Author: Marcela De Vivo

What You Need to Check Out at GATS 2018?

Posted on August 23, 2018 by - American Trucking Association, GATS, GATS 2018, great American truck show, great American truck show 2018, mats truck shows, the great American trucking show, truck mats

What You Need to Check Out at GATS 2018?It’s that time of year again! Time to party deep in the heart of Texas with your fellow truckers, because GATS, The Great American Trucking Show, will be kicking off in less than two weeks. This interactive and all-encompassing convention will include more than 500 exhibitors, educational opportunities, pure entertainment, and so much more! So to help you make the most of your visit we broke down what you need to check out at GATS 2018.

Events You Don’t Want to Miss at GATS 2018

The Landstar Health & Wellness Pavilion

Heading over to the Landstar Health and Wellness Pavilion, for free health screenings, and demos on cooking and fitness education demos. A few of the screenings include nutrition evaluations, DOT physicals, diabetes, spinal assessment, BMI, blood pressure, and more.

This portion of the show will include healthy food vendors and tons of other vendors offering services and products related to health and wellness. In order to promote driver health and spread health education, there will be an educational seminar and even healthy-cooking demonstrations.

For a full list of the 2018 screenings available, as well as individual booth information, click here.

Trucker Talent Search

On Friday from 3 to 4 PM you can head to the Trucker Talent Search at the Truckers News Stage in Hall A where 3 truckers will compete live. These truckers have been invited to participate in Overdrive-Red Eye Radio’s Trucker Search finals. It’s worth scoping out to discover new talented truckers, plus Tony Justice will be hosting.

All Paws and Claws Pet Grooming

This year at GATS All Paws and Claw will be at the TA|Petro Parking Community to pamper your four-legged road partners while you enjoy the show. They will provide a complete grooming service and booster shots, with brush and bathe services available for dogs and cats.

This will all lead up to a pet parade on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. under the tent, with prizes for the winner. To make an appointment click here to ensure your pooch gets his/her turn.

Overdrive’s Pride & Polish Show

What You Need to Check Out at GATS 2018?

This show is the premier truck beauty championship series in North America. They recognize creativity, excellence, and your dedication to your profession. Competitors from all over the country will be there to show off their shiny rigs.

If you aren’t competing you should definitely take the time to walk around and enjoy seeing these magnificent trucks while attending GATS. The award ceremony will be hosted at 10 a.m. Saturday morning, so make sure you don’t miss out.

The Recruiting Pavilion

Want to find an amazing trucking job? Well, head on down to the Recruiting Pavilion where tons of fleets would love to meet you! There will be over 100 fleets there with representatives to speak to you about their programs and benefits.

They will tell you about the potential for upward mobility and you may find the perfect job that matches your needs. Skip all the phone calls and the online applications by speaking to the fleet representatives yourself, face to face!

2290 Tax Due Date

I know you are excited about GATS, but that doesn’t mean you can let the impending Form 2290 filing deadline slip your mind. Before you head off to GATS 2018 quickly file Form 2290 online with ExpressTruckTax. Spend less than 10 minutes following our user-friendly step-by-step filing guide to complete and transmit your IRS Form 2290 to the IRS and receive your stamped Schedule 1 in just a matter of minutes.

Need some help? Our US-based bilingual support team is available to answer all of your questions via live chat, phone, and email.

File My Heavy Use Tax Now

Highway (Vehicle Use Tax) To Hell: A 2290 Horror Story

Posted on August 21, 2018 by - 2290 tax due date, express truck tax, expresstrucktax, form 2290 due date, Form 2290 filing, Heavy highway use tax, heavy use tax, Pay 2290 with credit card, Schedule 1 form 2290



Hair raising story of Chad Boblett, the founder of Boblett Brothers LLC and Rate Per Mile Masters Facebook Group.

As a former Marine Chad Boblett doesn’t spook easy, but when he was attempting to file his very first Form 2290 for his very first truck, the prospect of what could go wrong weighed on him pretty heavily.

“My brain was swollen with all the new stuff that I needed to figure out,” Boblett says now, musing on how easy it all comes seven years later. But at the time Boblett was a ball of nerves and some serious unanswered questions.

