Regulations That Could Impact the Trucking Industry in 2021

A lot has happened in the world in the last two years. With the pandemic forcing many businesses to shut down and with states closing down their borders, the trucking industry is impacted heavily—to minimize the risks, getting commercial truck insurance California is the key.

After a year of adjusting and a change in the US administration, here are some regulations that could impact the trucking industry in 2021.

•  COVID-19 Sick Leave

There are sick leave laws in all states of the nation. These apply to all trucking companies to help protect drivers and other staff from losing pay when they are sick.

As trucking companies continue operations amid the pandemic, workers are at risk of catching COVID-19. Though there was no law specific to the protection of workers with regards to Coronavirus during the start of the pandemic, now, there are new laws that increase the number of paid sick leaves that employees can take due to COVID-19.

This development may make both truck driving and working in the trucking industry more attractive to job seekers, which may improve the truck driver shortage the industry is currently facing.

• Commercial Driver’s License Qualifications

Though FMCSA issued an emergency declaration in 2020. which stated that all commercial driver’s license examinations and medical tests will remain in place until 2021, the declaration was only extended up until the end of February 2021.

Therefore, from March 2021 onwards, truck drivers, alongside trucking companies, need to stay vigilant in renewing their licenses in order to keep their operations running smoothly.

• Hours of Service

Under normal circumstances, all commercial drivers are subject to Hours of Service (HOS)Regulations issued by the FMCSA that govern the working hours of anyone operating a commercial motor... outlined by FMCSA. But with the emergency order given during the pandemic, the rules are temporarily lifted for drivers transporting livestock and feed, medical supplies and equipment for COVID-19, vaccines and vaccine supplies for COVID-19, personal protective equipment (PPE)Clothing and equipment worn by employees to minimize exposure to hazards that can cause workplace in... and cleaning products, and food and paper products.

For truck drivers transporting goods not listed, they must still abide by the HOS, which includes updates such as taking breaks when fatigued, and not driving for longer than 14 hours at a time without a mandatory 10-hour off duty or sleeper berth.

• Safety

After two years of the pandemic, emergency orders are lifting one by one and people are returning to their lives pre-pandemic. The streets are busier and the risk of road accidents has increased as well. 

With some commercial truck drivers being exempt from HOS due to the urgency of their freight, we have more fatigued drivers on the road whose safety is at risk.

As a trucking company, it is your responsibility to take care of your drivers and the freight entrusted to you by your customers. That’s why it’s important to get a trusted insurance policyA contract between an insurance company and the policyholder, which outlines the terms under which t... from a company with an excellent track record.

Get a Reliable Insurance for Your Trucking Company

Trucking companies are faced with unique challenges and work hazards. With the pandemic to worry about, it’s never been more important for trucking companies to insure their trucks, their workers, and their freight from possible accidents.

If you want to learn more about regulations, check out our article about what the Advanced Clean Trucks regulation means for your fleet.

Get your commercial truck insurance or semi truck insurance in California, contact our team at SoCal Truck Insurance today.