Truckers and Travelers
Trucking Information Resource
Archive for June, 2009
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!!!
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6 Easy Steps To Getting The Most Out Of Your Tires
1. Know the difference between price & cost- When done right, tire shopping can be more difficult then one would think. Make sure you are getting the most for your money. Not just the cheapest tire.
2. Choose the right tire for your application. If you don’t have the right tire for your application, you cannot possibly expect the best results from that tire.
3. Maintaining your tires- it is always important to regularly check your air pressure, your tread depth, tread face & alignment. When you are keeping proper air pressure and watching your tread you will be able to identify irregular wear problems easier.
4. Speed: maintaining a reasonable speed is going to save your tires and your fuel. Also, make sure you know what your tires are speed rated at.
5. Rotation: Tire rotation can save you a lot of wear on your tires. The most advantageous type of rotation used is the X pattern rotation.
6. Here is a bonus option, though it might not be for everyone. Capping- if you run a good quality tire on your drive axle, you can cap your tires the first time with a drive cap, run them again on your drive axle, cap them the second time with a trailer cap and run them out.
A Well Run Trucking Business Stays DOT Compliant!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
posted by DOT Guru 1:00 AM
Who needs the Federal Annual Vehicle Inspection?
If you are going to run a successful trucking business, you must remember to stay on top of your game. For instance you have to run the numbers on each load you haul to make sure you are making your required per mile rate to stay profitable. Annual vehicle inspections are another way you stay DOT compliant and profitable.
Part 396.17 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations requires that each vehicle or combination vehicle having a GVWR over 10,000# must receive a Federal Annual Inspection as prescribed in that section.
This annual inspection requirement can be accomplished in any one of three ways. 1) Self inspected by the owner of the equipment, 2) Inspected by a third party, or 3) By a mandated State inspection meeting the federal standard. Keep in mind that any annual inspections performed by any non-State mandated programs must be conducted by properly certified mechanics as prescribed in 49 CFR part 396.
In the Northeast, the mandatory State inspection programs in RI, MA, NH, MD, ME, VT, PA and NY are equivalent to the federal annual inspection requirement. However, the inspection programs in CT and a couple dozen other states outside the Northeast, do not meet the federal standard so vehicles registered in those states must either be self inspected or inspected by a third party. Make sure you know which states do not meet the federal vehicle standards. How do you find out? You read and do research. Every solid trucking business stays informed of any changes in federal standards and DOT compliance issues so they stay profitable. This is just another way that you stay DOT compliant, loaded, and successful.
A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) is required in the United States to operate any type of vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 lb or over including (but not limited to) tow trucks, tractor trailers and buses, is designed to transport 16 or more people including the operator, or is placarded to carry hazardous materials.
The Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 was signed into law on October 27, 1986. The primary intent of the Act was 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 (which include CDL training) that must be met when issuing a CDL.
Running Your Trucking Business On Cash Not Credit!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
posted by 18 Wheeler 12:10 AM
Hello, Fellow Truckers! I bet you’re wondering if that is really possible. Well, it is. The trouble comes in when you try to run your trucking business without a budget. The budget starts by writing down what you make each week or month and what you’re spending. There are several ways to do this, but I prefer the old-fashioned way of writing it down with pen and paper. Another way to begin is to use any one of the computer software programs like Microsoft Money or Quicken. You want to begin by writing down (or entering into your computer) everything you do in a month with your money, from bank deposits, to buying a bottle of water, to paying your truck payment. Remember your goal is to pay cash for everything except your equipment. Then you want to get that paid off and run it for quite some time so you can sock away your truck payment instead. You may ask me, “but, Tonya, How do I pay for repairs and tires?” There are programs that will allow you to set up accounts with them where you can pay for the expenses over a short period of time, like a few months with no interest. I mentioned in my blog on tires, 6/11/09, a company called Magnum Tire Corporation allows for interest-free tire accounts to be set up. For your repairs, there are places like the Flying J that offer discounts on repair services when you join their company association.
After you have written down all your monthly expenses from mortgage, gas, groceries, utilities, truck payment, trailer payment, diesel fuel purchases, quarterly tax payment, then add them up and subtract them from the total gross amount. You will then see how much you have left over, if any. Ideally your debt, both with the trucking business and household expenses, should not exceed 40-50% of your total monthly income. If it’s more than this, you need to cut back on your spending. Are you spending too much on convenience purchases, or fast food or unnecessary purchases? Look for the places in your budget where you are too extravagent.