His 2290 nightmare began when the dealership gave him marching orders to head to the IRS to pay his HVUT before he could get his plates. Seemed simple enough; there was an IRS office right there in Lexington, KY, and Boblett brightened at the chance to talk one-on-one with a human being who could help him sort things out.

What he got instead was a window and a wait time.

His human interaction wound up being a woman stationed behind a pane of glass facing a tiny waiting area, and the extent of her help was a curt “Take a number, take a seat, and fill out the paper” hissed at him through a small window. A mountainous security guard eyed Boblett as he grabbed an IRS Form 2290 from a display and took a seat. Real inviting place.

Boblett had barely gotten his clipboard settled when the questions started to swirl in his brain. One of the first things the 2290 wanted to know was “what is the weight of your tractor?” Boblett stared at it. Was that with fuel? Without? Before the 600-pound APU was added or after? Boblett went to go ask the attendant for clarification –– this was for the IRS, after all. Answers mattered.

They just mattered to Boblett more than they mattered to the attendant, who spat out a helpful “Our job is not to tell you how to fill it out. We’re just here to collect the form and process it.”

That didn’t sit with him too well. “I’m a very black-and-white person,” says Boblett. “The thing I got in trouble for most in school was asking too many questions. I question until I have a full understanding.” And understanding what he was up against was going to be crucial in dealing with the federal government.

“I don’t want to be looking at a DOT officer and go ‘well I put 20,000 pounds down because that was my best guess!’ I’m not gonna lie to nobody. It’s the IRS! If I mess it up, this is my livelihood.”

The questions in Boblett’s brain swirled harder, a swarm of bees hellbent on getting an answer. Boblett’s usually good at getting the information he needs. “I would be an awesome reporter,” he says now. “People love to give me vague answers, but I just keep asking until I get one. You can scoot around it, but you’re going to give me an answer.”


Highway (Vehicle Use Tax) To Hell: A 2290 Horror StoryAnd so he braced himself and headed back to the window. Seeing Boblett for the third time was not the charm, and the woman grew rude. And, well, Boblett got a little to-the-point. “If you’re rude to me, you’re not gonna get Nice Chad, you’re gonna get Marine Chad.”

The lady behind the window screamed for the security guard, having deemed a Marine with questions to be a major threat. The security guard hulked over Boblett and pointed to the door. “You need to leave.” Boblett left, with his 2290 and more questions than ever, among them why on earth 2290s needed to be guarded so heavily.

Boblett then took to the internet, and even went back to the dealership to ask some questions. He filled out the Form 2290 to the best of his ability, changed his clothes, threw on a hat, and went right back to the IRS office where they processed his form without issue…or security interference.

This entire ordeal replayed in Boblett’s mind when he first heard of ExpressTruckTax. He was on the road at the time, so he relayed what he’d found to his wife, who was quick to call back and tell him it was done. His 2290 was in. “You were able to figure it out that fast?!” No questions…no attendants…no disguises..?

Boblett was gobsmacked. “That is so much damn easier than going to the IRS office.” Boblett says he’d happily pay $10 never to deal with the IRS office again. “Hell, I’d pay $20. Screw driving all the way across town and dealing with lines and rude people. Just go online to ETT and save yourself the hassle. It’s just total common sense.”

In addition to sparing people the DMV-like tedium, Bobblet says he enjoys ETT’s immediacy. You could still paper-file, “but why would you want that on your to-do list? If I’m not doing it right, I want to know. I don’t want to call the IRS every week because [my stamped Schedule 1] didn’t come in.”

In an effort to save others from repeating his ordeal, Boblett decided to partner with ExpressTruckTax and spread the word. E-file your Form 2290 through Boblett’s Rate Per Mile Masters portal and stop sweating about your Schedule 1. But do it fast – the Form 2290 deadline is August 31st.

You no longer have time to languish in line at the IRS or at the post office. E-file today and get it all done before the deadline. If you have any questions, ExpressTruckTax can help. Having questions is only human. Getting answers shouldn’t be a hassle.

