What You Can Learn from a Trucking Company’s Cab Card

A trucking company’s cab card contains a wealth of information. When you are involved in a collision with a commercial vehicle, this small document tucked behind the driver’s sun visor could become one of the most valuable pieces of evidence in your case. Understanding what information a trucking company’s cab card contains—and how that information can reveal critical details about the trucking company’s operations—can help strengthen your claim with a St. George truck accident attorney for compensation. 

What Is a Semi-Truck Cab Card?

A cab card is a mandatory document that commercial drivers must carry whenever operating their vehicles. Think of it as an enhanced registration document designed for commercial trucks that cross state lines. The cab card proves the truck has met all registration requirements for interstate commerce and contains information about the vehicle’s legal operating status.

When trucking companies fail to maintain proper cab cards, the consequences are severe. Drivers face substantial fines, vehicle impoundment, and operational shutdowns. These penalties exist because cab cards help ensure commercial vehicles meet safety standards across all jurisdictions where they operate. When a trucking company cuts corners on this basic requirement, it often signals broader compliance issues that could have contributed to your accident.

What Information Is on a Cab Card?

Every cab card displays important details about a truck’s legal status. You will likely find the following pieces of information:

• The truck’s make, model, year, and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), plus the registered owner’s name and address
• A list of states and provinces where the truck can operate under the International Registration Plan, which allows commercial vehicles to travel across borders with a single registration
• The maximum weight allowances for each jurisdiction where the truck is allowed to operate
• The card’s expiration date and renewal details

Why Is a Cab Card Important for a Truck Accident Investigation?

After a truck accident, every detail matters.  The cab card provides investigators with a wealth of information that can reveal potential regulatory violations. Your attorney can use this document to uncover multiple layers of liability that might otherwise remain hidden.

If the cab card shows the truck wasn’t authorized to operate in your state, the trucking company violated federal law just by being on the road. Weight limit violations can be revealed by comparing the card’s restrictions to the truck’s actual load—overweight trucks are harder to control and more likely to cause accidents. An expired cab card can be an indicator of systemic safety failures within the company.

The ownership information also helps identify all potentially liable parties, including parent companies, lessors, and contractors who might share responsibility. This becomes especially important when dealing with complex corporate structures.

Discuss Your Legal Options with We Win Injury Law Today

A trucking company’s cab card may reveal information that can support your case, helping expose safety violations, maintenance failures, regulatory breaches, and more. We Win Injury Law will leverage this critical evidence to build an unshakeable case on your behalf. From requesting internal records to interviewing experts, we won’t rest until you recover the compensation you deserve. Contact us at 435-688-9558 for a free consultation and start building your case today.