Untangling commercial truck rear end requirements

February 1, 2026

Steve Spata

NTEA Senior Technical Assistance Director

Rear end requirements for commercial straight trucks can be complex, involving overlapping federal, state and application-specific considerations. In this Tech Connections article, NTEA’s Steve Spata explores common areas of confusion surrounding rear end protection, equipment placement and overall vehicle length — particularly where long-standing misconceptions persist.

Make NTEA your Association today and unlock access to exclusive resources, tools and insights.

Join online

Obtaining a Motor Carrier ID number (MCS-150)

Operating as a motor carrier in interstate commerce comes with specific registration responsibilities that can be confusing for companies navigating the process for the first time. This Tech Trends article provides an...

February 1, 2026

Government Regulations

Tech Trends

Federal/Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 212/219

Mounting equipment on light-duty vehicles presents unique compliance challenges that aren’t always obvious during upfit planning. This Tech Trends article examines how certain equipment installations can affect...

February 1, 2026

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) Guidance

Tech Trends

F/CMVSS 301: Fuel System Integrity

For vehicles with a 10,000-pound or less GVWR, chassis OEMs have critical requirements for maintaining Federal/Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (F/CMVSS) 301: Fuel System Integrity compliance. Crash test...

January 1, 2026

Untangling commercial truck rear end requirements

Recommended Articles

Obtaining a Motor Carrier ID number (MCS-150)

Federal/Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 212/219

F/CMVSS 301: Fuel System Integrity