Facts for Drivers 2025 Study Guide
The Championships
• The championships influences tens of thousands of drivers annually to drive accident-free
• Established by American Trucking Associations in 1937 as the National truck Roadeo
The championships program provides truck drivers the opportunity to demonstrate their
exceptional driving skill, knowledge, and professionalism at company, state, regional, and
national level
1. To perfect their crafts and drive accident free
2. To improve the media's and general public's image of the truck drivers and motor carrier
industry
Championships Eligibility Rules
Every driver entering championships shall have a preventable accident-free record from the
day immediately following the previous National Truck championships until and including the
date of the current year's championships
Every driver entering Championships shall meet the medical qualifications of the DOT and hold
proper endorsements as set forth in 49 CFR 391.41 (section 391.41 of the Federal Motor
Carrier Safety Regulations) drivers must submit evidence that they have obtained a valid
medical certificate
Has distant visual acuity of at least 20/40 (snellen) in each eye without corrective lenses or
visual acuity separately corrected to 20/40 (snellen) or better with corrective lenses, distant
binocular acuity of at least 20/40 (snellen) in both eyes with or without corrective lenses, field of
vision of a least 70° in the horizontal meridian in each eye or meets the standard in Section
391.44 for drivers with monocular vision and the ability to recognize the colors of traffic signals
and devices showing standard red, green, and amber
• Has no established medical history or clinical diagnosis of diabetes mellitus currently treated
with insulin for control, unless the requirements in Section 391.46 are met or the drivers has
been granted a waiver
The Trucking Industry a Brief History
During World War I the number of trucks in use in the United States went from 100,000 to over
1,000,000. Trucks became larger and extended their range as innovations such as pneumatic
tires were incorporated into the industry and the road network began to improve
• 1919 trucking industry because innovation in new technology incorporated the pneumatic
(inflated) tire into the industry and in 1919 Lieutenant Colonel Dwight D. Eisenhower led
one of the first coast-to-coast truck movements, the trip went from Washington D. C. to San
Francisco CA and involved 282 soldiers and 67 vehicles (21 of which did not complete the trip)
many of the soldiers were engineers who were needed to build and repair roads and bridges
along the way. The trip took 62 days (about 2 months) and followed the path known as the
Lincoln Highway (later called U.S. 30) the trip highlighted the need for a nationwide road
network
• 1924 the Diesel engine was introduced, improving the power and efficiency of trucks
• 1935 Congress passed the Motor Carrier Act of 1935, this led to the Interstate Commerce
Commission or ICC taking oversight over the trucking industry, the ICC regulated rates,
routes carriers were authorized to operate on and oversaw the safety regulations and put the
first hours-of-service into place
• 1945 trucking became a vital mode of freight transportation during World War II this was due
to a significant increase in the need to transport goods for the war effort and the flexibility
provided by the trucking industry
• 1956 President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Federal Highway Act establishing the
interstate highway network, this road network allowed trucks to travel further, and safer, and
increased their share of the nation’s freight movement
• 1966 The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) was created and assumed control of all
transportation matters, including regulating the safe operation of commercial vehicles
• 1980 The Motor Carrier Act of 1980 was signed into law, deregulating the trucking industry
as result carriers were free to openly compete for customers. This was due to elimination of
the regulations restricting the rates a carrier could charge, the commodities a carrier could
haul, the routes a carrier could travel, and the geographic regions a carrier could operate in.
Also in 1980 the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) was created. This is the
organization that standardizes the roadside inspection procedures and criteria, and that
oversees the North American Out-of-Service Criteria (OOSC)
• 1982 The U.S. Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1982 established funding for the state
motor carrier enforcement programs this funding allowed states to dedicate resources and
officers to enforcing the motor carrier safety regulations
• 1986 The Commercial Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 created nationwide testing and qualification
standards for issuance of commercial drivers licenses, or CDL
• 1988 Rules requiring drug testing were added to the safety regulations. Rules for alcohol
testing were implemented in 1994
• 1990 The number of motor carriers authorized by the DOT doubled to more than 40,000 active
carriers when compared to 1980. During the 1980’s the flexibility created by deregulation led
to the development of the just-in-time (JIT) logistics model manufacturers and retailers were
able to lower inventory levels, lowering overhead and also during the 1980’s trucking
increased its share of U.S. freight movement as result nearly every good consumed in the
U.S. moves on a truck sometime during its cycle that has led to trucking hauling over 72% of
all transported in the U.S.
• 1991 The intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA, pronounced “Ice
Tea”) did away with “bingo cards” (authority registration cards) and established nationwide
standards for truck sizes and weights
• 1994 The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) between Mexico, Canada, and the
United States went into effect, expanding international trade among the three countries. Part
of NAFTA involved making it easier to conduct cross-border trucking operations. As a result of
this, the NAFTA Trucking Demonstration Project ran from 2007-2009. This program allowed
Mexico-based carriers to operate in the U.S. In 2011 the program was restarted under a
“Concept Document”. the current program was later formalized as part of the U.S. Troop
Readiness, Veterans’ Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act 2007
• 1995 The ICC was formally abolished, and its remaining responsibilities were transferred to
the Surface Transportation Board (STB)
• 1998 The Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) required states to lower the
breath-alcohol content level for intoxication to 0.08. This Act also established the Motor Carrier
Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP) to better disperse funds for state enforcement of
regulations require states to have motor carrier safety regulations that are compatible with the
federal regulations. Finally TEA-21 established the procedures used to shut down carriers
proven to be unsafe or non-compliant
• 1999 The Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act of 1999 moved all motor carrier safety
oversight responsibilities from the Office of Motor Carriers within the Federal Highway
Administration (FHWA) to the then newly created Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
(FMCSA) and agency with the U.S. DOT the FMCSA officially began operation on January 1,
2000
• 2015 The Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act required FMCSA to establish a
Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse to track drivers that were caught violations the drug and
alcohol regulations, implement electronic logging devices (ELDs), and develop new entry-level
driver training requirements
• 2017 Negotiations began on the U.S. Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which was fully
implemented in 2020. This updated and replaced NAFTA. Under NAFTA and USMCA,
trucking has dominated cross-border trade. In 2023 66.5% of the value of trade with Canada
and 84.5% of the value of trade with Mexico was transported by trucks
• 2021 The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) was passed and it requires
1. Develop automatic emergency braking regulations
2. Incorporate the rear-impact guard into the annual inspection requirements for trailers
3. Develop an apprenticeship pilot program for 18-20 year-old drivers
4. Complete a large-truck crash causation study
• 2024 According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, as of March 2024 there were over
577,000 active US motor carriers that own or lease at least one tractor. Of those, 95.5% operate 10 or fewer trucks.
