§ 2101. Motor carrier safety standard rules
(a) The Secretary of Transportation is authorized to promote safety in motor carrier safety
standards, and furthermore:
(1) Is authorized to adopt rules under 3 V.S.A. chapter 25 governing motor carrier safety standards as they apply to the transportation of passengers
and goods by commercial motor vehicles. These rules shall identify violations, and
possible penalties, by category, depending on the seriousness of the violation. These
rules shall be no less protective of public safety than the rules adopted by the federal
government regarding motor carrier safety standards, but a rule shall not prohibit
a person between the ages of 18 and 21 from operating a motor vehicle in intrastate
commerce.
(2) Is authorized to enforce these rules through the use of agency staff, or others, pursuant
to cooperative agreement.
(3) Is authorized to enter into cooperative agreements with agencies of this and other
states and of the federal government in relation to enforcement of these rules and
rules or regulations adopted by the federal government that apply to transportation
in Vermont.
(b) It shall be unlawful for any person to violate any of the rules adopted by the Secretary
under this section.
(c) Any person who violates these rules shall be subject to a penalty of not more than
$1,000.00.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter or other law whether general,
special, or local, violations of any rules adopted pursuant to this section involving
the operation of a motor vehicle may be charged through the use of a traffic complaint
prescribed by the Supreme Court pursuant to 4 V.S.A. § 1105.
(e) The regulations promulgated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, U.S.
Department of Transportation contained in 49 C.F.R. Parts 40, 350, 360, 365, 372,
381–383, 385–388, 390–397, and 399, revised as of October 1, 2008, and any amendment
or addition to these regulations may be adopted by the Secretary of Transportation. (Added 1989, No. 182 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. May 16, 1990; amended 1991, No. 193 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. May 19, 1992; 1993, No. 172 (Adj. Sess.), § 10; 2003, No. 26, § 1; 2009, No. 152 (Adj. Sess.), § 11; 2023, No. 6, §§ 24, 25, eff. July 1, 2023.)