Expert Insights on DOT Compliance
In-depth analysis, regulatory updates, and practical compliance guidance from transportation attorneys and industry experts.
When is it appropriate for drivers to claim adverse driving condition exemption?
There's nothing quite as frustrating as being stuck in traffic for lengthy periods. Now multiply that frustration by at least ten when you're a commercial driver faced with the pressure of timely and safely delivering freight to an expectant customer on the one hand and staying within your allotted hours-of-service on the other. It's maddening! Fortunately, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations offer some regulatory relief to drivers faced with so-called "adverse driving conditions," at l
Brandon Wiseman
Understanding FMCSA civil penalties
In January 2023, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced inflation-adjusted increases to its civil penalties. Now, it’s probably not surprising to you that the FMCSA is vested with the authority to enforce its safety regulations by assessing civil penalties. It’s really no different than other government agencies imposing fines for other types of non-compliance. That in mind, there are some nuances to the FMCSA’s civil penalties which are worth discussing, at least at a
Brandon Wiseman
What property brokers MUST know about their role in highway accidents
In late 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear a case involving C.H. Robinson, one of the largest property brokers in the world, in which Robinson was alleged to have negligently hired a motor carrier that caused a bad accident and severely injured the plaintiff in the case. Robinson contended these types of lawsuits against property brokers are preempted by a federal law known as the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act or FAAAA, which generally prohibits states from enforcin
Brandon Wiseman
FMCSA delivers another blow to hair testing
In a notice to be published in the Federal Register soon, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced its decision to deny a petition filed by The Alliance for Driver Safety & Security--an alliance of large motor carriers--concerning the use of hair testing for DOT-mandated drug tests. If you are a CDL driver or you employ them, you’re familiar with the DOT drug testing process, which has historically relied on urinalysis as the only approved method for conducting DOT-manda
Brandon Wiseman
FMCSA rule changes for 2023?
2022 was a big year for trucking and a fairly busy one for regulators. We saw a lot of new rules come out of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) this year, including most notably the Entry Level Driver Training regulations from February. But with 2022 coming to a close, the question is what’s in store for 2023 from a regulatory perspective. That's what we're discussing in this article. It's no surprise that highway transportation is very heavily regulated, at least from a sa
Brandon Wiseman
How carriers can protect themselves against cargo loss & damage
Cargo and freight claims can be a complex and daunting area of transportation law. However, proper planning and understanding of the risks involved can go a long way in avoiding costly issues.In a recent episode of our Trucksafe LIVE! podcast, we were fortunate to have two leading experts on the topic, transportation attorneys Kristen Johnson and Craig Helmreich, join us to discuss their experiences and insights.First and foremost, Johnson and Helmreich emphasized the importance of having a clea
Brandon Wiseman
2022 in Review: Top Trucksafe Content
2022 was a big year for the trucking industry and a busy one for us at Trucksafe! We met a lot of great carriers and safety professionals this year and were honored to help our carrier clients on a number of compliance-related projects. We produced and published well over 100 hours of DOT-related content across our various platforms. We developed a couple of new courses through our Trucksafe Academy. We launched our Trucksafe Compliance Network and hosted a bunch of free educational webinars. We
Brandon Wiseman
Trucksafe joins the Transportation & Logistics Clubhouse podcast
Trucksafe's president Brandon Wiseman recently joined the Transportation & Logistics Clubhouse podcast to discuss how fleets can "tune up their operations" when it comes to DOT compliance. Topics covered: • Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse • Safety metrics (out-of-service rates, CSA scores, safety ratings) • Top compliance-related violations • Shipper/broker liability and carrier selection • The importance of being proactiveCatch the replay below! About Trucksafe Consulting, LLC: Trucksafe Consultin
When should trucking companies hire a dedicated safety director?
Whether you've just started your motor carrier operation or have been at it for some time, you undoubtedly know that trucking is a heavily regulated industry, and for good reason. Operating large trucks and buses is inherently dangerous. The consequences of unsafe operations can be severe. Navigating the multitude of federal and state safety regulations that govern highway transportation and implementing effective policies and procedures to minimize accidents are tall tasks. And they probably ha
Brandon WisemanNever Miss an Update
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