Accidents involving large commercial trucks can cause life-changing injuries, and victims are often left wondering if trucking companies or drivers were breaking any rules at the time of the crash. Missouri has strict laws and safety regulations meant to keep roads safer for everyone. Understanding these rules can help St. Louis truck accident victims determine if the driver was being negligent at the time of the accident and if they’re therefore entitled to compensation through a personal injury claim. Below are some of the most important rules and regulations to be aware of:
Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Requirements
Truck drivers in Missouri must meet several conditions before they can legally get behind the wheel of a commercial vehicle. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and legally reside in Missouri. Completing the licensing process involves a written knowledge test, a pre-trip inspection assessment, basic vehicle control skills testing, and a full road skills or driving exam.
Driver Safety and Qualification Requirements
Truck companies are legally responsible for making sure all commercial drivers meet strict baseline qualifications. Every driver must have a complete file that includes:
- Be 18 years old (Missouri-only, no hazardous materials) or 21 years old (Interstate or hauling hazardous materials)
- Be able to read, speak, and understand English to handle highway signs and official instructions
- An employment application
- Evidence of checked work history spanning three prior years, with direct inquiries to each previous employer
- A three-year driving record retrieved from state authorities
- Annual reviews of both the state driving record and a detailed history of all traffic violations
- Documentation from a recent road test proving practical skills or evidence the driver already holds equivalent credentials
- A valid and up-to-date DOT medical exam Proof that the medical examiner who performed the exam is federally (FMCSA) certified
- Documentation of basic, required commercial driver training
Motor carriers must keep all of these materials through the driver’s entire employment period and for three years after their employment ends.
Comprehensive Vehicle Maintenance Records
Trucking companies are responsible for creating and updating detailed maintenance files for every vehicle they own or operate for 30 days or more. These records must track everything from the company’s own identification numbers and the truck’s serial or VIN to specialized details like tire size, make, year, and documented inspection schedules. Any inspection reports, repair records, and maintenance proofs belong in this file.
Post-Trip Inspection Reporting
When a truck driver finishes a trip and notices a problem or defect, they’re required to complete a detailed report. This post-trip paperwork points out specific components (like brakes, lighting, tow hitches, emergency equipment, and tires) and notes any safety hazards found.
Hours-of-Service (HOS) Regulations
For drivers transporting freight or goods, federal rules control daily and weekly schedules to keep overtired drivers off the roads.
- Most drivers can only drive a maximum of 11 hours after taking at least 10 hours off in a row.
- After 8 hours of driving, a 30-minute break is mandatory to avoid mistakes from exhaustion
- There are weekly maximums – 60-work hours in a 7-day cycle or 70 hours across 8 days
Passenger-Carrying Driver Hours
Drivers transporting people (such as bus or shuttle drivers) must observe slightly different limits:
- No driving over 10 hours in a workday, and
- Total duty time (driving + non-driving work) cannot go past 15 continuous hours
- Must have at least 8 full hours off between working days
- The same weekly limits exist
Any time the driver takes 34 hours or more off work consecutively, his or her weekly working and maximum hour limit clock can essentially start over at zero under federal guidelines.
Alcohol and Drug Testing Requirements
Federal and state laws require all employers of CDL drivers to maintain drug and alcohol testing and education policies, and violations are taken very seriously.
Below is an overview of when these tests are given:
- Pre-Employment: Every new CDL driver must pass a drug test before starting safety-related work (no alcohol test required at this stage).
- Post-Accident: Drug and alcohol testing required after fatal crashes, where there’s an injury needing medical treatment plus a citation, or a vehicle is towed and the driver is cited.
- Random Testing: 10% of drivers on the roster must be tested for alcohol every year and 50% must be screened for drugs (randomly chosen).
- Reasonable Suspicion: If a trained manager smells alcohol or sees obvious drug use/impairment, they can and should request an immediate test.
- Return-to-Duty: Any driver returning after a positive test or who’s been to rehab has to pass another drug/alcohol test, and get evaluated by a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) to ensure they truly are ready to start driving again.
- Follow-Up Testing: The trucking company should be doing follow-up tests for the driver who has returned.
These regulations are intended to keep everyone on the road safe and prevent driving accidents caused from intoxication.
If you’ve been hurt in a St. Louis car crash involving a truck, it’s important to understand some of these regulations. It could give you an idea of whether they violated a rule or law, which points to negligence. If you need answers or help after a trucking crash in Missouri, call us today at (314) 300-3000 to schedule a free consultation.