Tag: FMCSA

The FMCSA Has Extended The COVID-Related Waiver Effective Now through November!

Posted on September 2, 2021 by - ”trucking company”, #TruckingNation, FMCSA

With COVID cases still on the rise, the FMCSA has decided to extend the COVID-19 emergency declaration until the end of November. 

This is important to be aware of because, as the demand for medical supplies rises, so does the need for truckers to ship them to places in need. 

What Was Waived?

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) waived Part 395.3, which refers to the maximum driving time allowed for carriers providing emergency relief. 

This declaration was originally set to expire on August 31st, but FMCSA decided to extend it and is still effective through November 30th. 

What does this mean?

This means that any carrier that is transporting essential services, such as medical care or essential supplies related to COVID-19, will be able to go over the maximum driving time that is typically allowed.

This is because the demand for these items is high, and healthcare providers all over the country need these supplies in order to provide assistance to people affected by this sickness. 

What Types of Transportation Are Affected?

The extension of this waiver only affects the transportation of the following:

  • Livestock and Livestock feed
  • Medical supplies and equipment related to the testing, diagnosis, and treatment of COVID-19
  • Vaccines, medical supplies, and equipment that administer the COVID-19 vaccinations.
  • Supplies and equipment to aid in community safety, sanitation, and prevention of COVID-19 (masks, gloves, disinfectant, etc.)
  • Food, paper products, and groceries to keep stores stocked in case of an emergency
  • Any type of gasoline
  • Any supplies to help displaced individuals that were impacted by COVID-19

To be eligible for this maximum driving time waiver, the vehicle must be transporting qualifying commodities that are directly related to COVID-19 relief. 

Why Was It Extended?

The FMCSA decided to extend this waiver as a direct result of rising positive cases, and lower output of COVID-19 vaccinations. 

To keep people healthy and prevent the spread, the demand for supplies is at an all-time high. The nation is relying heavily on truckers to keep the country moving forward in this time of need. 

We Appreciate Our Truckers!

Our country has kept moving forward during this pandemic thanks to the hard work and resilience of our truckers!

Without them, this country would be at a standstill, and we are very appreciative of the long days and nights that truckers give up to help keep this nation continue on, no matter what obstacles they face. 
Keep up the great work truckers! Everyone here at ExpressTruckTax is thankful for your hard work and diligence through this pandemic!

The Unspoken Rules of the Road

Posted on May 20, 2021 by - Trucker Lifestyle

As every trucker knows, there are many rules and regulations laid down by the DOT, CVSA, FMCSA, and every carrier. However, truckers themselves have been laying down their own rules of the road for some time now.

Don’t Take Your Time At The Pump

Every minute counts for truckers. Whether or not your load is on time ultimately falls on you. This is why taking your time at the pump to grab a ‘quick’ snack or venture off to the restroom for ‘a second’ matters. The trucker waiting to fuel-up is on a time crunch, like you.

Be Careful Where You Park

Taking up multiple overnight spots is just as inconvenient as using two sinks to was both of your hands. If you want respect as a trucker, you are going to have to give it.

What’s In Your Haul Stays In Your Haul

If you grew up with conservative parents you have heard the saying ‘what happens in this house stays in this house’. When you’re on the road, it’s no different. Discussing what you’re carrying may sound like a great way to make small talk with fellow truckers, but cargo theft is a real thing. You don’t want to make yourself a bigger target than you already are. To you, your cargo may not be all that exciting, but thieves can see plenty of opportunity in ‘free’ goods.

Make Friends, Play Nice

No, this isn’t grade school, but being courteous to a fellow trucker should be a given. Truckers spend long hours on the road and getting just a glimpse of positivity when traveling can make someone’s day/trip. Whether you are a veteran or fresh meat on the CDL, small gestures like helping another driver safely switch lanes is what makes trucking a real brotherhood.

Always Toot Your Horn

Someone pumping their arm a trucker hoping to hear an air horn may be the biggest trucking cliché there is. However, no matter what mood you’re in, it has to be done. It shows the public how fun truckers truly are. It’s called public relations and it’s a part of the job.

Give Your Jake Brake A Break

There are many truckers who don’t mind hearing ‘the song of their people,’ but we guarantee that there’s not one trucker who will commend you for using your Jake brake at 2 am.

If you’re in a parking lot at 2 am, more than likely you’re surrounded by restless truckers attempting to get some shut eye before starting their long day over once again. It’s okay to give the Jake brake some rest as well. We know you’re a trucker there’s no need to tell people at the crack of dawn.

Develop these habits and you’ll be on your way to veteran trucker status in no time.

New 2020 Hours Of Service (HOS) Now In Effect

Posted on September 29, 2020 by - Hours of Service

On May 14, 2020, the FMCSA announced changes to their Hours of Service (HOS) rules for truck drivers. The new rules go into effect today, September 29, 2020.

The existing HOS rules have been in place since they were adopted by the FMCSA in 2013. The new 2020 FMCSA HOS changes have been called an overhaul of those 2013 FMCSA HOS rules.

But underneath all the legal jargon and politics, what has actually been changed, and what does it mean for you?

Below, we’ll cover everything you’ll need to know about the 2020 FMCSA HOS changes.

2020 FMCSA HOS changes

What HOS changed

There are four main updates to the FMCSA HOS changes. 

  1. The 30-minute break will be required after 8 hours of driving time instead of after 8 hours on duty. On-duty/not-driving periods can also count as the 30-minute break.
  2. The 10-hour off-duty requirement can be split into eight and two hours or into seven and three hours. Neither period will count against the 14-hour driving limit.
  3. In adverse driving conditions, two extra hours will be granted. This extends both the 11-hour driving time and the 14-hour on-duty time by two hours.
  4. Hours of service for short-haul drivers will be extended from 12 max hours to 14 max hours. The distance limit will also be expanded from 100 to 150 air miles.