Another thing you should do in your trucking business is to allot 5 to 10 cents per mile for maintenance of your truck and trailer. The maintenance would include equipment repairs, oil changes, tire repairs and replacements. Once you can start putting this amount of cash away for future maintenance, you will begin to reduce your dependence on credit for anything but equipment purchases.
Remember to start out slowly cutting back on expenses so you won’t feel deprived. Remember your goal is to run your trucking business on cash not credit. Keep your goal in the foremost part of your sight and visualize it till you begin to act on your goals rather then your impulses. I like the saying, which is so true: If you can dream it, you can achieve it!”. Remember, Fellow Truckers, I write these blogs to motivate you to success. We have to support each other in the trucking industry. Be safe out there!
Trucking Authority – Staying DOT Compliant Is Profitable!
Monday, June 22, 2009
posted by DOT Guru 12:10 AM
A US DOT number is required for all companies utilizing commercial vehicles in interstate commerce, while operating authority is only required for “for-hire” operations. You are a “for-hire” operation if you are hauling other peoples’ goods. When it comes to the Department of Transportation (DOT) rules and regulations, there is much work to be done in regards to regulatory compliance once you receive your USDOT number and/or operating authority.
Regulations implemented in recent years require “new entrants” in trucking to undergo a DOT Safety Audit within 18 months of obtaining their US DOT number. Submitting to, and passing, this mandatory Safety Audit is required in order to be permitted to continue to operate. All records and documentation required for the Safety Audit must be made available for inspection during this mandatory audit. (The Safety Audit could be performed in as few as 3 months of receiving your DOT number) The audit will be performed by either a state official, a federal DOT agent or a third party contractor working under the authority of the US DOT.
Your company’s internal records to be reviewed during the Safety Audit include; substance & alcohol testing records, driver qualification files, driver log books / time records, vehicle maintenance records, hazardous materials records if applicable and various registration requirements. If there is a pattern of non-compliance with the regulations or the discovery any particular egregious violation, your company will lose its ability to continue to operate until you can prove to the DOT that you have corrected the discovered deficiencies. Following a failed Safety Audit, you will have as few as 45 days and as many as 60 days, to demonstrate compliance to the DOT. The number of days is predicated on the type of operation you have.
If the DOT determines that proper evidence of corrective action has not been submitted after a failed Safety Audit, your right to operate will be revoked and you will have to wait at least 30 days to resubmit evidence of corrective action. Ask yourself this: If you have been in business approximately 12 months, then fail the mandatory DOT Safety Audit, then fail to submit proper corrective actions to the DOT in a timely manner, can you afford to shut down your business for at least 30 days while waiting to hear back from the DOT on whether you can even reopen your operation? The answer is likely no, so don’t risk it – be in compliance! Compliance is your responsibility.
Hello, Fellow Truckers, If you are planning to venture out as an owner/operator or get trucking authority there is one thing to consider when purchasing a truck for your trucking business. I was reading in OOIDA’s Land Line Magazine and found some interesting information that you need to know. Besides fuel, your truck payment will be your biggest expense. When I started my trucking business I decided my best move was to purchase a used truck instead of a new one. I sure wanted one of those fancy new ones, but my budget wouldn’t let me. I settled on a 2000 Volvo 770 with a 600 Cummins and 18 speed transmission. After the truck purchase there was single state registration, IFTA and other state permits. Because I applied for INTERstate trucking authority, I had to have state permits for New York (NY HUT), Kentucky (KYU), New Mexico (NM Permit) and Oregon (OR Weight Receipt).
What do state permits have to do with purchasing a used vehicle? Well, a lot. When you go to apply for your New York HUT, your application could be rejected because of a lien put on your truck that follows the truck’s VIN Number when it is transferred or sold. What has happened is the previous owner owed monies to New York, didn’t pay them and a lien was put on the VIN of that truck. Make sure before agreeing to purchase any used truck that you call New York State’s Taxation and Finance Department FIRST. If there is a lien on the truck’s VIN, you as the new owner will be responsible to either track down the previous owner to get them to pay (yeah right!). Or, you will be liable for the unpaid balance on the truck.
