Regulations guiding the trucking industry in the United States can sometimes be complex. But they do not have to be a constant source of stress when you use the right approach and follow all the regulations religiously. Implementing the best practices will help you run your trucking operation successfully. It will also help you build trust, assurance, and satisfaction that shows you are on the right track.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is responsible for determining the regulations. It is a crucial preventative measure to ensure safety on states highways. Trucking companies that aren’t compliant could face costly fines and safety hazards.
Read on as Global Multi Services outlines some valuable tips for staying in compliance to avoid penalties and other enforcement actions that can impact the health of your business.
The Hours of Service is the hours truck drivers can drive without taking a break. The regulation was given to the trucking industry by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. And it applies to commercial motor vehicles engaging in interstate commerce. It is paramount to have a clear understanding of the recommended hour of service to stay compliant.
States are responsible for implementing regulations that govern intrastate commerce, and these regulations vary from state to state. Therefore, it is imperative to understand the state and federal regulations. These will help you know which requirements your fleets and vehicles fall under at any time.
Obtain IRP Plates
The International Registration Plan is mandatory for trucking companies operating in multiple jurisdictions and provinces. Trucking companies need to register their fleet of vehicles in their base jurisdiction and pay an apportioned fee based on the distance covered in each jurisdiction. IRP payment depends on how many different jurisdictions you drive through. The payment of motor carriers operating in one jurisdiction is cheaper than those traveling across much more jurisdictions.
Complete Your DVIR Daily
The Driver Vehicle Inspection Report is a pre-trip inspection carried out by the trucking company before a truck hits the road. These include brakes, engines, lights, tires, and many more. These ensure the trucks are fit for the road and save from accidents. The federal law requires a DVIR to be completed daily by drivers of any commercial vehicle.
Trucking companies must review the last DVIR of their fleet of vehicles at the beginning of every shift to stay in compliance. They must also recognize and sign off any form of problem. And the problem must be corrected before the truck hits the road.
Register For Drug and Alcohol Testing
According to federal law, trucking companies must participate in the Department of Transportation Drug and Alcohol testing program. Failure to comply can lead to the closure of your trucking company.
Get Your IFTA License
The International Fuel Tax Agreement allows motor carriers to travel across U.S. states and Canadian provinces with a single fuel tax license. IFTA lets commercial vehicles register in their base state and pay fuel tax returns according to miles covered in each state.
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