Trucking: A Mainspring of the U.S. Economy
Slogans for trucking
1. Trucking Delivers America
2. Good Stuff, Trucks Bring It
3. Trucking Moves America Forward
• Over 80% of all communities rely on trucks to deliver products and goods
• In 2022 commercial single-unit and combination trucks traveled 331 billion miles
• The Combination trucks alone logged 195.62 billion miles for business purposes
• Combination truck drove an average of nearly 60,000 miles
• Though many long haul Class 8 tractors travel around 100,000 miles per year
Trucking: A Leader in Safety & Security
• According to figures from FMCSA US truck drivers ability and commitment to avoid and
reduce crashes resulted in a 34% decrease in the number of fatal or injury crashes per 100
million vehicle miles traveled by large trucks between 2000 and 2020
• Since 2016 NHTSA implemented changes to revise vehicle classification based on gross
vehicle weight rating GVWR which reclassified 329 light pickup trucks as large trucks, without
the reclassification the trucking crash statistics would be dramatically lower
• Hundreds of letters are received annually by truck operators across America praising drivers
for acts of courtesy, courage and helpfulness toward the motoring public
Trucking: One National Voice
• The trucking industry is represented by American Trucking Associations Inc.(ATA)
• ATA is a federation of motor carrier members, industry suppliers, 50 state trucking
associations, five affiliated conferences, five councils, and the American Transportation
Research Institute (ATRI)
• ATA. is headquartered in Washington, D.C. with a separate office on Capitol Hill
• The councils 1. National Accounting & Finance Council 2. Safety Management Council
3. Transportation Sercurity Council 4. Technology & Maintenance Council 5. Woman in
Motion Council
• ATA is headquarters for Transport Topics, weekly newspaper of the trucking industry
• There are 3.5 million truck drivers
To overcome negative perceptions, the industry relies on each truck driver’s superior driving
abilities, professionalism and courtesy at all times
America's Road Team
• Was created by ATA in 1986 and sponsored by Volvo Trucks
• Millions have heard the Road Team Motto: "Safety is our driving concern"
• Shared the Road Program is sponsored by Mack Trucks
• The Share the Road Program messages hundreds of towns and cities and millions of motorist
annually
• U.S. DOT credited Share the Road Program reduction in truck-related fatalities over the past
decade and it's been in existence for over 20yrs and replaces How to Drive Program a
partnership with the FMCSA
Trucking Taxes
• 2022 paid $36.48 billion by commercial trucks in federal and state highway-user taxes
• Of the total $36.48 billion, $18 billion was paid in federal highway-user taxes by the trucking
industry
• The total consisted of diesel taxes 58.3%
• Federal use taxes 6.0%
• Gasoline taxes 9.9%
• Retail truck taxes 22.6%
• Tire taxes 3.3%
• States collected $16.77 billion in total highway-user taxes with $13.7 billion contributed to
commercial truck diesel taxes
• January 2023 average cost in taxes for a 5-axle tractor semitrailer combination was $7,745
• Oregon collected the highest average tax $22,508 among 50 states and District of Columbia
• Alaska collected $1,783 the lowest average tax of any state
Federal Regulations
U.S. DOT which is led by presidential appointee known as the Secretary of Transportation and
is divided into 10 operating administration, four of which are directly or indirectly related to
trucking the four are:
1. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) created in October 15, 1966 under U.S. DOT
has broad responsibility for ensuring that America’s roads and highways (physical
infrastructure) continue to be safe and technologically up-to-date
2. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) established in 1970 provides
education, research, safety standards, and enforcement activity for the purpose of saving
lives, preventing injuries and reducing economic costs due to traffic crashes. NHTSA issued
the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS)
3. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) established on January 1, 2000
pursuant to the Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act of 1999 issues standards for safety
programs, and the state regulatory bodies have, for the most part, adopted them as their
own
4. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) created in 2005 is
responsible for hazardous materials transport and safety to U.S. DOT
• July 1970 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was established, EPA regulations
affecting the trucking industry include emissions limits on soot and waste gases (such as NOx
and CO2) and the required use of Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD)
State Regulations
January 1, 1995 the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act of 1994 went into
effect it prohibits States enacting or enforcing any law affecting rates, routes, or service of any
motor carrier (except household goods)
The same law does permit states regulate
• Motor carrier safety including transportation of HM (as long as the state regulation is
consistent with the federal hazmat regulations)
• Control routes base on size and weight
• Financial responsibility (insurance)
• Enact laws and regulations governing cargo liability, extension of credit, bills of lading,
classification, mileage guide and joint line rates
State and City may govern
• Speed limits
• Idling
• Mud flaps
• Parking on ramps
The constitutionality of whether the Federal government could prohibit states from enacting/
enforcing such pricing, route or service laws was upheld by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the
10th Circuit and later by the U.S. Supreme Court in February 2008
Environmental Requirement- Many states have or are adopting regulations which also affect
trucking operations regulations include such matters as idling reduction, diesel engine retrofits,
transport refrigeration unit upgrades, alternative fuel mandates, and roadside smoke inspections
Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 set minimum, mandatory national standards for
states to follow when issuing a CMV driver's license the regulations that implemented this act
are found in 49 CFR Part 383
• Since April 1, 1992 drivers of certain CMVs have been required to have a CDL in order to
drive a CMV
Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act of 1999 issue regulations to address a number of
licensing issues
1. Disqualifications for driving while suspended, disqualified or causing a fatality
2. Emergency disqualification of drivers posing an imminent hazard
3. Expand definition of serious traffic violations
4. Extend driver record check
5. New notification requirements
6. Masking prohibition requiring making convictions available to authorized parities
7. Disqualifications for violations obtained while driving a noncommercial motor vehicle
• MCSAP is administered by FMCSA
Procedures for inspection created by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) the criteria
and procedures known as the North American Standard Inspection Program describes the 8
level of inspections:
• Level 1 North American Standard Inspection
• Level 2 Walk Around Driver Vehicle Inspection
• Level 3 Driver Credential Administrative inspection
• Level 4 Special Inspections
• Level 5 Vehicle Only Inspection
• Level 6 North American Standard Inspection for Transuranic Waste and Highway route
controlled Quantities (HRCQ) or Radioactive Material
• Level 7 Jurisdictional Mandated Commercial Vehicle Inspection
• Level 8 North American Standard Electronic Inspection
In 1995 both intra-and interstate motor carriers began conducting random, post-accident,
reasonable suspicion, and return-to-duty drug and alcohol testing for CDL operators (page.36)
Typically inspectors conduct over 3.0 to 3.5 million inspections annually, however only 2.58
million roadside truck inspections were conducted in 2020 a 23% decrease from 2019 the
decrease of inspections is attributed to COVID-19 pandemic however in 2021 there were 2.88
million inspections completed and that number increased to 2.99 million in 2022, 3.02 million in 2023 indicating a
return to a more traditional number of inspections
Trucking: Classes and Types of Carriers
The U.S. trucking industry’s try is comprised of more than 577,000 active motor carriers
• 95.5% operate 10 or fewer trucks
• 99.6% operate 100 or fewer trucks
• Approximately 14.33 million trucks (all classes) were registered for commercial use in 2022
Local carrier: if at least half its business is conducted in metropolitan or commercial zone
operations
FMCSA classifies carriers by their gross annual revenues
• Class I $10 million or greater
• Class II $3 million - $10 million
• Class III less than $3 million
The Highway System
There are over 4.19 million miles of highway and roads in the U.S.
Roads are classified as arterials, collectors, or local and further subdivided into rural and urban
Arterial roads generally provide the fastest method of travel, typically have minimal accessibility
from neighboring roads and were envisioned for long-distance travel
Collectors are generally two-lane roads that serve short trips, they collect and distribute travel
to and from arterial roads and local roads
Local roads are those not classified as either an arterial or collector
National Highway System is one of the most essential to the nations's economy, defense and
mobility
• 4.1% of the nation's roads
• Carries 44% of all vehicle traffic
• 75% of heavy truck traffic
• 90% of tourist traffic
VMT
The growth rate in highway vehicle miles traveled (VMT)
• 3% for every five-year period in the 1960's
• 1970's the growth was offset by sharp declines because of recession and fuel crisis in
1973-74 and 1979-80
• 37% in the 1980's
• 26% in the 1990's
• 8% in the 2000’s
from 2010-2015 VMT grew just under 5% from 2.98 trillion to 3.10 trillion
Growth stalled in from 2015-2020 due to COVID-19
Numbers decreased over 4% from 3.11 trillion in 2015 to 2.9 trillion in 2020,
but rose back 3.13 trillion in 2021.
Bridges
Approximately $7 billion is given by FHWA annually to assist transportation agencies to plan,
design, build, repair, rehabilitate and inspect bridges and structures
According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) as of 2023
• over 621,000 bridges
FHWA grades bridges by structural integrity in three categories good, fair, or poor
As of 2023
• 275,000 good bridges
• 304,000 fair bridges
• 42,000 poor bridges
Safety Regulations
Compliance Safety Accountability (CSA) program is Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
(FMCSA) safety monitoring and enforcement program designed to
1. Identify and prioritize unsafe motor carriers for enforcement intervention
2. Provide data to third parties to make safety-based business decisions
When a violation occurs, it is placed in the appropriate Behavioral Analysis Safety
Improvement Categories. BASICs and accompanying regulations are:
• Unsafe Driving (driving regulations in Part 392)
• Crash Indicator (DOT-recordable crashes)
• Hours of Service Compliance (fatigue and hours-of-service regulations in Parts 392 and 395
• Vehicle Maintenance (Parts 393 and 396)
• Controlled Substance/Alcohol (Part 382 and the drug and alcohol regulations in Part 392)
• Hazardous Materials Compliance (the HMRs)
• Driver Fitness (Parts 383 and 391)
Initially only five are available for public review
• Hours of Service Compliance
• Driver Fitness
• Vehicle Maintenance
• Controlled Substance/Alcohol
• Unsafe Driving
December 4, 2015 carriers alerts and percentile scores have been removed from public display
pursuant to the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act of 2015
CSA percentile scores and alerts cannot be made public again until FMCSA fixes certain
problems identified in a study of the system published in June 2017.The FMCSA has been
working on the fixes since then, but CSA scores will remain private until further notice
The Crash Preventability Demonstration Program allows motor carriers to contest crashes that
meet certain conditions and have them removed from the calculation of their Crash Indicator
BASIC score.
