The STAA defines you an employee if you do any of the following:
Drive a commercial motor vehicle
Drive a commercial motor vehicle, as an independent contractor, when you personally operated the commercial motor vehicle
Repair and maintain vehicles as a mechanic
Handle freight
Hold any job for a motor carrier directly affecting commercial motor vehicle safety in the course of employment
The law does not protect you if you are an employee of the United States government, a State, or a political subdivision of a State acting in the course of employment.
A commercial motor vehicle means a truck, van or bus that has a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of at least 10,001 pounds, or is designed to transport more than 10 passengers including the driver; or is used in transporting hazardous material. (Whistleblowers who dealt with hazardous materials may also have claims under the Toxic Substances Control Act or the Solid Waste Disposal Act, which each have a 30-day time limit to file complaints. See our site's environmental whistleblowers page.)