Federal & State Regulations | Cargo loading and securement - Tennessee

Tennessee has adopted Part 393 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs).

The adoption includes regulations dealing with projecting loads (393.87) and cargo securement (Part 393, Subpart I).

Part 393 applies to commercial motor vehicles operated in intrastate commerce to transport property that have a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more, or a motor vehicle of any gross vehicle weight transporting hazardous materials.

In Tennessee, any truck, or other motor vehicle, with an open bed, that is operated on any highway, road, or street open for public use, must be loaded so that any loose material remains at least four inches below the walls of the open bed, measured at the front, back and sidewalls; but the load may be piled higher in the center of the open bed.

This requirement does not apply to:

Sand or salt purposely discharged from truck beds to clear roadways or improve traction;
Water sprayed on streets for purposes of sanitation;
Farm produce going to market; or
The transport of crushed stone, fill dirt and rock, soil, bulk sand, coal, phosphate muck, asphalt, concrete, other building materials, forest products, unfinished lumber, agricultural lime, and agricultural products if:
- Loaded in compliance with the four-inch requirement, and
- No part of the material is seen blowing from the vehicle by a law enforcement officer.

['Cargo loading and securement']

['Cargo securement']

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Cargo loading and securement - Tennessee