• Truck struck in the rear
• By motorist that was driving in the wrong direction or making illegal turn
• Truck being struck by vehicle whose driver was driving under the influence
• Truck being struck by vehicle while truck was legally stopped or parked
• By a motorist that failed to stop
• by vehicle whose driver was driving under the influence
• By a vehicle whose driver experienced a medical issue or who admitted to falling asleep or
distracted driving
• Truck struck animal
• A truck that struck an individual committing or attempting to commit suicide
• Truck that is involved in a rare or unusual type of crash
DataQs can check your CSA record at http://dataqs.fmcsa.dot.gov/login.asp and if there is
inaccurate information a driver can submit a Request for Data Review (RDR) online, incorrect
information can stay in a driver's record for up to 5yrs an RDR can only be filed on the same
data twice page 28
Pre-employment Screening Program (PSP) allows drivers and motor carriers to check their
record through Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS) provides most recent
5yrs of all reportable crash data and most recent 3yrs of roadside inspections, driver can
purchase record any time but motor carriers must have written consent from the driver and may
only do so at the time of hire. page 29
This CMV definition, used for licensing purposes, is found at Section 383.5 page 30
Endorsements
• T doubles/triple
• P passenger
• S school bus
• N tank
• H hazardous materials
• X hazmat and tank
I. 49 states allow 18yr old to drive in intrastate commerce (391.11(b)(1)) page 31
II. Being able to read and speak the English language sufficiently to converse with the general
public understand highway, traffic signs and signals in English language respond to official
inquiries and make entries on reports and records (391.11(b)(2)) however some states
waived this requirement for intrastate drivers
III. Having a current valid CDL or CLP issued by only one state or jurisdiction (391.11(b)(5))
IV. Being in good health and physically qualify to drive a CMV (391.11(b)(4)), meaning the
driver has a valid medical card and meet the following standards (see 391.41)
V. Does not have a form of diabetes currently requiring insulin for control unless the person
obtains the Insulin-Treated Diabetes Mellitus Assessment Form MCSA – 5870 from their
treating clinician and is free from complications that might impair the ability to operate a
commercial motor vehicle safely
page 32 saids Red, Yellow, and Green and on beginning of book on page 4 saids Red,
Amber, and Green something to take note of when the book is talking about the colors
you need to be able to distinguish or if the driver has monocular vision has completed the
process detailed in 391.44
Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) page 33
FMCSA’S Entry-Level Driver Training in parts 380 establish minimum training requirements for
entry – level CMV drivers in interstate and intrastate commerce. Individuals who are applying for
a Class A or Class B CDL, an upgrade to their CDL, or a hazardous materials endorsement for
their license for the first time, must meet these standards. The rule requires that entry – level
drivers take behind-the-wheel training combined with a prescribed knowledge curriculum to
address the specific training needs of a driver seeking a CDL
Medical Certificates
An FMCSA rule issued 2008 requires a driver’s medical certification information to be linked to
their CDL via the Commercial Drivers License Information System (CDLIS). For this reason,
drivers who hold a CDL not required to carry their medical examiner’s certificate (MEC) for more
than 15 days after the date it was issued as proof of medical certification, to verify medical
qualification at roadside.
National registry of Medical Examiners
April 2012 FMCSA issued a final rule establishing a National Registry of Certified Medical
Examiners and requiring all medical examiners who wish to conduct physical examinations for
interstate CMV drivers by June 23, 2025 medical examiners would need to report results
electronically to FMCSA by midnight local time the following calendar day
Drug and Alcohol Clearing House page 33
January 6, 2020 FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse became operational. The Clearing
house serves as a central repository of drivers DOT positive test result, refusal to test, and other
such violations of the drug and alcohol testing regulations.
Hours of Service
• 1938 drivers were limited to 12hrs of drive time per-day and 15hrs of total on-duty time
following eight hours off these regulations remain relatively stable until 2003
• 2003 based on extensive research. FMCSA amended the HOS rules to include the following
limits
- 10 hours of mandatory rest time between work shifts
- No more driving (but other work is allowed) following the 14th consecutive hour after reporting
for work (thus putting drivers on a normal 24-hour circadian rhythm)
- No more than 11 hours of driving per shift
- The option to restart calculation of cumulative on-duty time by taking 34 consecutive hours off
duty
Following litigation over the new rules, more changes were published in 2011, including:
- A required 30-minute off-duty break every 8 hours
- A provision allowing maximum fines for anyone who drives more than 3 hours past the 11-
hour limit, which is considered an “egregious” violation
On September 29, 2020, FMCSA enacted additional changes to its HOS rules to add flexibility
for drivers. These changes:
- Extend the radius to 150 air miles and on-duty time to 14 hours for CDL drivers operating
under the short-haul logging exception(395.1(e)(1))
- Allow up to an additional two hours of on-duty and driving time when drivers encounter
adverse conditions (395.1(b))
- Allow drivers to take their 30-minute mandatory break as on-duty time rather than off duty,
and count only driving time toward the 8-hour limit (395.3)
- Added flexibility to the “ Split Sleeper” option, allowing drivers to combine a 7-hour Sleeperberth
with another break of three hours to get a valid 10-hour break (versus the previous
requirement for an 8/2 split) (395.1(g))
Safety Belt
