecting a semi-truck tire

Truck driver safety standards exist to protect human life, prevent financial losses, and safeguard the companies and careers of people working in the industry. If you are considering entering the freight transportation field, imagine a fully loaded, 80,000-pound rig exceeding the speed limit on a steep decline without semi-truck safety standards. While not every CDL holder is thrilled by the enforcement of (sometimes) stringent trucking regulations, they are necessary for the industry and passenger vehicle motorists who share the road.

These are safety standards newly minted truck drivers would be well served to know inside and out.

Drug & Alcohol Testing

It’s pure common sense to insist truckers remain clean and sober. Due to the heightened danger posed by 18-wheelers and other large commercial motor vehicles, the U.S. Department of Transportation established what is known as the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse. Operated under the purview of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the Clearinghouse is responsible for compiling and tracking drug and alcohol violations.

Based on FMCSA Part 40 and Part 382 regulations, employers are tasked with conducting drug and alcohol tests on truckers under a variety of circumstances. These typically include the following:

Mandatory Pre-Employment Screenings
Testing After an Accident
Suspicion a Driver Is Under the Influence
Return-to-Duty Screenings (After a Violation)
Random Testing

It’s also important to keep in mind that the blood alcohol threshold for a truck driver is 0.04%. That is significantly lower than for passenger vehicle motorists. Banned substances do not have to be fully active in a driver’s system. Trace amounts of controlled substances, such as marijuana, can result in a failed screening and sideline a driver. Using substances, even while off-duty, can result in license suspension until completing an FMCSA return-to-work program.

Medical Testing

Anyone who operates a commercial motor vehicle over 10,001 pounds, shuttles a significant number of passengers, or hauls hazardous material must pass an examination to verify they’re medically able to operate a motor vehicle. The testing is not overly rigorous or intrusive, and you don’t need to be a workout warrior to pass. These are items covered in the U.S. DOT medical test:

General Health History
Blood Pressure
Vision Examination
Hearing Test
Urinalysis
Drug & Alcohol Screening
General Physical Exam

Truckers who need an updated medical card can contact a certified examiner through the FMCSA’s Driver Physical Qualification page.

Reporting Injuries

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires all employers to report significant work-related injuries. Federal regulators track injuries and workplace-related illnesses suffered by employees. This information impacts a company’s Safety Measurement System score. When auditors see a higher number of reports, they may trigger a safety audit. These rank among the more common truck driver injuries:

Hard-Impact Falls
Repetitive Motion Injuries
Knee Stress & Tendinitis
Back & Neck Strains

OSHA and FMCSA reviews are designed to identify concerns and reduce workplace injuries.

Handling Hazardous Materials

The FMCSA and OSHA overlap on many safety regulations. For hazardous materials, OSHA sets regulations for how chemical agents and other hazardous materials must be stored and handled. The FMCSA determines how these same materials are packaged, labeled, and communicated during transit.

For example, if flammable liquids sit near the loading dock in a warehouse, OSHA governs their handling. Once tanks are loaded onto a big rig, truck drivers must follow FMCSA regulations to ensure they are properly loaded, marked, and that their presence is communicated.

Maintenance & Repairs

It may seem counterintuitive to truck drivers, but OSHA regulates maintenance and repairs. Under OSHA 1910.177, employers are tasked with following exacting procedures when it comes to rim wheels and tire mounting. The measure also requires employers to train drivers and other employees who may experience flat tires or blowouts.

Loading & Unloading

As one might anticipate, OSHA also establishes safety loading and unloading guidelines. While loading and unloading may not fall to drivers, it’s certainly worthwhile to have a working knowledge of safety. For instance, loading equipment must always have sufficient clearance, and the area must be free of obstructions.

Road Safety

The FMCSA sets road safety standards that apply to drivers and transportation companies. In Part 571, the FMCSA outlines standards for mechanical safety systems, including windshield wipers, defrosters, rear visibility, lighting, and braking systems.

Hours of Service

There was a time when truckers felt enormous pressure to haul loads long distances in a short amount of time. Tension led too many to drive for extensive periods, even when mentally exhausted. Driver fatigue can be as dangerous as operating under the influence because judgment and reaction times are impaired. That’s why the FMCSA has hours-of-service (HOS) limits.

Today, truckers have an 11-hour limit that must be followed by 10 consecutive non-driving hours. Drivers also have a 14-hour window when returning after 10 hours off. Additionally, CDL holders are required to take 30-minute breaks once they hit 8 consecutive hours. In addition to daily limits, drivers cannot operate a big rig for more than 60 hours in one week or 70 hours over 8 days.

Knowing and following the trucking safety regulations benefits CDL holders in two ways. First, they help protect human safety and the environment. Second, they help prevent fines or suspensions.

Learn More About Safety

TSI is committed to keeping CDL professionals safe and up to date on current industry regulations. If you’re new to the trucking industry or considering a trucking career, sign up for our New Driver program, which covers national safety training and regulations. This six-week paid training opportunity includes three days of in-class orientation followed by several weeks of direct OTR driving, where our experienced drivers teach you delivery planning, pre-trip inspections, load securing and distribution techniques, hazard recognition, eco-driving, and more.

Visit our website to sign up, or check out our blog for more industry news and updates.