Trucking Laws & Regulations in Mississippi
Drivers, carriers, and other companies operating in the trucking industry must follow a wide array of regulations that are set at both the state and federal levels. Someone who violates any of these national or Mississippi trucking regulations could be liable in the event that their violation leads to a crash.
However, these regulations are complex, and it takes an in-depth understanding of the law to identify where a violation may have occurred. That is a major reason to contact an experienced truck accident lawyer with Williams Newman Williams after a collision.
With nearly 50 years of combined experience, our lawyers are dedicated to assisting Mississippi residents in securing the compensation they need after being injured in devastating 18-wheeler crashes. We know the challenges you face and are prepared to pursue the full recovery you deserve for your hardships. With millions of dollars won for victims of commercial truck collision injuries, the courts and the deep-pocketed insurance companies know we mean business.
Contact us today for your free, no-obligation consultation to learn more about your legal options.
Mississippi Truck Speed Limits
There is no specific Mississippi truck speed limit apart from the speed limit that applies to all motor vehicles in the state. Under Mississippi Code § 63-1-501, the maximum speed limit on state highways is 65 miles per hour. However, interstates may have a speed limit of 70 miles per hour.
Mississippi has minimum speed limits, too. Mississippi Code § 63-1-509 states that, absent hazards, no one should drive at less than 30 miles per hour on an interstate highway. Interstates with a 70 mph speed limit may have a minimum speed limit of 40 mph, but it must be posted.
Mississippi Truck Weight Limits
Mississippi truck weight limits cannot exceed 80,000 pounds, per Mississippi Code § 63-5-33. This section also includes tables that explain maximum weight limits based on the number of axles and the distance between them.
As a general rule, the gross weight placed on a single or tandem axle cannot exceed 550 pounds per inch of tire width. The gross weight imposed on the road per single axle cannot exceed 20,000 pounds, while the gross weight imposed on the road per tandem axle cannot exceed 34,000 pounds.
Mississippi sets further limits on truck weight based on the type of roadway. “Black line highways” (that is, most state highways) have a graduated scale based on the distance between the truck’s extreme front and back axles. Trucks on these roads are limited to a maximum weight of 57,650 pounds. Trucks can be up to 80,000 pounds on specially designated “red line highways.”
Mississippi Height, Width, and Length Rules for Trucks
Mississippi has laws governing the height, width, and length of a truck that can still operate on the state’s roadways. These laws include the following:
- Mississippi Code § 63-5-17, which sets the maximum height of a vehicle (including its load) at 13 feet, six inches.
- Mississippi Code § 63-5-13, which sets the maximum width of a vehicle at eight feet, six inches.
- Mississippi Code § 63-5-19, which sets the maximum length of a trailer unit at 54 feet for a single trailer and 30 feet each for trailers in a double-unit configuration
Trucks cannot be longer than 99 feet overall.
Mississippi CDL Requirements
Mississippi requires anyone operating a commercial motor vehicle to have a commercial driver’s license, or CDL. These requirements are spelled out in Mississippi Code § 63-1-211.
Age Requirements
A driver must be at least 18 years old to obtain a CDL in Mississippi. However, drivers working in interstate transport must meet the federal minimum age limit of 21 years old.
License Requirements
A driver must have the correct CDL for the job they are performing, which are as follows:
- Class A CDLs apply to combination vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 or more pounds and towing vehicles weighing more than 10,000 pounds.
- Class B CDLs apply to single vehicles weighing 26,001 pounds or more and towing a vehicle with a GVWR of no more than 10,000 pounds.
- Class C CDLs apply to vehicles that do not meet the Class A or Class B descriptions but are designed to carry at least 16 occupants or have hazardous materials.
- Class D CDLs are for vehicles that do not meet the descriptions of the other licenses but are authorized under Mississippi Code § 63-1-43.
Endorsement Requirements
In addition to general CDL requirements, drivers must have endorsements to haul certain types of cargo as follows:
- T endorsements allow drivers to operate double- and triple-trailers.
- P endorsements allow drivers to transport passengers.
- N endorsements allow drivers to drive tankers.
- H endorsements allow drivers to transport hazardous materials.
- X endorsements allow drivers to transport hazardous materials in a tanker.
Hazmat Transportation Requirements
Mississippi generally follows federal requirements for the transportation of hazardous materials. These rules cover classification, shipping papers, marking, labeling, placarding, packaging, loading/unloading, emergency response information, training, and highway carriage of inherently dangerous cargo.
