Truckers and Travelers
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Posts Tagged ‘DOT Compliance’
Trucking Authority – UCR Fees For 2010 Not Finalized; Enforcement Delayed
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
posted by 18 Wheeler 7:34 PM
Hello, Fellow Drivers, I found an interesting article from Land Line Magazine, February 2010. For those of you with trucking authority, or want to get trucking authority, this article will be of interest to you. Enjoy the read and remember to be safe out there.
By Jami Jones
senior editor
With the start of a new year, truckers wanting to clear out their fee obligations are left without a clear answer on what they owe in Unified Carrier Registration fees for 2010.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration posted a notice to the Federal Register in September 2009 outlining new proposed fees. The extended comment period closed later that month.
FMCSA officials reported during the rulemaking process that states have been unable to effectively collect the UCR revenue they are entitled to by law during the 2007-2009 registration years. They believe the proposed new fee levels will both encourage states to aggressively enforce the UCR fees rule and generate the necessary revenue to execute state motor carrier safety programs.
The fee structure proposed in the rulemaking for 2010 is:
0-1 trucks………………………. $83
2-5 trucks…………………….. $166
6-20 trucks…………………… $497
21-100 trucks……………… $1,741
101-1,000 trucks…………. $8,373
1,001 or more trucks….. $82,983
Brokers and leasing companies will still be subject to the same fee paid by truckers in the 0-1 truck category.
However, as of mid-December 2009, the agency still had not published a final determination on the fees.
“There is an enforcement memo going out telling roadside law enforcement after the first of the year to not write tickets for not having your credentials in place in the cab because there simply isn’t going to be anything in place yet,” OOIDA Director of Regulatory Affairs Joe Rajkovacz told Land Line.
“That is not to say they will not be enforcing the payment of previous years’ UCR fees,” he added.Rajkovacz said truckers really need to make sure they have their proof of payment on
2009 UCR fees.
“Some jurisdictions are writing $1,000 tickets,” he said.
Rajkovacz said he expects the 2010 UCR fees to be settled sometime in the first quarter of 2010. LL
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Hello Fellow Drivers,
Let’s talk about the changes that the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) is putting into place for those in the trucking business. If you have trucking authority or want to get trucking authority, then this article is a MUST read. The article came from a quarterly supplement from J.J. Keller & Associates. Remember to be safe out there.
WHAT’S ALL THE BUZZ ABOUT CSA 2010?
If you have not yet heard about CSA 2010, it’s time to lend an ear to the buzz! This is a new enforcement initiative planned for rollout in mid-2010. CSA – Comprehensive Safety Analysis – is about the FMCSA taking a closer look at more motor carrier data and bringing a problem area to the carrier’s attention sooner than under the old system. If the carrier doesn’t respond to initial interventions, more serious interventions will result.
KEY PHRASES TO PAY ATTENTION TO IN THE ABOVE PARAGRAPH ARE closer look…more data…carrier’s attention sooner. FMCSA’s objective with this approach is to become more proactive with lowering crash risk.
A CLOSER LOOK
The closer look phrase means carrier and driver data will be categorized more narrowly – into seven Behavioral Analysis Safety Improvement Categories (BASICs) instead of the four broad Safety Evaluation Areas (SEAs) under the current system. More of the data will come to the surface under seven categories than under four categories.
MORE DATE
A big difference between the current data measuring system (SafeStat) and the new Safety Measurement System, or SMS, is that ALL safety-based violations will be entered into the system – not just out-of-service violations. This, of course, results in more data becoming subject to review. All safety violations listed on a Roadside Inspection Report will become part of the carrier’s data, and be weighted according to the seventy of the violation and the currency of the inspection (violations from more recent inspections will be weighted more heavily).
Carriers’ data will stay in the SMS for 24 months and drivers’ date will stay for 36 months.
CARRIER’S ATTENTION SOON
Under the new initiative, enforcement will have more methods than just the compliance review for dealing with a motor carrier. Poor performance in any one of the BASIC areas could result in an intervention from law enforcement – ranging from a warning letter to a rquest for documents, to getting an appointment to discuss the problem area at a DOT office, to getting a compliance visit froom the DOT. More intervention options will allow enforcement to bring a problem area to a carrier’s attention sooner.
HOW CAN YOU PREPARE FOR CSA 2010?
There are some things you can do now to help assure a good outcome for your company under CSA 2010.
* Review your Carrier Profile information,(MCS-150 on the FMCSA website), monitor crash and inspection report data that get attributed to your company. Keep your profile information up to date and challenge crash and inspection data that is incorrect. Us the FMCSA’s “DataQ’s” tool to have incorrect data fixed so it doesn;t negatively affect you.
