Cargo Securement Rules for Trucks
Cargo must be secured so it cannot fall, spill, blow off or shift (49 CFR 393.100). Your tiedowns need a combined working load limit of at least half the weight of the cargo, and a minimum number of tiedowns for the length of the load. You must check the load within the first 50 miles, then again every 3 hours or 150 miles. Some cargo has its own rules.
Facts checked October 16, 2026
Key Points
- Cargo must be loaded and secured so it cannot leak, spill, blow or fall from the vehicle, and cannot shift enough to hurt stability or steering (49 CFR 393.100)
- The combined working load limit (WLL) of your tiedowns must be at least one-half the weight of the cargo they hold (49 CFR 393.106(d))
- A tiedown's WLL is the lowest WLL of any of its parts, or of the anchor point it uses. Use the maker's marking, or the tables in the rule if it is not marked (49 CFR 393.108)
- A load that is not blocked in front needs 1 tiedown if it is 5 feet or less and 1,100 pounds or less, and 2 if it is longer or heavier, up to 10 feet. Longer loads need 1 more for each 10 feet or part (49 CFR 393.110)
- Do not use damaged tiedowns or tiedowns with knots. Use edge protection where a tiedown could be cut or worn (49 CFR 393.104)
- Inspect the load within the first 50 miles. Check it again at each change of duty status, every 3 hours or every 150 miles, whichever comes first (49 CFR 392.9(b))
- Eleven kinds of cargo have their own rules, such as logs, lumber, metal coils, containers, vehicles, heavy equipment and boulders. Those rules take precedence (49 CFR 393.106(a))
Minimum number of tiedowns for one article (49 CFR 393.110)
| Not blocked in front | Blocked in front | |
|---|---|---|
| 5 feet or less and 1,100 pounds or less | 1 | 1 |
| 5 feet or less and over 1,100 pounds | 2 | 1 |
| Over 5 feet and up to 10 feet | 2 | 1 |
| Over 10 feet and up to 20 feet | 3 | 2 |
| Over 20 feet and up to 30 feet | 4 | 3 |
| Over 30 feet and up to 40 feet | 5 | 4 |
What do the cargo securement rules require?
Every commercial truck, truck tractor, semitrailer, full trailer and pole trailer must be loaded and equipped so the cargo cannot leak, spill, blow or fall off. The cargo must also not shift enough to hurt the vehicle's stability or steering (49 CFR 393.100). The rule sets strength tests. Under a hard stop of 0.8 g, tiedowns must not go past their breaking strength. For normal loads, the forces on each tiedown must stay within its working load limit. Those forces are 0.435 g forward, 0.5 g to the rear and 0.25 g to the side (49 CFR 393.102). A load that is not inside the vehicle must also be held down with a force of at least 20 percent of its weight. A load that is immobilized or held by strong walls can also meet the rule.
How strong do tiedowns have to be?
Add up the working load limits (WLL) of your tiedowns. The total must be at least half the weight of the load (49 CFR 393.106(d)). Not every tiedown counts in full. A tiedown that runs from the truck to an anchor on the cargo counts half its WLL. A tiedown that goes over the load and back to the same side of the truck also counts half. A tiedown that goes over the load and attaches on the other side of the truck counts its full WLL. For example, a 12,000 pound load needs a total WLL of 6,000 pounds. A 2 inch synthetic strap has a WLL of 2,000 pounds when it is not marked, so three of them, each going over the load to the other side, give 6,000 pounds. The WLL of a tiedown is the lowest rating among its parts and its anchor points. If chain is not marked, treat it as grade 30. If rope is not marked, treat it as polypropylene (49 CFR 393.108).
How many tiedowns do you need?
The count depends on how long the article is. It is in addition to the strength rule above. If the article is not blocked from sliding forward, use the middle column of the table. A headerboard, a bulkhead or other secured cargo counts as blocking. For an article 5 feet or less and 1,100 pounds or less, one tiedown is enough. Use two if it is heavier or if it is between 5 and 10 feet. Over 10 feet, use two, plus one more for every 10 feet or part of 10 feet beyond the first 10. A 24 foot article needs four tiedowns. If the article is blocked in front, use at least one tiedown for every 10 feet or part. A 24 foot blocked article needs three. Machinery that must be fastened by special methods is outside this count, but it still must be adequately fastened (49 CFR 393.110).
What condition do tiedowns and the truck have to be in?
All tiedowns, anchor points, headerboards, bulkheads, stakes and posts must be in working order. They must not have cracks, cuts or other damage that lowers their strength (49 CFR 393.104). Tiedowns must not contain knots. A repair must follow the maker's instructions or the standard for that material. Each tiedown must stay fastened in transit. Use edge protection wherever a tiedown could be cut or worn by an edge of the cargo. The driver must be able to tighten tiedowns while the truck is moving, except steel strapping (49 CFR 393.112). If cargo touches the front of the vehicle, the front end structure must be at least 4 feet high, or tall enough to block the cargo if that is lower. It must withstand a forward load of half the cargo weight, or 0.4 of it if the structure is 6 feet tall or more (49 CFR 393.114).
Which cargo has its own rules?