File Form 2290 Now

Complete IRS Form 2290 Instructions For Easy E-Filing

Posted on August 14, 2018 by - 2290 Form 2018, 2290 tax due date, express truck tax, expresstrucktax, form 2290 due date, Form 2290 filing, Heavy highway use tax, heavy use tax, road tax 2290, Schedule 1 form 2290

Complete IRS Form 2290 Instructions For Easy E-Filing

You are running out of time to file your Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (HVUT) 2290 returns! Thankfully, when you complete your Filing Form 2290 online with ExpressTruckTax, you will receive your stamped Schedule 1 in just a matter minutes!

Don’t wait to file your heavy highway use tax; complete your Form 2290 for 2018 today! ExpressTruckTax offers an easy-to-use filing process making Form 2290 filing easier than ever before. Here is how you can get started.

There is the essential information you will need to file your 2290 tax:

  • Business Name & Address
  • EIN (Employer Identification Number)
  • VIN (Vehicle Identification Number 
  • Gross Taxable Weight
  • Authorized signatory details

If you are going to pay the IRS via direct debit, be sure to have your routing and account number ready. With ExpressTruckTax your can also pay 2290 with a credit or debit card starting this tax season.

Please Keep in Mind: You have to have an EIN for Form 2290 filing online. You can not use your SSN (Social Security Number). If you need to apply for an EIN, click here. Once you apply, you will need to wait up to 10 business days for it to become active in the IRS system.

Step-by-Step Guide to Filing Form 2290 For 2018

Step 1:
Using your email address and password, you will need to create a free ExpressTruckTax account.

Step 2:
When you are ready to start the Form 2290 online filing process with ExpressTruckTax, you will click the orange ‘Start New Return’ button and enter the basic information for your trucking business (Name, address, and EIN).

Step 3:
You will enter your tax year and your vehicle’s first used month. ExpressTruckTax Form 2290 filing is based on your vehicle’s first used month and is due the last day of the month following when it is was first used.

Your current Schedule 1 for the 2017-2018 season expired on June 30th, 2018. You will need to file with ExpressTruckTax before the 2290 due date to ensure the IRS accepts your information.

Step 4:
Enter your vehicle information including the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and taxable gross weight. You will need to select if your vehicle was explicitly used for logging or agricultural purposes. If so, you will be granted a break on your taxes or possibly even be exempt. However, you will still need to file to receive your stamped Schedule 1. You will also need to indicate if your vehicle is suspended.


Complete IRS Form 2290 Instructions For Easy E-Filing
Step 5:
ExpressTruckTax will then calculate the tax amount you owe the IRS. Once you have this amount you can then pick from one of the following payment options: Pay 2290 with the credit card, debit card, direct debit, electronic funds withdrawal, EFTPS, check, or money order.

Step 6:
ExpressTruckTax will then give you the ability to review all your information and make any corrections. Our system will perform an instant internal audit to ensure error-free filing; however, we highly suggest that you double-check your VIN number at this time…

Step 7:
Once any and all corrections have been made, you will then transmit your form directly to the IRS. eJust enter a 5-digit code of your choice at the bottom of your form to electronically sign and transmit.

Step 8:
Sit back and relax! You will receive your stamped Schedule 1 in minutes, and you will be set until 2019.

Roaring Good Time at The Bandit Series Race

Posted on August 13, 2018 by - best trucker, big truck racing, driving jobs, flatbed truck, hot shot trucking, minimizer, otr trucking, roadway tracking, the bandit big rig series, the bandit series, truck driver, Truck Driving, truck racing

This past weekend the ExpressTruckTax team attended the Bandit Big Rig Series race at the Hickory Motor Speedway. We have to tell you that it far exceeded our expectations! In addition to the nail-biting races we got to see fireworks, see some awesome customized rigs, and meet some of our hard-working clients. Here are some pictures of the race we just had to share.

Click here for the Bandit Series 2018 Event Schedule. Trust us, you don’t wanna miss out!

 

Roaring Time at The Bandit Series Race
Hickory Motor Speedway at the Bandit Series Race August 11th, 2018


Having a blast handing out flyers and koozies before the race!
Having a blast handing out flyers and koozies before the race!
The Bandit Series even had a blow-up bounce house for the kids.
The Bandit Series even had a blow-up bounce house for the kids.


