No business operates in isolation. As with all other industries, the trucking business is affected by consumer demand and laws. The past two years have led to several changes in trucking laws at state and federal levels. Some of these changes are not yet finalized, but these are the main ones to keep in mind.
Greenhouse Gas Standards
Joint standards from the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have led to the creation of greenhouse gas standards. The aim of these standards is to compel the transportation industry to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. Newly created tractors will need to comply with these standards, so costs could climb for newer model years. Still, the EPA believes the savings in fuel expenses will cover that higher cost.
Assembly Bill 5
California has been fighting an ongoing battle on behalf of gig workers in California. It created AB5, which drastically changed the way companies could legally classify workers. Economists speculate the law originally targetted big corporations, such as Uber and Lyft. However, both companies were able to push for legislation that made them exempt. Industry experts are still watching to see how this will affect truckers.
Hours of Service
The federal government has been trying to legislate how long drivers can remain behind the wheel for a decade or more. Hours of service regulations were aimed at keeping drowsy truckers off the road, because they contributed to some of the most devastating accidents in the trucking industry. The most recent changes took effect in 2020 and provide greater flexibility in when and how often drivers need to take breaks.
COVID-19 Sick Leave
Several states are now pushing legislation to protect workers who must remain home when sick from the coronavirus. These protections prevent workers from losing their jobs or losing paychecks. Here are the states and territories that have already passed laws like this:
- Washington D.C.
- Puerto Rico
- California
- New York
- Colorado
One thing that remains constant is the need for truck insurance to operate legally on the roads. At Rev Insurance, we help truckers across America save hundreds of dollars on commercial trucking insurance every year. Get your free quote today.