* Educate your drivers on the CSA 2010 initiative. Emphasize the greater impact that roadside inspection results will have, not only on your record, but on your drivers’ records too. Driver violations and crash data will also be scored in a driver database.
* Develop radside inpsection and corrective action policies. Put procedures in place for drivers to report roadside inspection results to you immediatly and for transmitting the Roadside Inspection Report. Set up procedures for correcting problem areas discovered during roadside inspections. Do the same for any kind of accident, no matter how minor.
The bottom line is that, under the new system, enforcement agencies will tract more data, have more contact with motor carrers, and will have more intervention tools available to use.
Trucking Industry News – Current Federal Legislation – Part 3 of 3
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
posted by 18 Wheeler 9:33 PM
Hello, Fellow Drivers, This is the last part of the this three part series on trucking industry news. I got this news from the Land Line Magazine online. These are important issues that affect your trucking business. Enjoy the read and remember to be safe out there!
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Trucking Industry News – Current Federal Legislation – Part 2 of 3
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
posted by 18 Wheeler 9:51 AM
Hello, Fellow Drivers, Today we’ll discuss part 2 of the new current fed legislation. Put this in with your other trucking industry news as a reminder to stay current on changes in the trucking business. Enjoy the read and remember to stay safe out there!
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Hello, Fellow Drivers, As if the trucking business had enough to keep up with, now the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is adding to the pile! I found this bit of trucking industry news in the OOIDA magazine, Land Line. Read on to keep abreast of the latest ways to keep you from stretchin’ your log books and other things. Remember to be safe out there!
CSA 2010: Your new company, driver safety ‘credit report’
With technology morphing the way we live our lives at warp speed, it’s no big surprise that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has decided to go high-tech with its compliance enforcement.
Currently, the odds of being hit with any substantive on-site compliance review are somewhere between slim and none. Because of lack of staffing and the cumbersome nature of plowing through mountains of paperwork, each year FMCSA officials are only able to conduct compliance reviews on less than 2 percent of the motor carriers in the U.S.
Enter the technology knight on a white horse – CSA 2010. Back in 2004, FMCSA officials started developing a data-driven system of analyzing all inspection reports on motor carriers and drivers to identify trends of noncompliance.
The mega database system, with all of its algorithms and programs, will spit out monthly safety ratings for companies and drivers. Those who crop up with numerous violations – ranging from the not-so-serious to out-of-service – will pop up on FMCSA’s compliance radar.
But that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get a full-blown on-site compliance review. Depending on the severity of the rating, you could get anything from a letter telling you to straighten up your act to that dreaded on-site review that likens to an IRS audit.
Companies will have a chance to get their act together and report back to FMCSA to keep a good safety fitness rating. There will be three fitness rating in the 2010 program: “unfit,” “marginal” and “continue to operate.”
The overall concept is simple enough but, as with anything, the devil is in the details – and with CSA 2010, there are a ton of details.
The program can be broken down into the data, the math behind the number, enforcement, safety fitness determinations and the possible hiccups motor carriers and truckers could encounter along the way.
The following is the first in a series of articles that will explain the ins and outs of the new enforcement program bearing down on the trucking industry.
– By Jami Jones, senior editor
jami_jones@landlinemag.com
Trucking Industry News – Resolutions Next Exit! Part 3 of 3
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
posted by 18 Wheeler 12:10 AM
Hello, Fellow Drivers! This is the last part of a three-part article on New Year’s Resolutions and trucking resources. I hope you have been able to gain something useful from this article and remember to be safe out there!
DRIVER HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Quit smoking. Easier said than done! You’ll live longer, feel better and have less chance of developing heart disease, stroke, lung disease and cancer. Do it for yourself, but get the help and support you need to quit, whether it be from a family member, friend or doctor. It’s a matter of making a gut decision to do it like you made the decision to drive a truck. Success won’t come until you REALLY make up your mind that you want this.
Don’t abuse alcohol and drugs. Assistance is readily available to help people break an addiction and turn their lives around. Stay out of “party row”. Don’t trash around too much.
See a doctor. It’s cheaper to prevent a serious medical issue than to treat one. Regular doctor visits can keep you healthy and on the road. Many health plans provide benefits intended for preventative checkups. Another good way to prevent health issues is to seek out a nutritionist or a doctor that uses natural means to prevent health issues. Supplements and such things help promote good health and vitality.