FMCSR 392.16 requires CMV driver and all other occupants in vehicle to wear a seat belt
• 35 states and the District of Columbia may pull over driver if that driver and passenger are not
wearing a seat belt (primary enforcement)
• 20 of those and D.C. include rear seat passengers
• 15 states may cite adults front seat not wearing seat belt if pulled over for another traffic
violation (secondary enforcement)
• 11 states have secondary enforcement for rear seats passengers
Survey release by FMCSA seat belt usage among CMV drivers
• 2016 all time high 86% up from 84% in 2013
• Seat belt prevent 16,000 fatalities, 350,000 injuries, and $70 billion in cost associated with
traffic injuries and deaths
Load Securement page 36
• 2002 FMCSA published updated cargo securement rules Subpart I to part 393, which
became effective January 1, 2004
• A final rule was published in July 2006 for clarity and uniformity of enforcement
Pre-trip and Post-Trip Inspection
FMCSR Part 392.7 and 396.13 prior to beginning a driving shift or every time a CMV driver
changes equipment during a shift and review the last driver vehicle inspection report if required
by Section 396.11(a)(2)(i)
FMCSR Part 396.11 requires a post-trip inspection and report except for intermodal equipment
tendered by an intermodal equipment provider and there is an exemption that states a driver
does not have to submit a DVIR when the driver has neither found nor been made aware of any
vehicle defects or deficiencies
Walking/Working Surfaces Standard
On November 18, 2016 the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a
final rule revision its walking working surfaces and personal protection equipment (PPE)
regulations. OSHA did not exempt motor vehicles from the fall protection requirements but did
not propose any specific fall protection
OHSA revisions
• Dockboards: Defines a dockboard as a portable or fixed device used to span a gap or
compensate for a difference in height between a loading platform and a transport vehicle
• Repair/Assembly Pits: In situations where there are two or more pits (not more than 10ft deep)
in a common area and are not more than 15ft apart, OSHA requires contrasting floor markings
at least six feet from the pit edge around the entire area of the pits
• Wheel Chocking: Wheel chocking in two instances (1) Transport vehicles that do not meet the
definition of commercial motor vehicle (CMV); and (2) CMVs not operated in interstate
commerce, which includes CMVs that transport materials on private roads or within a work
establishment
• Loading Docks/ Guardrails & Fall Protection: Work may be done without a fall protection
system, provided (1) The work operations for which fall protection is infeasible is in process (2)
Access to the platform is limited to authorized employee and (3) The authorized employee are
trained
• Employer Training Requirements: The training must include (1) The nature of the fall hazards
in the work area and how to recognize them (2) The procedures to be followed to minimize
those hazards (3) The correct procedures for installing, inspecting, operating, maintaining, and
disassembling the personal fall protection systems that the employee uses and (4) The correct
use of personal fall protection systems and equipment
Electronic Logging Devices
• ELD is a device installed in a CMV that monitors hours of service compliance and some ELDs
can also track vehicle and driver performance such as fuel economy, speed and onboard
events
• FMCSA issued the Final Rule in December 2015 which went onto full effect in December 2019
all motor carriers and drivers subject to FMCSA’s record of duty status requirements in 395.8
must be using an ELD to record hours of service, unless one of the ELD exemptions applies
• Effective January 1, 2023 motor carriers operating in Canada were required to comply with the
Canadian ELD requirements based on a rule that went into effect in June 2021. These
regulations require driver who must complete a record of duty status to use an ELD that has
been certified by a Canada-authorize, third-party, unless an exemption applies
Advanced Driver Assistive Systems (ADAS)
• Lane Departure Warning Systems (LDWS) uses technologies to determine if a vehicle is
drifting from its lane
• Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) The technology often uses any combination of radar,
cameras, or Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) to identify threatening situations
• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) Assists with acceleration and or braking to maintain a driver
selected speed and following distance between subject vehicle and the vehicle in front and
Advance ACC systems with stop and go features can come to a complete stop and accelerate
back to the specified speed without driver intervention
• Camera Monitoring Systems (CMS) These systems include driver and road facing cameras
and camera based mirror systems and use in cab and vehicle surrounding cameras and
sensors to monitor the driver’s behavior and performance
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC) uses multiple on-board sensors to detect side-to-side
instability and yaw to avoid rollovers. Active systems have been required on most new heavy
trucks and tractors since 2017
• Blind Spot Monitoring A blind spot monitoring system uses sensors that monitor the driver’s
blind spots and notify the driver if any obstacles come close to the vehicle by providing an
audible, visual or haptic warning
Speed Management
• According to Federal Highway Administration traveling too fast for conditions or excess of
speed limit is a factor of 29% of all fatal crashes
• Costs America approximately $40.4 billion in economic costs each year
• 2022 ATRI study found speeding 15mph over the speed limit increased the likelihood of a
crash by 40%
• Same 2022 ATRI study found speeding violations had increased 8.1% since 2018
Stopping Distance
NHTSA in 2013 require that standard tractors driving at 60 mph must come to a complete stop
within 250 feet, while vehicles with more axles and heavier loads are allowed up to 310 feet
The most common braking systems a driver will encounter is either disc brakes or drum brakes.
