CDL List

• You must have a copy of the current Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules in your office or place of business.  In addition, each of your drivers must receive a copy of the rules, and sign both a receipt and agreement to comply with the regulations.
• You must make sure that all of your drivers familiarize themselves with parts 40, 380, 382, 383, 387, 390-397, and part 399, subchapter B, chapter three, title 49 of the federal regulations code.
• You must complete both pre- and post-trip inspections of all your vehicles and document that you have done so in writing.
• You must keep up-to-date qualification records and safety performance histories for each of your drivers.
• You must document each driver’s hours of service.  CDL drivers may not need to complete a log grid if they never drive further than 100 miles from the terminal, but the company must keep records of their hours.
• You must create a regular vehicle maintenance program and make sure that it’s followed.
• In case of an accident involving one of your company vehicles, you must keep thorough records of the incident in a register.
• You must ensure that all of your vehicles are marked with their respective DOT numbers.
• You must comply with commercial motor vehicle (CMV) entry-level driver training requirements.

DOT FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Compliance Checklist

It’s important to make sure you’re following this DOT compliance checklist, as the DOT has stepped up enforcement of its rules regarding drug and alcohol abuse, including roadside checks.  Serious civil and criminal penalties may be applied to you or to any of your drivers who violate these rules.  For this reason, make sure that you’ve covered all the following bases:

• Ensuring that all your drivers have copies of the DOT policies.
• Keeping the results of pre-employment drug tests for all your drivers on file.
• Making sure that drivers are not allowed to perform safety-sensitive tasks, including delivering loads, until and unless their drug tests have been returned and are confirmed to be negative.
• Checking with your driver’s former employers as to whether the driver had any drug or alcohol problems while employed, and keeping records of the findings on file in your office.
• Putting all of your drivers in a random drug/alcohol testing pool.  Remember, this pool must be separate from any pool you maintain for non-driver employees.
• Conducting random drug testing of at least 50% of your drivers each year.
• Randomly checking at least 10% of your drivers for alcohol abuse each year.
• Making sure that these checks occur immediately after the drivers are notified that the tests will take place.
• Having all supervisors complete the training program required by the DOT.
• Immediately removing any driver in violation of DOT regulations from safety-sensitive duties.
• Referring those drivers to approved substance abuse programs.
• Ensuring that all required records relating to drug and alcohol regulations are on file and can be retrieved at any time.

Sound Like a Lot to Remember?

That’s because it is.  These regulations are only a small part of what you must stay on top of when you run a trucking firm.  That’s why you need the best truckers’ software on the market: Trucking Office.  Take it for a free 30-day test drive and find out for yourself how great it is.  You don’t even need to give us a credit card or checking account number!

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1. Before knowing how much to bid, you have to know your expenses.  This includes setbacks for maintenance, truck and trailer payments, insurance, fuel, and other related costs, not to mention the fee for which you are willing to work. Trucking expense software helps you to total these costs easily.
2. Figure in a premium for a “hassle fee.”  For example, hauling flowers from Kansas City to Dallas in June will cause a lot less wear and tear on your rig (not to mention your body) than transporting heavy machine equipment over the Rockies in November.  Also, if taking the load means navigating your way through New York City or some other heavily congested urban area, consider raising your bid as compensation for the aggravation you’ll be dealing with.
3. Remember that you have to get back from the destination where the load is delivered.  You might make great money during a run from Atlanta to L.A. but once the freight is dropped off, you will either have to hightail it back to GA or pick up another job nearby.  All those deadhead miles can cut deeply into your profit margins, so they should be figured into your bid calculations.
4. If you want to know what your competitors charge, contact them and ask for a rate sheet.  If it fits within your financial situation, you can try to under-bid.  Just don’t go crazy and charge so little that you’re barely surviving.  Trucking is a high-stress profession, and currently there is a nationwide shortage of drivers, so use those facts to your advantage.

Now that you know the basics of bidding on loads, let’s look at how to find them.

1. Thanks to the Internet, finding work is easier than ever.  Websites like findfreightloads.com or truck-driver-jobs.net are excellent places to locate jobs across the country. Visit them and see how many loads you can find; you’ll be encouraged by the number of opportunities out there.
2. Use any personal contacts you may have.  For example, if you have relatives or friends who work in distribution centers, you might have a direct line to the manager who assigns freight carriers.  If you have connections through a civic group, church, or some other organization, you could inquire among those as well.
3. Consider niche jobs in the trucking industry where demand is very high.  One of these is “hot shot” trucking, in which drivers haul partial loads that are time-sensitive.  For example, a high-end food store in Chicago may need a load of organic produce from San Antonio delivered ASAP. Jobs like these can be stressful, but the pay can be excellent, and you can stay as busy as you want to be.

