Do You Need a CDL to Drive a Box Truck?

One of the most important questions when driving a box truck is whether you need a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). This decision hinges on several factors, such as the truck’s weight, intended use, and cargo. Box trucks are commonly used for business and personal purposes, but knowing the exact requirements for each type of use can be complicated.

Understanding these rules is important, as they affect everything from legal compliance to insurance coverage and liability in the event of an accident. Whether you’re using a box truck for local deliveries or long-distance hauls, different classifications apply, and failing to adhere to these requirements may result in serious consequences.

Key differences in box truck operations include licensing requirements, vehicle classifications, and the consequences of driving without the proper CDL. Operating a box truck without the correct credentials can result in serious penalties and liabilities.

Commercial Driver’s License Requirements for Box Trucks

Driving a box truck requires a specific set of skills and qualifications, […]

What Are Mansfield Bars on a Truck?

You’ve likely noticed steel bars marked with bright reflective tape hanging beneath semi-truck trailers when driving on American highways. These critical safety devices, known as Mansfield bars, have saved thousands of lives by preventing one of the most catastrophic types of accidents on our roads: underride collisions, in which passenger vehicles slide underneath commercial trucks during rear-end crashes.

While Mansfield bars provide essential protection, they aren’t foolproof. Their effectiveness depends on proper installation and maintenance. Over time, damage, rust, or poor upkeep can compromise their ability to protect motorists. Drivers play an important role in highway safety by reporting trucks with missing or damaged Mansfield bars, as these safety violations not only put lives at risk but can also be factors in accident liability cases.

The American Story Behind Mansfield Bars

The history of these safety devices is rooted in tragedy. On June 29, […]

How Truck Weigh Station Violations Lead to Serious Trucking Accidents

Most of us have seen signs for truck weigh stations on the highway, but we aren’t really aware of what they are and how they affect us. In theory, weigh stations prevent dangerous overloaded commercial vehicles from sharing the highway with other motor vehicles. While a trained eye might be able to guess a truck is overweight by how the driver is maneuvering it and its breaking distance, you can’t know for sure. That is where weigh stations come in.

What Are Truck Weigh Stations and Why Are They Needed?

Weigh stations are strategic checkpoints where commercial vehicles exceeding 10,000 pounds must stop for weight verification. You’ll typically find them near state borders and major transportation hubs. Inside the station’s scale house, Department of Transportation inspectors monitor trucks as they drive onto specialized scales – either permanent installations built into the ground or portable units placed on the road surface. […]

Understanding Trucking Hazmat Signs

If you have ever driven behind a truck carrying hazardous materials, you have probably wondered what all the colorful stickers mean and what they are for. These stickers are called hazardous material (hazmat) placards. They notify anyone around the hazmat-carrying truck of the dangers of its contents and guide first responders on how to address the materials in case of an emergency safely. If you have been involved in an accident with a truck carrying hazardous cargo, you need experienced truck attorneys. At Munley Law, our trucking accident attorneys investigate your case and get you the care and compensation you deserve.

Decoding Hazmat Placards: A Visual Guide to Truck Safety

All hazmat placards have six main components, which we will discuss in further detail below:

• Hazard class number
• UN/NA number
• Compatibility group letters
• Colors
• Text
• Graphics

The Nine Hazard Classes

The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) has nine established hazard classes of hazardous materials. […]

What Is the No Zone of a Truck?

In the age of Amazon Prime and endless online shopping, more trucks are on our nation’s roads than ever. With more large trucks on the road come more safety concerns, particularly for those in passenger vehicles. In recent years, fatality data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows concerning trends in truck-involved accidents, particularly in large truck “no-zone” areas—blind spots.

If you have been in an accident with a truck because you were in one of their blind spots, you still may be entitled to compensation. Contact Munley Law to speak with one of our attorneys today.

Understanding Truck No Zones: The Invisible Danger Zones

The “no zone” of a truck is the area directly around a semi-truck where there are blind spots, meaning the truck driver has no or limited visibility. If any passenger vehicle is in a truck’s no zones, […]