DOT Regulations for Truck Drivers: The Ultimate Guide

As a truck driver, you are up against strict DOT regulations every day on the job. These rules are meant to keep you and others on the road safe, but they can be hard to understand. This guide looks at the DOT regulations that impact your daily operations, with tips and advice for recordkeeping, inspections, emergency management, and more. Our goal is to help you be as prepared as possible for complicated regulations, whether you’ve been on the road for years or are just starting your driving career.

DOT regulations are created by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and govern the safety procedures trucking companies and truck drivers must follow. They include rules on driving hours, vehicle maintenance, drug testing, and recordkeeping, among many other things.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is part of the DOT and is thegovernment agency responsible for regulating and providing safety oversight of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs), FMCSA’s mission is to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities involving large trucks and buses.

FMCSA partners with industry, safety advocates, and state and local governments to keep our nation’s roadways safe and improve CMV safety through regulation, education, enforcement, research, and technology.

This guide will present both FMCSA and DOT regulations that apply to truck drivers who operate commercial motor vehicles in the United States.

There are many FMCSA and DOT regulations, which you can find on the FMCSA website or in their physical handbook.  We will focus on the rules that are most relevant for drivers and their day-to-day operations here.

First things first. To legally be a truck driver you must get your CDL and have the appropriate endorsements where needed, which means meeting several non-negotiable criteria:

• Have a valid, non-commercial driver’s license.
• Be at least 18 years old or at least 21 to drive across state lines or carry hazardous materials.
• Have a minimum of one to two years of driving experience (depending on state).
• Have taken and passed the knowledge and driving skills tests
• Have no active suspensions or disqualifications
• Have a valid medical examiner’s certificate.

These requirements can change and vary from state to state, so it’s important to verify the requirements in whatever state you call home.

HOS regulations apply to any trucking company that does interstate business and are some of the most complicated to wrap your head around. HOS rules define how many hours a driver can drive in a given amount of time, how often and how long they take breaks, and when a work week starts over. Here’s how it breaks down:

• 14-hour (on-duty shift limit): Drivers can work 14 consecutive hours after coming on duty. At the 14-hour point, they must take 10 consecutive hours of break. This 14-hour shift includes any time spent driving, inspecting the vehicle, loading or unloading, or completing paperwork.
• 11-hour (driving limit): After 10 consecutive hours off duty, drivers can drive up to 11 hours within a 14-hour period.
• 30-minute break rule: Commercial drivers must take at least a 30-minute break after eight driving hours. The break must be 30 consecutive minutes.
• 60-hour/70-hour limits: Commercial drivers who work for carriers who do not operate every day can only spend 60 hours on duty in a consecutive seven-day period. For those carriers who operate every day, the driver is subject to the DOT 70-hour rule, which allows 70 hours in eight consecutive days.
• 34-hour restart: The 60-hour/70-hour limit restarts after a driver takes 34 consecutive hours off duty. At that point, the new work cycle can begin.

Of course, there’s an exception to every rule, and this includes HOS. These exceptions apply under specific circumstances and include

• Short-haul exemption: Drivers who operate under certain conditions are not subject to all of the Hours of Service (HOS) regulations. The conditions are:
  • The driver reports to and is released from the same work reporting location.
  • The driver operates within a 150 air-mile radius from that location.
  • The driver abides by the 14-hour on-duty limit followed by 10 consecutive hours of duty within a 24 hour period.Short-haul drivers are exempt from keeping a HOS log. However, the motor carrier that employs the driver must still keep records that include the time the driver reports to work each day, the total number of hours the driver is on duty each day, and the time the driver is released from duty each day.
• 16-hour short-haul exemption: Drivers that operate within a 150air-mile radius can extend their 14-hour shift window to 16 hours once every seven consecutive days.
• Adverse driving conditions: Drivers can extend their driving hours up to 2 additional hours (13 hours) under unexpected adverse driving conditions, but those hours must fall within their 14-hour shift window.
• Split sleeper berth: This exemption allows drivers to pause their 14-hour clock by splitting their 10-hour break. One break must be spent in the sleeper berth for at least 7 consecutive hours, and the other 3 hours can be used for other off-duty activities. For more information, read our full breakdown of the split sleeper berth provision.

The ELD mandate officially went into effect in 2017 and replaced all paper logs. It requires truck drivers to use ELDs to track HOS digitally to eliminate falsified logs and improve compliance. ELDs have to be FMCSA registered, and drivers must carry the ELD user manual, driver cards, and 8 days of blank paper logs (use if needed)  and keep supporting documents–like time-stamped Bills of Ladin (BOLs) and Proof of Delivery (PODs) or weigh-station receipts–to verify non-driving time in case of a roadside stop or inspection.

Safe driving includes continuous review and upkeep of the vehicle. For this reason, DOT also regulates maintenance and inspections, including:

• Regular inspections: Drivers must conduct pre-trip inspections, post trip inspections, and annual checks to identify critical (and dangerous) maintenance issues.
• Maintenance records: must keep all maintenance and repair records for at least one year and six months. Digitalizing these records makes it easier to access them in case of a roadside stop.
• Driver Vehicle Inspection Report (DVIR): must keep pre and post trip vehicle inspection records for three months from the date the report was written.
• At a minimum, DVIRs must include inspection of:
  • Service brakes including trailer brake connections;
  • Parking brake;
  • Steering mechanism;
  • Lighting devices and reflectors;
  • Tires;
  • Horn;
  • Windshield wipers;
  • Rear vision mirrors;
  • Coupling devices;
  • Wheels and rims;
  • Emergency equipment.

