Truck Driver Essentials: What to Carry
First what FMCSA requires in the truck, then the tools and gear that save you time and money on the road.
Rules checked October 30, 2026. As an Amazon Associate, Trucking Help Center earns from qualifying purchases.
1. Required by FMCSA
- Fire extinguisher rated 5 B:C or more (or two rated 4 B:C), or 10 B:C or more for placarded hazmat (49 CFR 393.95(a)).
- Three reflective warning triangles meeting FMVSS No. 125 (49 CFR 393.95(f)).
- ELD information packet: data transfer instructions, malfunction instructions and blank paper logs for at least 8 days (49 CFR 395.22(h)).
- Hands-free phone use only while driving (49 CFR 392.82).
Common questions
What safety equipment does FMCSA require in a truck?
Under 49 CFR 393.95, a power unit needs a fire extinguisher rated 5 B:C or more (or two rated 4 B:C), or 10 B:C or more if it hauls placarded hazardous materials, and warning devices for a stopped vehicle: three bidirectional reflective triangles (FMVSS No. 125), with fusees allowed in some cases.
What ELD papers do I need in the truck?
Under 49 CFR 395.22(h), the ELD information packet: an instruction sheet on how to transfer your hours-of-service data to an officer, an instruction sheet on what to do if the ELD malfunctions, and enough blank paper logs (graph-grids) for at least 8 days.
Can I hold my phone while driving a truck?
No. FMCSA bans using a hand-held mobile phone while driving a commercial motor vehicle (49 CFR 392.82). You can use hands-free with a single touch or voice, so a headset or a mounted phone is the practical answer.
Did Trucking Help Center test these products?
No. The named products are ones that many truckers buy on Amazon, based on public sales estimates. The other links open Amazon search results. For required equipment, check the label for the rating the rule names.
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