Tennessee Trucking Laws & Regulations

Are you familiar with the trucking laws in Tennessee and how they might impact your case if you get hurt in a truck accident? Knowing state and federal laws and mandates that could apply to the liable parties in a truck accident serves a crucial purpose. There are standards that trucking firms and drivers must meet and duties that they owe to others on the road. Understanding these regulations is also vital in assessing whether any violations could have contributed to the wreck.

At Daniel, Daniel, & Newman, we have a long history of helping residents from Grainger County and Eastern Tennessee with their truck accident cases. For over 80 years, the Daniel name has been a trusted source for legal guidance in our community. Attorney Evan M. Newman seeks to continue the storied legal legacy of his predecessors, Creed Daniel and the late Dirk Daniel. Our Christ-centered law firm has a deep understanding of Tennessee’s truck accident laws, and we can use our knowledge to develop a strong compensation claim on your behalf.

If you’re dealing with the aftermath of a truck accident, let Evan Newman and our long-revered law firm help. We offer free initial consultations and charge no fees unless we win your case. Contact us now to get started.

Tennessee Truck Speed Limits

Tennessee truck drivers are typically subject to the same speed limits that apply to any other driver in the state. Per Tennessee Code § 55-8-152, the speed limit for drivers on interstate highways is 70 miles per hour. On other public roads, the limit is 65 miles per hour.

However, the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) can set lower truck speed limits on state highways based on safety needs. Municipalities also have the power to reduce speed limits on local roads to a maximum of 55 miles per hour, except on controlled-access highways. Special regulations apply near schools, where local authorities can establish speed limits as low as 15 miles per hour during school hours.

Tennessee Truck Weight Limits

Tennessee trucking laws include strict weight limits to ensure road safety and protect infrastructure. Tennessee Code § 55-7-203 sets the maximum gross vehicle weight at 80,000 pounds for public highways. The law also limits individual axle weights to 20,000 pounds for a single axle and 34,000 pounds for tandem axles. Truckers can haul additional weight with a permit, but approval from the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) Structures Division is necessary for units exceeding 165,000 pounds in total weight.

Special provisions apply to certain trucks carrying nondivisible overweight loads. Under specific conditions, these trucks can exceed standard weight limits if drivers secure special permits. Additionally, trucks with emissions-reduction technology are allowed an additional weight of up to 550 pounds to account for the added technology as long as it does not exceed federal weight allowances.

Tennessee truck weight limits accommodate local needs with specific rules for logging, farming, and certain other vehicles. These vehicles can exceed the standard weight limits by 10 percent under certain conditions. Farm equipment used for normal farm purposes can exceed size and weight limits without a permit when operated within 50 miles of its origin during daylight hours. Utility companies and their contractors also do not face fees for special permits when moving utility poles.

Tennessee Height, Width, and Length Rules for Trucks

Trucks must adhere to specific height, width, and length regulations in Tennessee to avoid causing infrastructure damage or posing risks to other road users. Per the TDOT, the maximum width for trucks is 8 feet 6 inches, and the maximum height is 13 feet 6 inches.

Different types of truck configurations have specific length limits under § 55-7-201 of the Tennessee Code. Straight trucks are limited to 45 feet in length. If a straight truck is paired with a trailer, the total combination can measure up to 65 feet. For truck-tractor and semi-trailer combinations, the length is generally restricted to 50 feet from the kingpin to the rear of the trailer. However, if the length from the kingpin to the rear of the trailer is 48 feet or less, then the distance from the kingpin to the rearmost axle or the midpoint between the two rear axles must not exceed 41 feet. For truck-tractor and twin-trailer combinations, neither towed vehicle can exceed 28 feet 6 inches in length.

Tennessee trucking regulations include length exceptions for specific types of loads. Trucks transporting poles, logs, or timber in single-length pieces can be up to 75 feet long. Additionally, special provisions allow for up to 52 feet from the kingpin to the rear of a trailer transporting livestock or automobiles.

Tennessee CDL Requirements

Drivers must obtain commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) to operate larger and more complex vehicles in Tennessee. These licenses are categorized into Class A, B, and C based on the vehicle’s gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), gross combination weight rating (GCWR), and the type of cargo being transported. A CDL is necessary for vehicles with a GVWR of over 26,001 pounds, those carrying hazardous materials, and those designed to transport more than fifteen passengers, including the driver.

