State Laws For Truck Tarping

When do you have to tarp a load?

Tarping isn’t just a way to protect loads from environmental factors such as rain, wind, or dust, but it’s a crucial part of ensuring cargo safety. In fact, in the truck driving industry, safety always comes first. And at Verduyn Tarps, safety comes first with us.

Take the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration that regulates commercial vehicle operations. According to the FMCSA, the agency is “dedicated to improving the safety of commercial motor vehicles (CMV) and saving lives.” A major aspect of drivers’ safety involves securing their freight load while in transit. Whether you have a load of sand, rock, live poultry or race cars, the load must be fully secure at all times.

By preventing the load from moving or spilling during transit, tarps ensure that both the truck driver and other road users are safe. Unsecured loads can cause accidents on the road, endangering lives, and damaging property. Therefore, tarping is an important consideration for anyone involved in the trucking industry, regardless of specific state regulations.

Read on to learn more about the specific cargo securement rules by states to help ensure your fleet is using load-covering tarps as they are intended.

Truck Load Cover and Tarping

Tarping involves the use of a large sheet called a tarpaulin or tarp as a truck load cover. Tarps are affixed using straps, tiedowns, chains and other securement methods. Truck drivers hauling flatbed loads most frequently use tarping for securement. However, dump truck drivers and other open-top trailers also apply tarping methods for freight loads. To maintain compliance for yourself or your fleet, be aware of the differences in securement rules on the state level.

No State Tarping Laws

To help you figure out when do you have to tarp a load, here is a list of states that do not require load-covering tarps for dump truck tarping:

  • Alabama
  • Arkansas
  • Delaware
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Louisiana
  • Maine
  • New Jersey
  • Oregon
  • Wisconsin
  • Wyoming

State-by-State Rule Exceptions

Even in these states that do not require tarping per se, vehicle operators remain responsible for securing their loads:

  • In Arkansas, there is not a law for dump truck tarping, but you must cover any load containing rock, sand and gravel.
  • In Delaware, drivers must prevent anything from falling off their vehicle while in operation. The maximum fine in Delaware is $100 compared to a $500 maximum in Maine.
  • The rule in Maine is that any load must be secured to prevent it from falling off the vehicle. However, in Maine, the only loads covered include those of natural resources such as firewood, logs, straw and cornstalks.
  • In New Jersey, the regulation states that to enact a rule for safety standards of flatbed truckloads, a public hearing is required first.
  • Any driver who has a leaking or sifting (as in sand or gravel) load in Oregon is hit with a civil liability and Class B traffic infraction on his or her driving record.
  • Another state that has a liberal regulation for cargo securement is Wyoming. Here is where drivers must prevent loads from spilling without any mention of a penalty for doing so.
  • In Connecticut and New Hampshire, agricultural haulers transporting their goods get exceptions for securing their loads as long as they are cautious.

For instance, while Alabama might not have explicit tarping laws, it requires that loads should not extend more than three feet beyond the front or four feet beyond the rear of the vehicle. In Delaware, fines for load loss range up to $100, while in Maine it can reach $500, signaling how seriously each state views these regulations.

Beyond the regulations that apply to all cargo, certain types of freight have their specific rules.

Strictest States to research when do you have to tarp a load

A few states — including Indiana, Illinois, California and Hawaii — have comprehensive rules about what to do if a vehicle driver spills, leaks or otherwise impedes the right of way of traffic with freight. However, if you take a look at the source of their rules, such as with the Indiana State Police Motor Division, you will see that these states are applying the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations as their own.

If you are hauling freight in Washington, notice that you could be charged with a gross misdemeanor if you do not follow commercial cargo securement laws. North Carolina is another state with extensive and interesting securement rules. Here in NASCAR country, there are rules specifically for securing freight transported for the auto racing industry. In Pennsylvania, truck drivers must be prepared to clean up any spillage at any time that comes from their loads. One way to make sure you are protected against noncompliance with your load-covering tarps is to prescribe to the federal-level rules for cargo securement.

Federal Regulations for Cargo Securement

Regardless of whether or not a state has a law stipulating tarps for cargo securement, the federal government does. Furthermore, commercial truck drivers are mandated to follow the regulations of the FMCSA above all others. Those regulations state that a securement system, such as tarps and tiedowns, must be used whenever necessary to protect a load.

Compliance can be challenging due to the variations in rules and exceptions across different states. Here are some suggestions:

  1. Regular Training: Companies should provide regular training for their drivers to ensure they’re aware of and understand the regulations in the states they operate.
  2. Monitoring Regulatory Changes: Rules can change, and new ones can be introduced in-between your driver training. Therefore, it’s important to stay updated on the latest regulations in the country and states where you operate.
  3. Using Quality Equipment: Using high-quality tarps and securement systems is essential. They should be regularly checked and maintained to ensure they function properly.
  4. Adhering to Federal Standards: Adhering to federal regulations can provide a baseline level of compliance across different states. However, it’s still necessary to be aware of and comply with state-specific regulations, especially those that are stricter than federal rules.

By keeping these points in mind, you can help ensure the safety of your loads, drivers, and other road users, while also avoiding potential legal issues and penalties.

Contact us today to make sure your tarping is as safe as possible!