California Truck Drivers are backed by state laws and federal regulations. They are guaranteed to get a 30-minute break for every 8 hours they are behind the wheel. When truck drivers aren’t allowed this break, it can lead to penalties for the trucking company. This important rest time can also help reduce the incidents of fatigued drivers causing accidents.
The Federal Hours of Service Guidelines for California Truck Drivers
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) posts the mandate for truck drivers and their hours of service. These laws require employers to make sure their drivers get regular sleep and time off from sitting at the wheel.
The FMCSA guidelines appear on their website.
This is the break requirement explained for truck drivers who carry property:
30-Minute Driving Break
“Drivers must take a 30-minute break when they have driven for a period of 8 cumulative hours without at least a 30-minute interruption. The break may be satisfied by any non-driving period of 30 consecutive minutes (i.e., on-duty not driving, off-duty, sleeper berth, or any combination of these taken consecutively).”
Truck drivers who choose to skip this break and falsify a logbook to make it look like a break was completed face stiff punishment. The driver could be hit with fines and penalties. The driver’s Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) might also be in jeopardy.
A trucking company can also be found liable for a violation. The corporation that employs the driver might be shown to have prevented the driver from taking the break. A company could have also known about a driver skipping a break and decided to overlook it. The truck driver’s employer could also face fines and penalties.
Contact a California Truck Accident Lawyer
If you were hurt in an accident and you think a fatigued truck driver was to blame, you should contact a California Truck Accident Lawyer. It’s a way to identify who might have to face liability for your injury recovery costs and your vehicle damage.
If you are a truck driver who has an employer who forces you to break Hours of Service regulations, it’s a good idea to talk to a California Employment Lawyer. A lawyer can help you collect evidence and protect you if an employer tries to retaliate against you.