Well, Drivers, this is the finish of this article. Surely there is at least one thing you can incorporate into your new year’s routine to help with your trucking business success. Happy New Year!
Trucking Industry News – Resolutions Next Exit! Part 2 of 3
Monday, January 4, 2010
posted by 18 Wheeler 12:05 AM
Hello, Fellow Drivers! Well, the holidays are over! It’s back to the old grind! Although without the grind, there would no living! Because it’s the start of a new year, I wanted to get you some trucking resources that will start your year off right! Here is Part 2 of a three-part article. I hope you enjoy the read and remember to be safe out there!
Driver Health And Wellness
Cut back on junk food. It may be an easy choice to grab a donut or high-fat burger on the run, but leaner and greener foods give you the nutrients to maintain vital energy and strong muscles. Keep healthy snack foods, like whole grain, high fiber bars, apples or lower sodium nuts close by to tide you over until you can get to your next meal.
Learn proper lifting techniques, such as bending your knees and lifting from your legs rather than bending at the waist. Get help if you need it, or use mechanical aids to lift heavy loads. Take breaks from repetitive motions that can result in soreness of your hands, arms, neck and back to avoid long-term injuries.
Rest and relaxation. Make days off and vacations a mandatory part of your personal health plan. Take time off to participate in the things you and those around you enjoy. Take some time to simple relax, you deserve it.
This is part two of this informative article. Stay tuned for part three! Happy New Year!
Trucking Industry News – Gun owners… look what’s on the 2010 tax return
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
posted by 18 Wheeler 12:05 AM
Hello, Fellow Drivers, This email was sent to me from a friend and it impressed me so much that I wanted to pass it on to my readers. This IS trucking industry news since Congress is looking at the possibility of us carrying weapons in our trucks for the first time ever. I’ve lived through nine presidencies but have never seen such slow and deliberate actions to take away personal freedoms and put it in the hands of governmental control. I thought WE were THE PEOPLE. Out Second Amendment right to bear arms is being compromised it seems. Usually I shy away from anything to do with politics, but this affects all Americans whether Democrat or Republican. Enjoy the read and remember to be safe out there!
More Freedom taken away and adding a NEW TAX
VERIFIED - TRUE by snopes.com <http://snopes.com/>
http://www.snopes.com/politics/guns/blairholt.asp
As if we didn’t have enough to get upset about! If you have a gun, I hope it isn’t registered! It begins… more Freedom gone… the right to protect yourself
and your family gone! Now ALL GUNS must be listed on your next (2010) tax
return! Senate Bill SB-2099 will require us to put on our 2009 1040 federal tax
form all guns that you have or own.It will require fingerprints and a tax of $50
per gun. This bill was introduced on February 24, 2009, by the Obama staff. BUT, this
bill will only become public knowledge 30 days after the new law becomes effective! This is an amendment to the Internal Revenue Act of 1986. This
means that the Finance Committee has passed this without the Senate voting
on it at all.
The full text of the IRS amendment is on the U.S. Senate homepage: www.senate.gov <http://www.senate.gov/> You can find the bill by doing a search by the bill number, SB-2099. You know
who to call; I strongly suggest you do. Please send a copy of this
every gun owner you know.
Text of H.R.45
as Introduced in House: Blair Holt’s Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2009:www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h45/text Obama’s Congress is now starting on the firearms confiscation bill. If it passes, gun owners will become criminals if you don’t fully comply. It has begun… this is just the ‘tip of the iceberg!’ Very Important for you to be aware of a new bill HR 45 introduced into the House.
This is the Blair Holt Firearm Licensing & Record of Sale Act of 2009. Even gun shop owners didn’t know about this because the government is trying to
fly it under the radar as a ‘minor’ IRS revision, and, as usual, the ‘political’ lawmakers did not read this bill before signing and approving it!
To find out about this – go to any government website and type in HR 45 or
Goggle HR 45 Blair Holt Firearm Licensing & Record of Sales Act of 2009. You will get all the information.
Basically this would make it illegal to own a firearm – any rifle with a clip or ANY pistol unless:
1) It is registered
2) You are fingerprinted
3) You supply a current Driver’s License
4) You supply your Social Security number
5) You will submit to a physical & mental evaluation at any time of their choosing
Each update change or ownership through private or public sale must be reported and costs $25. Failure to do so you automatically lose the right to own a firearm and are subject up to a year in jail.
There is a child provision clause on page 16 section 305 stating a child-access provision. Gun must be locked and inaccessible to any child under 18. They would have the right to come and inspect that you are storing your gun safely away from accessibility to children and fine is punishable for up to 5 years in prison.