One thing every trucker needs is fleet maintenance software.  After all, you won’t make much money off of your rig if it’s always in the shop, so making sure that all preventative work is done on time is crucial.  That’s why you owe it to yourself to check out our TruckingOffice software.  It’s affordable, easy-to-use, and makes keeping up with scheduled maintenance a breeze.  Plus, it can help with scheduling loads, keeping fuel tax records, and other aspects of the business.  Take TruckingOffice for a free 30-day test drive and find out for yourself how it can help you become more profitable and successful than ever!

The post How to Make Your Trucking Company Successful Part 2: How to Bid Jobs appeared first on .

Front of Vehicle

• Lights and reflectors – make sure they’re in good working order.
• Mirrors should be clear and adjusted as needed.

Engine Compartment

• Oil level – in addition to checking the level, look for signs of water, bubbles, or other impurities.
• Coolant level – should meet manufacturer’s recommendations.  Also check the coolant for contaminants or discolorations.
• Power steering fluid – check level and condition.
• Water pump – make sure all bolts are tight and hoses show no signs of cracks or other damage.
• Alternator – Bolts should be tight and belts in good shape.

Steering

• Inspect linkage, hoses, and steering box.

Front Wheels

• Check tires for proper inflation, as well as any signs of damage or unusual wear patterns.

• Inspect rims, hub oil seals, and lug nuts.  Make sure everything is tight and in good shape.

Front Suspension

• Examine shocks, springs, spring mounts, and u-bolts.

Front Brakes

• Inspect brake lines and/or hoses for cracks, loose fittings, or other danger signs.

Under the Vehicle

• Give the drive shaft, frame, and exhaust system a close visual inspection.  Any cracked or hanging components should be tended to immediately.

Rear Axles

• Examine the tires, lug nuts, rims, spacers, and hub oil seals.

Rear of Vehicle

• Lights, reflectors, and splashguards should all be in good working order.

Front of Trailer

• Check the header board/bulkhead, reflectors, and lights.

Side of Trailer

• Inspect the landing gear, reflectors, lights, doors, ties, lifts, frame, and frame and tandem release.

Trailer Wheels

• Check tires, lug nuts, rims, spacers, and hub oil seals.

Tractor Coupling System

Inspect the following components:

• Platform
• Mounting bolts
• Release arm and safety latch
• Lever/locking arms
• 5th wheel skid plate

Trailer Coupling System

• Check the drawbar or tongue, safety devices, mounting bolts, and sliding pintle.

DOT Numbers

The DOT uses these numbers to identify specific commercial vehicles and gather information for inspections and audits.  There are no rules specifying where these numbers must be placed, but the usual locations are either on the cab or the doors.  The numbers should stand out against the truck’s background color.  Black numbers, for example, will show up well against a white background.  The numbers should be large enough to be read without difficulty from a distance of 50 feet.

What Commercial Vehicle Inspectors (CVIs) Look For

Aside from making sure that tractor-trailers are within weight limits, state troopers and DOT officials typically check for the following things:

• Worn or damaged tires
• Cracked, oil-soaked, or excessively worn brake linings
• Cracked frames
• Fuel leaks

These officials will also always check to make sure you have a current CDL.  It’s amazing to think that drivers would try to get by without a valid license, but some do make the attempt—don’t be one of them!

TruckingOffice: The Best Choice for Fleet Maintenance Software

Using TruckingOffice is like having a full-time secretary who never calls in sick or takes breaks.  It handles maintenance, dispatch, fuel tax, and countless other things with the click of a mouse, giving you more time to do the thing that actually puts money in your pocket—hauling loads!  Take it for a free 30-day test drive and we’re sure you’ll agree.  We won’t even ask for a checking account or credit card; simplify your office and start making your trucking company more successful today!

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1. There’s a great deal of math and recordkeeping that comes with being a transportation broker.  You’ll need to stay on top of whose truck went where and picked up what, how many miles it was hauled, and what the agreed-upon fee was.  You’ll have to know how much to pay both Uncle Sam and your drivers, and how much you’re left with after all is said and done.
2. Staying on top of all these things is nearly impossible to do with a piece of paper and a pencil.  Pocket calculators can help, but make one tiny mistake and you can find yourself owing serious money to your clients or your drivers.  It doesn’t take a college degree to understand why that’s a terrible way to do business.
3. Transportation brokerage software can make your life a million times easier.  With it, keeping everything straight is a simple matter of entering information in a few fields on a computer screen.  Anyone with basic typing skills can use the software, and it will enable you to not only work quicker, but also more smoothly and accurately than your competition.

