Becoming a semitruck driver means entering a profession with serious responsibilities and strict federal oversight. The road ahead requires more than just knowing how to handle an 80,000-pound vehicle—you also need to understand the complex web of regulations that govern your daily operations.
These rules exist to protect you, other drivers, and the cargo you transport across the country. Master these regulations every semitruck driver should know, and you’ll be able to avoid violations.
Hours of Service (HOS)
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration sets strict limits on how long you can drive and when you must rest. You may drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty, and you cannot drive beyond the fourteenth consecutive hour after coming on duty. These regulations also include a mandatory 30-minute break within your first eight hours of driving.
The layout of your shifts and how you rest in between them are important regulations every semitruck driver should know. Electronic logging devices now track these hours automatically, so there’s no fudging the numbers. Violating HOS rules may result in fines starting at $1,000 and potential suspension of your commercial driver’s license.
Driver Qualifications
You must maintain a valid commercial driver’s license with the proper endorsements for various cargo types, such as hazardous chemicals, and you cannot have certain disqualifying offenses on your record.
You will need to obtain medical certification every two years, and you must report any changes in your health status that could affect your ability to drive safely, such as visual impairment. Age restrictions also apply. You must be 21 to drive interstate and 18 for intrastate commerce, though some states allow 18-year-olds to obtain a CDL for local routes only.
Vehicle Maintenance
Your truck must pass regular inspections and meet specific maintenance standards at all times. Pre-trip inspections are mandatory before every drive, and you must document any defects you discover. You may not operate if it has any out-of-service violations, such as brake problems, tire issues, or lighting failures.
Annual inspections by qualified mechanics are required, and you must maintain inspection certificates and records of maintenance. Failure to maintain proper vehicle condition may result in roadside violations and towing fees.
Lighting Regulations
Your truck must have working headlights, taillights, brake lights, turn signals, and clearance lights. You can prevent semitruck lighting violations by including the lights in your regular inspections to ensure there aren’t any dead bulbs. During certain weather conditions or at specific times of day, additional lighting requirements may apply, depending on your route and cargo.
Understanding these regulations will keep you safe, legal, and profitable throughout your trucking career. The transportation industry depends on professional drivers who take these rules seriously and maintain the highest safety standards.