Truckers and Travelers
Trucking Information Resource
Archive for the ‘Requirements for CDL’ Category
Hello Fellow Truckers! It seems that a major change is coming January 30, 2012. Remember when going to get your CDL either for the first time or for renewal? You were simply asked if your medical certification was current? they took your word for it. Those days are about to end. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issued a final rule that will change the way states verify medical certification for the trucking industry. Once the new ruling takes effect in each state, truckers will be required to present the original or a copy of the current medical examiner’s certification. The state licensing office will then date stamp your certification card and return it to you, the driver. The date-stamped card will be evidence of medical certification for 15 days. The state then has 10 days from the day your card was stamped to enter your information into the CDLIS, or the Commercial Drivers License Information System. The state will be required to keep a copy of the stamped certification card for 3 years from the date the CDL was issued.
Once the date-stamp certification card is entered into the system, trucker drivers won’t have to present the medical card for inpsections or employment. Inspectors will have access to the CDLIS. Motor carriers won’t be able to present the medical card anymore to prove a driver is qualified to get behind the wheel. On January 30th, 2012, all motor carriers will have to include a copy of the CDLIS in their pro-rate book before drivers are allowed to operate a vehicle. If your medical certification expires before your CDL, you will have to get it updated and present it to your licensing office or your CDL will be downgraded after 60 days. Stay on top of your medical certification, Drivers! This is another way we can keep profitable in the trucking business. Be safe out there!!!
add comment | 0 Comments
3 Things To Achieve Your Own Trucking Authority
Thursday, June 18, 2009
posted by 18 Wheeler 12:01 AM
Ever wonder what it takes besides just going through the motions of the application process for trucking authority? Getting Trucking Authority also requires vision and persistence. It reminds me of a verse in the Bible that says, “without a vision the people perish.” I suggest three things to achieve operating authority. These include writing a business plan for your trucking company. Second, educate yourself on the subject of trucking authority (also called operating authority). Before you can be successful, you have to see yourself and your company succeeding. And third, be persistent.
The first thing you must do when venturing out into the trucking industry is to have a trucking business plan written down. A sort of map of the direction and steps you will take to achieve trucking business ownership. Remember my blog about the 7 things to do before quitting your company job? Well, after those things are behind you, now you must follow a business plan. Your business plan must include all the steps, no matter how many, you will have to take to start a trucking company. Will you incorporate? Will you become an owner/operator first or get your trucking authority? How will you finance your equipment? How much start up money will you need to run for three to four months before seeing a paycheck? What kinds of loads will you haul? Will you stay close to home or go cross country? These are just a few of the things you must write down. Studies show that people who write down their goals are much more likely to achieve those goals than if they didn’t write them down.
Second, get some education and do some research. When I wanted to get into real estate investing, I did some research and found that I needed education about the subject. Then I attended a couple of three day courses on real estate investing basics and property management. Armed with education I was able to direct my efforts into the types of property I wanted to buy and how to manage them once I got them rented. You can find most of what you need online these days. I also suggest talking with people who have achieved success in the trucking business. Consult with experts on certain areas of the trucking industry.
The last thing you will need is some plain ole elbow grease and persistence. Never give up in the face of challenges. Learn to either wait out the problem and it will resolve on its own. Or, brainstorm and find solutions to the problem. Never ignore the challenges you will face. They are opportunities for growth. I call my mistakes and challenges my wisdom makers. Be quick to call on your mentors and experts for help. If you just can’t seem to get around the problem either by waiting it out or by problem-solving, ask someone with more experience. Usually they are quick to offer assistance because they have walked in your shoes.
So, Fellow Truckers, remember to get trucking authority, you need to implement the above three things to be successful in your own trucking business. My wish is that you gain support and motivation from these blogs. Be safe out there!!!!
Hello, Fellow Truckers! If you are hauling through or delivering loads in Minnesota make sure get plenty of rest before you hit their weigh scales. Make sure that your log books are up to date too, a given in all states. Why Minnesota? Well, the Minnesota State Police have implemented a “survey” called the “Fatigued Driving Evaluation Checklist”. Based on your answers to their questions you can possibly be shut down for 10 hours and even fined for driving fatigued. You can also be dinged with an OOS (out of service) order, giving your SafeStat Score a black mark. According to OOIDA’s Landline Magazine’s June 09 issue, it has already happened to several drivers. The impact to your trucking business is that it will hit your pocketbook with or without the fine. You have your trip all mapped out, routes you will take and ETA. Now you have to deliver your load late and possibly lose all or some of the pay also for the late delivery. Let’s nip this in the bud before it impacts our profits!!
Just remember, Fellow Truckers, we have to watch each other’s backs. I want to see you successful and prosperous in the trucking business, especially owner/operators and those of you with trucking authority. Please remember to read about this checklist and avoid any unnecessary delays or financial losses. I’m looking out for you all and appreciate your hard work and dedication. Be safe out there!!
P.S. I saw a creative sign on the side of a big rig today. It read, “Draggin’ this wagon for Bones Transportation.
Trucking News!
Hey, fellow Truckers! Here’s a trucking news reminder. With the weather warm again (finally!) it’s time to think about truck tires. The road surfaces are heating up and that’s more wear and tear on your tires. You know the routine after getting up and preparing to head back out on the road, you need to do a pre-trip inspection. It’s not just walking around the rig to check your load, it’s important and a must to check each tire. Most of you carry a “tire buddy”, that stick that you hit the tires with and get a certain sound. The “dead” sound means the tires need air. You also check for any objects that may be puncturing your tires.
There’s a great company I have been dealing with for a couple of years that really wants our trucking business. Magnum Tire Corporation has really been a great help to me. You’ll find them on my trucking resources page under “All About Tires”. I found them last year when I was needing to put some rear tires on my Kenworth. Like any trucking business person, finding that extra cash flow can be difficult, especially coming up with $2000-$4000 worth of tires all at once. This is really true for those of you starting a trucking business. I’m not one to use credit cards. My philosophy is to run my company on cash as much as possible. So, last year I began using Magnum Tire Corporation.
Like I said, I needed some rear axle tires and they opened an account for me, paid for the tires and set up a four-monthly payment plan that fit my budget. I got the brand of tires I needed from the company of my choice. Magnum Tire Corporation took care of the rest. So, if you are in need of truck tires and want to do business with a reputable and friendly company that cares, look to Magnum Tire Corporation. They are here to help you stay trucking! Thanks for stopping by TruckersandTravelersInfo.com!
A Commercial Driver’s License, also known as a “CDL”, is required in all 50 States in order to operate any type of vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 lb (11,793 kg) or over including (but not limited to) tow trucks, tractor trailers and buses, is designed to transport 16 or more people including the operator. All necessary training may be obtained by completing a qualified CDL training program through a truck driving school.
When the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 was signed into law it was done so to improve highway safety by ensuring that truck drivers and drivers of tractor trailers and buses are qualified to drive Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMVs), and to remove drivers that are unsafe and unqualified from the highways. The Act continued to give states the right to issue CDLs, but the national government established minimum requirements that must be met when issuing a CDL.