The green flag drops at Hickory Motor Speedway
The green flag drops at Hickory Motor Speedway
Victory lane with race champion Ricky Rude of the #14
Victory lane with race champion Ricky Rude of the #14

(Top Row left to right: Bryan Hinson (Transportation Product Manager), Ariel Black (yours truly, Content Marketing Manager/PR Coordinator), Meredith Dotson (Business Development Manager), Andreas Hollmers (Client Relations), Amber Tabb (ExpressAmber Personality/ Director of Transportation Products), and Little Express Team Members (Cuteness Coordinators)
(Top Row left to right: Bryan Hinson (Transportation Product Manager), Ariel Black (Yours Truly, Content Marketing Manager/PR Coordinator), Meredith Dotson (Business Development Manager), Andreas Hollmers (Client Relations), Amber Tabb (ExpressAmber Personality/ Director of Transportation Products), and Little Express Team Members (Cuteness Coordinators)

You Can Catch Us At The Bandit Race This Weekend

Posted on August 10, 2018 by - Bandit racing, best trucker, driving jobs, flatbed truck, hot shot trucking, otr trucking, roadway tracking, transporter, truck driver, Truck Driving, truck driving school, truck racing, Trucker

You Can Catch Us At The Bandit Race This Weekend

On Saturday, August 11th, 2018 the ExpressTruckTax team will be attending the Bandit Big Rig Series at the Hickory Motor Speedway in North Carolina. This series has brought big rig tractor trailer racing back to the short track. If you find yourself at the race please be sure to stop by and meet us!

About The Bandit Big Rig Series

The Minimizer Bandit Big Rig Series brings a day-long racing entertainment experience to trucking professionals, their families, and trucking enthusiasts alike. Since their inaugural season in 2017 with an Eastern Division, the series has continued to focus on delivering an affordable racing opportunity to local speedways.

The trucks are kept basic and simple, which limits costs and increases accessibility, The Minimizer Bandit Big Rig Series does whatever it takes to maximize competition and deliver an exciting product with world-class trucks & drivers.

Meet The ExpressTruckTax Team
If you are in attendance be sure to tweet us as #ETTGoesRacing or tag us on Facebook!

Let’s Go Racing!

What Happens When You Don’t File Your IRS Form 2290?

Posted on August 7, 2018 by - 2290 tax due date, express truck tax, expresstrucktax, form 2290 due date, Form 2290 filing, Heavy highway use tax, heavy use tax, Pay 2290 with credit card, road tax 2290, Schedule 1 form 2290

What Happens When You Don't File Your IRS Form 2290?

Your Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (HVUT) IRS Form 2290 is due this month! This means you are officially running out of time to file by the August 31st deadline. If you fail to file and/or pay your owed HVUT tax amount you will wind up with severe IRS penalties and interest. Here is what happens when you don’t file your IRS Form 2290.

What is IRS Form 2290 in Trucking?

Before we go in-depth on what happens when you don’t file IRS Form 2290 let’s quickly review what is required.

If you own and operate a heavy use vehicle with a gross weight of 55,000 lbs or more, then you are required to file IRS Form 2290. Gross weight means the weight of your truck when it is fully equipped for service. This includes the body and accessories that are a normal part of your hauls. Your gross weight does not include yourself or any specialized equipment that is typically not used.

You will need to file HVUT Form 2290 and pay any taxes owed to receive your stamped Schedule 1.

What is a Stamped Schedule 1?

Your stamped Schedule 1 is proof of payment for your Heavy Vehicle Use Tax. Without this proof of payment, you will be unable to renew your tags at the DMV or renew your registration for IFTA, IRP, or UCR.

Once the IRS receives and approves your HVUT Form 2290, you will receive your stamped Schedule 1. When you e-file Form 2290, the IRS stamps it with a digital watermark. This digital Schedule 1 is your official proof of payment and will be accepted by the DOT, DMV, and other federal authorities.

It is always a good idea to keep a copy of your stamped Schedule 1 in your glovebox, especially if you are crossing international borders (Canada and Mexico). Border patrol will check that you have a current stamped Schedule 1 before allowing you back into the United States.

What Happens If You File Your IRS Form 2290 Late/Not At All?

