What are accident recordkeeping requirements for trucking fleets?

Short answer

Accident recordkeeping requirements for trucking fleets include:

1. Maintaining an accident register for at least 3 years

2. Preserving supporting records for reportable accidents

3. Retaining records of driver qualification files, hours-of-service logs, and vehicle inspection and maintenance records

The rule says

Each motor carrier must maintain an accident register for a period of at least 3 years from the date of the accident — 49 CFR 390.15.

A motor carrier must retain each record of duty status and all supporting documents for at least 6 months from the date of receipt — 49 CFR 395.8.

In plain English

Trucking fleets must keep detailed records of accidents, including an accident register and supporting documents, for at least 3 years. During audits and roadside inspections, fleets must be able to produce these records, which include driver qualification files, hours-of-service logs, and vehicle inspection and maintenance records.

What to do

• Establish a document retention schedule to ensure compliance with recordkeeping requirements
• Train staff on required documents and recordkeeping procedures
• Conduct periodic audits to ensure accuracy and completeness of records
• Store records in a durable format, such as paper or electronic, with adequate accessibility