Expert Insights on DOT Compliance
In-depth analysis, regulatory updates, and practical compliance guidance from transportation attorneys and industry experts.
FMCSA proposes to scale back regulatory relief during declared emergencies
According to a notice scheduled to be published in the Federal Register soon, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is proposing to "narrow the scope of regulations from which relief is provided automatically for motor carriers providing direct assistance when an emergency has been declared."For decades, the agency's regulations have granted fairly broad regulatory relief to those providing direct assistance to "emergency relief efforts" following emergency declarations issued
Brandon Wiseman
5 steps to improve your out of service rates
Out of service rates are important metrics for regulated motor carriers. These rates, which are publicly available on each carrier’s SAFER profile, indicate how frequently a carrier’s vehicles and drivers are being placed out of service (i.e., prohibited from operating) for serious violations during roadside inspections. As we detailed in a previous article, out of service rates are one of five critical safety metrics that fleets should be closely monitoring and working to improve. High rates ca
Brandon Wiseman
Trucksafe featured on Taking the Hire Road
Trucksafe's president Brandon Wiseman joined DriverReach's Jeremy Reymer on a recent episode of FreightWaves' Taking the Hire Road podcast to discuss upcoming changes to the driver qualification process stemming from full implementation of the federal Drug/Alcohol Clearinghouse. Read more and catch the replay here. About Trucksafe Consulting, LLC: Trucksafe Consulting is a full-service DOT regulatory compliance consulting and training service. We help carriers develop, implement, and improve the
Trucksafe’s Brandon Wiseman joins FreightWaves to discuss drug/alcohol testing
Trucksafe's president Brandon Wiseman recently sat down with FreightWaves to discuss the intracicies of post-accident drug/alcohol testing for regulated drivers. Catch the replay above!About Trucksafe Consulting, LLC: Trucksafe Consulting is a full-service DOT regulatory compliance consulting and training service. We help carriers develop, implement, and improve their safety programs, through personalized services, industry-leading training, and a library of educational content. Trucksafe also h
Applicability of federal motor carrier regulations to passenger operations
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is the federal agency charged with regulating the interstate operation of commercial motor vehicles. It does so through its promulgation and enforcement of its Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) in title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 390-399. The manner in which the FMCSA regulates property carriers differs from the way it regulates passenger carriers. As addressed in a prior article, the applicability of the F
Brandon Wiseman
What to do after a CMV accident
A serious accident involving your commercial vehicle is a trucking company's worst nightmare, and the consequences can be severe. According to FMCSA data, fatality accidents involving large trucks or buses decreased by 34% from 2005 to 2009 but increased by 31% between 2010 and 2020. And according to NHTSA data, the number of these types of accidents increased by yet another 13% from 2020 to 2021. As addressed in a prior article, these types of accidents are leading to multi-million dollar jury
FMCSA clarifies key brokerage definitions
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), at the direction of the U.S. Congress, has issued regulatory guidance aimed at clarifying the statutory and regulatory definitions of the terms "broker" and "bona fide agent." As explained in the agency's November 15, 2022 notice, this "interim guidance [is intended] to inform the public and regulated entities about FMCSA’s interpretation of the definitions of 'broker' and 'bona fide agents' as it relates to all brokers of transportation b
Brandon Wiseman
Changes in store for the Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse?
On January 6, 2023, the federal Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse will have been in effect for three years. That's an important milestone for a f
Brandon Wiseman
How to improve your CSA scores
CSA scores are a big deal for regulated motor carriers. High CSA scores can lead to increased insurance premiums, lost business, and heightened exposure in highway accident litigation. Keeping your scores as low as possible is important, but how do you do it? That's the million dollar question. Although the answer is pretty straightforward, it's unfortunately not what most fleets want to hear. Lowering your CSA scores (and keeping them low) takes time and effort. There is no magic wand. There ar
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