Expert Insights on DOT Compliance
In-depth analysis, regulatory updates, and practical compliance guidance from transportation attorneys and industry experts.
FMCSA Administrator to resign Jan. 26th
FMCSA Administrator Robin Hutcheson will be resigning from her post effective January 26, 2024. The reasons for her departure are not clear. Sue Lawless, FMCSA's recently appointed Chief Safety Officer and Assistant Administrator, is likely to serve as the agency's Acting Administrator.In a statement, Hutcheson said, “It has been the most profound honor to serve in the Biden-Harris Administration, and I am grateful to President Biden for appointing me to these roles. I thank Secretary Buttigieg
Brandon Wiseman
Shifting Sands of Independence: breaking down the DOL's new independent contractor rule
The rumble of diesel engines and the endless stretch of asphalt have long embodied the spirit of American independence. For countless truckers, the open road is more than a job; it's a way of life, woven into the fabric of our nation's economic and social landscape. However, this familiar landscape is once gain undergoing a shift due to the recently implemented Department of Labor (DOL) final rule on independent contractor classification, potentially altering the course for owner-operators and t
Brandon Wiseman
Trucksafe & Haul launch cutting-edge managed services offering
For today’s fleet managers, navigating the complex world of DOT regulations and ensuring fleet safety can feel like an uphill battle. But what if you could hand over the reins and focus on what you do best – running your business? That’s exactly what the groundbreaking partnership between Trucksafe Consulting, LLC and Haul, a cutting-edge AI-powered fleet risk management software provider, aims to achieve. Through this strategic alliance, Trucksafe expands its offerings with the launch of Trucks
2023 regulatory year-in-review & 2024 outlook
2023 was a big year for trucking and a fairly busy one for regulators. We saw a lot of new proposed rule changes from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Adminstration (FMCSA), particularly around their various enforcement mechanisms like safety ratings and CSA scores. With 2023 coming to a close, we're taking a look back at the most significant DOT-related regulatory initiaves from the past year and looking forward to what's in store for next year. 2023 Year In ReviewAs noted, the FMCSA was fairly
Brandon Wiseman
Understanding FMCSA verifications of employment
Vetting commercial drivers to ensure they are properly qualified is one of the foundational regulatory obligations placed on motor carriers by federal and state safety regulations. As we've discussed in other articles, there's a lot that goes into qualifying drivers. But there's one aspect of driver qualification in particular that seems to cause quite a bit of confusion, and that's the so-called "verification of employment" or "safety performance history request" process. In this article, we br
Brandon Wiseman
5 things fleets can do today to significantly reduce risk
In addition to operational concerns, regulated trucking companies are tasked with navigating a complex web of responsibilities, with the safety of their drivers, cargo, and the motoring public firmly at the core. And it's no secret that fleets have a big target on their back when things go sideways. The consequences of non-compliance and unsafe operations are severe, with fleet-wide shutdowns and multi-million dollar jury verdicts becoming increasingly common. Fortunately, there are ways to sign
Brandon Wiseman
FMCSA amends broker & freight forwarder financial responsibility rules
In a notice to be published in the Federal Register soon, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced revisions to its regulations pertaining to property broker and freight forwarder financial responsibility.This final rule, which is set to take effect 60 days from the date the rule is published in the Federal Register, modifies the following five regulatory areas relating to broker and freight forwarder financial responsibility:Assets Readily Available. In its 2012 MAP-21
Brandon Wiseman
Drug & alcohol testing for student drivers
The first foray into trucking for many commercial drivers is some type of truck driving or CDL school. These institutions provide a valuable service and mission-critical training to these prospective drivers, helping to ensure they are equipped with the foundational knowledge and skills to safely operate large trucks and buses. CDL schools took on an even more prominent role in the industry with the Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) rules that took effect in 2022. One question you'll occasional
Brandon Wiseman
Controlling driver log falsifications
In a recent episode of our Trucksafe LIVE! podcast, we tackled the issue of commercial driver log falsification. What exactly are false logs? Log falsification is a misrepresentation of a commercial driver's duty status or driving time on their daily record of duty status. False logs can be deliberate or unintentional. Attempts to conceal substantive hours-of-service violations by mis-logging time are frequent contributors to log falsifications. Misuse of personal conveyance status, mischaracter
Brandon WisemanNever Miss an Update
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