What is interstate versus intrastate?
The terms interstate and intrastate are often confused when it comes to the trucking business. The two forms of commercial travel are different, so it’s important to understand how they differ, especially when it comes to a truck accident and the resulting legal ramifications.
Understanding the differences between interstate and intrastate trucking may seem complicated, but it’s less confusing than it appears.
At its most basic level, here’s the difference :
Interstate trucking companies transport cargo across state and national borders. These trucking companies must register with the Federal Department of Transportation and comply with the laws and regulations of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association (FMCSA).
Intrastate carriers transport cargo within the state in which they originated. They follow individual state laws.
Unfortunately, truck accidents occur with both interstate and intrastate commercial vehicles. Because truck accident cases are a specialized type of lawsuit, it’s important to seek an attorney who has handled several similar cases in the past.
A representative attorney must have the knowledge and resources to handle liability litigation against large trucking companies, truck manufacturers, and commercial insurance companies, to name a few. He or she must also understand how the laws differ depending on whether the truck operates in or out of state, and if in state, the laws of the state where the accident occurred.
If you’ve been involved in an accident with a transport truck, we can help you navigate the process. We offer a wealth of information, easily accessible in minutes from our website. Or, you can call us for free legal advice about your case.
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Examples of interstate trucks
There are many examples of trucking companies that operate interstately, transporting cargo across more than one state and/or country. These trucks are sometimes larger because they carry bigger and heavier loads.
Some examples of typical interstate trucks include:
- Tractor-trailer: a transport vehicle consisting of a semi-trailer and an attached trailer
- 18-wheel truck: the combination of a tractor unit and one or more semi-trailers for transporting cargo that normally has 18 wheels.
- Semi-trailers and semi-trucks: the combination of a tractor unit and one or more semi-trailers used to transport cargo. A semi-trailer is attached to the truck with a type of hitch called a fifth wheel.
- Refrigerated trucks, also known as refrigerated trailers: include several additional parts and insulation to keep the truck cold, including an evaporator, a condenser, a compressor, and the refrigerated motor connected to the trailer that runs the HVAC system.
- Flatbed trucks: the attached trailer has a flatbed without sides
- Dry vans: a type of enclosed semi-trailer to protect the cargo from the elements, but which does not have temperature control like refrigerated trucks.
- Tanker trucks: These are used to transport liquids, such as chemicals, fluids, gases, beverages, and dry goods, such as grains.
Examples of intrastate trucks
Not all commercial vehicles need to cross state lines. Many types of trucks that require high-level licenses operate close to home.
Some examples of intrastate trucks include:
- Vehicles in motion: any vehicle used in the transport of household goods, office supplies, and special products in intrastate trade.
- Garbage trucks: These are used to remove garbage and waste that people place outside their homes, businesses, etc.
- Cranes: are used to remove broken-down, disabled, illegally parked, impounded or otherwise disabled motor vehicles.
- Dump trucks: These are used to move materials such as sand, gravel, or demolition debris to or from construction sites.
- Delivery trucks: a truck or van designed to deliver products to customers.
- Concrete mixer trucks: a truck that delivers dry or wet concrete materials for mixing and pouring concrete at construction sites
- Box trucks: a truck with a separate cargo area in the shape of a box
- Bucketlift trucks: A utility truck that uses a hydraulic boom with a bucket attachment to safely lift a person to reach high areas
¿Por qué sería importante saber la diferencia?
It’s important to know that different sets of laws apply to interstate and intrastate trucking companies. The laws governing a trucking company, a truck driver, and the truck itself differ for companies operating across state lines compared to those operating within a single state.
Interstate trucking companies are governed by the laws of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association (FMCSA). The FMCSA’s primary mission is to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities involving large commercial vehicles. FMCSA regulations take precedence when a truck transports cargo in more than one state, providing a regulated set of laws to follow instead of having to know the laws of each individual state through which the truck travels.
Intrastate trucking companies are governed by individual state laws, and those laws and regulations vary from state to state. Often, state laws and regulations are similar to FMCSA regulations, but they can have important differences.
¿En qué se parecen la interestatal y la intraestatal?
Although regulations differ for interstate and intrastate commercial drivers, there are still some similarities. After all, the goal of creating these laws and regulations has always been to ensure safe operating procedures. Some requirements are the same across the board for both interstate and intrastate operations, regardless of where a truck does business.
The requirements that all transport companies must meet include:
- CDL Requirements
- Insurance coverage for commercial trucks
- Drug and alcohol tests
- Transport of hazardous materials
- Driver ratings
