Category: Trucking Regulations

FMCSA Proposes New Rule to Increase Service Hours Flexibility for Drivers

Bob Holtzman

In August, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) published a long-awaited proposal for changes to hours of service rules that would help add more flexibility for truck drivers on the road. These hours of service rules, first adopted in 1937, specify the permitted operating hours of commercial truck drivers and have gone through multiple … Continue reading “FMCSA Proposes New Rule to Increase Service Hours Flexibility for Drivers”

Compliance Requirements for California Vehicles

Bob Holtzman

In recent years, California has seen a number of regulations change or be created in order to cut down on emissions, greenhouse gases, and traffic while boosting alternative fuels, for example. One industry affected by new rules and regulations is the freight industry, or trucking, which plays a huge role in the state’s economy. Last … Continue reading “Compliance Requirements for California Vehicles”

AB 5 Passes California State Senate Hearing – What Does this Mean?

Bob Holtzman

In California, the trucking industry is in the middle of a legislative upheaval over certain exemptions and tests for truck drivers on the state’s highways. Legislation that could disrupt the owner-operator trucking model in California is headed to Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk to be signed. Assembly Bill 5 (AB5) passed the state senate’s Standing Committee … Continue reading “AB 5 Passes California State Senate Hearing – What Does this Mean?”

FMCSA Update: California Yields to Preemption Determination

Bob Holtzman

Following the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s determination in December of last year that federal law preempts California’s meal and rest break rules, many trucking companies are trying to determine how this is going to affect them with the California courts.  Los Angeles Superior Court became the first state court in California to apply the … Continue reading “FMCSA Update: California Yields to Preemption Determination”

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”