Suzanne Roquemore There’s a lot of hubbub about APUs (Auxiliary Power Units- or generators) these days. Yes, the federal government is allowing up to 400 lbs for trucks with APUs- or any device used to reduce fuel use and emissions. It’s part of the idling reduction strategy- to encourage truckers and trucking companies to install [...]
Posts under ‘Trucking Rules’
100 Day DOT Blitz – New Mexico’s Campaign to Make Highways Safer This Summer
Suzanne Roquemore The State of New Mexico is cracking down on drivers- and, this time, it’s not just truckers they’re after! The 100 Days and Nights of Summer campaign is an effort by the State of New Mexico Department of Transportation and New Mexico State Police to reduce auto fatalities by 25 percent in 2008. [...]
2290 Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax – What is It? How Much is It? and Who Needs to Pay?
Suzanne Roquemore The 2290 Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax is a $550 federal excise tax that must be paid on all vehicles that weigh 55,000 lbs or more and operate on public highways. The reporting period is from July 1st in any given year to June 30 the next year. The tax bill that is [...]
CVSA Inspections – 7 Inspection Levels Explained
Suzanne Roquemore You’ll often hear truckers throwing around terms like “Level I Inspection” or saying something like “He gave me a Level III.” But many truckers don’t know what the various levels of inspections are or what is involved when an officer performs them. The CVSA (Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance) is an international organization. It [...]
Where You Can Idle and Where You Can’t – Part I
Suzanne Roquemore These days, engine idling is on most truckers’ minds. Some have taken it upon themselves to save fuel while others take offense to the idea that they can’t idle their trucks at their own discretion. Truckers these days have more options than they did in the old days. More and more trucks are [...]
Log Book, Schmog Book – Truckers and Hours of Service
Suzanne Roquemore Every truck driver knows what a log book is. It’s a grid-style graph they use to keep track of the hours spent driving, working, off duty and in the sleeper birth. It is lovingly referred to as the comic book, funny pages, or cheat sheet. The rules are confusing. They changed near the [...]
Transportation Workers Identification Credentials for Truckers
Suzanne Roquemore Truckers who pick up freight at ports around the country will soon have a new card to carry. The Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) will be mandatory for any person requiring unescorted access to any secure areas of Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) regulated facilities. That means, you’ll need the TWIC “smart card” [...]
No Idling – Your Refer Unit?
Suzanne Roquemore Truckers have had to comply with environmental regulations around the country by shutting off their engines (anti-idling laws), paying more for supposedly more environmentally friendly truck engines in newer trucks, and switching over from low sulfur diesel to ultra-low sulfur diesel. Now truckers who run refrigerated trailers (trailers that can be temperature controlled [...]
CDL Federal Gun Law
Aubrey Allen Smith Due to the controversial topic: “Can CDL Truck Drivers Carry Guns?”, I have researched and found the Federal Law that so many are looking for. Read what the actual Federal Law states about this topic to put it to rest, once and for all! Provided by Truth About Trucking…. Can a CDL [...]
Driving Record – Understanding the Point System
Aubrey Allen Smith The point system for each state varies, but there is a general rule of thumb one can utilize in order to stay on top of their driving record. The points added for violations can be more severe when operating a commercial motor vehicle in comparison to your own personal vehicle. A good [...]