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Commercial Vehicles and Regulations

If you have been told these laws don’t apply to you, guess again. Most companies become aware of the rules and regulations after their vehicles have been stopped on the road.

If you have been told these laws don’t apply to you, guess again. Most companies become aware of the rules and regulations after their vehicles have been stopped on the road.

Certain federal and state safety rules, regulations and laws may apply, if you:

• Use or operate any type of truck—including a pickup—in your business
• Transport passengers
• Haul any kind of hazardous materials (including gasoline, fertilizer, oxygen, acetylene or other chemicals)

If you have been told these laws don’t apply to you, guess again. Most companies become aware of the rules and regulations after their vehicles have been stopped on the road.

On October 26, 1986, United States Congress passed the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act. This law requires each state to meet the same minimum standards for commercial driver licensing. The standards require commercial motor vehicle drivers to get a Commercial Driver's License (CDL). The enactment of the law created standards for testing and licensing heavy truck and bus operators are designed as a minimum standard to guarantee the fitness of commercial motor vehicle operators by requiring demonstrated ability to drive heavy vehicles before a license is issued. State and federal regulations are very similar, but there are some differences, so ensure you are familiar with your state requirements, as well as, federal.

• Vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) or Gross Combination Weight (GCW ) of 10,001 or more pounds
  • GVW means the weight of a vehicle and its load
  • GCW means the weight of a combination vehicle and its load
• Vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or gross combination weight Rating (GCWR) of 10,001 pounds or more
  • GVWR is the value specified by the manufacturer as a safe loaded weight of a single vehicle (the GVWR is located on the manufacturer’s tag, usually found inside the driver’s side door)
  • GCWR is the value specified by the manufacturer as the loaded weight of a combination of vehicles
  • As used here, a combination vehicle means a truck pulling another vehicle or trailer
• Vehicles designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver
• Vehicles used in the transport of hazardous materials in a quantity sufficient to require a placard.

• Are not for-hire
• Only transport company property
• Are the owner or only driver

• Chauffeur Driver License
• Commercial Driver License (CDL)
• Driver Qualifications (i.e., medical cards, driver files,
• state driving record)
• Driver Drug and Alcohol Testing
• Hours of Service
• Log Books
• Hazardous Material Regulations (applies to gasoline, oxygen, acetylene, fertilizer or other hazardous materials, regardless of the amount you carry)
• Vehicle Equipment Compliance (required equipment, daily and annual inspection reports, cargo securement)
• Size and Weight (pertains to all vehicles)
• Fuel Tax and IRP Registration
• Minimum Amounts of Insurance