Expert Insights on DOT Compliance
In-depth analysis, regulatory updates, and practical compliance guidance from transportation attorneys and industry experts.
When trucking regulations run amok
Regulations have been my profession, my life, for many years. Trucking regulations, to be precise. I’ve devoted my career to helping fleets better understand and comply with the hundreds of safety-related regulations that govern their operations. And I step in to defend those fleets when they inevitably run afoul of the rules. Trucking is a heavily regulated industry, understandably so. It’s dangerous. Thousands of people die in the U.S. each year in accidents involving large trucks and buses, n
Brandon Wiseman
Spotlight on fleet maintenance
In a recent episode of the Trucksafe LIVE! podcast, host Brandon Wiseman and Brian Runnels, VP of Safety at Reliance Partners, discussed the importance of fleet maintenance and some of the pitfalls when it is not handled appropriately. Wiseman and Runnels noted that fleet maintenance is essential for the safety of drivers and the public, as well as for the profitability of trucking companies. They pointed to recent cases where maintenance problems have led to accidents, injuries, and fatalities.
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
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
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
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
Brandon Wiseman
FMCSA contemplating electronic vehicle identification tags
Among its flurry of recently-published notices, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has announced it is seeking comments on whether the agency should amend its regulations to require "every commercial motor vehicle (CMV) operating in interstate commerce to be equipped with electronic identification (ID) technology capable of wirelessly communicating a unique ID number when queried by a Federal or State motor carrier safety enforcement personnel." The agency's notice is a resp
Brandon Wiseman
What are chameleon carriers?
Chameleons--the reptiles, that is--are known for their ability to change their physical appearance to blend into their surroundings. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which is primarily responsible for regulating highway safety, has ascribed similar characteristics to nefarious motor carriers who attempt to avoid the consequences of non-compliance by closing up shop and reincarnating under a different name or USDOT number. These so-called "chameleon carriers" believe that
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