Expert Insights on DOT Compliance
In-depth analysis, regulatory updates, and practical compliance guidance from transportation attorneys and industry experts.
Trucksafe discusses proposed CSA changes with HDT Talks Trucking
Trucksafe's president Brandon Wiseman recently joined Heavy Duty Trucking's Talks Trucking podcast to discuss the FMCSA's proposed revisions to its Safety Measurement System (SMS) and what those changes could mean for regulated fleets. Catch the replay below or at this link. For an even more in-depth discussion of these changes, check out our recent episode of Trucksafe LIVE! on the topic:About Trucksafe Consulting, LLC: Trucksafe Consulting is a full-service DOT regulatory compliance consulting
Top 5 personal conveyance mistakes
It’s 2023, and personal conveyance remains one of the most misunderstood and abused aspects of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. It is one of the leading contributors to log falsification violations, roadside out of service orders, elevated hours-of-service scores, downgraded safety ratings, and civil penalties. In fact, personal conveyance misuse is so prominent that it has its own violation code in the Safety Measurement System (SMS) methodology.With so much at stake, it’s critical
Brandon Wiseman
Who is subject to hazmat registration and training rules?
Operating large trucks and buses on public highways can be dangerous, but adding hazardous materials to the mix can significantly raise the stakes and warrants extra caution. At Trucksafe, we talk a lot about the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) and how they impact fleets, but we spend less time addressing the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMRs), an entirely separate body of the federal law. If you transport or otherwise handle hazardous materials, it's imperative you underst
Brandon Wiseman
Trucksafe's Brandon Wiseman joins the Safety FM podcast
Trucksafe's president Brandon Wiseman recently joined the Safety FM podcast to discuss a wide range of topics, including: • How he first got involved in trucking • Why he started Trucksafe • How he helps carriers with their DOT legal issues • The top regulatory compliance issues plaguing the industryCatch the replay below!
FMCSA proposes substantial revisions to its Safety Measurement System (SMS)
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is proposing fairly substantial changes to its Safety Measurement System (SMS) also known as CSA, which the agency uses to prioritize motor carriers for enforcement. According to a notice published in the Federal Register on February 15, 2023, "FMCSA continues its commitment to continuously improving SMS to identify motor carriers that present the highest crash risk through a transparent and effective system." We'll break it all down in thi
Brandon Wiseman
Trucksafe LIVE! | The intersection of driver recruiting and compliance
On a recent episode of our Trucksafe LIVE! podcast, we discussed the importance of proper vetting in the driver recruitment process. Jeremy Reymer, founder and CEO of Driver Reach, who'sbeen in the trucking industry for over 20 years, joined us to discuss this important topic. Jeremy started his career in trucking running a successful driver staffing company and then moved on to establish DriverReach, a technology platform aimed at helping companies hire drivers faster and manage compliance bett
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
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