Truckers and Travelers
Trucking Information Resource
Archive for July, 2009
Hello, Fellow Truckers! In part 1 I discussed the first 5 main questions on trucking authority. In part 2 we will cover the next 4 questions listed below.
6. How much does it cost to get trucking authority?
The most affordable way to get trucking authority is to do it yourself. The MC Number is $300 to begin the process. The DOT Number is free to obtain. If you need a Hazardous Materials Permit this is also $300. Additional costs will come with the base truck and trailer plates or UCRA (UCR), IRP, truck and trailer insurance, IFTA, medical insurance, BOC-3 Process Agent, and the DOT physical, drug testing and drug consortium. All are costs that are doable with the right load pricing structure you put in place in your successful trucking business.
7. what is UCRA?
The Unified Carrier Registration Agreement states that all motor carriers, regulated, exempt and private as well as interstate brokers, Freight Forwarders and leasing companies are subject to the fees under the UCRA. Fees are calculated per company based on the number of commercial motor vehicles it operates. Commercial motor vehicles include the total number of trucks, trailers and power units operated by the company. The table below contains the fee schedule that a company would be subject to based on their fleet size:
| Fleet Size | Fee |
|---|---|
| 0-2 | $39 |
| 3-5 | $116 |
| 6-20 | $231 |
| 21-100 | $806 |
| 101-1000 | $3840 |
| over 1000 | $37500 |
8. What is IRP?
The IRP stands for International Registration Plan. This covers the apportioned tags for your tractor. The contiguous 48 states plus Canadian Provinces participate in the program. You must register with your base state and select the states that you wish to operate in the current or coming year. This must be renewed annually and has a prorated annual fee. Only vehicles over 26,000 Gross Vehicle Weight participate in the program. The annual fee range is $800 – $2500.
9. What is IFTA?
IFTA stands for International Fuel Tax Agreement. It is a means to pay fuel taxes to the different participating states and provinces by registering and filing quarterly returns with your base state. Only the contiguous 48 states, plus Canadian Provinces and vehicles over 26,000 Gross Vehicle Weight participate in this program. Registration for the program is generally free but some states may charge a registration and decal fee that usually costs under $30.
In Part 3 we will finish up the lat 5 questions that cover trucking authority. Be safe out there!
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Hello, Fellow Truckers! Today I would like to do a three part series about Trucking Authority. In this series I will do a FAQ on trucking authority. The first five questions will be listed here, with two more blogs about the other 14 main trucking authority questions.
1. What is an MC Number?
An MC number is issued by the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration). It grants the right to commence operations in interstate commerce in the transportation industry. There are several factors involved in obtaining an MC number including a USDOT number, BOC 3 Process Agents, and insurance.
2. What is a USDOT Number?
A USDOT number is issued by the US Department of Transportation. It tracks all your company’s information with the different Federal and State Agencies. A USDOT number does not constitute authority to operate in interstate commerce.
3. What is a BOC-3 Process Agents?
A process agent is someone who may be serviced with court papers in any proceeding brought against a motor carrier. In order to obtain your authority this requirement must be met.
4. How much insurance do I need?
The Federal Minimums for insurance coverage is: $750,000 Liability and $5,000 Cargo. However, the industry standard and recommended coverage is $1,000,000 Liability and $100,000 Cargo coverage.
5. How long does it take to get trucking authority?
It generally takes a carrier 5 to 7 weeks to obtain all the authority and permits required to operate in Interstate Commerce. There are 2 parts to the process: federal and state. The federal portion generally takes 16 business days to complete and then state permits can take an additional 2 weeks after the federal portion is complete.
These are the first 5 of 13 main questions asked by truckers asking how to get trucking authority. In part 2 I’ll be asking the next 4 questions: How much does it cost to get trucking authority?; What is UCRA?; What is IRP?; and what is IFTA?. The REST of the story will be finished in part 3 when I answer the following 5 questions: What is intrastate authority?; What states require special permits?; What is a New Entrant Safety Audit? When can I expect a New Entrant Safety Audit?; What is a drug consortium?.
If you are serious about starting a trucking business and getting your own authority, then these questions will help you get started. If you want to be successful you have to refuse to listen to people who want to rain on your parade. They are usually the ones that never go far in life. Those with vision and who are successful themselves are the ones to listen to and hang out with. I believe you can do it! Be safe out there!
Truckers share the rarest of professional bonds – something that could be deemed “highway camaraderie.” This phenomenon rose to prominence in the 1970s and ’80s during the height of trucking culture. CB radios were popular communication devices that allowed truckers to adopt their own complex code of the road. As with any group, this common language served to bind truckers together.
Highway camaraderie is also on display in the truck stops of America. These are the gathering places where weary road warriors can rest up, fuel up, shower and swap a few stories. When life on the road grows lonely, truckers can always stop and reaffirm their passion at a truck stop.
