Drivers Responsibilities

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.

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The Dolan Law Firm

1438 Market Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: 415-636-8160
Toll Free: 888.452.4752
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