If you think this is a joke – go to the website and take your pick of many options to read this. It is long and lengthy. But, more and more people are becoming aware of this. Pass the word along. Any hunters in your family pass this along.
This is just a “termite” approach to complete confiscation of guns and disarming of our society to the point we have no defense – chip away a little here and there until the goal is accomplished before anyone realizes it.
This is one to act on whether you own a gun or not..
Search Results – THOMAS (Library of Congress)
<http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.R.45>
<H.R.45: Blair Holt’s Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2009 – U.S. Congress – OpenCongress <http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h45/show>
H.R. 45: Blair Holt’s Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2009
(GovTrack.us <http://govtrack.us/>
) <http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-45>
Please.. copy and send this out to EVERYONE in the USA , whether you support the Right to Bear Arms or are for gun control. We all should have the right to choose.
DOT Safety Audit – Your First DOT Compliance Review
Monday, November 9, 2009
posted by 18 Wheeler 8:43 PM
Hello, Fellow Drivers! I was doing some research on trucking authority and found an interesting power point about DOT Compliance. This presentation takes you through the process of your first DOT audit. Below is the link for that power point presentation. In my next post, I will explain the paperwork that you must have in place to pass this inspection by the DOT. You can always email me and I will be happy to answer any questions in depth about this process. Enjoy the read and remember to be safe out there!
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/about/outreach/education/education.htm
Once you get to this page look in the lower right hand to the column titled “Regualtions and Standards”. Under this heading click on the first title “What is a Compliance Review?”. Your computer will ask you if you should open or save this download. I would save it so you can go back and read it more than once.
This inspection will happen within the first 18 months of opening your trucking business. A DOT officer will contact you to schedule this audit. Preparation is your best tactic to pass this important inspection. You can do it with planning and proper education and guidance. Remember to see yourself as the successful trucking company you are and you will pass your audit with flying colors.
Hello, Fellow Drivers! If you read yesterday’s blog (11/5/09) on how to get trucking authority, then you will be able to follow this blog and decide if you want carrier authority, broker authority (steps are below) or both. In any case, you will want to bookmark the federal website that gets you started on your way to starting your trucking business. That site is www.fmcsa.dot.gov. You can also visit www.truckersandtravelers.com for further assistance and email the owner of the site. You be the one that decides who will assist you. Empower and educate yourself of the trucking authority process. Enjoy the read and remember…be safe out there!
Broker Authority
Requirements of obtaining your broker authority within the minimum 16 days:
- Register for a Motor Carrier (MC) number issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
- File Process Agents (BOC 3 filing) for each state
- Obtain a $10,000 Surety Bond or Surety Trust
- UCRA Registration
Refer to www.truckersandtravlers.com for assistance with doing steps 1 and 2 yourself.
Step 3 – Surety Bond or Trust
You are responsible for obtaining your own surety bond or surety trust. You can choose either a bond or trust, however you will need to obtain one or the other within the first two weeks after the MC number is filed to avoid any delays. To find a reputable surety bond company, do a Google search on surety bond for trucking and you will find companies to assist you with this process.
What is a Surety Bond?
It is an amount of money that you post to guarantee that you will do something you’ve promised to do.
Freight Brokers must obtain a Broker Authority. In order for the Broker Authority to be released as “Active”. there are 2 items that must be on file with the FMCSA. You must have a BOC-3 process agents and a $10,000 Broker Surety Bond.
The Broker Bond is evidence of financial responsibility. Basically the Surety Bond guarantees that you will meet all your contractual obligations to your customers and that you can pay any claims immediately.
Either the BMC 84 “Property Broker’s Surety Bond” or a BMC 85 “Property Brokers Trust Fund Agreement” must be on file, both will satisfy the Federally mandated $10,000 insurance/surety requirements for your Property Broker Authority.
You would need to contract with a bonding company or use your own resources. Evidence of a surety bond must be filed using a BMC 84, evidence of a Trust Fund with a financial institution must be filed using form BMC 85.
These items must be on file in order to activate your Broker Authority.
A Bond is not insurance that you purchase; it is the collateral for a promise.
We work with a “Highly Reputable” Bonding Company that has several different financial plan options for you to help you obtain your required Broker Bond. They currently hold over 50% of the Bond market, they are in excellent standing with the Better Business Bureau, they are very experienced and have many references for verification.
Most new Broker’s do not have this kind of money, if you need help getting a Broker Bond, contact us and we will help you immediately.
Do not let the $10,000 Broker Bond prevent you from pursuing a Freight Broker Business of your own, there are different plans to pick from that fit your financial needs.