Category: Transportation

Update: AB 2754 was signed into law on September 27, 2024. What is AB 2754? AB 2754 is newly passed legislation that, if signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, would impact employment contracts and agreements in the port drayage motor carrier’s industry. This new law builds on existing law that prohibits a person or entity from…

What is the FMCSA final rule? The new final rule from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) updated their emergency rule to specify which safety regulations can be exempt. Emergencies are now more narrowly defined, including what constitutes an emergency and under what circumstances, so road safety can be maintained while truck drivers provide…

On Friday, March 15th, a California judge ruled against exempting trucking companies from AB5. This law makes it very difficult for motor carriers to hire independent contractors as truck drivers and essentially requires companies to hire them as full-time employees. Since January 2020, AB5 has made classifying workers as independent contractors difficult. However, the trucking…

Success in the trucking industry doesn’t only require a solid fleet and reliable drivers; it also demands adherence to a complex web of regulations. Failing to comply with the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations can lead to a rocky path filled with fines, loss of operating authority,…

Semi-truck collisions can be incredibly expensive for everyone involved. Crash victims could face severe injuries and property damage losses. A commercial driver could be at risk of injury and possibly the loss of their commercial driver’s license. Their employer could also have some degree of liability for the wreck in question. Discussions about transportation company…

Truck drivers are never supposed to operate their vehicles while under the influence of controlled substances or alcohol. If an employer has actual knowledge that this has occurred, the driver should not be allowed to work in that condition. But what does “actual knowledge” mean? This definition can be very important if there are accusations…

Driving a commercial vehicle comes with more responsibilities and regulations than personal vehicles. This includes requiring some commercial drivers to obtain a Department of Transportation (DOT) medical certificate.  Part of DOT regulations is a certification process that is a safeguard to ensure that drivers are physically and mentally fit to operate commercial vehicles safely. But…

Transportation companies assume a lot of risk with every load that one of their drivers transports. A late delivery could result in a lower payment from a disappointed client. A violation of any of the numerous transportation laws could lead to fines against the business and possibly a driver becoming ineligible to haul loads for…

Successful transportation companies have to balance efficiency and profitability with safety. The desire to prevent collisions comes not just from concerns about a company’s reputation but also the financial responsibility the business would likely have for any crash caused by one of its drivers.  Proper training for drivers is important, as is adequate maintenance of…

Many commercial transportation companies operate with relatively small profit margins. After providing a competitive wage for their workers, investing in vehicle maintenance and paying for other operating expenses, they may have very little left over to pay out as dividends to shareholders or as profits to a business owner. Those who own or operate trucking…

Cost management is a key component of operating a successful transportation business. After factoring in maintenance, wages and fuel expenses, some transportation companies may have relatively small profit margins. Keeping vehicle maintenance costs as low as possible is also important, although obviously maintaining a fleet and top operating condition is also crucial for safety and…