Expert Insights on DOT Compliance
In-depth analysis, regulatory updates, and practical compliance guidance from transportation attorneys and industry experts.
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!
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
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
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
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
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