DRIVERS RESPONSIBILITY / DUTY TO INSPECT
According to California state law and code of regulations, there are a number of duties that California truck drivers and tractor trailer drivers must follow. Below, an overview of these items includes:
Maximum Driving and On Duty Time
Drivers Record of Duty Status
Alcohol and Zero Tolerance
Drivers Fatigue
Vehicle Condition
Safety Inspection
Maximum Driving and On-Duty Time
Interstate drivers, intrastate bus drivers, and drivers of tank vehicle with a capacity of more than 500 gallons transporting flammable liquid may not:
- Drive more than 10 hours following eight consecutive hours off duty; or
- For any period after having been on duty 15 hours following eight consecutive hours off duty.
Intrastate truck drivers, may not:
- Drive more than 12 hours following eight consecutive hours off duty; or
- For any period after having been on duty 15 hours following eight consecutive hours off duty.
Drivers Record of Duty Status:
Every motor carrier shall require every driver used by the motor carrier to record his/her duty status for each 24 hour period. The information that must be recorded is as follows:
- Date
- Total Miles driving today
- Bus, truck, tractor, and trailer number
- Name of carrier
- Drivers signature / certificate
- 24 hour period starting time
- Main office address
- Remarks
- Name of co-driver
- Total hours
- Shipping document number(s) or name of shipper and commodity
Alcohol Zero Tolerance
No person shall operate a commercial motor vehicle when that persons blood alcohol level is found to be 0.01% by weight, or greater. No person shall be on duty or operate a commercial motor vehicle while the driver possesses and alcoholic beverage of not less than one-half of one per centum of alcohol by volume.
Driver Fatigue
No driver shall operate a motor vehicle, and a motor carrier shall not require or permit a driver to operate a motor vehicle, while the driver’s alertness is impaired through fatigue, illness, or other cause.
Vehicle Condition – Daily Inspection and Written Reports by Drivers
Inspection:
Before driving a motor vehicle, the driver shall:
- Inspect the vehicle daily to ascertain that it is in safe operating condition and equipment is in good working order.
- Review the last vehicle inspection report.
- Sign the report
Daily Report – Truck Drivers:
The following list excludes school bus drivers or publicly owned and operated transit system drivers:
- Service brakes including trailer brake connection
- Parking hand brake
- Steering mechanism
- Lighting devices and reflectors
- Tires
- Horn
- Windshield wipers
- Rear vision mirrors
- Coupling devices
- Wheels and rims
- Emergency equipment
Daily Report – School Bus Drivers:
- All gauges, indicators, and warning devices
- Horns
- Driver’s seat and seat belts
- All doors, door emergency releases, and windows
- All seats, handrails, and modesty panels
- Interior and exterior lighting systems
- All heating cooling and ventilating systems
- All glass and mirrors, including adjustment of mirrors
- Windshield wipers and washers
- All required emergency equipment
- All tires, wheels, and lug nuts
- Brake system (including):
- Air compressor governor cut in and cut out pressures
- Static pressure for air loss
- Applied brake pressure loss
- Low air pressure warning devices
- Emergency stopping systems
- Parking brake
- Antiskid device
- Vacuum gauge, ensuring it reads not less than 15 inches
- Low vacuum warning devices
- Brake pedal for brake adjustment
If you have been involved in a California trucking collision, contact us today. Speak to Mr. Dolan, or one of our other highly-qualified trucking accident attorneys. The consultation is free.
A Premier California Truck Accident Law Firm
The Dolan Law Firm
1438 Market Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: 415-636-8160
Toll Free: 888.452.4752
Fax: 415.421.2830