What Happens When You Don't File Your IRS Form 2290?If your form is late or you fail to file at all, you will face a penalty of 4.5% of the total amount of HVUT you owe. This amount will accrue on a monthly basis for up to five months. Plus, if you fail to make a HVUT payment by the deadline you’ll face a monthly fee of 0.5%. On top of all of that, you will face an additional interest charge of .54%. These penalties will make the amount you owe skyrocket!

If you don’t file by the deadline or fail to file at all, then you won’t have a copy of your stamped Schedule 1, which serves as proof of payment. You need your stamped Schedule 1 in order to register new vehicles and to renew your tags with the DMV. Without it, you’ll be operating illegally . . . just imagine the hassle of getting pulled over and trying to explain expired tags! Plus, your registration may be suspended.

Now if you forget to file your HVUT, don’t panic. You may not be penalized if you can show reasonable cause for filing late, or why your payment is late. Simply file as soon as you can and attach an explanation for filing late to your return. The IRS will then either accept or reject your explanation as a reasonable cause. There are also penalties for filing fraudulent or false returns.

Form 2290 Filing Made Easy With ExpressTruckTax

Now that you know what to expect if you file or pay after the Form 2290 due date we are sure you will avoid it. Thankfully there is a super easy solution. ExpressTruckTax provides you a quick and convenient e-filing process for hassle-free Form 2290 filing.

If you have any questions, ExpressTruckTax is here for you every step of the way. We have a dedicated ExpressTruckTax US support team ready to help you! We promise never to stick you with a robot or automated call system. Give us a call at 704.234.6005 or send us an email at support@expresstructax.om for 24-hour support in both English and Spanish.

Start My Form 2290 Filing Today!

Looking for an even easier way to file? Our sister product, ExpressTruckTax Plus, is a full -service 2290 filing solution. The process is straightforward and will take less than 5 minutes. Simply give them your information over the phone, and they will file your IRS Form 2290 on your behalf. Once they have submitted your information to the IRS, you will receive a copy of your stamped Schedule 1 via email. Their outstanding bilingual team supports filing in both English and Spanish.

ExpressTruckTax Plus: 803.386.0320

Today is the 2nd Quarter IFTA Deadline

Posted on July 31, 2018 by - express truck tax, expresstrucktax, Federal fuel tax, Hvut 2290, IFTA calculator, ifta deadline, ifta fuel tax, IFTA mileage Calculator, IFTA online filing, IFTA reporting, IFTA Tax Calculator

Truck back on the road after filing their IFTA Fuel Tax Report
Yup, that’s right. Today, July 31st, is the 2nd quarter IFTA deadline. You will need to complete your IFTA return by midnight or you will have some major penalties to face. If this deadline snuck up on you and you’re wondering how you’ll ever make the deadline, don’t worry! We have your IFTA fuel tax solution.

ExpressTruckTax can easily handle all of your IFTA reporting needs online. You can quickly generate your IFTA report and use it to complete your return. Plus, we’re here to go over all the IFTA basics so you’ll be up to speed.

Today is the 2nd Quarter IFTA Deadline

Before we drive headlong into today’s IFTA reporting deadline, let’s review the basics of what you need to know.

What is IFTA?

If you are asking yourself “What is IFTA?” then you are in worse shape than I expected. But don’t worry, I got you. The International Fuel Tax Agreement, or IFTA, quarterly fuel tax report allows you to travel in all participating member jurisdictions with a single fuel tax license. To operate in two or more jurisdictions, you are required to have an IFTA sticker and license.

You receive your IFTA stickers and license through you base jurisdiction which is your home state or where your vehicle is registered. Your IFTA license needs to be renewed annually in December. When you hold an IFTA license, you are required to file an IFTA quarterly fuel tax report that shows and calculated how much fuel tax you owe (or are credited) to remain compliant.

In short, IFTA is used to report and determine the net tax refund that’s due and to redistribute taxes from collecting states to due states. This agreement is between the lower 48 United States and 10 Canadian provinces, this regulation was put into place to simplify fuel reporting by those who use qualified motor vehicles.

