Passengers are a risky prospect for motor carriers. While permitting drivers to bring family members or friends along on their routes can offer personal benefits such as reducing driver loneliness and creating a more pleasant work environment, it can also create significant risks to everyone involved.
Below are several examples to consider. For clarity, this article excludes bus companies, farmers, and those passengers mentioned in 49 CFR 392.60 who do not require written authorization to be transported in a commercial motor vehicle, such as a company employee conducting a road test. Instead, it addresses unauthorized passengers, such as family and friends, who are not allowed to be transported in a commercial motor vehicle without written authorization by the motor carrier.
As you read below, analyze these potential risks and evaluate your company’s current practices, then decide how you can manage this risk.