The Federal Bridge Gross Weight Formula (also known as Bridge Formula B and the Federal Bridge Formula) is a mathematical formula in use in the United States by truck drivers and Department of Transportation (DOT) officials to determine the appropriate maximum gross weight for a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) based…
The FMCSA is a division of the United States Department of Transportation (DOT), which is generally responsible for enforcement of FMCSA regulations. The Department of Transportation has many explicit laws for logging when you are a commercial driver. Logging is the term drivers use to describe their time record entries…
Federal regulations for commercial truck drivers are written by the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration (FMCSA) and enforced by the Department of Transportation (DOT). These regulations help ensure highway safety and lessen the chance of unqualified drivers getting behind the wheel of an 80,000-pound vehicle. To become a truck driver,…
If your company transports passengers or goods, you may need a USDOT number. USDOT numbers uniquely identify your business and allow the USDOT to track safety records and ensure that you are adhering to all operating requirements. You can get your motor carrier number online for free from the Federal…
A motor carrier number is a license issued to for-hire carriers by the United States Department of Transportation. Motor carrier numbers are administered by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and are commonly referred to as USDOT numbers. Uses • A motor carrier number is a unique identifier for a…
Commercial hauling trailers are seen every day on the highways and roadways. Commercial truck drivers utilize these trailers to haul the products that we see on store shelves, in the office and around the home. Commercial hauling trailers come in many shapes and sizes, and all of them serve a…
**How to Write Truckload Bidding Bid When bidding a contract for freight transportation you must take into account that you are competing with other companies. You want to set yourself apart from that competition in order to give yourself an edge on the competition. Every government agency or company that…
***How to Predict Fuel Consumption Predicting the number of gallons your vehicle requires to get to a specific destination can be valuable information to accurately predict the fuel cost of the trip. In addition, this knowledge is especially valuable when driving for long distances in remote areas, where there is…
A New Twist on an Old Business: What are the funtions of a freight forwarding Company? When you had to get a product from one place to another, it used to be that you’d call a shipper who would send a truck over, pick it up and take it to…
Freight forwarding, or third-party logistics providers, are the single most effective way to transport goods. Many top companies, such as United Parcel Service and FedEx, act as freight forwarders. U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Ron Kirk says, “More than a quarter of a million U.S. firms export goods. Ninety-seven percent of…
The trucking industry has one of the lowest rates of unemployment in the United States. There are close to 3 million commercial truck drivers in the United States, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor counts, and the figure continues to rise. If you are considering a career change and want…
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration was created to minimize the amount of commercial motor vehicle-related injuries and deaths. To hold or obtain a commercial driver’s license , CDL, a driver must pass drug and alcohol tests periodically. Drug and Alcohol Testing • FMCSA regulations require CDL holders to pass…
The trucking industry uses its own specific terms to communicate within the industry and to the freight industry at large. There are terms for all of the tools, gear, drivers and other workers who are associated with trucking. Just like any other industry, the trucking industry has borrowed terms from…
The truck driving profession is one that is least hit by unemployment, and thus is a popular choice for many who need steady income and job security. Anyone can become a truck driver, however, getting the best training can be a challenge. Read on to find out more about truck…
Truckers who own their own rigs lose money when they don’t have freight loads. Income is lost when the truck is not running or driven empty. Finding a freight load available near the location where the last load was dropped is essential. Working with a freight broker or online load…
When using a freight broker to arrange a load, verification of the broker’s surety bond is essential. You can get bond information online, but the FMCSA can’t tell you if the bond has pending claimants. The best way to determine satisfactory bond coverage is to contact the freight broker’s bonding…
An owner operator is a truck driver who owns his own truck and operates as an independent contractor for a variety of companies. An owner operator chooses his own loads, manages his own schedule and works for whomever he likes. The job can be rewarding financially, if the operator manages…
Hauling freight with a truck is common practice; unfortunately, you can’t just throw a bunch of stuff in the back of a truck and drive away; loose cargo can fall out, so it needs to be properly secured first. Follow safety precautions and secure the load to the truck before…
Logistics sales representatives act as a liaison among the clients, trucking carrier, and the receiver. Negotiating fair rates and managing the movement of a client’s goods are the driving force of a logistics company. Logistics sales training is important to the success of a company. Training Objectives Logistics training includes…
Logistics is a term that is frequently used to describe shipping and delivery service. The word “logistics” actually originated in the military, being used to define troop and equipment movements within and across theaters of operation. The phrase “logistics services” has been adopted to private sector uses, and in many…
Starting your own logistics business can provide a stable, lucrative future if you plan responsibly and take advantage of opportunities when they make themselves available to you. Most industrialized companies require some form of logistics machinery in order to function properly, and you can forge an enterprise by catering to…
A reefer truck is a truck or van usually 1 ton or larger that has a refrigerated unit built either directly on the frame or is transported by trailer. It’s refrigerated by diesel-powered generators and liquid carbon dioxide, or CO2. Reefer trucks range from simple ice cream trucks to large…
Truckers who own their own rigs lose money when they don’t have freight loads. Income is lost when the truck is not running or driven empty. Finding a freight load available near the location where the last load was dropped is essential. Working with a freight broker or online load…
Flatbed trailers hauling cargo on the highways may look similar, but each type of trailer has its own features and benefits. Before you purchase a trailer, in considering the various shipments you may haul take into account the weight, dimensions and contents. Also, you need to know the U.S. Department…
The US Department of Labor suggests that almost every product a consumer buys has been shipped by truck or cargo van at some point during the shipping process. Put your straight truck and cargo van to use. Straight trucks and cargo vans get a lot of use during holiday seasons…