Hello, Fellow Drivers! Are you in a place where you are needing to renew your CDL this year? Maybe you’re a new truck driver and need to pass the CDL requirements test and endorsement tests to apply or keep a job. Well, I found a website that you can use to do just this…practice to pass your CDL test the first time. They have general knowledge tests, and your endorsement exams, air brakes, hazardous materials (haz-mat), passenger, tanker, doubles/triples and combination. The CDL test link is on this cool website that offers the CDL requirements, along with all kinds of trucking resources to help your trip be successful, safe and with on-time delivery. I heard an old riding instructor say one time, “perfect practice makes perfect.”; A new twist on an old saying. Take the time to invest in your future with the right knowledge and you will not waste time retaking your CDL exams. It will pad your pocket later!!! Be safe out there!
Hello, Fellow Truckers! Which is right for you? I want to discuss briefly the two types of trucking authority: Interstate and Intrastate, so you can make a quality decision. All of this is discussed in detail in a website I found that really is the #1 resource over the road.
Interstate trucking authority (the FMCSA calls it operating authority) simply means that you have been granted the permission by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to run your trucking business across state lines. There are higher fees for running in more than one state, such as your base plate (license plate) for your truck, insurance and international fuel tax.
Intrastate trucking authority means you have been granted permission by the FMCSA to run your trucking business within your home state. This is much easier to operate. It involves less paperwork, less expensive fees for your base plate, insurance and no international fuel tax. Also if you operate your trucking authority within 100 miles of where your rig is housed, you use only time sheets and not log books to track your time.
Only you know the best route to take (no pun intended ha ha!) when you get your trucking authority. You are the architect of your life and you can make it only as successful as you envision it. Write down your plan on paper and then follow it. You will see your dream of trucking business success if you believe you can. Be safe out there!
Hello, Fellow Drivers,
Thank you for stopping by TruckersandTravelersInfo.com! I bet you’re sitting in a truck stop or some place with internet access doing searches on trucking resources. You plugged in something about how to get your trucking authority and found this site. Are you ready to make more money and enjoy the things in life that bring you happiness and peace? If yes, then you’ve come to the right place. Getting your own trucking authority is a great decision, if done wisely and with proper information. It was a pretty daunting and intimidating task for me when I was getting mine. There are sites out there that will do the legwork for you for a fee. That’s a great way to go, but how informed are you about the steps that it takes to get your own trucking authority? I believe it’s best to be as informed as you can if you plan to make a change in your life, especially one that affects your livelihood. Are you ready to get started? If so, I found a great website that has written a complete guide of the steps to get your trucking authority. You can find these steps on the link below. You are the architect of your life. You have the power to make it a good life or a bad life, depending on your choices. YOU CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN!!!
The website has an email list for monthly newsletters, quarterly trucking authority updates and email reminders on DOT compliance. Trucking Authority Members can get it on this link. It’s a great way to stay up to date with trucking authority issues.
Coming soon the new Ebook: How To Get Your Trucking Authority: A Working Man’s Guide Made Easy!
Communication And Your Trucking Business Plan – Part 2 of 2
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
posted by Night Owl 12:05 AM
Hey, Drivers! In Part 1 of this blog on communication, we discussed the sender’s role in effective communication: asking the right questions or stating what they need concisely. In part 2 we’ll discuss the receiver’s role to complete effective communication.
In order to have a successful trucking business, you need an accurate and detailed trucking business plan. We now know that effective and concise communication is the key to both. Once the sender has delivered their message, it is the receiver’s role to listen accurately, and even take notes of the sender’s message. Then to make sure they were listening correctly, the receiver should repeat back to the sender what they heard. Notes are a good way to reiterate what you have heard. The sender will then acknowledge by saying yes that’s right or no this is what I meant to say.
The last thing the receiver needs to do is give the sender the correct information they are requesting. If for instance a driver is calling in to ask what they should pick up for a load, the receiver should communicate that they heard the question asked then give the driver the answer they need which would be to send them to their next pickup destination. Both the sender and receiver should repeat back to each other a couple of times the information being sent so each understands that they were heard correctly. Never think that by repeating back information you are being redundant. Better to repeat yourself two or three times than to assume you heard the other correctly the first time and miss picking up the proper load and cost yourself and your contractor money.
To sum it up, write down what you heard the other person say then repeat back to them what you wrote down. Remember, Drivers, communication is the key both in a trucking business plan and in running a successful trucking business.
Communication And Your Trucking Business Plan – Part 1 of 2
Monday, July 20, 2009
posted by Night Owl 10:57 AM
Hey, Drivers! There are so many factors that play into building a successful trucking business plan. The steps you lay out for your trucking business should be carefully written down in your trucking business plan. One of the things that should be included is the type of customer service you will provide. The main ingredient in building a loyal customer base is in your communication skills. The #1 reason for frustration in both business and personal relationships is miscommunication. What you thought you heard is not what was necessarily said. Today we will deal with the first half of a conversation, the sender and what they must do.
