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FMCSA extends some COVID-19 relief exemptions to July

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has extended its pandemic-related emergency exemption through July 14.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has extended its pandemic-related emergency exemption by another month. This is the third extension of the order, which will now last through July 14.

In its latest extension, however, FMCSA condensed its definition of motor carriers and drivers providing direct assistance in support of relief efforts related to COVID-19. FMCSA has extended emergency relief for the following categories only:

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Blinking lights cut tanker truck crashes by nearly 34%

When Groendyke Transport began testing strobe lights on the back of its trailers, it noticed a significant reduction in rear-end collisions over almost three years. The carrier did, however, have to overcome one regulatory hurdle.

A tanker truck fleet that installed $150 blinking amber lights to the back of their trucks reported a 33.7% drop in rear-end collisions over a 31-month period, according to company officials. In addition, there were zero rear-end collisions at railroad crossing during a test period of one year and seven months.

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Pay for weigh transactions with new app

The Weigh My Truck app allows drivers to weigh and then get the weights displayed on a mobile device without leaving the cab. The app will also email a locked PDF copy of the scale ticket to specific email addresses.

CAT Scale has partnered with QuikQ to provide commercial drivers with a convenient way to pay for weigh transactions directly from the cab of the truck using the Weigh My Truck mobile app.

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Truckers fight to end ‘evasion of broker transparency’

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association has petitioned the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to improve broker transparency regulations, as drivers continue national protests.

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), in a push for better enforcement of existing regulations, filed a petition on May 19 with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) urging immediate action to improve broker transparency.

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How to Get Trucking Past the Coronavirus Pandemic

Editor’s note: Written by Oswaldo Flores, safety and compliance product manager for Teletrac Navman. This is one in a series of periodic guest columns by industry thought leaders.

With much of America’s trucking operations grounded for the past several months during the COVID-19 outbreak, fleet managers are eager to get back to work. But what does that look like in a world where trucks have been sitting idle for 90-days or more?

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DMV closures slow CDL process, threaten recovery

“We are licensing a fraction of the commercial drivers as would have been produced under ‘normal’ circumstances,” said Don Lefeve, president and CEO of the Commercial Vehicle Training Association.

One month ago, 27 State Driver Licensing Agencies (SDLAs) were closed, along with most government offices, due to COVID-19 concerns. If you wanted to obtain your commercial driver’s license (CDL) and join the trucking industry, or even a commercial learner’s permit (CLP) to get started, you had about a 50/50 shot that your state would allow it.

The odds have improved to 66%, with only 17 states completely closed now, but several roadblocks still remain between prospective drivers and a job in trucking.

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COVID-19 testing on the road

While the chances of truck drivers catching COVID-19 are small compared to other essential workers, they are more susceptible to poor outcomes if they do contract the virus. Here’s how to get help away from home.

In general, the chances of a truck driver catching COVID-19 are small compared to other essential workers. They’re by themselves most of the work-day and come in contact with few people in their off hours. And, many shippers and receivers are practicing ‘no-touch’ and ‘no leaving cab’ encounters.

Now the bad news.

Because drivers are statistically unhealthier than the average American – often suffering a compromised immune system from hypertension, diabetes, obesity and sleep apnea – they are more susceptible to poor outcomes if they do contract the virus.

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Here’s How Truckers Can Protect Themselves From Covid-19

Truckers have kept much of the economy afloat as large portions of the nation shelter in place to avoid spreading the coronavirus.

But those truckers have delivered badly needed food, household goods and medical supplies at risk to themselves. They have to fuel their vehicles. They need rest and food stops. They take loads and drop cargo off at docks. Every point of contact is a point of risk.

Commercial Truck Trader has compiled advice for ways truckers can stay safe on the road until the pandemic subsides.

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Groups call on Congress to suspend FET

NTEA, ATA and other organizations are urging Congress to suspend the 12% federal excise tax on heavy trucks and trailers through 2021 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

NTEA —The Association for the Work Truck Industry has joined the National Auto Dealers Association, American Trucking Associations and more than 100 other state and local organizations urging Congress to suspend the 12% federal excise tax (FET) on heavy trucks and trailers through 2021 as they consider additional legislation to respond to the coronavirus pandemic and assist with U.S. economic recovery.

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10 tips for truckers driving through the pandemic

Zonar provides resources to help drivers to stay safe as they continue to deliver essential goods through the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Right now, many commercial truck drivers are struggling to find restaurants and fast food locations that are open to them while they are on the road serving the rest of the country through the duration of the coronavirus pandemic. Drivers also might need help finding grants and financial assistance during the current economic downturn that the COVID-19 health crisis has created.

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