April 13th, 2023
Trucking Faced with ‘Weighty’ Issues, Part 2

Regulations that add weight to a trucking combination effectively restrict the net weight available to carry cargo (the demand side). When the “supply side” net weights are reduced, either freight rates must go up or trucking profit margins go down to accommodate the “demand side” cargo. At some point, shrinking net weights may require more trucks to haul freight. In the highly competitive trucking industry, that would squeeze slim profit margins even more.

Blog, Regulations, Safety, Technology
April 10th, 2023
Trucking Faced with ‘Weighty’ Issues, Part 1

In this two-part series, we will look at the efforts to regulate electric vehicles, specifically electric trucks, and the impending federal rulemaking on side underride guards, both from the weight standpoint. While those regulatory changes are not proposed with the intent of reducing truck net weights – and potentially some carriers’ profit margins – the economic impacts are real, but seldom discussed.

Blog, Regulations, Safety, Technology
April 6th, 2023
Nominations Now Open for International Driver Excellence Award, Sponsored by PrePass

This annual award recognizes individuals who go above and beyond the performance of their duties as a commercial vehicle driver. IDEA drivers distinguish themselves conspicuously and beyond the call of duty through long-term achievement in safe operation and compliance carried out with evident distinction. Nominated drivers must be of personal character beyond reproach without any disqualifying behavior.

Blog, Safety, Trucking Community
April 3rd, 2023
UCR Fees Proposed to Decrease Again in 2024

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced a proposed 9% decrease in UCR fees beginning next year. That reduction follows the 31% decrease carriers enjoyed in 2023. Due to changes in how FMCSA will estimate UCR fees in the future, it looks likely that the fees will increase in 2025.

Blog, Regulations
March 30th, 2023
FMCSA Updates Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse Notifications

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is expanding the timeframe in which it will notify motor carriers of a change in a driver’s Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse information. Previously, the clearinghouse only sent a notification when a change regarding motor carrier’s driver occurred within 30 days of a pre-employment query. Now the clearinghouse will send notifications of all changes occurring within 12 months of a pre-employment query or the annual queries a motor carrier must conduct on each driver.

Blog, Regulations
March 27th, 2023
Trucking Things to Know Now, Part 9: Federal Regulatory Updates

Speaking at the Truckload Carriers Association meeting in Orlando, Florida earlier this month, FMCSA Administrator Robin Hutcheson said the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is still considering hair testing for drugs. HHS will make the “revised proposed guidance” available for public viewing by summer of this year.

Blog, Regulations