Your vehicle qualifies for IFTA reporting if:
  • Has two axles and a gross vehicle weight exceeding 26,00 pounds
  • Has two axles and a registered gross weight exceeding 26,000 pounds
  • Has three or more axles regardless of weight
  • Or has a combined weight exceeding 26,000 pounds

To complete your IFTA report you need to provide the following information:

  • The total miles traveled per jurisdiction
  • The total gallons of fuel consumed per jurisdiction
  • The total tax paid gallons of fuel purchased per jurisdiction, and 
  • The current tax rate per jurisdiction 

File Your IFTA Fuel Tax Report

ExpressTruckTax makes it easy to import all of your IFTA information online in one convenient location. Use your IFTA reports to automatically calculate all of your IFTA totals with 100% accuracy.

Your IFTA fuel tax rates will be generated in an easy-to-read quarterly IFTA report that contains everything you need to complete your return. Instantly print, download, or email your information at any time.

Today is the deadline for filing IFTA!! If you fail to file before midnight today you could be looking at major penalties.

Today is the 2nd Quarter IFTA Deadline

This Free IFTA Tax Calculator Will Blow Your Mind

Posted on July 26, 2018 by - express truck tax, expresstrucktax, Federal fuel tax, Hvut 2290, IFTA calculator, ifta deadline, ifta fuel tax, IFTA mileage Calculator, IFTA online filing, IFTA reporting, IFTA Tax Calculator

Owner operator back on the road after filing his IFTA fuel taxI don’t know about you, but it feels like we just filed and paid the IFTA fuel tax. Oh, how the time flies! Because unfortunately, the next IFTA deadline is right around the corner. Your 3rd quarter IFTA report is due Thursday, October 31st! If you need to file your federal fuel tax report you have come to the right place–– here’s how we can help. 
 

This Free IFTA Tax Calculator Will Blow Your Mind

So you’re looking for a free IFTA Tax calculator? You might find some labeled as “free” but are they?

Well, one of our goals at ExpressTruckTax is to take the hassle out of filing your taxes. One of the many ways we achieve this is by providing you with a completely free IFTA mileage calculator app. Download the app to your smartphone or tablet and calculate your IFTA fuel tax in a matter of seconds, no matter where you are.

IFTA Mileage Calculator Instructions:

1. Select your Base Jurisdiction
2. Select your IFTA Quarter & Fuel Type
3. Enter the Miles Traveled & Fuel Purchased per state

    Now you can sit back and relax as the IFTA tax calculator app handles all of the complicated federal fuel tax calculators for you. Your total miles, gallons, and miles per gallon will be displayed along with the amount of IFTA fuel tax you owe.

    You can then email this IFTA tax report to yourself or any recipients by entering any email address and clicking send.

    How to File Your IFTA Fuel Tax?

    professional truck driver can get back on the road and calculate his IFTA fuel tax using ExpressTruckTax free IFTA tax calculator

    ExpressTruckTax not only helps you file your HVUT Form 2290 but also your IFTA return. Our IFTA online filing solution is full of innovative features that help you complete your return. All you have to do to get started is to create your free account, and you only pay when you transmit your IFTA return.

    If you need any assistance along the way, our dedicated ExpressTruckTax US-based support team is available via phone, live chat, and email.

    How to Save Time by Filing Form 2290 Online With ExpressTruckTax

    Posted on July 24, 2018 by - 2290 tax due date, express truck tax, expresstrucktax, form 2290 due date, Form 2290 filing, Heavy highway use tax, heavy use tax, Pay 2290 with credit card, Schedule 1 form 2290

    How to Save Time by Filing Form 2290 Online With ExpressTruckTax

    The IRS is now accepting your Heavy Vehicle Use Tax or IRS Form 2290 returns! And when you file Form 2290 with ExpressTruckTax, you will receive your stamped Schedule 1 in just a matter of minutes, saving you both time and money. 

    Filing Form 2290 Online With ExpressTruckTax

    Instead of having to wait in a long line at an IRS office, you can quickly e-file Form 2290 online. Plus, the e-filing process is incredibly easy. All you have to do is follow the step-by-step guide to complete your Form 2290 in just a few minutes and transmit it directly to the IRS.

