Trucking companies are entirely responsible for the drivers they put on the road. That heavy responsibility starts during the very first steps of the hiring process. There are incredibly strict requirements for who can legally operate a commercial truck under 49 C.F.R. Section 391.11. Drivers must be qualified, properly licensed, and medically able to operate a vehicle safely.

Federal Hiring and Qualification Standards

Companies must thoroughly review the driver’s prior employment, safety history, and driving records according to 49 C.F.R. Section 391.23. Once a truck driver is hired, the company’s obligations do not end. The company must maintain a driver qualification file with this specific information. They must also review driving records each year to ensure the driver remains legally qualified.

The Danger of Missing Special Endorsements

Some commercial vehicles require special endorsements. These are extra qualifications a driver must possess to operate certain types of hazardous trucks, including tank vehicles, hazardous materials, and multi trailer combinations. Drivers must pass additional rigorous tests before operating these vehicles under 49 C.F.R. Section 383.93. Hazardous material transport requires even stricter approval, and drivers must be cleared by state agencies before receiving this critical endorsement.

Negligent Supervision

After hiring, trucking companies must properly supervise their drivers. Federal law requires companies to implement drug and alcohol testing programs to protect public safety. 

Supervisors must be trained to recognize signs of drug and alcohol use so companies can identify unsafe drivers before a crash occurs. Common examples of negligent supervision include ignoring past accidents, failing to train drivers properly, and aggressively encouraging drivers to meet unrealistic deadlines.