
The TCA due care requirements are a set of rules that carriers must follow to ensure safe and secure transportation of cargo.
Carriers must exercise due care in the loading, transportation, and unloading of cargo, which includes inspecting cargo for damage or other issues before and after transport.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires carriers to maintain a record of any cargo damage or loss.
Failure to comply with TCA due care requirements can result in penalties, fines, and even loss of operating authority.
Curious to learn more? Check out: CRST, the Transportation Solution
The Penalties
A Due Care Violation in Tennessee can have some serious consequences. Under Tennessee law, it's considered a Class C Misdemeanor.
You could face a sentence of up to 30 days in prison. This is a significant penalty, and it's essential to take it seriously.
In addition to potential prison time, you may also be placed on probation. This can be a challenging experience, requiring regular check-ins with a probation officer.
You might enjoy: Debtors' Prison

A fine of up to $50 is also possible. This is a relatively small amount, but it's still a financial burden to consider.
Court costs will also be added to your bill. These costs can add up quickly, so it's essential to factor them into your overall expenses.
If you're a licensed driver in Tennessee, you'll also face a penalty on your Motor Vehicle Record (MVR). Specifically, you can expect to have 4 points assessed.
If this caught your attention, see: When Are Product Costs Matched Directly with Sales Revenue
VTL § 1146 Provisions
All drivers have a responsibility to use due care around pedestrians, bicyclists, and domestic animals. This responsibility includes using their horn in warning when necessary, but it's not the only way in which someone acts with due care while driving.
The law itself does not define “due care”, but according to Cornell Law School’s definition, due care is acting in a way that a reasonable person would act under similar circumstances. This means that one can be charged with failure to use due care even if they are obeying all other traffic laws.
If this caught your attention, see: National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform
A driver can be charged under VTL § 1146 when it is determined that they did not use due care and injury results. This can include failing to exercise due care towards a pedestrian, bicyclist, or domestic animal, resulting in injury or serious injury.
In New York, drivers must use their horn in warning when necessary, but this is not the only way in which someone acts with due care while driving. The citation is issued when injury results from driving without due care.
Here are the types of situations where drivers may be charged with failing to use due care:
- When children are crossing the road and the driver fails to use their horn as a warning.
- When a bicyclist is on a busy roadway and the driver fails to slow down and move around them.
- When a domestic animal, such as a cow or goat, is under the control of a pedestrian and the driver hits it.
Due Care Requirements
A driver's failure to exercise due care can result in serious consequences, including fines, community service, and even jail time. In New York, for example, drivers are required to use their horn in warning when necessary, but this is not the only way in which someone acts with due care while driving.

In Nevada, drivers are required to exercise due care to avoid collisions with pedestrians, which includes giving an audible warning with the horn when necessary. This is especially important in school zones, marked or unmarked crosswalks, and near bus stops or benches.
Failing to exercise due care can result in charges of reckless driving in Nevada, with penalties ranging from $250 to $2,000 in fines and 50 to 200 hours of community service. If the incident occurs in a pedestrian safety zone, the penalties may be doubled.
The definition of "due care" is not explicitly stated in the law, but it is generally considered to be acting in a way that a reasonable person would act under similar circumstances.
Here are the penalties for failing to exercise due care in Nevada:
- First offense: $250 to $1,000 in fines and 50 to 99 hours of community service
- Second offense: $1,000 to $1,500 in fines and 100 to 199 hours of community service
- Third offense or successive offense: $1,500 to $2,000 in fines and 200 hours of community service
Notes
State regulations related to TCA due care are updated quarterly, which means we always have the most up-to-date information.
This frequency of updates is crucial for ensuring compliance with the latest standards.
We currently have two versions of the regulations available for comparison.
These versions can be compared to help identify changes and updates.
Featured Images: pexels.com


