The truck driving industry is booming in America. In fact, there are numerous studies and reports that point to a growing demand for more truck drivers in the country, which is why many people are enrolling in truck driving school to enter this in-demand profession. But before you obtain your CDL and start applying for truck driving jobs, you should know that the trucking industry is highly regulated by state and federal agencies. These rules and regulations are primarily for the safety of drivers and the general public. Here’s a look at some of the rules and regulations you will be subject to as a truck driver.
Hours-of-Service Safety Regulations
Commercial drivers are subject to Hours-of-Service (HOS) regulations set forth by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs), including property-carrying and passenger-carrying vehicles, are limited in how many hours they can drive per day and per week.
Mobile Phone Restrictions
In response to recent concerns over the danger of distracted driving, new FMCSA rules restrict the use of all hand-held mobile devices by CMV drivers. Using a hand-held mobile phone while driving a CMV can result in fines up to $2,750 and possible driver disqualification. Truck drivers are encouraged to use Bluetooth ear devices and hands-free features (voice-activated dialing, for example) to mitigate the risks and be compliant with FMCSA rules.
Medical Examiner’s Certificate
Recently, states began enforcing a new rule that states that paper copies of Medical Examiner’s Certificates (MECs) are only valid for the first 15 days after their issuance. Commercial drivers are now required to provide their State Driver Licensing Agency (SDLA) a copy of their MEC for inclusion into the state driving records database.
If you want to prepare yourself for a career in truck driving, get in touch with HDS Truck Driving Institute. Our truck driving classes in Tucson start every Monday, so you can get started sooner than you thought. Call us toll-free at (877) 205-2141 to learn more about our CDL training programs.
