Commercial trucks play a major role in Georgia’s economy. The state sits at a crossroads of several major interstate highways, which means an enormous volume of freight moves through it every day. With that traffic comes risk. When drivers and companies cut corners on safety regulations, the consequences for other motorists in the event of a truck accident can be catastrophic.
Both federal and Georgia state law impose strict rules on how commercial trucks operate, from how long a driver can stay behind the wheel to how much weight a truck can legally carry. Learning about these rules is valuable for anyone who shares the road with large trucks. Read on for a breakdown of the key regulations.
Federal Hours of Service Regulations
Fatigued driving is one of the leading causes of commercial truck accidents. To help address that risk, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) enforces strict hours of service (HOS) rules that limit how long a truck driver can operate before taking mandatory rest. These rules apply to all commercial drivers engaged in interstate commerce.
The core HOS limits include:
- Drivers may operate for a maximum of 11 hours within a single shift, but only after taking 10 consecutive hours off duty beforehand.
- All driving must be completed within a 14-hour on-duty window. Once that window closes, the driver cannot get back behind the wheel until they have taken another full 10-hour break.
- Drivers generally must take a 30-minute break after 8 cumulative hours of driving without at least a 30-minute interruption. The break can be satisfied by qualifying non-driving time.
- Drivers are capped at 60 hours of on-duty time over 7 consecutive days, or 70 hours over 8 days. A 34-hour restart resets that clock.
The FMCSA also requires most commercial drivers to use electronic logging devices (ELDs) to track their hours. These devices make it harder, yet not impossible, for trucking companies to pressure drivers into falsifying their logs.
What Are the Weight and Size Limits for Trucks in Georgia?
Georgia generally requires a CDL to operate a single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more, as well as certain vehicle combinations and vehicles carrying passengers or hazardous materials
The state sets clear limits on how large and heavy these vehicles can be. These include:
- Maximum gross vehicle weight: 80,000 pounds
- Maximum height: 13 feet 6 inches
- Maximum width: 8 feet 6 inches
Trucks that exceed these limits generally need to obtain an oversize permit from the Georgia Department of Transportation before making trips. Those permits often come with additional requirements too, such as restrictions on travel times.
CDL Requirements and Cargo Securement
Driving a commercial motor vehicle in Georgia requires obtaining a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). These are issued through the Georgia Department of Driver Services. The licensing process includes required knowledge and skills testing, as well as compliance with applicable federal entry-level driver training (ELDT) requirements.
Georgia law also requires that all cargo be properly secured before a truck hits the road. Drivers must use appropriate tie-downs, shoring bars, and other securement tools to prevent loads from shifting during transit. Unsecured cargo is a serious hazard. Loads that come loose can cause a driver to lose control of the vehicle or spill onto the roadway and create dangerous obstacles for other motorists.
Trucking companies are also required to maintain their vehicles in safe operating condition. This includes functional brakes on all axles, working headlights and taillights, and properly inflated tires. The FMCSA mandates pre-trip and post-trip inspections, and carriers that fail to keep up with routine maintenance can face fines and out-of-service orders.
Insurance Requirements for Commercial Trucks in Georgia
Federal law requires certain interstate motor carriers, including commercial vehicles, to maintain minimum levels of financial responsibility based on the vehicle and type of cargo transported.
For example:
- For-hire interstate property carriers with vehicles weighing 10,001 pounds or more generally must maintain at least $750,000 in coverage for non-hazardous property.
- Certain carriers transporting hazardous materials must maintain $1 million or $5 million, depending on the materials transported.
- For-hire interstate carriers transporting non-hazardous property in vehicles weighing less than 10,001 pounds generally must maintain at least $300,000.
These higher requirements exist because of the sheer scale of damage a commercial truck can cause in a collision.
Contact the Atlanta Truck Accident Lawyers at Rafi Law Firm for a Free Consultation
If you were injured in a collision involving a commercial truck in Georgia, you may be entitled to significant compensation. These cases are more complex than a typical car accident claim, however, because of the layered federal and state regulations that apply.
At Rafi Law Firm, our Atlanta truck accident attorneys can explain your legal rights and options after a crash. Contact us today at (404) 800-9933 for a free consultation.
