In late May, at a trucking event in Austin, Texas, U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy signed an order introducing updated enforcement measures to bolster compliance with English language requirements for commercial truck drivers. Under the new directive, commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers who do not meet the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s … Continue reading “FMCSA Releases New Guidance Enforcing English Proficiency”
California’s AB 5 legislation requires applying the “ABC test” to determine if workers in the state are employees or independent contractors for purposes of the Labor Code. Under the ABC test, a worker is considered an employee and not an independent contractor unless the hiring entity satisfies all three of the following conditions: Free from … Continue reading “California’s AB 5 Independent Contractor Rule Upheld by Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals”
As with any industry, your words matter, not just with customers and employees, but also regarding disputes and potential litigation. Bold claims on your website, marketing materials, or job postings about trucking safety, service, or compliance may be intended to reflect your values. However, if actual practices do not back them up, they could become … Continue reading “Do What You Say: Implications of Your Public Representations”
Accidents are an unfortunate reality in trucking. However, how you respond after a crash can make all the difference in resolving a claim and controlling long-term insurance costs. When a claim isn’t reported immediately or lacks complete details, it creates a gap in the investigation process. That gap can be exploited by personal injury attorneys, … Continue reading “Why Fast and Detailed Claims Reporting Matters in Trucking”
California’s Labor Secretary’s office recently published a chart outlining the B2B (business-to-business) exemption criteria in the motor carrier industry. The chart lists the 12 criteria for an owner-operator contractor (service provider) to be considered independent instead of an employee. The classification of truck drivers as independent contractors or employees has been a longstanding issue, further … Continue reading “Inside the B2B Exemption Chart for Motor Carrier Industry”
The American Trucking Associations (ATA) announced its support of congressional legislation introduced in late March that repeals a World War I-era federal excise tax (FET) on the purchase of new trucks, tractors, and trailers. The FET adds a significant cost to purchasing commercial vehicles and has been widely criticized by trucking industry leaders and policymakers … Continue reading “Transportation Industry Supports Eliminating the Federal Excise Tax for New Trucks, Tractors & Trailers”
Dash cams in fleets offer motor carriers several advantages. They can be used as a tool to improve driver safety, reduce accident liability, enhance training opportunities, and protect against fraudulent claims, which can provide cost savings and greater operational efficiencies. Conveying these benefits is critical to getting driver buy-in. You want drivers not to view … Continue reading “Ensure You Have a Dash Cam Policy in Place”
California’s Basic Inspection of Terminal (BIT) program mandates 90-day inspections on any commercial motor vehicle (CMV) over 10,001 pounds. During a BIT inspection, the following are examined: steering systems, brakes, wiper blades (must work and not be worn out), wheels and tire tread depth (must be within legal limits), mirrors, functioning lights, defroster, and others. … Continue reading “Inside California’s Basic Inspection of Terminal (BIT) Program, Upcoming CTA Webinar Covers Requirements”
Safety and compliance in the trucking industry are not just regulatory requirements; they directly impact a motor carrier’s insurance premiums. One of the key factors affecting trucking insurance rates is the Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) score. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) uses the CSA to measure a trucking firm’s safety record. These scores … Continue reading “CSA Scores Impact Trucking Insurance”
The trucking industry is increasingly using artificial intelligence (AI) and telematics to help manage risk and reduce Liability insurance costs. AI-driven telematics tracks trucks and other assets using GPS technology and onboard diagnostics (OBD) to plot their movements on a digital map. The data can reveal key insights, including speeding incidents, hard braking and sudden … Continue reading “The Road Ahead with AI and Telematics in Trucking Insurance”