Of course, not every type of transportation brokerage software is the same.  Here are some features you should demand from whichever package you ultimately decide on.

1. It should be designed either by truckers or by professional truck brokers.  You see, there are plenty of great general-purpose business programs out there; Microsoft Office™ is perhaps the best known.  However, these packages don’t give transportation brokers the kinds of features and support they need.  So invest your money wisely; pick a brand that has specifically created tools for freight brokers like yourself.
2. It should be available online.  That simply means that you don’t need a disk to install it on your computer.  This offers many advantages, including:
   1. Instant updates whenever the software company adds a new feature.  You simply log onto the Internet and enjoy all the advantages the improved software has to offer.  There’s no need to buy new disks and go through the complicated, time-consuming process of uploading them onto your machine.
   2. Software disks are fragile, and can easily be lost, stolen, or damaged.  So whenever possible, it’s better to simply have your programs stored on the Internet, where they’re safe and secure.
   3. Not only are the programs themselves safer on the Internet than when kept on disks, but your confidential business information is as well.  This offers you protection from the dangers of information theft or disaster, and the exposures to legal liabilities that such theft or loss can cause you.
3. It should already be used and trusted by thousands of customers in the trucking and transportation brokerage businesses.  Why take a chance on a new product when you can have one that’s already proven itself to professionals who work in your field?

TruckingOffice Software: The Brand You Can Trust

We’re confident that our own product is quite simply the best of its kind on the market.  TruckingOffice is designed by truckers, for truckers; it has been tried, tested, and loved by other drivers; and the online interface is super simple to operate. But don’t take our word for it; go ahead and take it for a free, no-obligation 30-day test drive—we won’t even ask for your credit card or checking account information.  After that, if you haven’t fallen in love with what we’re confident is the best trucking business software out there, then just walk away.  It’s as simple as that.

The post Transportation Brokerage Software: What It Is, Why You Need It appeared first on .

It’s All In The Manuals

Every commercial vehicle comes with instructions for getting the most use out of it; they’re in the manual.  There you’ll find maintenance schedules, the proper oil and fluid levels, noise emission details, specifications for torque, and other vital information.

The charts offer different recommendations depending on many factors, such as how far you drive and the wear and tear the truck endures.  To know what’s best for your rig, you’ll need to consider what kind of conditions you drive under.  For example, if you’re running 80 mph most of the time, then you’ll need to perform more maintenance than if you average 65 mph.

In the same way, hauling heavy loads through the Rocky Mountains will do more to age your rig than transporting produce across the Great Plains.  Most manuals offer a variety of maintenance schedules based on factors like these, so use the one that best fits your situation.

Basic vs. Advanced Maintenance

A list of the simplest (and least expensive) maintenance tasks include the following:

1. Checking tires for wear and inflation levels.
2. Changing engine oil at recommended intervals.
3. Inspecting wipers and replacing as necessary.
4. Making sure lights work correctly at all times.
5. Replacing oil and other filters according to official maintenance schedules.
6. Regularly inspecting belts and hoses for cracks or other signs of wear and replacing as necessary.

A more complete list will include tasks that may require the services of a professional mechanic:

1. Servicing brakes.
2. Checking and maintaining drive axles.
3. Inspecting and maintaining wheel seals.
4. Inspecting and maintaining the transmission.
5. Checking the batteries.
6. Checking and maintaining the exhaust system.
7. Inspecting and servicing the driveline.
8. Checking the suspension.
9. Inspecting and maintaining the steering, clutch, and engine.

The Importance of a Maintenance Escrow Savings Account

Any independent trucker knows the meaning of the term ‘feast or famine’: either you’re literally driving yourself crazy or you’re sitting at home wondering if you’ll ever haul a load again.  This being the case, it’s absolutely essential that you set aside funds during the good times so you’ll have cash on-hand for maintenance expenses during the lean times.  Experts in trucking finance recommend the following as a guideline for putting money aside on a per-mile basis:

Truck Age and Maintenance Savings

Know When to Trade the Truck in

Nothing lasts forever.  No matter how much you love your rig, the time will come when it’s time to say adios and get a newer one.  Here are some tips for knowing when that day has arrived:

1. When you’re not running the truck so much as it’s running you.  If the costs of payments, operating expenses, and maintenance are greater than what you’re bringing in, then it’s time for a trip to the dealer.
2. When the truck’s resale value offsets a newer vehicle’s principal and interest to a significant degree.
3. When you’re scared stiff that the next DOT officer you run into will either fine the living daylights out of you or declare your rig unsafe for use.

