Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Requirements
Our Mission The primary mission of the NC Highway Patrol, Motor Carrier Enforcement Section is to promote highway safety and reduce collisions. It is our goal that through the education of applicable state and federal laws, you can help us to accomplish this mission.
Introduction We are the only Agency with the training and authority to enforce FMCSA Regulations Hazardous Materials Regulations Motor Coach Regulations Size & Weight Laws
Motor Carrier Enforcement Troopers Weight Enforcement Enforce weight laws in North Carolina Can conduct CMV inspections Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP) Conduct CMV inspections Levels 1, 2, and 3. Conduct all post crash inspections Certified in HAZMAT, Tanker, and Motor Coach inspections Federally funded program. 11 Troopers and 2 civilian auditors per Troop.
FMCSA Regulations Generalized CVSA Tires Lights Brakes Hours-of-Service Driver Qualifications Etc.
Hazardous Material
CSA Compliance Safety and Accountability Increase the opportunity to have more contact with drivers and carriers Enhanced data collection to improve performance measurements that identify high key risk behaviors in drivers and carriers Apply interventions to correct behaviors
Major Elements of CSA Measurement Intervention Safety, Evaluation, and Information Technology
Measurement Groups the safety performance data of the drivers and carriers into seven groups called BASICs 1. Unsafe Driving 2. Fatigued Driving 3. Driver Fitness 4. Controlled Substances/Alcohol 5. Vehicle Maintenance 6. Improper Loading/Cargo 7. Crash Indicator
Intervention Once the unfit level is reached in one or more of the BASICs an intervention is automatically triggered. The intervention can be one or more of the five actions listed. 1. Warning Letter 2. Targeted Roadside Inspections 3. Off-Site Investigation 4. On-Site Investigation- Focused Cooperative Safety Plan Notice of Violation Increasing Severity On-Site Investigation 5. Comprehensive Notice of Claim/Settlement Agreement
Safety Evaluation Safety fitness determination would be based on performance data processed through the measurement system Depending on the motor carrier s BASIC scores, the safety fitness determination could be continue to operate, marginal (with ongoing intervention), or proposed unfit Each motor carrier or driver for which there is sufficient data would receive a safety fitness determination that would be updated every 30 days
Times Have Changed Remember when you could pump gas BEFORE paying? Not anymore. Remember before you had a cell phone? The world has changed. Stay in your truck seat belted until you receive directions from the Trooper Don t reach for paperwork until directed
What Should I Do When I Get Stopped Turn on flashers or turn signal and slow down Look for a safe place to stop Always stop to the right. Never use middle lanes or inside shoulder against the median or exit ramp splits Remember YOU are the PROFESSIONAL Driver!
Common Driver Violations Logbook Seat Belt Speeding Following Too Close Cell Phone Use Improper Class of License Expired Medical Card Alcohol Use Fatigued Driving
Electronic Logbooks ABORD ABORD may be used until 12/16/2019. ABORD does NOT show graph, just hours. ELD S Driver must carry 8 days of paper logs in case ELD or ABORD malfunction. Driver must know which system he is using and how to operate that system.
Seat Belt Per state and federal law, each occupant of a motor vehicle shall have a seatbelt properly fastened about his or her body at all times when the vehicle is in forward motion on a street or highway in this State. There is no medical exception for seat belt use in a CMV. Seat belt use reduces your chance of death or serious injury by 50% if involved in a collision. Fine for failure to wear a seat belt is $179.00
Speeding No person shall drive a vehicle on a highway or in a public vehicular area at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the existing conditions. At 55 mph it can take a large truck 196 feet to stop in normal conditions. Fines exceed $200 and vary upon the speed. Some violations have mandatory court appearances. 6 points on your license
Following Too Close The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent. Increased distance allows enough room to make a good, well planned decision. Could you avoid a collision? 1 second of distance for every 10 miles per hour Double your distance in adverse conditions. Fine is $223.00 and 8 points on your license.
State and federal law make it unlawful for any person to operate a commercial motor while using a mobile telephone or other electronic device. This restricts a driver from reaching for, holding, or pressing multiple buttons to conduct communication. You can only press a single button to operate a hands free device. Can result in federal sanctions up to $2,750 for driver and $11,000 for companies. $288.00 Cell Phone Use
Improper Class of License
CDL Requirements Class A- Combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, provided the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the unit being towed is 10,001 pounds or greater.
CDL Requirements Class B- Single vehicles with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more and towing any such unit with a (GVWR) less than 10,001 pounds.
CLASS A CLASSIFIED DL North Carolina licensed drivers utilizing a Class A motor vehicle that has a combined GVWR of less than 26,001 lbs and includes as part of the combination a towed unit that has a GVWR of 10,001 lbs must possess a Class A Classified Drivers License (non-cdl).
Medical Cards 391.41- Must be physically qualified to operated a commercial motor vehicle. Starting January 2014- NC DMV will be adding your medical certification status and the information on your DOT medical examiner s certificate to your Commercial Driver s License record. No longer required to carry your medical card. Driver s who fail to provide and keep up-to-date their DOT medical examiner s certificate with the NC DMV will become not-certified and they may lose their CDL.
