Do truck drivers and trucking companies have to follow different standards of operation than other drivers?

Yes. In addition to following traffic laws applied to all drivers, truck drivers and the companies who manage them are under strict safety guidelines. Federal law requires the drivers of commercial vehicles to undergo training and a specific driving test geared toward the manageability of large vehicles. They must follow rules regarding the amount of hours they are allowed to be behind the wheel in a day, how to properly load and restrain cargo, and many other aspects of commercial vehicle operation. ... more