Disc brakes tend to have a shorter stopping distance than drum brakes anywhere from 17% -
33%, however drum brakes are more common because they are generally more durable and
typically cheaper to maintain
Mirrors
Check mirrors every 5-8 seconds
Mirrorless trucks or Camera Monitor Systems (CMS) FMCSA has approved an exemption for
several companies to completely remove traditional mirrors, adding camera’s and monitors in
the cab to view the surroundings of the CMV
Defensive Driving
• Starting and Backing 8% of large-truck/two-vehicle fatal crashes either the truck or the other
vehicle were stopped or parked
• One out of every four collisions involves backing
• Cargo gross weight rating over 10,000 lbs require to be secure to withstand left or right
direction of .5g (50% of the weight of the cargo)
• Tandem axle semi-trailer with a cargo weight of 50,000 lbs and height of 102 in will have a roll
threshold of .35g
• Speeding 40 mph at ramp for 25 mph can produce a lateral force up to .5g
• 13% of large truck-two vehicle fatal crashes either the truck or other vehicle was negotiating a
curve
Distracted Driving
Distracted Driving 2009 Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) study
• 23.2 for Texting truck drivers
• 5.9 dialing a cell phone
• 6.7 use of or reaching for an electronic device
• Texting amounted to 4.6 seconds of distraction over a 6 second interval
• A Monash University study found using hand-held devices are 4 times more likely to get into
crashes serious enough to injure themselves
• Carnegie Mellon study found driving while using cell reduces brain activity associated with
driving by 37%
• 2007 publish study by Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety found smoking to
be a source of distraction in 0.9% of crashes for which equated to about 12,780 crashes over
the 5yr study
• AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety noted that 71% believe it is not acceptable talk on a cell
• 95% believe texting to just as dangerous or more dangerous
• Yet 67% admitted using a cell
• 21% admitted to sending or reading texting
• 11% of all drivers under the age of 20 who were involved in fatal crashes were reported as
distracted at the time of the crash
• 49 states and the District of Columbia that prohibit text messaging and 27 states and the
District of Columbia that prohibit hand-held cell phone use for all drivers
• NHTSA reported 3,308 were killed in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers in 2022
2011 FMCSA and PHMSA issued a final rule that restricts the use of hand-held mobile
telephones by interstate CMV drivers and intrastate hazmat drivers, this rule took effect on
January 3, 2012
Cell phone convictions for CMV drivers are subject to federal civil penalties of up to $4,690 for
each offense
Motor carriers that are found to have allowed their drivers to use hand-held cell phones while
operating a CMV face maximum civil penalty of $18,759 per violation and a 10 point CSA
violation
April 2013 NHTSA released voluntary guidelines for vehicle manufacturers to reduce visualmanual
distractions, such as communications, entertainment and navigation devices. The
guidelines include recommendations to limit the time a driver must take his/her eyes off the road
to perform any task to two seconds at a time and twelve seconds total
Safety Questions and Answers
Parts of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations the driver must have knowledge of
1. 382 Controlled Substances and Alcohol, Use and Testing
2. 383 Commercial Driver's License Standards; Requirements and Penalties
3. 391 Qualifications of Drivers
4. 392 Driving Rules
5. 393 Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation
6. 395 Hours of Service
7. 396 Inspection and Maintenance
8. 397 If haul hazardous material
Drivers of hazardous materials should also be familiar with Parts 100-185
FMCSRs Part 395.2 On duty time means all time from the time a driver begins to work or is
required to be in readiness to work until the time the driver is relieved from work and all
responsibility for performing work
Driver measure the proper distance
One pace equals 2 1/2 feet, 10 feet = 4paces, 100 feet = 40paces, 200 feet = 80paces, 500 feet
= 200paces
Brake performance for which minimum limits are prescribed FMCSRs set minimum performance
requirements for (1) braking force as a percentage of gross vehicle weight (2) deceleration rate
and (3) braking distance the brake performance chart is found at 49 CFR 393.52(d) page 66
When reporting an emergency the driver should report the Who What and Where of the incident
When idling a Diesel engine consumes about one gallon of fuel per hour
Environmental Protection Agency can fine companies up to $45,268 per noncompliant
vehicle or engine, $4,527 per tampering event or sale of defeat device, and $45,268 per day for
reporting and record keeping violations page74
Security Regulations
DHS (TSA) began issuing Transportation Worker Identification Credentials (TWIC) in 2008
Millions of TWIC cards been issued to port employees, longshoremen, mariners, truckers, and
others who require unescorted access to secure areas of ports and vessels
In August 2016 the Coast Guard issued a Final Rule requiring an estimated 525 facilities to
adopt electronic TWIC readers
The Free and Secure Trade (FAST) program is a joint initiative between the U.S. Mexico and
Canada offering expedited clearance across borders to drivers of carriers enrolled in C-TPAT.
C-TPAT is a voluntary program administered by CBP
To receive expedited clearance, both the carrier and the importer must be C-TPAT participants
and the driver must possess a FAST clearance and card
September 10, 2020 all 50 states are in full compliance with the REAL ID act however only 105
million REAL ID compliant driver’s licenses and identification cards had been issued
representing 38% of all driver’s licenses and identification holders.
On October 1, 2021 full enforcement of REAL ID was scheduled to take effect at all federally
regulated airports, federal facilities, and nuclear power plants however DHS extended the full
enforcement deadline to May 3, 2023 due to COVID-19 pandemic
Drivers possessing a valid HME, TWIC, FAST card, or SIDA security credential are in
compliance with the air cargo security threat assessment
Trucking had a significant victory in 2007 when a national Uniform Crime Code was added for
cargo theft and the U.S. Sentencing Commission set minimum penalties for cargo theft offenses
tried in federal courts
Hazardous Materials Regulations
Each person who knowingly violates a requirement of federal HM transportation law is liable for
a civil penalty of not more than $99,756 per day, per violation and under certain egregious
circumstances, penalties may be increased to $232,762 per day, per violation, additionally
companies can be charged a penalty of no less than $601 per employee per day for not
providing hazmat training for employees and PHMSA may also issue fines against those who
willingly hinder a PHMSA inspection
Under Federal law the maximum penalty is $75,000 per day additionally states and
municipalities may levy separate fines page 109
(sections # of HMR)
• Companies that transport placarded quantities of security sensitive HM are required to
develop and implement a site-specific security plan. Security sensitive HM does not include all
