Pennsylvania Bill Will Fine Drivers for No Snow Removal and Changed Apportioned Registrations

Pennsylvania Bill Will Fine Drivers for No Snow Removal and Changed Apportioned Registrations

As we sit in the middle of the summer, are you already wishing for the cold winter weather and iced over vehicles?

Well, it is not “all play in the snow” in Pennsylvania for truckers next winter. Driver’s must spend time removing excessive snow from the truck and trailer before driving down the road or can face fines.

This is due to a bill heading to the Pennsylvania governor’s desk that covers apportioned registrations and snow and ice removal from atop vehicles.

Fines in PA if you do not remove snow and ice on vehicles

PA state law allows police to ticket car and truck drivers from $200 to $1,000 if the wintry precipitation causes serious injury or death.

The change included in SB1094 would require drivers to remove accumulated ice or snow before driving on roadways.

Law enforcement would be authorized to issue tickets solely for failure to clear their vehicles of snow and ice. In addition to trucks, mass transit vehicles, buses, and school buses would be covered by the rule.

Drivers would be required to make “reasonable efforts” to remove snow or ice from all parts of their vehicles within 24 hours of a weather event.

Offenders would face a maximum fine of $1,500 if the wintry precipitation causes serious injury or death. The bill includes an additional protection allowing police to ticket drivers $50 for failure to clear snow or ice before they take to the roads. Enforcement would be limited to highways.

Truck operators would be excused if they are on their way to a facility to remove accumulated snow or ice. In addition, violations would not be issued if compliance would cause the trucker to violate any federal or state law or regulation regarding workplace safety, or if it would be a health or safety threat.

What about the apportioned registration provision for truck drivers?

The bill would require the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to stagger the expiration dates of commercial vehicles apportioned registrations.

The apportioned registration provision is expected to benefit truck drivers and the state transportation department.

Pennsylvania regulations now mandate every apportioned vehicle registration to expire annually on May 31.

The change in SB1094 provides at least four renewal periods each year. The department would be authorized to prorate registration as the new expiration dates are created.

Currently, there are seven states that stagger registrations quarterly and 40 states stagger monthly.

OOIDA estimates there are about 3,000 to 4,000 members affected who reside in the state.

Why choose CNS for your licensing and permitting needs?

Compliance Navigation Specialists has been licensing and permitting trucking companies for over 30 years, that’s how we got started! 

Our team knows the nuances of licensing and permitting. No matter what state you are in, the size of your company (one vehicle to a thousand), or the complexity of your operation, our DOT Compliance Specialists at CNS can handle it.

If you’re just getting started we can help obtain all the relative information you need to be compliant and legal. If you are an established company, we can help add new or delete vehicles from your account, track and renew your vehicle registrations, title management, and more.

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All fleets need to conduct proper and thorough pre and post trip inspections, which consists of implementing quality:

  • driver training that is ongoing and consistent
  • driver education, and
  • driver awareness of current and changing traffic laws

All of this will help prevent being a target for the DOT at roadside inspections and is a valuable resource to ensure a healthy fleet, and compliant safety practices.

Our DOT trainers offer a variety of in-person or online training courses tailored to the specific needs or weaknesses of your company.

Questions about DOT Compliance, Licensing, Audits, Programs, etc.?

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