Understanding FMCSA’s Standards and Regulations
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets regulations and standards to ensure safety in the trucking and shipping industries. These regulations are designed to keep roads and commercial motor vehicle drivers safe and play a vital role in the secure delivery of freight across the country.
At Colonial Cartage, we ensure that our team and drivers follow safety regulations that meet and exceed those set by the FMCSA, making us one of the safest carriers on the road. But what are FMCSA regulations? Here’s a brief breakdown.
Five FMCSA Driving Regulations, Simplified
1. Hours of Service (HOS) Regulations
While HOS regulations can sometimes seem restrictive or complicated, they are designed to combat fatigue and burnout, keeping CMV drivers and everyone around them on the road safe. CMV drivers should expect the following limits to their schedules:
- CMV drivers are limited to 11 hours of driving within a 14-hour window after coming on duty, following 10 consecutive hours off-duty.
- Drivers must take a 30-minute break after 8 hours of driving time.
- Drivers are restricted to 60 work hours over seven days or 70 hours over eight days.
For more details about HOS, visit FMCSA’s website.
2. Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs)
To ensure compliance with the above driving regulations, FMCSA requires the use of ELDs to monitor and record drivers’ HOS. Using electronic record-keeping instead of manual helps reduce errors and ensures compliance.
3. Drug and Alcohol Testing
Before being employed as a driver, candidates are subject to drug and alcohol testing. Drivers are also subject to random and post-accident testing and can be tested if the employer needs to ensure a driver is not under the influence while on duty.
4. Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Standards
Drivers must meet specific criteria to obtain a CDL, including passing written and skills tests. Candidates wanting to obtain a CDL for trucks must first get a CLP (commercial learner’s permit) before passing additional skills tests for the CDL a minimum of 14 days later.
Commercial driver candidates must also meet medical requirements and acquire and maintain a Medical Examiner’s Certificate (ME Certificate), allowing them to operate their specified vehicle.
5. Safety and Vehicle Maintenance Standards
FMCSA requires regular vehicle inspections, repairs, and maintenance to ensure trucks are safe and roadworthy. Drivers are expected to perform pre and post-trip inspections, and all vehicles must undergo a rigorous annual inspection to comply with FMCSA’s safety standards.
Our team isn’t satisfied with simply meeting FMCSA’s vehicle safety standards. We’ve built a culture around safe employees, transportation, and freight. We provide our drivers with a top-of-the-line equipment and train them to ensure their vehicles are in the safest condition possible.
Safety Starts at Colonial Cartage
We prioritize safety, accountability, and integrity in our mission to provide top-level, full-service transportation across our service area: the Southeast, Southwest, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, and Great Plains. We select the best drivers and provide comprehensive training, support, and benefits; as a result, we have one of the lowest driver turnover rates in the country.
Contact us today if you want to partner with a 3PL provider that ensures quality and safety. If you are eligible to work in the United States and wish to become a driver at Colonial Cartage, visit our Drivers page.