Commercial trucking operations are regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Texas also has laws and regulations with which truck drivers and trucking companies must comply when they operate within the Lone Star State. These regulations, which are largely aligned with the FMCSA’s rules, are designed to enhance safe trucking operations, reduce the rate at which large commercial rigs are involved in auto accidents, and prevent avoidable injuries and deaths.
Often, violations of Texas trucking laws and regulations are central to the thousands of trucking accidents that happen across the state every year. When trucking services and/or truck drivers ignore critical safety rules, they can set the stage for serious accidents in which other motorists suffer the most severe consequences.
If you’ve been injured or have experienced the wrongful death of a family member in a truck accident, proof that safety regulations weren’t followed can be critical in proving negligence and helping you recover the kind of compensation you need to pay for costly medical care, offset lost wages, and cope with serious trauma.
Here, our Round Rock truck accident attorneys break down some of the most important trucking laws and regulations in Texas.
Texas Hours of Service Regulations
Drowsy driving is a huge factor in many truck accidents. To combat this, the FMCSA and the state of Texas have created Hours of Service regulations. These limit the amount of time a truck driver can spend behind the wheel, and require them to take breaks at certain intervals throughout their trips.
- 11 Hour Rule: Drivers can spend up to 11 hours behind the wheel after taking at least a 10 hour break
- Rest Breaks: Drivers must take a 30 minute (or longer) rest break once they’ve been behind the wheel for 8 hours.
- 14 Hour Rule: Drivers cannot operate a truck once they’ve been on duty for 14 consecutive hours, including breaks
- 60 and 70 Hour Rules: Drivers cannot operate a vehicle if they’ve been on duty for 60 hours in a 7 day period or for 70 hours in an 8 day period. The clock can reset once a driver takes 34 consecutive hours off duty.
There are some exceptions, particularly for interstate drivers who can utilize the sleeper berth provision under 49 CFR § 395.1(o) or non-CDL truck drivers. Regardless, drivers must keep detailed records about their on-duty and off-duty statuses to demonstrate their compliance with applicable Hours of Service regulations.
Minimum Driver Requirements in Texas
Before a driver can operate a commercial truck, they have to obtain a Commercial Driver’s License, or CDL.
To get a CDL, Texas requires drivers to be residents of the state, be a citizen or lawful resident of the United States, and:
- Pass a Department of Transportation physical
- Pass drug and alcohol tests
- Pass a hands-on skills test where they can demonstrate the ability to perform a pre-trip inspection, maintain basic control over a commercial vehicle, and complete a road test
Under the FMCSA, drivers must be at least 21 years old to get a CDL. Texas allows drivers to get a CDL at the age of 18. However, the CDL is only valid for intrastate travel – meaning that a driver with a Texas-issued CDL who isn’t 21 can’t drive their rig outside of the state.
Texas Truck Inspection Requirements
Trucks must be inspected regularly to ensure that they’re not suffering from any defects and aren’t exhibiting signs of wear and tear that could contribute to vehicle accidents.
In Texas, commercial vehicles must undergo annual multi-point inspections by a qualified independent inspector. Inspection requirements extend to all parts of the vehicle – including tractors, trailers, and other components.
Texas also requires daily vehicle checks. Drivers must check specific components on their rig and document the condition in a daily vehicle inspection report (DVIR).
When completing the DVIR, a driver must check a vehicle’s:
- Brakes
- Tires and wheels
- Headlights
- Brake lights
- Turn signals
- Reflectors
- Wipers and windshields
- Mirrors
- Suspension
- Exhaust
- Fluid levels
- Cab
Since companies are required to fix known issues promptly, these checks help to ensure that unsafe commercial vehicles aren’t in operation.
Truck Weight and Size Regulations
Texas has strict rules about the size and weight of commercial vehicles that operate on its roads and highways.
There are maximum Gross Vehicle Weights (GVW) for commercial trucks based on the number of axles the vehicle has. GVW reflects a vehicle’s maximum weight, including drivers, passengers, cargo, and fuel.
- Single axle: Maximum GVW 20,000 lbs
- Tandem axle: Maximum GVW 34,000 lbs
- Triple axle: Maximum GVW 42,000 lbs
- Quad axle: Maximum GVW 50,000 lbs
Trucks can also be subject to length limitations, depending on the type of vehicle.
- Tractor-trailer or semi-truck: 59 feet
- Three-vehicle combination truck: 65 feet
- Trailer or semitrailer of a twin-trailer unit: 28.5 feet
When a truck tows a trailer intended to transport boats, the maximum length is 65 feet.
Maximum overhangs for trucks are set at 3 feet (front) and 4 feet (rear).
Truck Insurance Requirements in Texas
Trucks can do a lot of damage in motor vehicle accidents, so Texas requires trucking owners and operators to carry more insurance than everyday motorists.
Pursuant to Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) guidelines, minimum commercial coverage is $500,000. Additional insurance requirements typically depend on a vehicle’s weight and/or what it’s carrying and/or whether the vehicle is involved in intrastate or interstate transport.
- Trucks weighing more than 10,001 pounds carrying non-hazardous materials: $750,000 minimum coverage
- Trucks transporting oil and/or hazardous waste: $1 million million
- Trucks hauling hazardous materials: $5 million minimum coverage
Drivers must also have proof of minimum auto insurance coverage, which is currently $30,000/$60,000 in bodily injury and $25,000 in property damage.
Contact Our Round Rock Truck Accident Lawyers Today
If you or someone you love was hurt in a truck accident, proof that the truck driver or trucking company violated a Texas trucking law or regulation can help you win your personal injury case. Dow Law Firm knows how to investigate these accidents, which evidence can be most helpful in building a winning argument, and how to force powerful trucking services to pay crash victims for their severe injuries and suffering.
Contact our Texas truck accident lawyers in Round Rock today at (512) 240-9951 for a free consultation. We can answer your questions and help you figure out the best way to move forward.