What Is Cabotage in Trucking? Why Domestic Loads With B-1 Drivers Can End in an Indictment
Cabotage, the movement of domestic freight by foreign drivers or foreign equipment, is now a federal criminal matter. This guide explains the customs, immigration and FMCSA rules that govern cabotage, what the VMS Transport indictment means for carriers and brokers, and the red flags to check in carrier vetting.
Brandon Wiseman
UCR Fees for 2027: Who Must Register, What It Costs and When It's Due
2027 UCR fees rose an average of 20 percent and are due by December 31, 2026. Here is the full fee schedule, who has to register, how to count your fleet and what the SBTC lawsuit means for carriers.
Brandon Wiseman
FMCSA's New Complaint Center Invites Drivers to Report You. Here's How to Prepare.
FMCSA has rebranded its National Consumer Complaint Database as the FMCSA Complaint Center, making it easier for drivers to report hours-of-service coercion and other violations. Here's what carriers need to know and do now to reduce their investigation risk.
Brandon Wiseman
Do Short-Haul Drivers Need an ELD? Every ELD Exemption Explained
Short-haul drivers who qualify under 49 CFR 395.1(e) do not need an ELD, but every exemption has strict conditions. This guide covers every ELD exemption in effect today, from the 150 air-mile short-haul exceptions to driveaway-towaway, pre-2000 vehicles, agricultural operations, rental trucks, and industry-specific exemptions.
Brandon Wiseman
FMCSA Signals New Round of SMS Proposals: Where the CSA Overhaul Stands Today
FMCSA Chief Safety Officer Steve Dowling said on October 28, 2026 that SMS proposals are coming for industry comment. As of today, carriers are still scored under the existing seven-BASIC SMS methodology. The enhanced system FMCSA approved in November 2024 has not launched.
Brandon Wiseman
DataQs Updates & Best Practices: What Every Carrier Needs to Know After FMCSA's Nationwide Rollout
FMCSA has finalized a sweeping DataQs overhaul now live in all 50 states — including a mandatory three-stage review process, strict timelines, and new independence requirements. Here's what changed and what it means for your fleet's appeal strategy.
Brandon Wiseman
FMCSA Clearinghouse September 2026 Report: Key Data Trends Fleet Owners Need to Know
The FMCSA has released its September 2026 Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse Monthly Report. Here's a breakdown of the key data — including prohibited driver counts, violation trends, and what it means for your fleet's compliance program.
Brandon Wiseman
NRII Waiver Has Ended: What Carriers Need to Know as the Paper Med Card Era Closes for CDL Drivers
FMCSA's NRII waiver allowing paper medical certificates has officially expired — but Alaska remains unable to support the electronic process. Here's what carriers need to know.
Brandon Wiseman
FMCSA Denies FOPT Exemption Request to Allow Paper Logs in Place of ELDs
FMCSA has officially denied the Federation of Professional Truckers' application to allow drivers to use paper logs instead of ELDs, citing a congressional mandate under MAP-21 and the applicant's failure to demonstrate safety equivalency.
Brandon WisemanNever Miss an Update
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