BOX TRUCK FAQ
Last-mile delivery is changing. These days, it seems like you see a box truck everywhere you look on the road. Box trucks are also known as straight trucks, box vans, or cube vans. Their defining feature is that they have fixed trailers. Box trucks are different than 18-wheelers that have a separate trailer attached by an axle. A typical box truck (Class 3 to 7) has a weight limit of between 12,500 lb. to 33,000 pounds (gross vehicle weight rating - GVWR).
Do You Need a CDL to Drive a Box Truck?
A Commercial Driver's License (“CDL”) is required to drive certain trucks. CDLs are most often held by professional truck drivers and other commercial vehicle operators. CDLs are different from a typical Class D driver's license, which is the license most drivers should possess.. A Class D license allows you to drive your car, crossover, SUV, minivan, or any other personal vehicle you choose. It also allows you to drive light-duty and some medium-duty trucks. A CDL is required when driving or renting heavier trucks for commercial deliveries. These vehicles may include some medium-duty trucks, all heavy-duty tractor-trailers, busses, and various other for-hire vehicles.
In Nevada, and throughout the United States, a box truck can be rented by someone without a CDL if the truck has a GVWR of 26,000 pounds or less. A vehicle's GVWR is the most amount it can weight—including cargo.
Typically, rentable vehicles with a GVWR below 26,000 pounds include the following:
Pickup trucks
Box trucks
Cargo Vans
Utility Trucks
Driving a semi-truck takes requires many hours of safety training, a CDL, and hands-on experience. Operating a box truck does not require the driver have any special training. So, when someone is renting a box truck, it is often their first experience behind the wheel of anything bigger than a compact car.
Who Can Be Held Responsible For A Box Truck Accident?
Two parties are typically responsible for a box truck accident: (1) the driver of the box truck must ensure they operate the vehicle safely; and (2) the company that owns the box truck has to ensure they don’t permit a reckless driver to use their vehicle. Companies that rent box trucks are legally required to make sure they rent their vehicles to responsible individuals. If a rental company fails to use reasonable care to stop a reckless or unlicensed person from using their vehicles, they might be responsible for the injuries caused by the reckless driver. Additionally, rental companies also have the duty to ensure the truck is safe to operate.
As the driver of a box truck, you should always: (1) drive slower to account for longer stopping times; (2) avoid maneuvers you are not comfortable with; (3) check your surroundings for smaller vehicles; and (4) account for the truck's need to make wide turns.
If someone is renting a box truck, they legally have the responsibility to drive it safely, regardless of whether they can or not. Suppose a person is uncertain of their driving skills. In that instance, they should consider hiring a professional driver or finding someone who can safely operate a large and heavy vehicle!
Schedule a Free Case Consultation with Our Team
If you were involved in an accident caused by a box truck driver, you should learn about your options. We encourage you to speak with a truck accident lawyer from Cohan PLLC immediately. Your rights to pursue compensation are essential, and there is a time limit on truck accident cases, so do not hesitate to take the next step.
Have You Been Injured? Our Law Firm Can Help.
Suffering an injury at the hands of someone else is a profoundly disorienting experience. Many of our clients come to us because they simply don't know what to do next. What kind of claims do they need to file? What do they do to get medical care for their loved ones, or how do they afford a funeral in the wake of a wrongful death? Most of our clients ask an even more straightforward question: "with all my medical expenses, how do I provide for my family?"
Regardless of your situation, you are bound to have countless questions. Cohan PLLC will help you get answers. To help you find your feet during this difficult time, we have compiled some of the most commonly asked questions and provided general answers. For specific answers about your case, review your legal options with us in a free consultation.
Contact our accident lawyers if you were involved in a serious truck accident at (888) 424-2736. We're ready to fight for what is right and get you the compensation you deserve.