Houston Trucking Laws

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Trucking Laws in Houston, Texas

Texas has more residents employed as commercial truck drivers than any other state in the country. Reports from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show that an estimated 195,850 truck drivers are currently working in Texas. These roles require drivers to work for long hours, sit in one position for extended periods, manage potentially dangerous cargo, and maintain proper road safety at all times.

Regulations are established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and enforced through roadside inspections of commercial trucks, compliance reviews, truck terminal audits, and other methods of investigation. These processes are in place to make sure that drivers are adhering to national trucking laws at all times and upholding necessary standards of safety on the road.

FMCSA Trucking Regulations for Texas Drivers

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.

Commonly Reported Truck Driver Violations

Frequent Trucking Violations in Texas

Know Your Rights in a Trucking Accident Injury Lawsuit

To find out how we can help you with a trucking accident injury lawsuit, contact our trucking accident lawyers today at (713) 352-7975. Our friendly staff will ask a few questions about your case and connect you to an attorney who focuses on trucking accident injury cases. You can also fill out the “Free Case Evaluation” form at the top of this page.