Four days ago, a new regulation went into effect for the State of Massachusetts which can affect anyone who gets behind the wheel of a commercial vehicle that weighs 10,001 lbs. or more used in Intrastate commerce. The changes could affect customers written on a Massachusetts Auto Policy class 30 such as plumbers, carpenters, electrician, etc.
The New Requirements
The updated regulation affects the type and placement of vehicle markings and will also require any vehicle used in intrastate commerce to have a US DOT number. The affected vehicles include any of the following:
- Engaged in intrastate commerce having a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of 10,001 or more pounds
- Designed to transport more than 15 passengers including the driver and used in intrastate commerce in MA
- Used in the transportation of hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placarding
What Happens Due to a Violation
The Massachusetts State Police Truck team has been stopping people to let them know that by September 1, 2018, the USDOT numbers need to be filed with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and visible on their vehicles.
Since the date has now passed, the penalty for a violation of 540 CMR 2.22 is set forth in M.G.L c. 90, & 20.
Updated Regulation Language
“2.22: Markings on Commercial Vehicles
(1) Marking.
(a) Effective until August 31, 2018. The owner of every motor truck used for the transportation of goods, wares or merchandise for hire, gain or reward, shall have the owner’s name marked on the truck, to be plainly visible from each side or from the front and rear of the vehicle, provided that motor trucks operated under a lease of more than 30 days shall display either the name of the owner or the lessee, and may display both. For the purpose of 540 CMR 2.22(1), motor truck shall mean any motor vehicle specially designed or equipped to transport personal property over the ways of the Commonwealth and which has a maximum load carrying capacity of over 2,000 lbs., and which is not a Private Passenger Motor Vehicle under 540 CMR 2.05. To the extent there is any conflict between 540 CMR 2.22 and any federal regulation pertaining to markings on commercial motor vehicles, the federal regulation shall control…”
To view the comprehensive updated regulation language of the Markings on Commercial Vehicles, view the Massachusetts Association of Insurance Agents (MAIA) article RMV: Changes to the MA State Markings Regulation 540 CMR 2:22.
Here are three Carriers that can help you navigate the compliance of these changes
- Fleet-Safety Services: http://www.fleet-safety.com/
- Transportation Advisors: http://transportationadvisor.com/
- JJ Keller: http://www.jjkeller.com/home
If you have questions regarding the federal website, you may call the FMCSA at 800-832-5660. If you’re unsure if this new regulation impacts your business or vehicles, please contact TJ Woods. Save yourself the stress of getting a ticket and we’ll walk you through the details of these new regulations.