types or quantities of HM only those listed under 49 CFR 172.800(b)
• a plan for training hazmat employees in accordance with 172.704 on sercurity awareness and
in depth sercurity training
• The tables may be found in HMR section 172.504, see also sections 172.500 through 172.560
of the Hazardous Materials Regulations for details
• Multiple labels are identified in section 172.101 and Column 6 (labels required) lists labeling
requirements for the material identified in Column 2 (proper shipping names)
• Poison Inhalation Hazard or Poison Gas , plus placards required in Section 172.504 (any
amount)
• Mix loads of HM can be found in 177.848
• HM that are exempt from the shipping paper requirements (ORM_D, limited quantities)
172.600
• HM Regulations for HM that are exempt form the emergency response telephone number
requirement 172.604
• HM shipping papers (a) on top of all other papers (b) distinctively tabbed 49 CFR
177.817-172.200
Report HM incidents to National Response Center (800) 424-8802
Written incident report may also be required within 30 days of the discovery
V I P L K marking indicate what tests and inspection were performed
V - visual test
I - internal visual test
P - pressure test
L - lining test
T - thickness test
K - leakages test
Fusible links or elements are heat-activated devices installed in the cable lines or tubing of tank
trailers they are designed to melt at a temperature no greater than 121°C (250°F) in case of a
fire and when melted trigger the internal valves to close automatically page 92
Metric Measurements assuring compliance with HMR page 98
1. 454 kilograms (1,001)- the weight below which placard in general is not required for table 2
2. 60.5ºC (141º1F)-the flashpoint that marks the upper limit for flammable liquids under the
regulations
3. 60.5ºC (141ºF) and 93ºC (200ºF)- the flash points, above and below which a liquid is
classified as a combustible liquid under the regulation
4. 37.8°C (100°F) and 60.5°C (141°F) - the flash points, above and below which a flammable
liquid, such as diesel fuel and fuel oil, may be reclassified as a combustible liquid for domestic
transportation only
5. 450 liters (119 gallons)- volume above which a packaging is deemed to be a bulk packaging
for liquids
6. 400 kg (882 pounds)- the weight capacity above which a packaging is deemed to be a bulk
packaging for solids
7. 454 kg (1,001 pounds)- weight capacity above which a packaging is deemed to be a bulk
packaging for gases
8. 4,000 kg (8,820 pounds)- weight of one commodity in non-bulk packaging for which
identification numbers are to be displayed on a transport vehicle
Elevated temperature material
A liquid transported at a temperature at or above 100ºC (212ºF)
A liquid with a flashpoint at or above 37.8ºC (100ºF) that is intentionally heated and transported
at or above its flashpoint
A solid transported at or above 240ºC (464ºF)
UN 3257 will be displayed when a vehicle is transporting an elevated temperature material the
HOT may also appear, Molten Aluminum or Molten Sulfur those words must be displayed on the
vehicle as applicable
The driver will be disqualified from operating a CMV for 60 days for a first conviction on
disregarding railroad crossing
HM or fuel spills emergency contacts
www.chemtrec.com. (800) 424-8802
www.spillcenter.com (978) 568-1922
• For acids burns, flush face , eyelid and eye continuously with cool running water for 15
minutes
• For alkali burns, flush face, eyelid and eye continuously and thoroughly with cool running
water for 30 minutes page112
• To treat chemical burns, one should wash away the chemical completely with large quantities
of running water for no less than 15 minutes
• Person who has been exposed to acid should remove contaminated clothing and douse him/
herself immediately and thoroughly with warm water for no less than 10 minutes page 113
• Poison on skin or eyes flush with cool or lukewarm water, using a shower if needed for 20
minutes
For acids or other caustic or corrosive chemicals a face shield, rubber gauntlets, complete
rubberized suit, and rubber boots and hat should be worn. For weak acids carbolic, phosphoric,
and acetic goggles and gloves are generally considered adequate
First Aid page
Anaphylaxis- A severe allergic reaction can cause a body to go into shock, respiratory distress
and circulatory collapse. Dizziness, mental confusion, abdominal cramping, nausea,
vomiting or diarrhea may also accompany anaphylaxis
• Epinephrine is the most commonly used drug for severe allergic reactions
• Hyper-allergic should also carry an antihistamine pill such as diphenhydramine
Burns: According to American Burn Associations 2015 data collection page 117
• 9,461 medically treated burn incidents occurring on streets or highways
• 25,729 occurring due to occupational hazards
Burns can result from dry heat (fire), moist heat (steam, hot liquids), electricity, chemicals, and
radiation (sunlight) treatment for burns depends on 1. The depth of the burn 2. How much
area of the body is affected and 3. The location of the burn.
2016 National Burn Repository Report of Data from 2006-2015
The three classifications of burns according to the Mayo Clinic
1. First-degree burn is the least serious usually leaves the skin looking dry and red, with some
swelling, sensitivity, and pain sometimes present signs and symptoms of first-degree burns
usually appear within a few hours of exposure, bringing pain, redness, swelling, and at times
blistering, headache, fever, and fatigue
2. Second-degree burn when second layer of skin is burn (dermis) through, blisters develop,
and the skin takes on an intensely red, splotchy appearance these burns produce severe
pain and swelling, and develop a weepy, watery surface
• If burn is not larger than 3inches in diameter treat it as a minor burn if larger get medical help
• Hold burned area under cold running water for at least 5 minutes
3. Third-degree burn the most serious burns
• Elevate the burned body parts above heart level when possible
Chemical burns- It can cause tissue damage under the skin without immediate signs of
damage to the skin’s surface, symptoms of a chemical burn include redness, irritation, and
either pale skin or black dead skin sometimes blisters may form
Electrical burns- They cause more damage beneath the first later of skin and throughout the
body, symptoms may include visible burns on skin, muscle contractions, numbness, weakness,
and low blood pressure
Pulmonary Embolism
Pulmonary embolism occurs when a clot forms in a vein in another part of the body, usually in
the legs or pelvis and travels to and lodges in an artery of the lung, stopping blood flow without
proper blood flow tissue dies
Pneumonia with Pleurisy
According to the Mayo Clinic, signs and symptoms of pneumonia are chest pains with chills,
fever, and a cough that may produce bloody or foul smelling sputum
Choking
According to the Red Cross, if someone is choking, one should follow the “five and five”
approach to delivering first aid
Cuts and Scrapes
According to the Mayo Clinic, minor cuts and scrapes (abrasions) usually don’t require
emergency treatment yet proper care is essential to avoid infection or other complications
Stitches are usually required for a wound that is more than 1/4 inch deep, gaping or jagged
