Top 5 Trucking Compliance Regulations You Need to Know

Hauling freight and cargo requires following all trucking company compliance requirements. There are many rules, regulations, and laws to follow at federal, state, and company levels. Failure to comply with these regulations will have varying penalties, like detainment, fines, or getting fired by your employer.

Don't fret about trucking company compliance; let FMCA Filings help you. Check out the FMCSA compliance checklist and keep reading to discover the top five regulations you should know about.

1. Commercial Driver's License

A commercial driver's license, or CDL, isn't required for every trucker, but you do need one if you want to drive trucks weighing more than 26,000 pounds. State licensing agencies issue CDLs, and the rules vary by state; however, federal rules that are mandatory for trucking company compliance across the country include the following:

• You must have at least one year of driving experience.
• You must be 18 or older to drive within your state.
• You must be 21 or older to haul hazardous material or drive across state lines.
• You must have zero active license suspensions.
• You must have a valid certificate from a medical examiner.
• You must complete Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT).

Always check with your company first to determine if you need a CDL license, then check state laws, then the federal. Do the same when it comes time to get your CDL, as each entity may have different document requirements to obtain the license. If you have any doubts, FMCA Filings is here to clear them up for you.

2. Driver Qualification

Drivers hauling commerce on interstate or international roads must verify their physical ability and provide legal proof that they can operate their vehicle appropriately. These files should be updated annually for accurate verification during safety audits and compliance training.

Mandatory components for proper driver qualification include:

• 21 years old or older
• Driving history, including violations and road test certificate
• Employment history
• Three-year inquiry history to state agencies
• Ability to speak and read English
• Physical ability to operate vehicles
• Valid commercial license

 If you have any doubts about what you need for driver qualification, FMCA Filings can help you to ensure you do it correctly.

3. DOT Numbers

The Department of Transportation, or DOT, requires DOT Numbers for most trucks. The official DOT regulations say you need them if your company operates:

• Commercial vehicles transporting cargo or passengers on interstates
• Vehicles weighing over 10,000 pounds
• Vehicles transporting hazardous material requiring safety permits for interstate travel
• Vehicles transporting eight or more people for compensation, or 15 or more people without compensation

DOT Numbers are required for DOT compliance and vehicle inspections. If a driver gets pulled over and does not have their number displayed properly or isn't registered, they aren't following proper trucking company compliance and risk paying fees or losing their license.

4. Motor Carrier

Truck drivers are not allowed to drive vehicles for business over state lines without submitting a Motor Carrier application and getting approved. Almost every truck driver will need to follow this regulation, as it includes people carrying goods for payment, brokers of property or household goods, carriers of international or interstate goods and cargo, or those who arrange their transportation. Private carriers, paid carriers hauling exempt items, and those working in a federal commercial zone are exempt from this regulation. 

As of 2017, most Motor Carriers must adhere to ELD requirements that state their Motor Carrier papers must be kept digitally on an electronic logging device (ELD) with 4G capabilities or greater. These regulations prevent drivers from falsifying records and it allows the device to sync with the vehicle engine for automatic updates.

5. Unified Carrier Registration

Every driver who has a DOT Number needs unified carrier registration, or UCR. Trucking company compliance is required, and the company must register with their state. Since some states don't participate in the UCR program, companies must register with the nearest state.

Even though some states don't participate, drivers who pass through other states that do participate in the program will need the registration. Failure to comply will result in steep fines that increase as you repeatedly don't comply.

Company owners must pay annual UCR fees. Not doing so will hurt the company with penalties and fines. If you're a driver with concerns about trucking company compliance, speak to the experts at FMCA Filings to learn how to fill out these documents yourself.

FMCA Filings Makes Complying Easy

This list is only the top five things you should know about trucking company compliance; it's by no means a complete list. If you find all of this overwhelming, whether you're a new driver or an experienced one who hates paperwork, FMCA Filings is here to make your life easier. We'll help you with compliance checks and ensure you have all the documentation to drive legally. Speak with one of our professionals via live chat today!