US regulations limit the length of semitrailers, but not of combinations (a combination being a tractor and a semitrailer).
EU regulations limit the overall length of a combination.
Cab-over-engine trucks are more compact, but harder to service and less comfortable. Since US law doesn't require truck-trailer combos to be a certain maximum length, making the tractor more comfortable and easier to service is the natural outcome.
-fishbreath t1_j6jnyik wrote
Reply to ELI5: Why do european trucks have their engine below the driver compared to US trucks which have the engine in front of the driver? by Naofumitarddv
US regulations limit the length of semitrailers, but not of combinations (a combination being a tractor and a semitrailer).
EU regulations limit the overall length of a combination.
Cab-over-engine trucks are more compact, but harder to service and less comfortable. Since US law doesn't require truck-trailer combos to be a certain maximum length, making the tractor more comfortable and easier to service is the natural outcome.