Utah Trucking Laws and Regulations

Utah’s trucking industry is vital to the economy, but safety regulations are necessary to balance commerce with public welfare. These 80,000-pound giants share the road with families heading to work, tourists exploring national parks, and students commuting to university campuses. The sheer physics of mass and momentum mean that when truck drivers or trucking companies fail to follow safety rules, the consequences can be devastating.

To protect everyone on the road, Utah enforces comprehensive regulations governing everything from driver qualifications to vehicle maintenance standards. When you are involved in a truck accident, understanding these rules can be crucial when establishing who was at fault. In the event you are involved in an accident, contact our truck accident lawyers in St. George today.

Weight and Size Requirements for Utah Trucks

Commercial trucks in Utah must comply with strict weight and size limitations to prevent excessive wear on roadways and reduce the risk of accidents. These requirements are as follows: 

• The state enforces a maximum weight of 10,500 pounds on any individual wheel and 20,000 pounds on a single axle. Tandem axles cannot exceed 34,000 pounds. The gross vehicle weight limit is 80,000 pounds for most commercial trucks.
• Certain vehicles can carry larger loads. Heavy-duty tow and recovery vehicles, along with trucks hauling natural gas, may operate with a maximum gross vehicle weight of 82,000 pounds. Any truck exceeding standard weight limits must secure an overweight permit before operating in Utah.
• Single vehicles cannot exceed 45 feet from bumper to bumper, while semi-trailers have a 53-foot limit. Automobile transports have an extended 80-foot limit, while truck-trailer combinations and other commercial cargo vehicle combinations cannot surpass 65 feet.
• Drawbars linking two vehicles or trailers cannot extend beyond 15 feet when measured between each unit’s box or frame. 
• Cargo cannot extend more than three feet beyond the front of the power unit or six feet past the rear of the vehicle’s bed or body.
• Commercial trucks cannot exceed 14 feet in height or eight feet, six inches in width. Vehicles that fail to meet these specifications must obtain an oversized load permit before traveling in Utah.

Speed Limits for Commercial Trucks in Utah

Trucks require longer stopping distances and generate significant momentum when traveling at high speeds, which is why Utah has established strict speed regulations for these vehicles:

• On interstates and limited-access roads, trucks must follow a speed limit of 75 miles per hour. 
• Urban areas and other state highways have reduced limits of 65 miles per hour to account for increased traffic density and more frequent exits and entrances.
• Select segments of rural interstates permit speeds up to 80 miles per hour where posted.

Truck drivers are responsible for observing all posted limits and adjusting their speed based on weather conditions, construction zones, or other road characteristics. For example, on a snowy day, what might be a safe speed for passenger vehicles becomes recklessly dangerous for an 80,000-pound truck. The truck driver will need to reduce their speed well below the posted limit to account for decreased tire traction and extended stopping distances.

Commercial Drivers’ License Requirements

Operating a commercial truck requires specialized skills and knowledge, which is why all Utah truck drivers must possess a valid commercial driver’s license (CDL). Any vehicle used in commerce to transport passengers or property with a gross vehicle weight rating exceeding 26,001 pounds requires a CDL-licensed operator. This requirement also applies to combination vehicles where the towed unit has a gross weight rating over 10,001 pounds.

Utah CDL applicants must meet several prerequisites:

• You need at least one year of experience with a regular Class D Utah driver’s license.
• You must be 18 years or older. 
• You must obtain a Department of Transportation medical certificate that confirms your physical ability to safely operate commercial vehicles.

To earn a CDL, applicants must pass written knowledge tests specific to their desired license class and endorsements. They must also take a vehicle skills test, which verifies their ability to properly inspect and control commercial vehicles, and a road skills test, which confirms that they can safely operate the truck in real-world conditions. 

Securement Rules for Cargo Loads

Proper cargo securement prevents dangerous spills and shifting loads that cause accidents. Utah has several rules designed to prevent these accidents. For example, loads containing dirt, sand, gravel, rock fragments, pebbles, or scrap metal must be completely covered. However, truck drivers can bypass this requirement if the load’s highest point remains below the cargo compartment walls, and the outer edges stay at least six inches below the top inside edges of those walls.

Federal Regulations Applicable to Utah Truck Drivers

If a Utah truck driver crosses state lines, they also fall under Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) oversight. As a result, they are subject to additional requirements. These federal rules address hazardous material transport protocols, vehicle inspection schedules, and record-keeping obligations for motor carriers. Utah has incorporated many of these federal standards into state law as well.

Hours-of-service rules are some of the most important federal regulations. These regulations limit how long truck drivers can operate their vehicles, preventing fatigue-related collisions that can be extremely dangerous. When drivers push beyond these limits to meet delivery deadlines, their reaction times slow, judgment becomes impaired, and the risk of accidents can skyrocket. 

The FMCSA enforces strict time limits to ensure drivers get adequate rest:

• Drivers cannot exceed 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive hours off duty.
• Driving is prohibited beyond the 14th hour after coming on duty.
• A 30-minute break is mandatory after 8 consecutive hours of driving.
• Truck drivers can operate their vehicles for no more than 60 hours total over 7 days or 70 hours over 8 days.
• The 7 or 8-day period only resets after 34 consecutive hours off duty.

Contact We Win Injury Law for a Free Consultation

Trucking companies must follow strict federal and state regulations designed to keep our roads safe. When they cut corners or ignore these critical rules, devastating accidents occur. If you’ve been hurt by a commercial truck driver who violated safety regulations, you deserve justice.

For years, We Win Injury Law has fought for the rights of injured people throughout Utah. Our auto accident attorneys in St. George will thoroughly investigate your accident, identify any trucking violations, and build a powerful case that demands accountability. Contact us at 435-688-9558 for a free case evaluation and learn how our Utah truck accident lawyers will fight for you.