So, when purchasing a used vehicle, first call the New York State Taxation and Finance Department at (518) 457-5735. Have the VIN handy on the truck you are ABOUT to purchase. Here’s the kicker! New York cannot give you the previous owner’s name or phone number, by privacy laws. They cannot even give you an exact amount owed, only a negotiated price. You can do one of two things. Pay the negotiated amount, which can take a while to settle with New York and all the while you are still denied the HUT permit. Or, decide not to run in New York. Either way, you need to either redo your business plan because of this unexpected twist, or purchase another truck, get your NY HUT and avoid all the hassles.
So, when purchasing a used truck for your trucking business, make sure you check with New York State before handing over the dough! You will be a much smarter trucker if you do! Be safe out there!!!
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.
Three Simple Things To Improve Your Physical Health Without Much Effort!
Hello, Fellow Truckers! Starting a trucking business takes time and preparation. Did you happen to ready my blog on the 7 things to do before starting a trucking business? Well, once you’ve done the preparation work to start a trucking business, you need to think about yourself. The trucking industry has been lax in providing creative ways for drivers to improve or keep their physical health. If you’ve been driving for a while, you know how easy it is to just drive, deliver your load, stop to eat, shower and sleep and hit it hard again the next day. When do you take the time to make sure that the most important machine besides your rig is getting what it needs? I know if you own your own truck you know the importance of regular maintenance. Your body is no different.
If you will, let me suggest three simple and very easy things you can do to improve your physical health. Without that, there is NO trucking business. Am I right? I remember when I was driving my rig, I had to be creative to stay in shape. I went to the same truck stops you all go to. I simply made a decision to take care of myself so I could do my job better. So here’s three things to consider adding to your daily routine without taking a lot of time out of your already busy schedule. this simple technique I call the “Pre-Trip Walk”. It can be done during your pre-trip inspection. As you walk around your rig checking your load, the sound of your tires with your tire buddy, and your overall rig, you’ve actually walked around your entire truck and trailer one time, at least. Would it be such a stretch to do that four more times? Then try to improve this by increasing the times you walk around your rig. Start out with five times, then do six times and so on. The trick here is to only take an additional 10 minutes from your schedule. If you do this first thing in the morning, then when you stop to eat lunch, then again when you stop at supper, you’ve actually exercised 30 minutes without much effort. I bet you’ve sat in your truck jawing on the CB more than that a time or two.
The second easy exercise can be done when you’re sitting at a stoplight or when you’re docked and waiting to be unloaded, or just after you’ve parked for the evening. I call it the “Stoplight Exercise”. Since we all breath anyway, why not add a little breathing technique that will help stimulate your lymph gland system to get rid of toxins in your body? All you have to do the next time you are stopped for a minute or more, is to breathe deeply from your diaphragm (just below your rib cage). As you breathe in, count 1, 2, 3. Then slowly breathe out 1, 2, 3. Do that three to five times. That’s all you do. The benefit? You increase the oxygen to your blood stream. You will actually feel your body relax slightly. And, as I mentioned above, releasing toxins out through your lymph system.
The third and last suggestion I call “The Water Bottle“. Did you know that the number one complaint of drivers is cramping, especially leg cramping? The major cause of this is what we drink not how much. Most of us spend our days drinking coffee or sodas out of those HUGE mugs you can buy at any fuel stop. They hold a quart or more of beverage. The problem with lots of coffee and sodas is that they flush out the magnesium from your body. Sodas also flush out calcium. Magnesium is essential in balancing potassium, which in tun helps regulate blood pressure. Instead of the sodas and coffee, replace some of what you consume with bottled water that contain magnesium and potassium. You can buy these at most fuel stops and any Wal-Mart. The ones I recommend are Smart Water and Voss. Ideally you should drink half your body weight in fluid ounces. If you weigh 180 lbs., that’s 90 ounces of water per day. Hey, let’s be realistic though! Just try to start drinking one or two of these small bottles a day and then increase it from there. If you’re not a water drinker, put some flavor in your water with Crystal Light or some other additive that will help get it down. Here’s what I do to get my water, I add lemon or lime juice and some Splenda. It tastes like lemonade or limeade without the calories.
So, fellow Drivers! Remember that YOU are the most important aspect of your trucking business. Be safe out there!