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Truck stuff lives here!
Truckers Insider is an informational website devoted to helping you find safety and compliance links, news, weather
and other listings so you can educate yourself and plan your next run. In addition to supplying links, Truckers Insider
keeps you up to date on what's happening in the ever changing world of USDOT, publishes articles and other
'news from the road'.
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You may be under DOT requirements and not even know it!
You must meet two definitions, the first is the definition of Interstate Commerce. Interstate commerce deals more
with what the intent of the load or business is:
Interstate commerce means trade, traffic, or transportation in the United States—
(1) Between a place in a State and a place outside of such State (including a place
outside of the United States);
(2) Between two places in a State through another State or a place outside of the United States; or
(3) Between two places in a State as part of trade, traffic, or transportation originating or terminating
outside the State or the United States.
If you're a business and your vehicle matches the following definition you are regulated!
Commercial motor vehicle means any self-propelled or towed motor vehicle used on a highway in
interstate commerce to transport passengers or property when the vehicle—
(1) Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating, or gross vehicle weight or
gross combination weight, of 4,536 kg (10,001 pounds) or more, whichever is greater; or
(2) Is designed or used to transport more than 8 passengers (including the driver) for compensation; or
(3) Is designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver, and is not used to transport passengers for compensation; or
(4) Is used in transporting material found by the Secretary of Transportation to be hazardous under 49 U.S.C. 5103 and transported in a quantity requiring placarding under regulations prescribed by the Secretary under 49 CFR, subtitle B, chapter I, subchapter C.
Read the defintions in 390.5
Latest final rule on hours of serviceThis final rule is effective January 19, 2009, it essentially upholds the December 17,
2007 interim fule of the 11 and 14 hour rules and the 34 hour restart.
Read Federal Motor Carrier's (FMCSA) news release.
Read the final rule for hours of service.
Need to refresh on hours of service rules? Start at the HOS pocket guide
Need to see some logbook examples? Here are 8 examples of logbooks to show you how its done!
The 2005 HOS summary (scroll down)
Hours of service frequently asked questions
Text of the 2005 final rule from FMCSA
Maximum driving time for passenger carrying vehicles
The 4 ways to accumulate a 10 hour rest period
1. 10 straight hours Off Duty
2. 10 straight hours in the Sleeper Berth
3. A combonation totaling 10 hours of Off Duty and Sleeper Berth than is
unbroken.
4. an equivalent period of 10 hours that has one rest period of at least 8 hours in the Sleeper Berth
and a separate perod of at least 2 hours but less than 10 hours in the Sleeper Berth or
any combonation.
NOTE: Any time less than 8 hours in the Sleeper Berth will count against you for the 14 hour rule!
Than includes Sleeper and Off Duty.
Read the regulation for the 4 rest options
Scroll down to 395.1(g)(1)(ii)(A) to where it reads "The term equivalent of at least 10 consecutive
hours off duty means a period of..." Then read very carefully!
Suggestion:
When you come on duty, count out 14 hours from the time you start and mark it on your log -
That's when you'll need to stop. Plan your trip accordingly!
Read the logbook regulations and guidances
Out of service rules
The out of service criteria is actually administered through the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance
(CVSA).
11 and 14 hour rule violations: If you drive more than 11 or 14 hours following 10 hours off duty,
you will be placed out of service until your eligibility is re-established. This can be a maximum of 10 hours.
60/70 hour rule: If you drive more than 60 hours in 7 days or 70 hours in 8 days, its the same as above.
No logbook? Plan on parking for 10 hours.
No previous 7 days: if you're more than about a day and a half behind, you can be
placed out of service for 10 hours.
The links below will explain general requirements and give axle weight information that most (if not all) states will follow.
This size and weight explanation from Wikipedia is worth the time and effort to read when you get a chance
A final rule published 12/01/2008 combines the CDL and medical card into one document (similar to what Canada does) effective 01/30/2009. A related ruling will establish a National registry of certified medical examiners. Medical cards can only be issued by qualified examiners, and will help in keep medical more uniform across the nation.
Read Federal Motor Carrier's press release.
Read and/or print the actual Final Rule on this new physical qualification requirment.
General Medical Card info
Make sure your medical card is in possession and readable!
Read about physical qualifications for drivers. If you can't sleep it will cure it!
NOTE!
If you are operating your vehicle without a skills performance evaluation, corrective lenses or a hearing aid when your midecal certificate requires these items, yo may be placed out of service.
Drug and Alcohol info and links
Remember that BAC for truck drivers is .04!
North American standards will place a driver out of service for any detectable amount of alcohol for up to 24 hours.
Check out the prohibition regulation and guidance
New Entrant Audit Materials
Are you a new entrant? the FAQ link below will help answer a lot of questions
New entrant FAQ
Got DOT Forms? USDOT requires specific forms for certain audit items. If your paperwork does not follow their format, you could be in violation. Follow this link to the FMCSA website to download the required forms.
You area qualified IFTA vehicle if you meet the following requirments:
- Have 2 axles and a registered gross vehicle weight more than 26,000lbs (26,001lbs)
- Have 3 or more axles regardless of weight
- Is used in combonation when the weight of the combonation exceeds 26,000lbs
See IFTA's home page and refer to the 'Articles of Agreement R245
IFTA's tax rate by State including Canada
Other helpful links:
Fuel taxes by state
International Registration Plan (IRP)
UCR Info
UCR replaces you're single state registration. You may need to register even if you're state does not participate!
UCR's website
DOT brake info
General CVSA requirments
Here are the general brake standards for pushrod travel per CVSA out of service criteria. The examples given are for Clamp type brakes for standard brakes and long stroke brakes.
How do I know my brakes are considered out of adjustment?
If you're brakes are right at these adjustment limits (in other words, equal to) then there's no violation. You are declared "Out of Service" by North American Standards if you have 20% or more brakes that are out of adjustment.
Example:
A typical 5 axle tractor/trailor has 10 brakes. If 2 brakes out of adjustment, it meets the 20% rule which would get that combonation placed out of service.
Here are the basic standards. Remember that standards can change, so it's best to get your own copy of CVSA's out of service criteria.
Brake Type Max. travel length Long Stroke length
Type 16 1 3/4" 2"
Type 20 1 3/4" 2"
Type 24 1 3/4" 2 1/2"
Type 30 2" 2 1/2"
North American Standard inspection levels defined
Brake links:
Basic tire requirements
In general, Not less than 2/32" on the back (or non steering axle) and 4/32" on the front (Steering axle).
Read the USDOT regulations for tires.
Interpretations and guidance for regulations
On dual wheels you must have have two tires together that are less than 2/32" to be placed out of service.
Keep in mind that there are more out of service requirements for tires.
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