Alcohol / Drug Violations Impaired Driving in a CMV- having an alcohol concentration of 0.04 or more or with any amount of a Schedule I controlled substance present in the body. Operating After Consuming in a CMV- possessing any amount of alcohol in the body while operating a CMV. Possession of Alcohol in a CMV- possessing any amount of alcohol, open or closed in the passenger area of a CMV. Loss of CDL and possible jail time
Common Vehicle Violations Annual Federal Inspection DOT number Fuel Decal Fire Extinguisher Lighting Brakes Tires Load Securement
A Good Pre-Trip Inspection Will Save You A LOT of Headache
Annual Federal Inspection Required on all vehicles with GVWR great than 10,000lbs in commerce in NC. Certificate required to be displayed The date of inspection Name and address of the motor carrier Unique vehicle identifiers Certification that the vehicle passed inspection in accordance with 49 CFR 396.17
Fuel Decals 1. Two axles and a gross vehicle weight or registered gross vehicle weight exceeding 26,000 pounds; or 2. Having three or more axles regardless of weight; or 3. Is used in combination, when the weight of such combination exceeds 26,000 pounds gross vehicle weight or registered gross vehicle weight. Motor Fuels Tax Division - Raleigh: 919-733-3409 or 877-308-9092
DOT Number Required Is used to transport the types and quantities of hazardous materials requiring a safety permit in intrastate commerce. Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating, or gross vehicle weight or gross combination weight, of 10,001 pounds or more, whichever is greater; or Is designed or used to transport more than 8 passengers (including the driver) for compensation; or Is designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver, and is not used to transport passengers for compensation;
Fire Extinguishers Must be equipped Must be mounted and secured Must be accessible Must have a charge indicator Must be B or C rated by the Underwriters Laboratory
Lighting Requirements All lamps must be operable at all times and free from obstruction. An Out of Service condition exist if the following are not met when lights are required to be operated Headlamps- at least one operable lamp Lamps on rear - at least one steady burning lamp visible from 500 feet Lamps on projecting load- at least one steady burning lamp on the rear of load projecting more than 4 feet from the rear of the vehicle
Lighting Requirements An Out of Service condition exist if the following are not met when lights are required to be operated Day or Night Stop lamp- at least one operable stop lamp on the rear of a single unit or rear most vehicle in combination. Turn signal- does not have an operable turn signal on each side of the rear of a single unit or rear most vehicle in combination. Flag on projecting load- at least one flag on the rear of a load projecting more than 4 feet from the rear of the vehicle
Brakes Required Each commercial motor vehicle must have brakes adequate to stop and hold the vehicle or combination of motor vehicles. Exception- Any trailer or pole trailer (laden or unladen) with a gross weight 3,000 pounds or less which is subject to this part is not required to be equipped with brakes if the sum of the axle weights of the towed vehicle does not exceed 40 percent of the sum of the axle weights of the towing vehicle. State law requires brakes on trailers over 4000lbs.
Brakes Continued Breakaway braking requirements for trailers- Every trailer required to be equipped with brakes shall have brakes which apply automatically and immediately upon breakaway from the towing vehicle. Warning Device- Every truck must be equipped with a signal (light or buzzer) that provides a warning to the driver when a failure occurs in the vehicle's service brake system.
Tires No motor vehicle shall be operated on any tire that Has body ply or belt material exposed through the tread or sidewall, Has any tread or sidewall separation, Is flat or has an audible leak, or Has a cut to the extent that the ply or belt material is exposed. Front wheels tires on a truck shall have a tread groove pattern depth of at least 4/32of an inch when measured at any point on a major tread groove All other tires shall have a tread groove pattern depth of at least 2/32 of an inch when measured in a major tread groove
Load Securement
Tarps A truck, trailer loaded with a substance that could fall, blow, leak, or sift, shall not be driven or moved on any highway unless: a. The height of the load against all four walls does not extend above a horizontal line six inches below the top b. The load is securely covered by tarp or some other suitable covering; c. The vehicle is constructed to prevent any of its load from falling, dropping, sifting, leaking, blowing, or otherwise escaping there from.
General Load Securement Must be loaded and equipped, to prevent the cargo from leaking, spilling, blowing or falling from the motor vehicle. 393.100 Tie down and other fastening device, must not exceed the given Working Load Limit (WLL). 393.102 Securement devices and anchor points must be free from damage. 393.104 Can not contain knots or tears. Prevented from coming loose or unfastened
Securing Heavy Equipment Equipment weighing greater than than 10,000 lbs. Minimum of 4 tie downs. Tie downs affixed as close to the front and rear as possible. Accessory equipment such as loader buckets and shovels lowered to the deck and secured if no locking pin is present. Trencher bars do not have to be lowered but must be locked in place to prevent shifting. (DOT Interpretation) Articulated equipment secured to prevent shifting. 393.130
Securing Heavy Equipment Equipment weighing less than 10,000 lbs. May be secured the same as heavier equipment. Must have a minimal of 2 tie downs.
Move Over Law The Law When an authorized emergency vehicle or any public service vehicle is parked or standing within 12 feet of a roadway and is giving a warning signal by appropriate light, the driver of every other approaching vehicle shall, as soon as it is safe and when not otherwise directed by an individual lawfully directing traffic, do one of the following: The Options Slow the vehicle, maintaining a safe speed for traffic conditions Move the vehicle into a lane that is not the lane nearest the parked or standing authorized emergency vehicle
QUESTIONS?