Category: Trucking Regulations

FMCSA Upgrades DataQs to Improve Fairness and Accountability

Western Truck Insurance

For professional truck drivers, an error on your safety record isn’t just a paperwork headache; it can affect your livelihood, your carrier’s safety ratings, and your ability to work. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has long maintained the DataQs system as the official channel for drivers and carriers to dispute inaccurate federal and … Continue reading “FMCSA Upgrades DataQs to Improve Fairness and Accountability”

CVSA’s International Roadcheck 2026: What Motor Carriers Need to Know

Western Truck Insurance

From May 12 to 14, commercial motor carriers across North America will face one of the most concentrated enforcement events of the year: the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) International Roadcheck. The CVSA is a non-profit organization composed of local, state, provincial, territorial, and federal commercial motor vehicle safety officials and industry representatives. This annual … Continue reading “CVSA’s International Roadcheck 2026: What Motor Carriers Need to Know”

CHP Begins Enforcing FMCSA English Proficiency Rules for Truck Drivers

Western Truck Insurance

In June 2025, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) updated the North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria (OOSC) to include the English Language Proficiency (ELP) rule under Part I – Driver. The rule stipulates that a driver can be placed out of service if they cannot read and speak English sufficiently to communicate with an enforcement … Continue reading “CHP Begins Enforcing FMCSA English Proficiency Rules for Truck Drivers”

California to Repeal High-Priority and Drayage Fleet Provisions

Western Truck Insurance

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) announced it plans to repeal the High Priority Fleet and Drayage Fleet provisions under the Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) regulation with a formal proposal due by October 31, 2025, and final action required by August 31, 2026. The repeal is due to legal challenges from various states, spearheaded by … Continue reading “California to Repeal High-Priority and Drayage Fleet Provisions”

Defensive Driving Training Part III: Cargo Handling & Security

Western Truck Insurance

A safe transport trip doesn’t end with good driving. It also depends on how the cargo is handled before, during, and after transportation. Defensive driving training should involve teaching truckers the skills to load, secure, and protect cargo in a way that prevents damage, loss, and theft. Improperly loaded or unsecured cargo can compromise vehicle … Continue reading “Defensive Driving Training Part III: Cargo Handling & Security”

Defensive Driving Training Part II: Regulatory Compliance for Truckers

Western Truck Insurance

In addition to mastering safe driving skills, professional truck drivers must navigate a complex web of regulations designed to protect drivers, the public, and the integrity of the transportation industry. Defensive driving training should go beyond behind-the-wheel skills to include a strong foundation in regulatory compliance. In the following article of our “Defensive Driving” series, … Continue reading “Defensive Driving Training Part II: Regulatory Compliance for Truckers”

FMCSA Releases New Guidance Enforcing English Proficiency

Western Truck Insurance

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 Independent Contractor Rule Upheld by Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals

Western Truck Insurance

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”

Inside the B2B Exemption Chart for Motor Carrier Industry

Western Truck Insurance

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”

Transportation Industry Supports Eliminating the Federal Excise Tax for New Trucks, Tractors & Trailers

Western Truck Insurance

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”