Routes your truck drivers must follow in New York City

If you own a fleet of trucks, you must emphasize to your drivers the importance of local laws about commercial vehicles, especially in New York City.

Here truck drivers must follow a network of roads that fall into two classes. If your drivers do not comply, you could face stiff fines.

Two routes

In New York City, the Truck Route Network consists of Local Truck Routes and Through Truck Routes. The definition of a truck is a vehicle having two axles and six tires or a vehicle having three or more axles. Trucks must use the Local Truck Route Network when origin and destination are within a borough. This includes making a delivery or providing a service. If your company has commercial vehicles that do not meet the requirements for a truck, the drivers do not have to use this network but must follow the pertinent posted signage for commercial vehicles. The Through Truck Route refers to highways and major urban arterials for the use of trucks that do not have an origin or destination within a borough.

A criminal offense

If stopped, truck drivers must have a bill of lading or similar document available to show law enforcement. Truck violations in New York are not just traffic violations but most often criminal offenses decided in Criminal Court. The fine for a single violation may be thousands of dollars and increase significantly if the truck driver is a repeat offender.

A court appearance

If your driver runs afoul of the laws regarding truck routes, you will have to join him or her in court on behalf of your corporation. You must also be represented by your attorney whose goal is to achieve the best outcome possible for your case.