California Truck Driver Training Standards – 5 Tips for Trucker Safety
A California truck driver must run through a different set of rules and regulations for driving a truck.
For starters, a California truck driver must obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL) in order to operate a truck.
According to the California Department of Motor Vehicles, a California truck driver must own a CDL to operate:
- Any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR less than 26,000 pounds which is designed, used, or maintained to transport more than 10 passengers (including the driver).
- A combination vehicle with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle that tows another vehicle with a GVWR of 10,001 pounds or more.
- Any vehicle that tows more than 1 vehicle or a trailer bus.
- Any size vehicle which requires hazardous material placards or carries material listed as a select agent or toxin in Code of Federal Regulations.
- Transports hazardous wastes
Your CDL will fall under a class type, A, B, or C. Each letter determines the size and type of vehicle you can drive.
- Commercial Class A allows a California truck driver to operate any legal combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more, provided the gross combination weight rating of the vehicle(s) being towed is more than 10,001 pounds.
- Commercial Class B allows a California truck driver to operate a vehicle with a gross combination weight rating of more than 26,000 pounds, or any vehicle towing a vehicle weighing no more than 10,000 pounds gross combination weight rating, or a 3-axle vehicle weighing over 6,000 pounds.
- Commercial Class C allows a California truck driver to drive with one or more of the following endorsements: Hazardous materials, passenger vehicle, or tank vehicle.
The California Department of Motor Vehicles states that to get a CDL, a California truck driver:
- Must be 18 years old.
- Can apply for a commercial learner’s permit (CLP), but must also hold a California driver’s license to do so.
- Must be at least 21 years old to drive a commercial motor vehicle that partakes in interstate commerce or to transport hazardous materials/waste.
A California truck driver can find more info about obtaining a CLP at the California DMV website.
Additionally, a California truck driver must past a number of tests and inspections, including:
- Vehicle inspection tests which are used to check if a California truck driver can “identify which features and equipment on the test vehicle should be inspected before operating the vehicle”.
- A basic control skills test which may test drivers on straight line backing or parallel parking.
- Road tests that may evaluate left/right changes or going over railroad crossings.
Safety is extremely important for any California truck driver. There are a number of ways drivers can maintain safety, such as:
- Frequent vehicle inspections
- Controlling their speed
- Staying focused on the road ahead
- Controlling the space around them, such as in front of and behind the truck.
- Avoid driving distracted
- Knowing about any anti lock braking system
- Being cognizant of weather conditions
Truck accidents can be extremely devastating, especially for other vehicles. Common injuries that stem from truck accidents include:
- Wrongful Death
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Broken bones/fractures
- Whiplash
- Disfigurement
- Cuts and lacerations
- Scarring
- Nerve injuries and damage
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
At C&B Law Group, our team of truck accident attorneys are prepared to help you following any personal injuries due to a crash.
Our seasoned team of Los Angeles personal injury lawyers can help with recovering damages such as:
- Lost wages
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
A California truck driver has a duty of care to protect others on the road. Failure to do so can result in negative ramifications for all parties involved.
If you or a loved one were injured in a truck accident, contact C&B Law Group today to learn more about a free consultation.
