Category: Trucking Regulations

FMCSA Establishes Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse for Commercial Drivers

Bob Holtzman

The Federal Motor Carrier Administration (FMCSA) has recently announced it will be establishing the Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, a new database that will include information related to violations of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and its controlled substances and alcohol testing program. Currently, the Clearinghouse rule requires FMCSA-regulated employers, Medical … Continue reading “FMCSA Establishes Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse for Commercial Drivers”

What to Know About the Necessary Commercial Vehicle Licensing Requirements

Bob Holtzman

Every state has requirements for commercial transportation licensing that helps to keep trucking companies and freight forwarders regulated on the roads. Truckers, public livery, freight forwarders, and others all have some form of governmental licensing requirements, which means that trucking companies are bound to certain guidelines to keep them safe. If a trucking company does … Continue reading “What to Know About the Necessary Commercial Vehicle Licensing Requirements”

Will California Require Truck Drivers to Take Unpaid Rest Breaks?

Bob Holtzman

In December of 2018, a ruling from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) stated that California trucking companies, while still requiring their employees to take rest breaks, are exempt from providing truck drivers paid rest. The ruling has been controversial to say the least and has already been set up to be challenged in … Continue reading “Will California Require Truck Drivers to Take Unpaid Rest Breaks?”

Update: The NLRB Returns to its Independent Contractor Standard

Bob Holtzman

On January 25, the National Labor Relations Board returned to its long-standing independent-contractor standard, which reaffirms the Board’s adherence to the traditional common-law test. The main rollout from this is that the Board described clearly the significance that entrepreneurial opportunity has in its determination of independent-contractor status. The Obama-era standard decided whether workers are employees … Continue reading “Update: The NLRB Returns to its Independent Contractor Standard”

Trucking News: What’s the Status on Owner-Operators in California?

Bob Holtzman

Currently there are competing bills in California state legislature that are aiming to address an April 2018 ruling by the state’s Supreme Court that has threatened the traditional owner-operator model within the state. The bills are pointing to trucking groups wanting to upend years of law used to decide if a worker is an employee … Continue reading “Trucking News: What’s the Status on Owner-Operators in California?”

Why Pollution Coverage is Necessary for Trucking Operations

Bob Holtzman

Trucking companies that invest in a standard truck insurance policy may find adequate coverage against liability claims related to accidents and cargo, but typically don’t have protection against claims related to pollution. It’s no secret that semi trucks emit more pollutants the average car on the highway and some trucking companies have suffered having this … Continue reading “Why Pollution Coverage is Necessary for Trucking Operations”

Explaining the Most Important Trucking Bonds

Bob Holtzman

As a trucking company, depending on your state and the type of trucking business you operate, you may be required to be issued one of a variety of bonds, also known as a “surety” bond. Four of the most common trucking bonds are C.O.D. bonds, motor vehicle registration bonds, U.S. Customs bonds, and freight broker … Continue reading “Explaining the Most Important Trucking Bonds”

What Drivers Need to Know About Personal Conveyance

Bob Holtzman

Personal conveyance has been an issue for truckers and truck owners, and now the FMCSA has responded. For many trucking companies, December of 2017 marked the beginning in a whole new, electronically monitored, era in trucking. December was the deadline when companies were required to provide an Electronic Logging Device (or ELD) in each truck. … Continue reading “What Drivers Need to Know About Personal Conveyance”

How Long Can Truckers Drive Before Taking a Break?

Bob Holtzman

Regulations are in place for all commercial truck drivers to ensure they are not being overworked. A tired or worn out trucker is a danger to his or herself and everyone else on the road. The main restrictions on drivers are the hours they can drive and mandatory breaks. These rules are set by the … Continue reading “How Long Can Truckers Drive Before Taking a Break?”

The ELD Deadline Has Passed: Now What?

Bob Holtzman

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration put into effect a new mandate for truck drivers regarding how they log their hours. The ELD mandate went into effect on April 1, 2018 and requires all drivers to now use an electronic logging device to track and record their hours of service. These devices are installed into … Continue reading “The ELD Deadline Has Passed: Now What?”