Safety Requirements

Alcohol / Drugs

Drivers operating vehicles which require a commercial driver's license (class A, class B, or a class C with a hazardous materials endorsement) are required to be tested for alcohol and controlled substances according to the federal regulations. The employer of the driver is responsible for conducting a "controlled substances and alcohol testing" (CSAT) program that includes pre-employment testing, post-accident testing, random testing, and reasonable suspicion testing.

Applicable Laws:

California: CVC, Section 34520 requires both intrastate and interstate motor carriers to comply with the federal regulations.

Federal: The Code of Federal Regulations, Title 49:

• Part 40 - "Procedures for Transportation Workplace Drug & Alcohol Testing Programs"
• Part 382 - "Controlled Substances and Alcohol Use and Testing"
• Part 392.5 - "Driving of Commercial Motor Vehicles - Alcohol Prohibition"

For more information about alcohol and drug testing, you may contact the Commercial Vehicle Section of the California Highway Patrol (CHP) at (916) 843-3400.

Load Securement

Federal: California complies with the load securement requirements in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 49, Parts 393.100 to 393.136.

State: Several of the California Code of Regulations regarding load securement are still current.

• Title 13, Division 2, Chapter 7:
  • Article 1. Protection Against Shifting Cargo
  • Article 2. Liquids In Collapsible Containers

For questions regarding load securement, you may also contact the California Highway Patrol (CHP) at (916) 843-3400.

Log Book

Most drivers of commercial vehicles are required to maintain a log book to record their hours of service.

Interstate: Maximum driver hours for property-carrying drivers involved with interstate commerce (that crosses state lines) have changed as of August 2005, to take effect October 1, 2005. For details, go to: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration - Hours of Service Regulations or go to: Code of Federal Regulations.

Intrastate: Maximum driver hours for intrastate commerce (within California) have not changed. For intrastate requirements, see CVC Section 34501.2, and/or the California Code of Regulations (select Title 13, Division 2, Chapter 6.5, Article 3, Section 1212 "Driver Hours of Service").

For more information about driver hours of service, contact the Commercial Vehicle Section of the California Highway Patrol (CHP) at (916) 843-3400.

Safety Equipment

Commercial vehicles operating in California are required to be equipped with:

• a fully charged fire extinguisher securely mounted in a conspicuous place or in a marked compartment (further requirements may apply based upon type of cargo).
• three properly maintained red emergency reflectors.

All vehicle (mechanical) equipment, such as lights, windshields, reflectors, etc., must comply with the United States Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration standards.

For more information about safety equipment, contact the Commercial Vehicle Section of the California Highway Patrol (CHP) at (916) 843-3400.