Rules, Rules, Rules

 

FMCSA has decided to bring some new rules into the mix. Truck drivers need to read this. DOT exams preformed on or after May 21, 2014 will have to be performed by a doctor who has completed DOT’s required training and placed on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners. If your exam was performed before May 21^st, it will be considered valid only as long as it was performed in accordance with these new standards (section 391.43). This requirement has not been delayed, so CDL holders need to be diligent in reviewing their certification cards. If you do not know whether or not your doctor is on the National Registry look on the following website: https://nationalregistry.fmcsa.dot.gov/NRPublicUI/home.seam. Just so you know, our doctor, Ryan Walton, is certified and has been on this registry since February of 2014.

CDL holders are still going to be responsible for self-certifying and submitting their medical certification to their state licensing agency. This is a separate requirement. States are being required to post your medical information to your driver’s record. Your motor carrier is also required to keep a copy of your med card with your driver’s qualification records along with a copy of your Motor Vehicle Record (if that record reflects medical certification information). The Wyoming Trucking Association estimates at least 6,000 CDL holders in Wyoming have not submitted their medical certificates to WYDOT.

Other rules include the requirement for EVERY commercial vehicle to slow down enough that a complete stop can be made, if necessary, before crossing railroad tracks. In addition, those carrying hazardous materials are required to come to a complete stop at all railroad tracks before proceeding when assuring the tracks are clear of hazards. Additional regulations make the driver responsible for assuring the hazardous materials placards are in place before leaving the shipper’s facility. If your truck is not placarded correctly, you can be fined heavily. It is your responsibility as the driver to make sure you have the placards. The shipper is only required to provide the placard that matches its own shipment. After this it becomes the carrier’s responsibility to ensure the proper placards for the shipment are in place, and that they are affixed to the trailer securely.

Keeping up with all the rules may be confusing, but we really want you drivers to be safe on the roads.