Neighboring North Carolina also does not have a law requiring mud flaps, but Georgia does. My trailer is missing a mud flap. Reflective tape is a requirement of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 108, which is referred to in the regulations in 393. Within this in-depth guide, you will learn a great deal more about these laws. Make sure caps are tight for the rad, oil filler, power steering fluid and the dip-stick is seated properly. It will be up to a police officer to determine whether or not your flaps are effective. It also is required at least half of the length of the trailer has reflective tape from the front to the back of the trailer. Since the exact specifications are not laid-out for us, one can only assume if you install a proper pair of mud flaps with a reasonable intention of complying with the law, you should be fine. Check the paperwork. In return, you should know that your vehicle will need mud flaps. FMCSA Safety Regulations and Hazardous Materials book – These will be given to you by your company. If you are about to buy a vehicle, check if there are mudflaps.
Replace them all later. Please check official sources. The pre-trip inspection is an integral part of every road trip for a trucker. Mudflaps are essential equipment for your vehicle. To be safe, if you are not sure what the required clearance is for the state you are in, use the standard requirement which is the mud flap shouldn't be more than 6 inches or 8 inches from the ground. Obviously, you're going to need to install mud flaps on your vehicle. Your process will look different from mine, but as long as you are consistent, you will be less likely to miss anything. Now the driver is also at risk for getting ticketed, because each state has its own legal requirement for all trailers to have mud flaps on the rear axles. Do you need mud flaps or mud guards in California? So many contacts per month!! IFTA stickers – These are the fuel tax compliance stickers. The mud flaps must be installed behind the rearmost wheels, with an eight-inch gap between the bottom of the flap and highway. The repair could be as simple as the driver punching some holes in the bottom of the flap, if he knows about it, and putting it back on with some zip ties. Because laws are set by each individual state, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) doesn't mention them in its list of safety regulations.
I got pulled over just before Odem. They will be securely mounted, as wide as the tire that being protected, not split or torn to the extent that they are ineffective, and the bottom edge of the safety guard or flap shall be no more than 12" from the surface of the roadway. This inspection is meant to be a thorough check of the truck, trailer and load. Not a bad guy, but I nearly accused him of inventing that one. This means that Eco Flaps can be custom-fitted to trucks to be exactly the legal maximum height of 8 inches off the ground, and they're less likely to hit a curb and break than longer mud flaps. Mudflaps are meant to catch dirt and mud that are kicked off the road from landing all over your vehicle. The mud flap is attached to a flat surface behind the tire with fasteners. But when I'm moving, the air moves them back and raises the edges to almost a foot off the road. The one mention was in 2004. Check for wear, cracking or fraying. Support stories like this by supporting local journalism. On top of that, they need to be secured correctly. Elog device – Most trucks are required to have a working elog device. The mud flap should be attached directly to the rear of the rearmost wheels while making sure it is hanging perpendicularly at the right angle of the body of the truck.
Wall – Make sure the wall is not damaged. Is it Illegal to Drive without Mud Flaps? 11), every day, a driver must submit a Daily Vehicle Inspection Report (DVIR) for each power unit he operates.
Then I finish my paperwork and go home. Mudflaps are meant to stop debris that is on the road from hitting your vehicle, pedestrians, and the vehicles behind you in the traffic. Do you have a question you want answered? Heat and A/C – Check to see if heat and/or air conditioning is working. Next, I hook up to my trailer. We are always looking for safety products that help to reduce our road calls. However, many states do have mud flaps regulations. Tires – Tires should be properly inflated and have decent tread. However, some school districts may utilize mud flaps on their school buses. The Problem with Mud Flaps.
A missing mudflap is not a DOT violation because mudflap requirements are regulated by the state, therefore, the requirements differ from state to state. As a registered member, you'll be able to: - Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics. Mudflaps are constructed of flexible materials, such as thick plastic and rubber. If you do not, you're going to regret it in the future. Access all special features of the site. If you reside in Dallas and you're driving a certain vehicle, you will be required to use mud flaps. If they get ripped or torn, you need to fix them immediately. South Carolina isn't alone in this. It should be the first thing checked when you get to your truck. Alternator, water pump, power steering pump –Make sure these are in good working order, and the belts are not worn or have too much slack.
If the rearmost axle only has two tires, you may not need mud flaps. That way you're less likely to miss something. Safety guards or flaps that: (1) are of a type prescribed by the department; and. Fifth wheel – The fifth wheel should be properly greased and not broken. The Class A Pre-Trip Inspection Process. While state law doesn't require comprehensive coverage, many lenders do and having it could prove helpful. In most cases, you will not receive a ticket for not having mud flaps. Alone or a pole trailer. State of California Department of Motor Vehicles:Section 11: Vehicle Inspection Test. These trailers vary in length between 29 and 45 inches. Florida's Department of Transportation is seeking the public's assistance in developing educational materials to help individuals plan for successful retirement from driving. A missing mudflap does not violate DOT. 2013 Mississippi Code. Mudflaps are affordable so you can buy them if your vehicle doesn't have them.
There is an exception to this rule — vehicles that are used exclusively for producing, processing, or transporting agricultural products, including horticultural products or forestry products, are not required by law to have splash and spray suppressant devices.
The trailer I'm picking up is missing a mudflap. If it meets these requirements, your vehicle will be classified as a light truck. This should keep you out of trouble irrespective of where you are driving. They're legal when standing still, about 6 inches off the road. This department plans and coordinates federal transportation projects. Following a short product testing video and an introduction to the components in the system I knew that I had to give it a try.
Inspect to make sure they aren't leaking or ripped. No I wasn't just making contact. The most common permits are Heavy Motor Vehicle Trip Permit (Oregon) and the Weight Distance Tax Permit (New Mexico). Not every trucking company (ahem) enforces this policy, so some truck drivers can go months or years without submitting a DVIR.