The trucking industry is one of the most heavily regulated in the country, and 2026 has brought a fresh round of changes that drivers and other motorists should know about. When you factor in federal updates from the FMCSA in addition to Florida’s own rules, there is a lot to keep up with.
Knowing how these regulations work is important if you’ve been injured in a truck accident, as violations could make it substantially easier to establish liability for your claim. Read on to learn about the key regulations that are in play right now and what they could mean for you.
Federal Hours of Service Rules
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets limits on how long commercial drivers can stay behind the wheel. These hours of service (HOS) rules are meant to reduce fatigue-related crashes, and they apply to all drivers operating in Florida.
Current federal limits include:
- 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive hours off duty
- A 14-hour on-duty window that cannot be extended with breaks
- A required 30-minute rest break after 8 hours of driving
- A cap of 60 or 70 on-duty hours over 7 or 8 consecutive days
Florida also has its own intrastate rules. Drivers who only operate within the state may drive up to 12 hours after 10 hours off duty and cannot drive past 16 hours on duty.
ELD Enforcement Is Getting Stricter
Electronic logging devices (ELDs) have been required in most commercial trucks for years, but enforcement stepped up in 2026. Here is what changed:
- Roadside officers now have the authority to immediately place a vehicle out of service if the truck is using an ELD that has been pulled from the FMCSA’s approved list
- Several devices lost their registration earlier this year after failing compliance checks
- Carriers that have not confirmed their ELD provider’s current status risk being shut down during routine inspections
If a truck is involved in a crash and its ELD turns out to be non-compliant, that could be a significant factor in determining liability.
How Florida Law Plays Into Truck Accident Claims
Florida enforces both federal FMCSA rules and its own state trucking regulations. When a violation leads to a crash, it can serve as compelling evidence of negligence. Here are some Florida-specific factors to keep in mind:
- Negligence per se: Breaking a federal or state safety rule can be enough on its own to support a negligence claim after a truck accident.
- Lower DUI threshold: Commercial drivers in Florida face a blood alcohol limit of 0.04, which is half the 0.08 standard for other motorists.
- Size and weight limits: The maximum gross vehicle weight for most tractor-trailers in Florida is 80,000 pounds. Trucks that exceed this limit are harder to control and more dangerous in a crash.
- Modified comparative negligence: Under Florida law, anyone found more than 50% at fault for their injuries cannot recover any compensation at all.
- Two-year filing deadline: The statute of limitations for most personal injury claims in Florida is usually two years from the date of the accident.
Knowing which rules were broken and how they played a role in a crash can shape the entire outcome of your claim.
Contact Shaked Law Firm, P.A. To Schedule a Free Consultation With a Florida Truck Accident Attorney
Trucking regulations exist to keep everyone on the road safe; when they are ignored, the consequences for victims can be life-changing. If you were recently involved in a truck accident in Florida, call Shaked Law Firm, P.A. to schedule a free consultation with a Florida truck accident lawyer today to learn about your legal rights and options.
We work on contingency, so you’ll only pay attorney’s fees if your case is successful.
Shaked Law Firm, P.A.
20900 NE 30th Ave STE 705
Aventura, FL 33180
(305) 937-0191
*Relocated across the street from Aventura Hospital.
Available 24/7
Sagi Shaked is the founding attorney of Shaked Law Firm, P.A., a Florida-based practice focused on serious truck accident cases. As a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer, Sagi is nationally recognized for his legal advocacy, having recovered multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements for injured victims and their families. He is known for his relentless pursuit of justice on behalf of those harmed by negligence. Click here to view some of the notable case results Sagi has achieved for his clients.
Location: Aventura, Florida, serving statewide.
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