edge, or has fat or muscle protruding
doctors advice you get a tetanus shot every 10 years a doctor may suggest getting a tetanus
shot booster if the wound is deep or dirty and your last shot was more than five years ago. If a
shot is prescribed get it within 48 hours of the injury
Dislocation
According to the mayo clinic, a dislocation is an injury in which the ends of the your bones are
forced from their normal positions
Fever
Fever- is the body's reaction to infection
• Normal body temperature 98.6°F
• Rectal temperature higher than 100.4°F
• Oral temperature higher 99.4°F Is consider a fever
Do not treat adult fevers below 102°F with medications unless advised by a doctor
If fever of 102°F or higher doctors may suggest over-the-counter medication such as
acetaminophen or ibuprofen
Adults may also use aspirin NOTE: aspirin in children may trigger a rare, but potentially fatal
disorder known as Reye's syndrome, Ibuprofen is not advised for infants younger than 6 months
Get medical help for a fever in these cases if an adult has a temperature of more than 103°F or
has had a fever for more than three days
Head Trauma
According to the American College of Emergency Physicians, most head trauma involves
injuries that are minor and do not require hospitalization
Heat Exhaustion page 132
According to the Mayo Clinic, heat exhaustion is more severe than mild heat cramps but less
severe than a potentially life-threatening heatstroke itself signs and symptoms resemble those
of shock
Insect Bites
According to the Mayo Clinic, signs and symptoms of an insect bite result from venom or other
substances being injected into the skin stings from bees, wasps, hornets, yellow jackets and fire
ants are typically the most taxing. Bites from mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies and some spiders
also can cause reactions, some mild, some severe, depending on the type and what diseases
they are carrying
Fractures
The American Academy of orthopedic surgeons states that a fracture is a broken bone
Temperature tend to be highest at 4pm and lowest at 4am
Sprain first aid Rest, Ice, Compress, and Elevate
Poisoning
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services asserts that many conditions mimic the
signs and symptoms of poisoning including a seizures, alcohol intoxication, stroke, and insulin
reaction If your suspect poisoning even if the person exhibits no sign and seems stable call the
Poison Control Center 800-222-1222
poison on skin or eyes flush with cool or lukewarm water, using a shower if needed for 20
minutes Academy of Pediatrics asserts that there is no good evidence proving ipecac is helpful
and suggests that it should not be kept in the house
Sprains
A sprain is an injury to a ligament caused by excessive stretching follow the instructions for
R.I.C.E. Rest the injured limb, but do not avoid all activity Ice the area Compress the area with
a wrap or bandage Elevate the injured limb whenever possible to help prevent or limit swelling
after the first two days, gently begin using the injured area. You should feel a gradual,
progressive improvement. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen and
acetaminophen may be helpful to manage pain during the healing process get emergency help
if Infection: you have a fever higher than 100°F and the area is red and hot and there is no
improvement after 2 or 3 days
Unless given artificial respiration, most persons will suffer irreversible brain damage within 4-6
minutes or less if breathing stops completely page 148
Extended artificial respiration is most likely necessary with carbon monoxide poisoning, a drug
overdose, near drowning (especially in cold water), or if electric shock are involved
The information listed in the First Aid section was gathered from the following websites
www.mayoclinic.com www.webmd.com www.ameriburn.org www.heart.org
www.emedicinehealth.com
Obesity has also been associated with sleep deprivation as hormones are altered, causing an
increase in appetite, according to the Annals of Internal Medicine
National Institutes of Health (NIH) report that more than 12 million Americans are affected by
sleep apnea, the most affected are males, those who are overweight, and over the age of 40 but
anyone can be diagnosed
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory disease caused by SARS-CoV-2
discovered in 2019 the virus spreads mainly from person to person through respiratory droplets
produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks, systems may appear within 2-14
days after someone is exposed and can include fever, chills, and cough, vaccines are
recommended to decrease severity and prevent the spread of the virus
CDC reported that in the 2019-2020 influenza season, 38 million illnesses, 18 million medical
visits, 405,000 hospitalizations, and 22,000 deaths were a result of regular seasonal epidemics
in the United States
pandemic influenza 1918 Spanish Flu or 2009 H1N1 influenza outbreaks page 153
80% of accidents on stairs result in serious injury. Slips occur due to a loss of traction, Trips
result when a foot hits an object, Falls occur when one’s balance is lost
Head making contact with a solid at speed of 2.5 mph can crack a skull
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) more than one million workers suffer back
injuries each year with back injuries accounting for one out of every five workplace injuries and
illnesses
• Four out of five of these injuries were lower back
• Three out of four occurred while lifting page 154
A 15 min walk can lower blood sugar levels by 20%
Fire Safety
Synthetic materials such as nylon in carpeting or foam padding in sofas burn, they can produce
highly toxic gases such as Hydrogen cyanide, acrolein and ammonia in addition to carbon
monoxide
According to the National Fire Protection Association
• 13% of all fires reported in the U.S. are highway vehicle fires
• In 2021 there were 208,500 vehicle fires
• 680 civilians died and another 1,500 were injured as a result of these 2021 vehicle fires
• Which resulted in $2.1 billion in property loss
• 17% of all civilian fire deaths and 7% of all civilian fire injuries are attributable to vehicle fire
• Highway vehicle fires occur 65% of the time in passenger vehicles
• Only 10% of the time does a vehicle fire occur in a non-passenger vehicle
• 6% of those in freight road transport vehicles
• 47% of vehicle fires are due to some sort of mechanical failure
• 63% of all vehicle fires and 36% of fatal highway vehicle fires originate in the engine, running
gear or wheel area of the vehicle
• Of those fires 22% resulted from heat form miscellaneous power equipment
• 16% form electrical arcing
• 17% from radiated or conducted heat from operating equipment
• 8% from a spark, ember or flame from operating equipment
• Sparks that resulted from friction only made up 5% of the fires
• Insulation around electrical wiring 29%
• 18% from flammable liquids in the engine area
(source U.S. Fire Administration 2014-2016 and 2021 vehicle fires special reports)
Fire extinguisher classes
1. Class A - fire in ordinary combustibles (such as wood, cloth, paper)
2. Class B - fires on flammable liquids
3. Class C - fires in energized electrical equipment
4. Class D - fires in combustible metals such as magnesium and aluminum