Truck Industry Regulations in Philadelphia

In addition to the standard rules of the road—such as speed limits, stop signs, stop lights, and right-of-way laws—commercial truck drivers must follow further restrictions to protect themselves and the people around them on public roads. Unfortunately, not all truck drivers follow these rules as carefully as they should. Some trucking companies even deliberately encourage their drivers to break them to save time and money.

Anyone who contributes to causing a serious traffic collision due to their violation of truck industry regulations in Philadelphia can be held civilly and financially liable for that collision’s consequences. If you were recently involved in a tractor-trailer wreck, a truck injury attorney from Lowenthal & Abrams, PC, can help you enforce your legal rights.

FMCSA Regulations for Truck Driver Working Hours

To reduce the risk of truck drivers causing wrecks due to fatigue, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has established strict hours-of-service regulations that apply to all commercial truck industry operators in Philadelphia. Tractor-trailer drivers carrying property—as opposed to human passengers—are subject to the following limitations under current FMCSA rules:

• No more than eight cumulative hours of driving without a break of at least 30 minutes spent off the road
• No more than 11 total hours of driving after a minimum of 10 consecutive off-duty hours
• No more than 14 consecutive hours on duty after a minimum of 10 consecutive off-duty hours
• No more than 60 total hours on duty within any seven days, and no more than 70 hours on duty within any eight days

Certain exceptions can be made to these rules for drivers delayed by adverse driving conditions and drivers who only perform short-haul work—i.e., within 150 miles of their normal work reporting location.

Federal and State Weight Limits for Semi-Trucks

Under federal law, commercial truck drivers traveling on interstate highways or crossing state lines on other roads are limited to a maximum gross vehicle weight rating—i.e., a maximum total weight across the cab, trailer, and cargo combined—of 80,000 pounds. Additionally, federal law prohibits trucks from putting more than 20,000 pounds on any one axle or more than 34,000 pounds on any tandem axle group, assuming the truck’s gross vehicle weight rating is distributed equally across all axles and axle groups.

Pennsylvania state law imposes broadly identical industry rules on in-state commercial truck traffic in Philadelphia. However, trucking companies can apply for special permits to transport loads exceeding 80,000 pounds over pre-approved in-state routes. If a truck without a valid permit weighs more than 80,000 pounds, the driver or their employer can be liable for breaking the law and the losses stemming from any wreck the overloaded truck is involved in.

Contact a Philadelphia Attorney To Discuss Truck Industry Regulations in More Detail

There are more rules established under federal and state law for commercial truck drivers and trucking companies beyond the ones mentioned above. If you have further questions about truck industry regulations in Philadelphia, a qualified legal professional at Lowenthal & Abrams, PC, can provide answers during a free consultation.

If you have already suffered injuries in a wreck involving a truck that violated federal or state trucking regulations, our lawyers can help you demand fair compensation for your injury-related losses. Call today to discuss your options.