Guidelines put in place by the FMCSA give truck drivers clear instructions on how to perform their roles safely. These regulations are an important part of compliance with state and federal laws for truck drivers, helping to reduce the amount of potential risk on the roads for both civilian vehicles and commercial drivers. Regulations established by the FMCSA include:
- Establishing appropriate driver qualifications: Truck drivers are required to be a minimum of 21 years old, have a valid and up-to-date commercial driver’s license (CDL), and must be able to speak and understand English.
- Maintain physical requirements: Truck drivers are prohibited from using drugs or consuming alcohol and must submit to regular medical exams to ensure they are physically capable of handling the job.
- Routine inspections and truck maintenance: Truck drivers must ensure that their vehicles are properly maintained and running at their best capacity, but it is the trucking company’s responsibility to provide truck drivers with safely operating vehicles.
- Insurance minimums: Truck drivers and the companies that hire them are required to have at least $750,000.00 in liability insurance available in the event of a serious accident.
The companies that hire truck drivers in Texas are responsible for their employees and the vehicles that they operate. These trucking companies have a duty to uphold high standards of safety when it comes to the vehicles in their fleet, but they are also in charge of taking care of their drivers and ensuring that they are able to perform their role.
Truck Driver Physical Exam Requirements
It is necessary to have truck drivers who are capable of performing their role in a safe and regulated manner. Proper physical care, both internally and externally, is an important part of being a truck driver in the United States. Physical exams are required by the Department of Transportation, which check to see if the driver has experienced any changes in their:
- Hearing
- Heart health
- Blood pressure
- Vision
- Color distinction
- Urinalysis
- Medication
These exams can help truck drivers by identifying problems early, which often allows them enough time to take action against them. Difficulty with hearing or loss of sight can be detrimental to a truck driver’s career and their ability to continue driving, so it is important to keep up with regular physical exams when they are required.