    ExpressTruckTax even gives you helpful hints and tips along the way to ensure you fully understand each section. If you filed with ExpressTruckTax previously, you can copy your information from a previously accepted return to your current one. This way you don’t have to spend time re-entering your information.

    With the bulk upload feature, you can quickly upload all of your business and vehicle(s) information at once. This helps those with multiple vehicles save time because they won’t have to enter their trucks individually. Use the ExpressTruckTax excel template or upload your information using your own template.

    You don’t even need a computer to file. Download the ExpressTruckTax App to file from any location at any time.

    Need Help Filing Form 2290 Online With ExpressTruckTax?

    Follow ExpressTruckTax’s easy step-by-step filing process online or call our sister product, ExpressTruckTax Plus, to file over the phone in less than 10 minutes. Complete your IRS Form 2290, transmit directly to the IRS, and receive your stamped Schedule 1! Our dedicated ExpressTruckTax US-based support team is available via phone, live chat, and email.

    What You Need to Know About the Upcoming Road Inspections

    Posted on July 17, 2018 by - CDL pre-trip inspection, Commercial vehicle out of service criteria, Commercial vehicle safety, CVS inspection, CVSA inspection, CVSA-certified inspectors, CVSA's Brake Safety Day, Operation Safe Driver Week

    What You Need to Know About the Upcoming Road Inspections

    Well, you survived the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) 31st 72-hour annual International Roadcheck congratulations. So you are done until next year, right? Sorry folks, that’s not the cause, and the next CVSA truck inspection is closer than you think. Here is what you need to know about the upcoming road inspections.

    What You Need to Know About the Upcoming Road Inspections

    Operation Safe Driver Week
    July 15-21, 2018

    First up is the Operation Safe Driver Week brought to you by the CVSA in partnership with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. This annual truck inspection was created to help reduce the number of deaths, crashes, and injuries involving heavy use vehicles. CVSA enforcement officers will not only be cracking down on commercial vehicles but also passenger vehicles with unsafe driving behaviors around CMV’s.

    The CVSA has reported that driver behavior is the leading cause of accidents. The “Large Truck Crash Causation Study” from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) shows that dangerous driver behaviors cause 88 percent of large truck crashes and 94 percent of passenger vehicles crashes.

    Authorized enforcement personnel will be targeting the following during Operation Safe Driver Week:

    • Distracted driving
    • Texting
    • Traffic violations 
    • Seat belt usage 
    • Speeding

    Last year 39,000 citations and warnings were issued to drivers during the Operation Safe Driver Week.

    Brake Safety Week
    September 16-22, 2018

    As part of the CVSA’s Brake Safety Week set for September 16-22, 2018, certified enforcement personnel will conduct roadside inspections. During this time heavy highway use vehicles with critical brake violations will be identified and placed out of service. Maintaining a functioning braking system is vital for any driver but most definitely for Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliances. However, if you are maintaining your braking system and performing your routine pre/post trip inspections, you should be fine.

    CVSA certified inspectors will conduct a standard Level I 37 point inspection that includes you and your vehicle. The brake inspection of the inspection will consist of the following:

    • Identifying loose or missing parts
    • Air or hydraulic fluid leaks
    • Defective rotor conditions
    • Measurement of pushrod travel
    • Mismatched air chamber sizes across axles
    • Air reservoir integrity and mounting
    • Worn linens
    • Pads
    • Drums or rotors
    • Brake-system warning devices
    • Also, any other brake components

    In 12 jurisdictions you will be using performance-based brake testing (PBBT) equipment to test your vehicle’s braking efficiency. For more information on this inspection visit the CVSA website.

    2290 Tax Due Date

    What You Need to Know About the Upcoming Road InspectionsNot really an inspection, but definitely a point of concern is the impending Form 2290 filing deadline. However, thankfully at ExpressTruckTax, we make filing your IRS Form 2290 quick and easy. Spend less than 10 minutes following our user-friendly step-by-step filing guide to complete and transmit your IRS Form 2290 to the IRS and receive your stamped Schedule 1 in just a matter of minutes.

    Need some help? Our US-based bilingual support team is available to answer all of your questions via live chat, phone, and email.

    File My Heavy Use Tax Now