Expert Insights on DOT Compliance
In-depth analysis, regulatory updates, and practical compliance guidance from transportation attorneys and industry experts.
What is the split sleeper berth rule?
One of the more confusing aspects of the federal hours-of-service rules, at least for some drivers, is the so-called “split sleeper berth” rule. Used correctly, this rule offers some decent flexibility to drivers whose trucks are equipped with a sleeper berth, particularly when it comes to times they are detained at shipper or receiver facilities. But the rule isn’t all that intuitive, unfortunately, so in this article, we will break down the split sleeper rule. But generally speaking...The spli
Brandon Wiseman
FMCSA to increase civil penalties for regulatory violations
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is increasing the fine amounts for certain violations of its Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. In a notice to be published in the Federal Register on March 21, 2022, the agency announced its annual inflation adjustments to its civil penalty schedule. These penalties appear in 49 CFR Part 386, Appendix A, and are generally assessed following the discovery of egregious safety violations. Generally speaking, the civil penalty amounts l
Brandon Wiseman
FMCSA withdraws third-party and out-of-state CDL testing rulemakings
In two separate notices to be published on March 9, 2022, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is formally withdrawing CDL-related rulemakings that would have provided some flexibility to the knowledge and skills testing process. In the first notice, the agency is withdrawing a proposed rule that would have allowed driver applicants to take the commercial driver’s license (CDL) general and specialized knowledge tests in a state other than the applicants state of domicile. That
Brandon Wiseman
FMCSA to eliminate certificate of violations requirement
In a Final Rule to be published on March 9, 2022, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is doing away with the regulatory requirement that drivers operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce prepare and submit a list of their convictions for traffic violations to their employers annually. According to the agency, this requirement "is largely duplicative of a separate rule that requires each motor carrier to make an annual inquiry to obtain the motor vehicl
Brandon Wiseman
FMCSA to allow greater flexibility for installation of interior CMV safety technology
In a Final Rule expected to be published to the Federal Register on March 7, 2022, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is amending certain provisions of its Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to increase the area on the interior of commercial motor vehicle (CMV) windshields where certain "vehicle safety technology" devices may be mounted. In addition, the agency has added items to the list of qualifying vehicle safety technologies. Under existing rules (49 CFR
Brandon Wiseman
DOT proposes to allow oral fluid drug testing
In a notice published to the Federal Register on February 28, 2022, the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) is proposing to revise its existing drug and alcohol testing rules in 49 CFR Part 40 to, among other things, expand the allowable methods for DOT drug testing to include oral fluids. According to the agency, "this will give employers a choice that will help combat employee cheating on urine drug tests and provide a more economical, less intrusive means of achieving the safet
Brandon Wiseman
Trucksafe discusses the Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program
In a recent webinar hosted by The Next Generation in Trucking Association and sponsored by DriverReach, Trucksafe’s president Brandon Wiseman discussed the FMCSA’s recently-announced Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program. As addressed in our prior article, the program will open the door to approximately 3,000 18-20 year old apprentices to operate commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce under certain circumstances. FleetOwner magazine highlighted the webinar in a recent article. The p
Minimizing exposure through driver qualification
In a recent webinar hosted by FleetOwner and sponsored by PrePass, Trucksafe president Brandon Wiseman discussed practical ways fleets can minimize their exposure to regulatory enforcement and heightened highway accident exposure through their driver qualification processes. In particular, Brandon highlighted the recent and first-ever $1 Billion jury verdict entered against two trucking companies in a Florida case, and the lessons carriers can learn from that accident. Brandon discussed the impo
10 things you should know about entry-level driver training
The new entry-level driver training rule for CDL drivers is set to take effect on Feb. 7, 2022. Here are the details you need to know…
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