Truck Crash Reference

FMCSA and federal trucking rules

Last updated . Sources checked

Contents
  1. Which operations are covered
  2. Reading the rules by subject
  3. Federal rules and a civil claim
  4. Related entries
  5. References
FMCSA and federal trucking rules
AgencyFederal Motor Carrier Safety Administration[1]
General scope49 CFR Part 390, subject to definitions and exceptions[2][3]

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulates commercial motor-vehicle safety. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations address driver qualifications, vehicle operation and carrier responsibilities. Their application depends on the operation and the definitions and exceptions in the regulations, not simply whether a vehicle is called a truck.[1][2][3]

See: Jackknife crashes

Which operations are covered

Part 390 generally applies the federal safety rules to employers, employees and commercial motor vehicles transporting property or passengers in interstate commerce. The commercial motor vehicle definition includes a weight threshold of 10,001 pounds, passenger-capacity alternatives and placarded hazardous-material transportation. That definition is not the same as a commercial driver license threshold. Exceptions must be checked before assigning a rule to a vehicle.[2][3]

Reading the rules by subject

Driver qualifications are addressed in Part 391; driving rules in Part 392; equipment and cargo requirements in Part 393; hours of service in Part 395; and inspection, repair and maintenance in Part 396. Separate provisions address drug and alcohol testing, financial responsibility and leased equipment. An investigation should identify the relevant operation before comparing its conduct with a particular section.[1][2]

Federal rules and a civil claim

Section 392.2 requires covered commercial vehicles to be operated in accordance with the laws of the jurisdiction where they are driven, while preserving a more stringent federal standard when the regulation imposes one. A federal safety rule and a state damages claim therefore need separate analysis. This reference labels Georgia civil-law notes rather than presenting them as rules for every state.[4][2]

References

  1. abc About FMCSA. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/mission/about-us. official. Checked . Source record
  2. abcde 49 CFR 390.3: General applicability. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, Office of the Federal Register and GPO. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-390.3. official. Checked . Source record
  3. abc 49 CFR 390.5: Definitions. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, Office of the Federal Register and GPO. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-390.5. official. Checked . Source record
  4. ^ 49 CFR 392.2: Applicable operating rules. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, Office of the Federal Register and GPO. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-392.2. official. Checked . Source record