At the state level, Mississippi requires trucking companies transporting hazardous materials in the state to submit an application packet to its Department of Transportation. Any driver operating a vehicle containing hazardous materials must have the appropriate CDL and endorsement.
Mississippi Load Securement Rules for Trucks
Mississippi has adopted the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s rules regarding cargo securement. You can find these rules in Title 49, Subtitle B, Chapter III, Part 393, Subpart 1 of the Code of Federal Regulations. These rules specify that a commercial vehicle’s cargo must be loaded and secured so it cannot leak, spill, blow off, fall off, or shift in a way that compromises vehicle stability or handling. The securement system has to withstand up to 0.8 G-force units of forward deceleration, 0.5 G-force units of rearward acceleration, and 0.5 G-force units of lateral acceleration.
Cargo can be secured by tiedowns, blocking, bracing, dunnage, friction mats, shoring bars, vehicle walls, stakes, or other structures. Damaged or weakened devices cannot be used if the damage reduces their effectiveness.
Requirements for Truck Owners and Fleet Managers
All truck owners and fleet managers operating in Mississippi must submit an application packet to the state’s Department of Transportation. They may also need FMCSA registration if they work across state lines. Owners and operators must ensure their fleet is insured according to the type of cargo they carry, and that their drivers have the requisite licenses and endorsements. They must inspect vehicles annually, per Title 49, Subtitle B, Chapter III, Part 393, Subpart 3(a) of the Code of Federal Regulations.
Trucking Insurance Coverage Requirements
Mississippi follows the federal requirements for commercial motor vehicle insurance coverage:
- Non-Hazardous Property – $750,000
- Oil and Similarly Hazardous Property – $1,000,000
- Hazardous Materials in Bulk – $5,000,000
Federal Trucking Regulations
In addition to following Mississippi trucking laws, any trucking company or truck driver operating across state lines must also follow federal rules set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, or FMCSA. You can find these rules in Title 49, Subtitle B, Chapter III, Subchapter B, Part 300-399 of the Code of Federal Regulations. These regulations cover virtually the full extent of the trucking industry, including the following:
- Hours of Service Rules – Truck drivers can be on duty for only 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty. They cannot drive more than 14 hours after coming on duty and must take a 30-minute break after eight cumulative hours since their last 30-minute break. Drivers cannot drive more than 60 hours over the course of seven consecutive days or 70 hours over the course of eight consecutive days.
- Pre-Trip Inspection Rules – Drivers must inspect their vehicle at the beginning of their on-duty shift and before operating it. They must confirm that the vehicle is safe to operate and that the cargo is stored in accordance with securement regulations.
- Alcohol and Drug Testing Rules – Trucking carriers must test drivers for drug use prior to employment. They must also test for drugs or alcohol after crashes involving a human death, as well as after a serious injury requiring immediate treatment or damage to a vehicle such that it must be towed from the scene, provided police issued the driver a citation.
Common Causes of Trucking Crashes
Truck regulations exist for a reason: to reduce the number and severity of commercial vehicle crashes. Some of the most common violations that could lead to collisions include those involving the following:
- Hours-of-Service (HOS) violations leading to driver fatigue
- Falsifying driver logs or electronic logging device (ELD) records
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Using a driver without the required CDL or endorsements
- Allowing a driver to operate with a suspended, revoked, or expired license
- Failing to conduct required pre- or post-trip inspections
- Operating a vehicle with defective equipment
- Failing to use proper securement methods to store cargo
- Improperly transporting hazardous materials
What a Mississippi Lawyer Can Do for Your Trucking Accident Case
An experienced Mississippi truck accident lawyer from WNW is a key ally in your fight for fair compensation. Their knowledge of the trucking industry helps them recover critical evidence and identify possible rule violations. While you rest and recover, our attorneys can do the following:
- Communicate with the trucking company on your behalf
- Investigate the crash to determine all potentially at-fault parties
- Compel the trucking company to hand over evidence in its possession
- Work with experts to better understand the dynamics of the crash and its consequences
- Calculate the full value of your claim
- Negotiate aggressively for a fair settlement
- Take your case to trial if the trucking company will not make you a reasonable offer
Time is of the essence after a truck wreck, so reach out to our legal team as soon as you can.
Contact a Trucking Accident Lawyer in Mississippi Today
Have you been hurt in a commercial truck wreck in Mississippi? At Williams Newman Williams, we can investigate what happened, determine if someone violated a safety regulation, and hold them accountable if they did. Contact WNW today for your free, fully confidential consultation with a Mississippi trucking crash attorney. We can assess your case and explain your legal options with no risk or obligation.
When you need a win, turn to WNW.