Eleven kinds of cargo have their own rules. They are logs, dressed lumber, metal coils, paper rolls, concrete pipe, intermodal containers, automobiles and light trucks, heavy vehicles and equipment, flattened or crushed vehicles, roll-on and roll-off containers, and large boulders (49 CFR 393.116 to 393.136). These rules take precedence over the general rules. For example, a car, van or light truck of 10,000 pounds or less must be held at both the front and rear with at least two tiedowns (49 CFR 393.128). Heavy equipment on wheels or tracks needs at least four tiedowns, the boom or accessory lowered and secured, and articulation locked (49 CFR 393.130). Bundles of lumber in more than one tier can be blocked by stakes, held by friction devices or spacers, or tied down by tier. A top bundle longer than 5 feet needs at least two tiedowns (49 CFR 393.118). An intermodal container on a chassis may not move more than half an inch forward, back or sideways, or more than 1 inch up (49 CFR 393.126). A large boulder needs chain tiedowns only (49 CFR 393.136).
When do you have to inspect your load?
Before you drive, you must make sure the load is properly distributed and secured. Your tailgate, doors, tarps and spare tire must be secured too, and the load must not block your view or your way out of the cab (49 CFR 392.9(a)). Within the first 50 miles, you must inspect the cargo and the securement devices and make any adjustments. You must then recheck whenever you change duty status, or after 3 hours of driving, or after 150 miles, whichever comes first (49 CFR 392.9(b)). The check does not apply to the driver of a sealed vehicle who has been ordered not to open it, or to a load that makes inspection impractical. The securement rules also do not apply to bulk loads, such as liquids, grain or sand, that are carried in a tank, hopper or box that is part of the vehicle (49 CFR 393.106(a)).
Related Free Tools
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many straps do I need to secure a load?+
It depends on length and strength. A load that is not blocked in front needs 2 tiedowns if it is up to 10 feet and over 5 feet, plus 1 more for each extra 10 feet or part. The tiedowns together must also have a working load limit of at least half the load's weight (49 CFR 393.106 and 393.110).
What is a working load limit?+
It is the most force a tiedown, or any of its parts, is rated to carry in use. The WLL of a tiedown is the lowest rating of its parts and the anchor point it uses. Look for the maker's marking. If there is none, use the tables in 49 CFR 393.108.
Can I use a strap with a knot in it?+
No. Tiedowns and securing devices must not contain knots. A damaged strap, with cuts or cracks that lower its strength, may not be used either (49 CFR 393.104).
Do I need edge protection?+
Yes, wherever a tiedown could be worn or cut where it touches the cargo. The edge protection must resist abrasion, cutting and crushing (49 CFR 393.104(f)).
How many tiedowns do I need for an excavator or other heavy equipment?+
At least four, as close as practical to the front and rear of the machine, or at its mounting points. The boom or accessory must be lowered and secured, and an articulated machine must be locked so it cannot articulate. The tiedowns must also meet the half-the-weight rule (49 CFR 393.130 and 393.106).
How often do I have to check my load?+
Within the first 50 miles, then at each change of duty status, after 3 hours of driving, or after 150 miles, whichever comes first (49 CFR 392.9(b)). Check that nothing has loosened, shifted or become damaged.
More federal trucking rules
- Hours of Service Rules for Truck Drivers
- ELD Mandate: Who Needs an ELD
- DOT Roadside Inspection Levels Explained
- DOT Drug and Alcohol Testing Rules
- Driver Qualification File Requirements
- DVIR and Vehicle Maintenance Rules
- New Entrant Safety Audit Requirements
- Hours of Service Exceptions and Exemptions
- Motor Carrier Insurance Requirements
- CDL Classes, Endorsements and ELDT Training
- DOT Physical and Medical Card Requirements
- Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse Requirements
- Hazmat Basics for Truck Drivers and Carriers
- USDOT Number and Biennial Update Requirements
- Safety Ratings, Compliance Reviews and DataQs
- Federal Truck Size and Weight Limits
- California Clean Truck Check (HD I/M)
- Truth-in-Leasing Rules for Owner-Operators
- Form 2290 Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax
- Truck Driver Phone, Texting and Seat Belt Rules
- Railroad Crossing Rules for Truck Drivers
- Truck Emergency Equipment and Warning Triangle Rules
- Truck Windshield, Dash Cam and Mirror Rules
- CDL Disqualification: Major and Serious Offenses
- Truck Tire Rules: Tread Depth, Retreads and Pressure
- Trailer Reflective Tape (Conspicuity) Rules
- Truck Brake Rules: Pushrod Stroke, Lining Thickness and ABS
- Driver Conduct Rules: Alcohol, Drugs, Fatigue, Passengers and Pre-Trip Checks
- English Language Proficiency for Truck Drivers: The 391.11(b)(2) Rule
- Weigh Station Rules: Who Must Stop and What Happens If You Skip
- Truck Lighting Rules: Required Lamps and Reflectors (49 CFR 393)
- Driver Road Test Rules: The Company Road Test and Certificate (49 CFR 391.31)
Sources
- 49 CFR 393 Subpart I, Protection against shifting and falling cargo (eCFR)
- 49 CFR 393.106, General requirements for securing articles of cargo (eCFR)
- 49 CFR 393.108, Working load limits (eCFR)
- 49 CFR 393.110, Minimum number of tiedowns (eCFR)
- 49 CFR 392.9, Inspection of cargo and securement devices (eCFR)
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This is a plain-language summary for reference, not legal advice. Check the official rule text before you rely on any detail. Ask a compliance professional about your own operation.