Regulations: Page 230

Driver Bettina Cameron ‘Losing It’, New Entrant test backgrounder

Driver Cameron’s new Facebook page is dedicated to sharing her story — she’s lost 75 pounds while driving over-the-road in just a year — to inspire others. Also: More on the New Entrant testing rulemaking under way.

January 18, 2014

Bettina Cameron, before and after her lifestyle change. I’d last spoke with Cameron as part of reporting of the 9/11 10th anniversary story, which you can read via this link.

Agency to publish rule to strengthen ability to shut down carriers with ‘pattern’ of unsafety

FMCSA is set to publish a proposed rule that will allow it to suspend or revoke the authority of motor carriers who have been found to have a pattern of “egregious disregard” for federal safety rules, rather than relying on results of compliance reviews alone.

January 17, 2014

Mirror and trucks at inspection station

New York targets owner-operator misclassification

In a bill supported by both the New York Motor Carrier Association and the Teamsters, the state is changing misclassification rules to bolster legit contractors and punish misclassification violators.

January 16, 2014

Synthetic marijuana to be classified as controlled drug, illegal for drivers to possess

The DEA announced it will classify synthetic marijuana as a Schedule 1 drug, thereby making truck operators who use synthetic marijuana and fail a drug test as no longer disqualified to operate a commercial motor vehicle.

January 15, 2014

What kinds of questions should be on the New Entrant test?

This question, answers to which are central to FMCSA’s needs in preparing its New Entrant test rulemaking, saw some debate at the recent listening session on the subject. Weigh in yourself via this poll.

January 14, 2014

New Entrant test debated in initial regulatory session

Call 530-408-6423, 530-40-VOICE, to contribute thoughts on the New Entrant test rulemaking under way to an upcoming Overdrive podcast. Two more federal sessions, in March at MATS and April at CVSA, are planned.

January 14, 2014

Overdrive‘s January cover story charted the particulars of gaining operating authority. The New Entrant test FMCSA is crafting would put yet another step in that process. Find Part 1 of the story via this link.

Supreme Court denies review of FMCSA’s pilot program with Mexico

The U.S. Supreme Court has refused the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association’s request to hear its case against the federal cross-border trucking pilot program with Mexico.

January 13, 2014

mexicoUntitled-1

Electronic Logging Devices

Electronic log mandate rule expected this month, along with driver database rule

A proposed rule mandating the use of electronic logging devices is expected to be published by FMCSA Jan. 29. The rule implementing a drug and alcohol clearinghouse of truck drivers is expected to be published Jan. 31.

January 10, 2014

eobr electronic log

FMCSA makes med card retention extension official: Drivers must carry paper copy until 2015

Drivers must continue to carry paper copies of their medical examiner’s certificate until Jan. 30, 2015, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced Jan. 10.

January 10, 2014

Be your own boss: 14 ‘do or die’ compliance duties

Failure to perform these 14 tasks will automatically fail you when the FMCSA comes calling for your New Entrant Safety Audit in the first 18 months you’re in business.

January 10, 2014

Blankenship weighing in legal

Hours of Service

Updated list: Exemptions to hours regs issued in some states for propane, fuel, relief load haulers

In wake of Winter Storm Hercules and the extreme temperatures in impacted states, several states have issued exemptions or waivers of federal hours-of-service rules for truck drivers hauling fuel to or in those states.

January 10, 2014

Weather ice in Michigan Rod Wilson

New Entrant testing listening session to be webcast Monday

Detail on the Monday, Jan. 13, webcast of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s first listening session on the subject.

January 9, 2014

Overdrive’s January cover story charted the particulars of gaining and keeping operating authority. The New Entrant test FMCSA is crafting would add yet another step to that process. Find Part 1 of the story via this link.

Medical certification deadline update: Extension to 2015 in the works

As the Jan. 30 deadline looms for CDL holders to self-certify their operating and medical credentials with their license-issuing state, drivers may still need to carry paper cards.

January 9, 2014

Be your own boss: How to get your own authority

A step-by-step guide to the necessary federal and other filings. Be prepared for paying fees and handling lots of forms.

January 8, 2014

“Mustang” Mike Crawford used services of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association when he got his operating authority in the year following being selected as Overdrive’s 2010 Trucker of the Year. “I paid them $805, and they did everything for me,” Crawford says. That included enrolling him in their CMCI drug and alcohol testing consortium — such enrollment is a requirement for independents.

Safety fitness rule scheduled for May, as e-log, driver database rule still expected soon

Despite a DOT regulatory update from Tuesday, Jan. 7, that hinted a Safety Fitness Determination rule could come this month, the rule is not actually expected to be published until May 30.

January 8, 2014

In its Safety Fitness Determination rule, FMCSA plans to use a more complete data set — including roadside inspection data — to make an overall safety rating for carriers.

Trucker who refused to drive awarded back wages, fleet ordered to stop retaliation

Oak Harbor Freight Lines has been ordered by OSHA to pay a former driver back wages and to stop an attendance policy that the department says retaliates against drivers who refuse to drive due to safety reasons.

January 6, 2014

Be your own boss: The wonders and woes of getting your own authority

It can be a hard road, but with careful planning and a little luck, getting your own authority can be a plus for operational freedom and income.

January 6, 2014

Cody Blankenship’s 4B Transportation

Legal pot: Still a no go for truckers

Marijuana is still prohibited for truck drivers, despite some state measures to legalize the drug. Here’s a roundup of previous OD coverage on legal pot, including science behind driving while stoned and legal pot’s potential affect on trucking.

January 3, 2014

Page 230 of 254

Truck Exhaust Stack Adobe

California 'smog check' rule 'discriminates' against out-of-state truckers: EPA

The EPA's partial disapproval of California's Clean Truck Check regulation means the agency won't enforce it for trucks registered outside the state. CARB, though, will continue enforcement for all trucks operating there, regardless of where they are registered.

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Credit where credit's due: Trucker of the Year builds biz to sustain, pays it forward

John Treadway's 'Teal Appeal' 1998 Peterbilt 379 and 2017 Great Dane reefer won big in Overdrive's 2025 Pride & Polish, picking up top honors in Interior and Working Combo.

Double trouble: 'Teal Appeal' 1998 Peterbilt 379 combo earns two Pride & Polish wins

Truck In Snow Adobe Stock 30341580

Hours-of-service waiver declared in 40 states for winter weather, interstate closures

JBL Live Beam 3 - Slim, sleek, and impossibly modern earbuds and Smart Charging Case - Audio Evolution You Can See and Hear

JBL Live Beam 3 - Slim, sleek, and impossibly modern earbuds and Smart Charging Case - Audio Evolution You Can See and Hear

Credit where credit's due: Trucker of the Year builds biz to sustain, pays it forward

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