Federal regulators have extended a national emergency declaration order exempting carriers and truck drivers from certain hours-of-service (HOS) regulations until the last day of the year, December 31st. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) declaration, issued in September, is the first multi-month extension of the HOS exemption since the order came in March in … Continue reading “Emergency Declaration Extended Through 12/31/2020”
Trucking insurance premiums are a significant expense for trucking companies, especially for smaller fleets looking to keep their head above water in such a volatile industry. Regardless of how clean a truck driver’s record is, commercial trucking insurance continues to increase for owner-operators. Unfortunately, commercial truck insurance is not one of the business expenses that … Continue reading “Trucking Insurance: Reducing Premiums”
Many companies have heard of workers’ compensation insurance, mostly because it’s necessary to have per state laws. But what about occupational accident insurance? Essentially, workers’ compensation insurance provides wage replacement and medical benefits to employees, whereas occupational accident insurance provides similar coverage, but for independent contractors. And since independent truckers make up a sizeable amount … Continue reading “The Differences Between Workers’ Comp and Occupational Accident Insurance”
A large number of truck drivers with drug and alcohol violations on their records in drug databses have failed to complete the federal return-to-duty process, according to statistics released by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Of the 28,445 drivers with at least one violation, 26,443—or 93 percent—have been deemed ineligible to return to … Continue reading “Potential Drivers Deemed Ineligible from Drug Databases”
In recent weeks, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration met for its annual Trucking Safety Summit, where it laid down plans for forthcoming HOS rules for the trucking industry. One of the summit’s major takeaways shines a light on new hours-of-service regulations set to go into effect on September 29. Among the new nationwide HOS … Continue reading “HOS Rules Slated to be Released 9/29 by FMCSA”
Non-truck liability, or NTL, is an extremely effective and efficient trucking liability policy that helps truckers find coverage in insurance gaps with other motor carriers they lease too. To avoid any issues related to non-truck claims, it’s important to know when this coverage is essential to have and use. NTL is usually required by the … Continue reading “A Closer Look at Non-Truck Liability”
Across the board, knowledgeable trucking companies know they need to operate with general, auto, and cargo liability insurance, physical damage, and worker’s compensation insurance to protect their employed drivers. However, regulations and requirements get a little hazy when talking about insuring independent contractor truckers. While independent truckers aren’t classified as W2 employees, that doesn’t mean … Continue reading “Ensuring Independent Truckers are Protected”
While all mandatory drug testing for truck drivers is conducted through urinalysis, there may be a change coming in the form of oral fluids or hair clippings. According to a recent study from the University of Central Arkansas, if the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) mandates hair follicle testing, nearly 300,000 truck drivers would … Continue reading “Updates to Trucker Drug Testing Slated for Change”
Caltrans, California’s Department of Transportation, recently released its Freight Mobility Plan detailing it’s short- and long-term policies, strategies, and investments. The main focus of the Freight Mobility Plan points to the trucking industry, including parking, truck-only lanes, tolling, and the rise of autonomous trucking. The trucking industry fuels the state’s economy and is in the … Continue reading “Caltrans Freight Mobility Plan Trucking Initiatives”
A Missouri-based trucking company settled two separate class-action trucking lawsuits with its truck drivers after battling in the nation’s Supreme Court for years. According to the suits, up to 26,000 current and former drivers are eligible for a $28 million payout from the company, New Prime Inc. Each trucking lawsuit involved truck drivers for Prime who … Continue reading “Major Lawsuit Shines Light on Unfair Trucker Pay”
