Common Myth About The trucking Industry

People often share myths about every industry, and the trucking industry is not left behind. There are many stereotypes surrounding truck drivers and the trucking industry. These include uneducated drivers, IRP Plate not mandatory, and others. These generalizations are negatives and liars set to scare people away from joining the industry.

Truck drivers dedicate time and risk their lives every day to transport raw materials and goods across the United States. And the myths out there are set to cloud this honorable profession.

The urban legends promote wrong information about the industry. This impacts the reputation of many trucking companies and ridicules the integrity of their drivers. Global Multi Services is here to set the record straight about the common trucking industry myths. Here are some of the myths about the trucking industry and the truth behind them.

Truck Drivers Earn Less

People often assume that truck drivers earn less. Some even say trucking is not a dependable career choice. The truth is a plethora of drivers spend their working years as truck drivers. Their earnings depend on how experienced and efficient they are. These include years of experience, a clean driving record, and driving skills. These also bump up their salary offers over time.

Also, the United States national average annual salary for truck drivers hovers around the overall national salary average of other employees in the country. Furthermore, there is high demand for more truck drivers, so your job is guaranteed.

Trucking Companies Do Not Take Safety Serious

The trucking industry ensures trucks are well-maintained to an extremely high standard. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration also enforces hefty penalties for non-compliance. The penalties start at significant fines on commercial motor vehicles.

Penalties are more severe if lack of proper maintenance contributes to an accident. These include suing the trucking company or the driver for corporate manslaughter if the accident leads to death. In short, trucking companies in the United States take safety very seriously.

Truck Drivers Are Uneducated And Lonely

Many people are discouraged from having a career in truck driving due to long hours of driving alone. Well, truck drivers meet people every day. From the port, distribution center, gas station to the resting location, the list goes on and on. They also see people multiple times on their travels and become friends. 

These allow them to adventure and connect with other professionals all over the country. Many truck drivers also have college degrees, and they obtain them before or after becoming a driver. There are reimbursement plans that allow truck drivers to go to college for little to no cost.

Same Day IRP Plates Is Not Mandatory

The trucking industry mandates IRP Plate for trucking companies operating across multiple jurisdictions. The International Registration Plan is a reciprocal agreement between the continental United States and Canadian provinces to facilitate the collection of apportioned fees from trucking companies traveling in two or more jurisdictions. The fees are calculated according to the mileage covered by motor carriers in a specific jurisdiction. Trucking companies must register in their base state to obtain IRP Plates.

IRP Plates: How To Stay Compliance In The Trucking Industry

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.

Know Your Hour of Service

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.