Box Trucks & Straight Trucks

Box trucks deliver furniture, appliances, freight and building supplies, and they’re rented by people who’ve never driven anything bigger than a pickup. They’re tall, top-heavy and long, and the liftgate on the back injures many drivers and helpers.

• Truck drivers
• Delivery
• Moving

Licensing

• Box trucks rated 26,001 pounds or more need a Class B CDL. Most rental trucks are rated just under that, so a regular license works, but they may still be commercial vehicles under DOT rules if used for business across state lines. See CDL Classes.
• Trucks rated over 10,000 pounds used in interstate business generally need a DOT number, medical card and inspections.

Height: the bridge strike problem

Box truck drivers hit low bridges, parking garage entrances, drive-through roofs, gas station canopies and tree limbs all the time. A strike can peel the roof off the box, kill people in the cab or damage the structure.

• Know your exact height, including roof equipment. Post it in the cab.
• Use a truck GPS or route planner, not a car navigation app.
• Read clearance signs and remember that snow, ice and repaving can lower actual clearance.
• If you’re not sure, stop and check. Don’t guess.

Liftgates and ramps

• Stand clear of the gate’s edges and the gap between the gate and the truck when it moves. Feet and hands get crushed there.
• Never ride the gate with heavy loads unless it’s designed for it and the load is stable.
• Stay within the gate’s rated capacity, and keep loads centered.
• Use carts with brakes, and keep them from rolling off the edge.
• Pull-out ramps: secure them properly, keep them dry, and don’t walk backward down a ramp with a load.

Roll-up doors and the box

• Use the strap to close the door; don’t grab the bottom edge where it can pinch fingers.
• Use a step or grab handle to climb in; don’t jump down from the box. See Three Points of Contact.
• Secure cargo with straps, load bars and e-track so it can’t shift or fall on you when you open the door.

Driving

• Allow much more stopping distance than a car, especially loaded.
• Make wide right turns carefully; watch for cyclists and pedestrians on the right. See Truck Blind Spots.
• Slow down in crosswinds; empty box trucks catch the wind.
• Use a spotter or get out and look before backing. See Backing & Docking.

Last updated: October 1, 2026