10/22/07-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill into law intended to improve the safety of trucks hauling hazardous materials and fuel.
The new law, previously AB1612, requires hazmat haulers whose trucks are base plated in the state to submit to physical inspections every two years. It takes effect Jan. 1, 2008.
The California Highway Patrol will be responsible for carrying out the inspections.
Hazmat haulers will be required to stay current with the inspections. New carriers also will be required to be inspected before the CHP will issue a license to haul hazardous materials.
The fee for the inspection is $270 for a single truck operation. The rate increases to $375 for two trucks. Operations with three to eight trucks will pay $510 with larger operations paying higher amounts.
Failure to keep up with the inspection schedule will result in fines that increase based on the delinquency period. The maximum penalty for a single truck operation going more than two years beyond the inspection deadline is $432.