Truck Industry Regulations in Oklahoma City

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)The U.S. federal agency that regulates the trucking industry. regulates the trucking industry in various ways, primarily with the goal of keeping motor vehicle operators safe on public roads. Individual truck drivers and trucking companies that break the FMCSA’s rules may find themselves facing not only sanctions from the federal government, but also civil liabilityLegal responsibility for one's acts or omissions. In negligence cases, liability includes proving negligence, proving causation, and resulting damages. for any accidents and injuries they cause.

Here are some of the truck industry regulations in Oklahoma City, which our truck accident lawyers here at the Law Firm for Truck Safety may incorporate into your claim, as we have done successfully many times in the past.

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating Limits

Under FMCSA regulations, no commercial tractor-trailer traveling on interstate highways or otherwise crossing state lines on a delivery route can have a gross vehicle weight rating (GCWR)—meaning a total weight across the cab, cargo, and trailer combined—in excess of 80,000 pounds. Furthermore, no truck can put more than 20,000 pounds of GCWR on a single axle or more than 34,000 pounds of GCWR on any one axle group, assuming the truck’s total weight is distributed equally across all its axles and axle groups.

Maximum Driving Time Limits

FMCSA regulations also set maximum working hours for drivers within the trucking industry in Oklahoma City, regardless of whether they are crossing state lines or just driving routes within the Sooner State’s borders. More specifically, no truck driver can spend more than 60 hours on duty in any seven-day period or more than 70 hours on duty in any eight-day period, and a driver cannot drive more than 11 total hours or work more than 14 total hours without a required 10-hour rest break.

Electronic Logbook Requirements

Starting in December of 2017, the FMCSA began requiring all truckers operating vehicles manufactured in the year 2000 or later to use certified and registered Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) to track their mileage, on-duty time, and off-duty time. These ELDs are meant to replace traditional paper logbooks entirely. If an ELD malfunctions during a shift, truckers can use paper logbooks as backups for a maximum of eight days.

Are There Trucking Regulations Specific to Oklahoma?

For the most part, the FMCSA is responsible for setting regulations for the entire trucking industry in the United States, including truckers and companies working around Oklahoma City. Oklahoma’s Department of Public Safety (DPS) incorporates federal rules from Title 49 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) into the Oklahoma Administrative Code (OAC § 595:35-1-4). The Oklahoma Secure Roads and Safe Trucking Act (SB20) added state-specific mandates for non-domiciled CMV drivers.

An Oklahoma City Attorney Can Answer Questions About Truck Industry Regulations

These are just a handful of the many truck industry regulations to which Oklahoma City truck drivers are subject while traveling through the Sooner State. Whether the driver at fault for your injuries violated these specific rules or any other rules imposed by federal or state law, their misconduct can serve as grounds for you to demand comprehensive civil compensation from them as well as their employer.

You have access to capable and compassionate legal representatives who can help you achieve the best possible outcome in your lawsuit. Call the Law Firm for Truck Safety today to discuss your recovery options.