There are two issues to look at: communication and listening. In a conversation there is a sender and a receiver. The sender’s job is to make sure that they ask the proper questions or state the specific needs to get the correct answers. You must be concise and to the point. Many people will ramble and end up losing the efficiency and effectiveness of their message. This is not the time to tell winded stories. Get to the bottome line. When you ramble, the listener will eventually turn off their listening skills and tune you out. Here is a good rule of thumb: Speak as if you, the sender, have 20 seconds to get your message across to the listener or you’ll be cut off. Think of talking to one of those answering machines that give you 4 seconds to leave a message. I hate those kind of answering machines! I end up calling back frustrated. But, it actually forces me to be concise and to the point.
Communication is the key to a successful trucking business and must be a crucial step in a trucking business plan. In part 2, we will discuss the receiver’s part in communication and what the sender must do to make sure the conversation has been completed successfully so all parties are satisfied with the result.
A Great Trucking Authority, Trucking Business & Trucking Resources Website
Thursday, July 16, 2009
posted by Chrome Stacks 12:05 AM
Hey, Drivers! I wanted to tell you about a cool website that I stumbled upon the other day. It’s called truckers and travelers and it really has it going on! If you’re looking to start a trucking business or get trucking authority this is the place for you. The website offers several things. On the trucking resources and travel info page you can find everything you need to plan a trip over the road. This is all free! You would have to spend lots of time surfing the web for this information and it’s all there on one site and one page. How cool! There’s even a free trucking business forum.
For you all looking to start a trucking business or to get trucking authority, the site offers a members page where you get a monthly newsletter with trucking authority updates, trucking industry news and other trucking resources to help you succeed in this competitive business. You get regular updates on DOT compliance, trucking industry news and reminders by email of quarterly reports due that are specific to your home state. They walk you through the whole trucking authority process. The best part? It’s only $20 per month! All that information at an affordable price. They really helped me understand the process of how to get trucking authority. It was simple, step-by-step and the website owner was quick to get back to me with answers to my questions. The website is full of movtivation, education and information to help truckers like you and me make it in the trucking business world.
The truckers and travelers website also offers trucking and travel products that are geared for trucking business success and over-the-road entertainment. There are things like CD Books, and truck GPS products. They will be offering down loadable books and movies and cool tech products this month. So, if you’re looking for a one-stop over-the road trucking resource check out http://www.truckersandtravelers.com/. It’s well worth your time!
Trucking Resources – Increasing Your Client Base Part 2
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
posted by 18 Wheeler 12:24 PM
Hello, Fellow Truckers! Yesterday I discussed the first three ways to improve your client base which were a)communicate regularly; b)resolve any problems promptly; and c)be honest with customers. Let’s discuss ways 4, 5 and 6 to increase your trucking business by improving your client base.
4. When an existing customer calls! Think about my story of the the experience I had the the large chain electronic store (Part 1 of this blog). How do you think my experience would have been if my problem had been handled with more care and better listening skills? Even though I received what I complained about, I still left with a bad taste in my mouth and never wanting to patronize the place again. When an existing customer calls you to discuss a problem or a need they have, make sure that the person taking the call or handling the issue in person is qualified to take care of the customer. If they don’t have the knowledge to remedy the situation, have them take accurate notes of the conversation so the customer tells their story only once before they are phoned back and gets their situation resolved correctly and promptly. The point here is listening accurately to your customer’s needs.
2. Encourage referrals. This is one of the best and easiest ways to increase your customer base. Here are three ways to provide new “leads” fairly quickly.
a) Offer discounts for referrals. Provide a spot on the back side of your business discounts and a place to put the name of the one doing the referring. Make sure to provide a discount to the new customer as well.
b) Include the type of rewards you give for any referrals in communication tools you use to promote your business. Reward them when they take advantage of the referral system.
c) Develop a point system as a rewards program for referrals. They get a certain discount for so many referrals, etc. Always give the new customer the same rewards points for coming on board.
3. Use sponsorships and giveaways effectively. When using sponsorships make sure you are clear about how your company will be promoted and to whom. Also check the cost. Sponsorships, although good to get your name into the community, are not cheap. Make sure you have set aside advertising money for this.
Besides pens, mugs water bottles, etc, think about giveaways with a bigger impact to your customer if they receive it. T-shirts with your company logo are a good idea. Keep within your budget but go for the gusto here. These make a big impact on your customers and make them feel appreciated.
Remember, Fellow Truckers, you are not just a truck driver, you are a trucking business. Run your company as if it were Microsoft or Harley Davidson. Customer relations is your lifeline to success in the trucking industry. Always give more than your customer expects and you will have their loyalty. Be safe out there!