Much like automobile drivers must abide by certain regulations, the same applies to truck drivers. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration or FMCSA is a federal government entity tasked with regulating who carries goods throughout the nation in trucks and how those trucks are maintained. Drivers who operate large trucks must obtain special commercial drivers’ licenses and having a CDL may mean that a person is subject to drug and alcohol testing by FMCSA. This post will further explore what individuals and entities may have to comply with these important safety procedures.
Drivers who operate trucks in California and who drive their trucks out of California may be required to submit to periodic drug and alcohol testing. It does not matter if the driver works for a private company, a government entity or a religious organization, as all such drivers must follow FMCSA rules. Holding a CDL is enough to trigger drug and alcohol testing even if a person does not use their license to transport goods.
Additionally, individuals and entities that pay drivers to move their goods for them may be subject to FMCSA drug and alcohol testing. Testing must happen regularly and is intended to ensure that drivers are not operating while under the influence of intoxicants. Impaired driving can lead to accidents, injuries and losses of life.
Individuals who are involved in truck accidents with potentially impaired commercial drivers may wish to seek evidence of drug and alcohol testing results from FMCSA. This evidence may help them build their cases against the drivers, companies and other parties that put dangerous people behind the wheels of large trucks. Specific legal help on this topic should be sought from personal injury attorneys.