How the HOS changes will affect you

These new Hours of Service rules are meant to provide truckers with more flexibility. Not as much as many have hoped for, but more than was available previously. 

However, some are worried that the changes to the off-duty split may force truckers to work longer hours since the total “active” time can now be essentially extended to 17 hours.

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It’s Almost Time To Register For The 2021 UCR

Posted on September 28, 2020 by - UCR

The 2021 Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) period will officially open on October 1!

There will be no price adjustments for 2021.

What is UCR?

The Unified Carrier Registration Act of 2005 replaced the Single State Registration System (SSRS) as the primary method for registering commercial vehicles that travel interstate.

In simpler terms, your UCR registration (along with your MC number and DOT number) grants you interstate authority.

2021 UCR fees

Fleet sizeFee
0-2$59
3-5$176
6-20351
21-100$1,224
101-1,000$5,835
1,001 and above$56,977

What you need for UCR registration

Now that the UCR registration period has opened, all you have to do is go to https://www.ucr.gov/, and enter your USDOT number to complete registration and pay your fee.

If you have been in business for the last three years, you will need to carry proof of UCR registration with you for all three years. 

That means you should have 2019, 2020, and 2021 UCR registration documents in your truck at all times.

What is a USDOT number?

USDOT numbers are required if you have a vehicle that hauls cargo or transport passengers interstate and that meet one or more of the following requirements:

  • Has a gross or combined weight of 10,001 lbs or more
  • Transports 8 or more passengers for compensation
  • Transports 15 or more passengers not for compensation
  • Transports hazardous materials.

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FMCSA Extends HOS Waiver For Essential Goods Through Years End

Posted on September 17, 2020 by - Coronavirus, HOS

At the end of last week, the FMCSA extended its COVID-19 HOS waiver until the end of the year for essential items. The waiver is intended to help transportation companies bring essential items to the areas of greatest need during the pandemic. 

The previous extension was set to expire on September 14. Here’s what is and is not covered under the new HOS waiver.

New HOS waiver 

The latest extension to the HOS waiver exempts drivers from certain HOS rules until December 31. You can find more information in the FMCSA announcement here.

Exempted cargo and products include:

  1. Livestock and livestock feed
  2. Medical supplies and equipment related to the testing, diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19
  3. Supplies and equipment necessary for community safety, sanitation, and prevention of community transmission of COVID-19 such as masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, soap and disinfectants
  4. Food, paper products and other groceries for emergency restocking of distribution centers or stored.

The FMCSA was careful to say that “routine commercial deliveries, including mixed loads with a nominal quantity of qualifying emergency relief added to obtain the benefits of this emergency declaration”, are not covered under the waiver.

Drivers are also cautioned to follow traffic laws and carriers are reminded that they cannot force drivers to continue working if they need a break.

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How To Survive The 2020 CVSA Operation Safe Driver Week

Posted on July 8, 2020 by - Operation Safe Driver Week

One thing that we can all agree on is that we want the roads to become a safer place with fewer accidents, so more hard-working drivers can make it home to their families. That’s what the CSVA (Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance) is doing by setting up annual safety checks to make sure drivers are operating safely and comply with the laws.

The CSVA’s next safety check will take place during the week of July 12-18, for Operation Safe Driver Week.

Operation Safe Driver Week

As a part of CVSA’s Operation Safe Driver Week, law enforcement agencies from all across the nation will take part in increased traffic safety enforcement and make an effort to educate the masses on how to be safer drivers.

If law enforcement personnel identify commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers or their passengers exhibiting unsafe behavior on the road, they will issue warnings or citations.

Examples of what law enforcement personnel will have their eyes out for include:

  • Speeding
  • Distracted driving
  • Texting
  • Failure to wear a seatbelt (for both drivers and passengers)
  • Following too closely
  • Improper lane changing
  • Failure to obey traffic control devices, and more.

The FMCSA has teamed up with CVSA to sponsor Operation Safe Driver Week, with tons of support from safety transportation organizations in the industry with the goal of improving road safety by addressing drivers operating unsafely on an individual basis.

This safety check was created to decrease the number of accidents, injuries, and deaths involving large passenger vehicles like trucks and buses due to unsafe driving habits and behaviors.

What Can You Do To Be a Safer Driver?

You don’t have to wait to practice safer driving techniques. You can make a few simple changes to ensure safer passage for yourself and those around you today with a few simple things to remember.

  • Get enough sleep! Driving tired is the equivalent to driving drunk. 
  • Slow down! Obey the speed limits, they are there for a reason, and that’s to make the roads safer. Plus, driving a little slower will make you more fuel-efficient.
  • Wear your seatbelt all the time and make sure your passengers do too. Those little straps make a major difference when it comes to saving lives.
  • Put down all electronic devices while you’re driving. When you use them you actually take your eyes off the road, which is very dangerous. If you get bored on the road try finding an entertaining trucking podcast or radio station to listen to before you start driving.
  • Give other vehicles enough space on the road. 

Contact ExpressTruckTax

Don’t forget to file your Heavy Vehicle Use Tax Form 2290 by the August 31st deadline to comply with the law. ExpressTruckTax can help you get your stamped Schedule 1 today!

If you have any questions contact the dedicated ExpressTruckTax support team at 704.234.6005. We also offer live chat and 24/7 email support at support@expresstrucktax.com. Also, stay safe out there and thank you for all your hard work.