Weight limits can get complicated as they often vary by state, but federal laws dictate maximum weights and axle loads for trucks on the Interstate System as follows:

• • Gross weight (vehicle + cargo) max: 80,000 pounds. Most tractor-trailers weigh under 32,000 pounds, so the rest of that weight can be used for cargo and fuel.
  • Single axle max: 20,000 pounds
  • Tandem axle max: 34,000 pounds

Size limits also vary by state and need to be confirmed if crossing state lines. The maximum width is 102 inches (2.6 meters) on a vehicle operating on the National Network, except for the State of Hawaii, which allows 108-inch width. Safety devices such as mirrors are not included in the width calculation. The maximum height is 13 foot 6 inches (4.15 meters). Length requirements pertain to the trailer length. There are some exceptions such as operating in Ontario and being subject to overall length (truck and trailer) laws on certain configurations. Be sure to check the regulations for every state you’ll be driving through and leave ample time to get permits before loading (this sometimes takes days or even weeks, so plan carefully).

Any driver hauling hazardous materials–like explosives, flammable liquids and gasses, radioactive materials, and corrosive substances–must have a Hazmat endorsement on their CDL license. To get the endorsement, you have to pass a knowledge test and a security threat assessment from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Approval is good for 5 years and needs to be renewed before it expires. DOT regulations include specific handling, loading, and unloading procedures for Hazmat loads, and require placards on the trailer to indicate the type of material being transported.

DOT cargo securement regulations are in place to make sure cargo doesn’t shift, leak, spill, or fall off a truck while in transit. This includes using tie-downs, straps, and chains that meet specific strength criteria. Cargo can be immobilized or restrained by structures, dunnage, or other means. Drivers need to ensure their cargo is properly distributed and secured before leaving the shipper and follow cargo-specific regulations to stay compliant and avoid unfortunate accidents.

It should not be a surprise that DOT regulations require truck drivers to pass drug and alcohol tests to ensure road safety. These regulations include:

• Pre-employment: Mandatory testing before hiring drivers.
• Random: At least 50% of drivers must undergo random testing annually.
• Post-accident: Testing is required if an accident results in a fatality or vehicle towing.
• Reasonable suspicion: Testing is conducted if there is reasonable suspicion of impairment.
• Return-to-duty: Required after a positive test and completion of a treatment program.

Non-compliance can result in CDL suspension and permanent disqualification from truck driving. These records are tracked and monitored by the FMCSA’s Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse.

Having accurate and detailed records is an important part of DOT compliance for truck drivers. There are different requirements for different types of information so always double-check before tossing old paperwork:

• Driver qualification files: Maintain for the duration of employment and three years after. Include documents like medical certificates, driving records, and annual reviews.
• HOS records: Retain driver logs and supporting documents for six months.
• Vehicle maintenance records: Keep records of all inspections, repairs, and maintenance for one year wherever the truck is parked and stored, and six months after the vehicle is sold or retired.
• Driver vehicle inspection report (DVIR): Three months.
• Annual vehicle inspection reports: Fourteen months.
• Drug and alcohol testing records: These must be kept for five years for positive tests and refusals, and two years for random and reasonable suspicion tests.

Digitizing these records makes audits easier, so consider photographing or scanning documents into a digital file for safekeeping.

DOT inspections serve as a way of enforcing safety standards for commercial vehicles and can be conducted anywhere. There are multiple levels of inspections, and generally include a visual inspection of the vehicle’s critical safety components such as brakes, steering, lights, seats and seat belts, windshield wipers, tires/ wheels/ rims, etc. and driver documentation including inspection for HOS, license and endorsement, medical certificates etc.

The best advice we can give for passing inspections is to keep up with what is expected of you– be sure to routinely inspect your trucks, do not violate HOS rules, and always have your papers in order and easily accessible. Performing regular maintenance and keeping all your records will ensure smooth inspections and help you avoid costly and annoying violations.

Truck drivers must be ready to deal with emergencies and incidents on the road. DOT reportable accidents are any incidents that involve fatalities, injuries that require immediate off-site medical attention, or results in vehicles being towed. Here’s what to do if you’re involved in an accident:

1. Stop immediately
2. Set out warning devices to ensure safety at the scene
3. Seek medical attention for yourself or others if needed
4. Contact law enforcement with as many details as you can
5. Notify your company and keep them in the loop
6. Document the incident with photos or other evidence
7. Complete required testing

Preparation is key. Regular pre-trip inspections, proper documentation, and knowing these steps can help you stay calm after an accident and stay compliant with DOT regulations even in emergency situations.

Staying compliant with DOT regulations can be complicated, but these resources can help you stay in the know.

• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA): Access safety regulations, compliance guidelines, and important info on HOS and ELD compliance.
• Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA): Learn more about inspection procedures, safety standards, and enforcement programs.
• American Trucking Associations (ATA): Explore educational materials, training programs, and industry advocacy updates.
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): Learn about vehicle safety standards, compliance tips, and safety initiatives.
• Federal Highway Administration (FHWA): Learn more about vehicle size and weights.
• Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA): Learn more about transportation of hazardous materials on the roadway.

Complying with DOT regulations is essential to staying safe and efficient on the road. But truck drivers who keep themselves informed will be able to master these regulations. For additional assistance and to see how Omnitracs can help improve fleet safety and compliance, check out Omnitracs Solutions