Trailer Wheel Size: Safety is a key parameter when traveling with a trailer. The wheels that the trailer travels on need to be the correct size so that the trailer weight can be effectively moved down the road.[/box] [box type=”shadow”] Identification Each trailer tire has its specified information listed on…
Windshield Requirements: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, FMCSA was established on January 1, 2000 by the U.S. Department of Transportation. The FMCSA was established to follow the Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act of 1999 to help ensure that safety standards were being met for vehicles. The FMCSA provides financial…
The Canadian Trucking Alliance is lauding a U.S.-Canada border agreement announced Dec. 7 by President Barack Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper as an “historic achievement that takes meaningful steps to bring the Canada-U.S. border into the 21st century,” adding that trucks are the “major mode of trans-border freight…
Carriers are optimistic for the year ahead, with 61 percent expecting volumes to increase in 2012, and only 7 percent expecting volumes to decrease, according to the TCP (Transport Capital Partners) 4th Quarter 2011 Business Expectations Survey. Carriers responded similarly. “Carriers shared a higher level of confidence despite the roller…
The senator who last month pledged to put more freight on the rails to get trucks off the road has introduced legislation aimed at strengthening commercial vehicle regulations and the federal agency that enforces them. U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg, chairman of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, along with…
The DOT Reports Dec. 8 that the number of persons killed in crashes involving large trucks jumped 8.7 percent in 2010 to 3,675, compared with 3,380 large truck-related fatalities in 2009. FMCSA Administrator Anne Ferro referred to an increase to 4,000 at a recent Congressional hearing, citing it as one…
The FMCSA says that the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association OOIDA claim that a recent circuit court decision prohibits the use of electronic onboard recorders for Hours of Service compliance is inaccurate. OOIDA, in a letter to FMCSA last month, said the FMCSA, large motor carriers and Department of Transportation enforcement officials…
FMCSA Sends Out Warning: In recent months, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration says it has received “numerous inquiries regarding companies using aggressive marketing tactics to sell supervisor training to employers who may be subject to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s drug and alcohol testing requirements. Please note that the…
Depending on how the segment is counted, the market for full-size cargo vans is up about 12% over last year. Plumbers, electricians and other skilled trades people are replacing old, worn trucks, partly because there aren’t any good used ones on lots. Some tradesmen are buying “tall utility vehicles” with…
Freight Contract: Freight companies provide transportation internationally, domestically and within the same city. They ship everything from tangible products to liquid food items to hazardous chemicals. Businesses rely on freight companies to transport inventory from suppliers and to ship finished products to customers. In both cases, the company signs a…
You know, discussing a survey that discerns a growing long term focus among U.S. consumers on fuel economy is kinda like saying research confirms people enjoy saving money – leading to a ubiquitous “um, duh!” reaction for many. Yet for fleets that rely on light and medium-duty trucks, such a…
CDL: To operate a commercial motor vehicle, you must provide proof that you are medically capable of the task without risk of incident due to poor health. The Department of Transportation provides specific requirement for those holding a CDL license. Take these steps to see that you meet the qualifications…
Most states require liability insurance coverage. With liability insurance, damage to another person’s property is covered, but not damage to your own property. Liability insurance also covers the medical expenses of the other driver, but not your own. If you are the responsible party in the accident, the other driver…
The Truck Marketing Institute trains the truck industry in how to sell, lease and purchase light Ford pickup trucks. They use a process called Precision truck training, which is a five-course training session. A career in truck driving requires you complete a training course that teaches you to drive a…
Custom truck ground effects allow truck owners to add custom fenders, hoods, spoilers and grills to their trucks to change the appearance and make them look fast or sporty. Most trucks are intended for work use; however, those who put ground effects on their trucks typically do not use them…
The Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) determine what regulations commercial motor carriers must follow in terms of safety. A commercial driver must perform a pre-trip inspection of his vehicle each day, to make sure all parts meet DOT regulations. Safety of the driver…
The Drug & Alcohol Policy: 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 addiction is a serious problem…
Weather and Transportation Perhaps the most important impact that weather has on travel is its effect on the physical process of traveling long distances. When traveling by air, weather is extremely important as an unexpected storm can easily cause delays, sometimes up to several days considering on the size and…
The federal government and many states have passed laws governing the hauling of steel coils by trucks and the various safety precautions that must be undertaken when transporting steel coils. The U.S. Department of Transportation defines steel coils several ways, including as metal rolls, coils, spools or coated electrical wire….
Semmi Truck Dimensions: Tractor trailers or semi trucks, to which they often are referred, can come in a variety of sizes. Federal regulations, however, mandate a specific limit in dimensions on interstates. Federal Rules on Weight The gross maximum weight of a semi truck on federal interstates is 80,000 pounds….
A trucker route broker is legally known as a freight broker. The broker arranges delivery between the shipper and the person or company receiving the product. To legally become a freight broker, you must register, apply and obtain an approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety…
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Number is a unique number assigned to passenger and cargo carriers. The Department of Transportation uses the DOT number for a variety of purposes, including monitoring a carrier’s safety record, carrying out audits and investigating crashes. A USDOT number must be prominently displayed on…
Online training is a convenient and common way for professionals to enroll in classes that can be taken during any time or day of the week. Students studying to become freight brokers can take online training to prepare for licensing and to learn the basics of the freight brokerage business….
Bond Broker: The billions of dollars that pass through U.S. securities exchange groups daily are used to buy stocks, mutual funds, securities and bonds. Bond brokers are responsible for handling the sales of these bonds, issued by corporations to raise capital. Bond brokers are highly qualified and highly knowledgeable about…
Federal Tax Laws on Trucking Full-time truck drivers are aware of the federal laws that govern the transportation industry. It is always important to brush up on tax laws so operators can best take advantage of tax deductions and know ahead of time about new regulations and taxes in the…