CDL applicants must be at least 18 years old and are restricted to driving within Tennessee if under 21. They must provide proof of US citizenship or lawful permanent resident status. All applicants must pass vision, knowledge, and skills tests, study the Commercial Driver License Manual, and complete entry-level driver training (ELDT) with a registered provider.

Drivers must typically pass additional tests to obtain endorsements, which allow them to operate specific types of vehicles or carry certain types of cargo. Endorsements include hazardous materials (H), cargo tanker (N), passenger (P), school bus (S), multiple-trailer (T), and hazmat & tanker (X) designations.

Tennessee Load Securement Rules for Trucks

Tennessee truck drivers must follow federal cargo securement rules. The basic principle of these rules is that all cargo must remain secure on or within the transporting vehicle under all conditions of normal transportation, including quick stops, accelerations, and turns. Securement systems, which include components like ties, straps, and anchors, must be able to withstand a minimum amount of force in forward, rearward, and lateral directions.

Drivers are responsible for checking that their cargo is properly secured according to these standards at the start of each trip and at appropriate intervals during their routes. This includes making sure that the securement equipment is in good condition and that it has not loosened or deteriorated during travel.

Specific types of cargo, such as logs, metal coils, boulders, or heavy equipment, require additional securement methods tailored to their unique characteristics. The purpose of these specialized systems is to provide adequate restraint for different types of loads to prevent shifting or loss during transit.

Requirements for Truck Owners and Fleet Managers

In Tennessee, truck owners and fleet managers must adhere to specific requirements to comply with state and federal regulations. The following are some of the key requirements with which they must comply:

• Vehicle Registration and International Registration Plan (IRP) – Trucks must be registered under the IRP if they operate across state lines. The IRP allows for apportioned payments based on the miles traveled in each state, which simplifies the registration process for interstate fleets.
• International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) – Truck owners must also comply with IFTA, which involves reporting fuel usage for vehicles operating in multiple jurisdictions. IFTA simplifies the reporting of fuel taxes by allowing truck owners to file a single quarterly fuel tax report.
• Compliance with Federal Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax – Owners need to file Form 2290 annually for trucks with a taxable gross weight of 55,000 pounds or more.
• Record Keeping – Fleets must keep records related to distance traveled, fuel purchases, and vehicle registration available for audit.

Trucking Insurance Coverage Requirements

Truck owners and operators must meet federal insurance coverage requirements to operate legally across the United States, including in Tennessee. For freight transportation, insurance requirements vary based on the type of cargo. Trucks carrying non-hazardous freight and weighing less than 10,001 pounds must carry a minimum of $300,000 in insurance coverage. For other freight types, the required insurance coverage ranges from $750,000 to $5,000,000.

The insurance requirements also vary for passenger transportation. Vehicles designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver, must have at least $5,000,000 in insurance coverage. Vehicles that seat 15 or fewer passengers need $1,500,000 in coverage.

Federal Trucking Regulations

Federal trucking regulations are critical guidelines designed to standardize the practices of truck drivers and trucking companies in the US. The following are some key examples of these regulations:

• Hours of Service (HOS) Regulations – HOS rules specify the maximum amount of time drivers can operate their vehicles in one stretch to avoid fatigue-related accidents. Truck drivers must take breaks and rest periods after certain periods of driving so they remain alert while on the road.
• Electronic Logging Devices (ELD) Mandate – Truck drivers must use ELDs in place of paper logbooks to record their driving hours. The devices automatically record driving time and monitor engine hours, vehicle movement, and miles driven to ensure HOS compliance.
• Drug and Alcohol Testing Requirements – Truck drivers must undergo drug and alcohol testing for pre-employment, randomly during employment, after accidents, and any time there is reasonable suspicion of substance abuse.
• Vehicle Maintenance Standards – Federal regulations require regular inspections, maintenance, and repair of commercial trucks to keep them in safe operating condition. These standards aim to prevent mechanical failures that could lead to accidents on the roads.

Contact a Tennessee Trucking Accident Lawyer Today

If you were injured in a Tennessee truck accident due to a known or suspected violation of any of these rules, you could be entitled to compensation. At Daniel, Daniel, & Newman, we are here to guide you through the legal process with clarity and dedication. Contact us today for a free initial consultation with Evan to discover how we can assist you with your truck accident claim.