The first two are simple mathematical computations, and the third is a subjective feeling.  Nonetheless, all three are excellent indicators that trade-in time has come.

Trust TruckingOffice to be Your Owner-Operator Software

These days, having the right software is almost as important as having the right truck.  TruckingOffice features easy maintenance log entry screens, and can sort records by date, truck, cost, or vendor for specific repairs. It also helps you to create a preventative maintenance plan and sends you alerts when it’s time for repairs and oil changes. That’s why we recommend you take TruckingOffice for a free 30-day test drive.  Once you do, you’ll wonder how you ever got along without it.  Try it out today!

The post How to Make Your Trucking Company Successful: Part 1 – Maintenance appeared first on .

 What we didn’t know when we started looking for a new office was how important it was to find a place quick!

The truckstop was sold and scheduled to be demolished.  It even made the news!  Fortunately we found a new home quickly.  Our new landlords where excited to have us.

The dust has settled, and if you are long time customer – you will notice that there are new people greeting you on the phone and in chat.  We have added two more people to help with our mission of making it easy to run a successful trucking business. We even have room to add more to keep up with all the growth.

We look forward to meeting more truckers and helping more owners in 2013 – it is going to be a great year!

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Quarterly IFTA filing is difficult for small trucking companies. The new feature from TruckingOffice makes it it easy so they spend less time with tax paperwork.

San Antonio,TX (PRWEB) March 21, 2013

TruckingOffice, an online software company that focuses on small trucking companies, introduces its newest feature to make it easy for small trucking companies to file their IFTA tax returns.

With TruckingOffice’s Easy IFTA Filing feature, customers can generate their IFTA tax documents based on all the dispatches they have entered into TruckingOffice.  Instead of having to scramble to assemble all the necessary information when the quarterly IFTA filing comes due, customer can simply click through a  series of screens to confirm their information.   The system will calculate the taxes based on the current quarterly tax rates for each state. They can then print out a state specific document that can be mailed to the appropriate tax office. This makes TruckingOffice the easiest solution for filing IFTA for small trucking companies.

This new feature will be launched at MATS 2013 at booth #68084. It will be available for an additional fee to members on the Owner/Operator, Midsize, and Fleet plans at TruckingOffice.

“IFTA is something that small trucking companies have to deal with every quarter.  I’m excited that we can make it easy to get out the way so our customers can stay focused on getting loads and running their business,” said Allen Campbell, the founder of TruckingOffice.

In addition to this new feature, TruckingOffice offers a base product which helps small trucking companies track and manage everything about their business.  Because it was built by people with industry experience, it is tailored to the terms and workflows trucking companies already use.

For more information about Easy IFTA Filing, please visit us online.

View on PRWeb

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The advanced routing feature calculates mileage for the trip based on actual street addresses. It also displays a map of the route that is planned, and allows a dispatcher to edit the route. This allows dispatchers to plan more efficient routes and take into consideration state jurisdictions and tolls when planning the routes for a shipment. These more accurate mileage reports also allow the customer to complete more accurate submissions for the IFTA tax filings that are required every quarter.

This new feature will be launched at MATS 2013 in booth 68084 . It will be available for an additional fee to members on the Owner/Operator, Midsize, and Fleet plans at TruckingOffice.com.

“This feature gives our customers more control over how they run their trucks.,” said Allen Campbell, founder of TruckingOffice. “That means that they can run their trucks more effectively which will result in them making more money.”

In addition to this new feature, TruckingOffice offers a base product which helps small trucking companies track and manage everything about their business. Because it was built by people with industry experience, it is tailored to the terms and workflows trucking companies already use.

View on PRWeb

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Lauren is working behind the scenes to help us get ready for MATS 2013.

 At MATS this year we will be showing off some new features.  We have added more routing functionality.  Now you will be able to get street by street routing from PC*Miler as well as the map of the rout.  We are also working on providing state specific IFTA forms for every state.  Stop by our booth (#68084 in the west wing), take a look at the new features, meet our partners, and get a cool flashlight!

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Over a year ago, the TruckingOffice team made a commitment to go beyond simply providing the very best bookkeeping and record keeping services available. We began a search for the very best in other important services that all professional drivers need, like factoring, insurance and tax services.

Several months ago, we had the opportunity to become personally acquainted with Dennis Bridges and his team at eTruckerTax. (His main office is in Atlanta, but he works with drivers nationwide.)

The questions we asked ourselves in our search are the same ones that you should ask yourself if you happen to be searching for a new preparer:

1. Do they give prompt, attentive service?
2. Do they know trucker taxes inside and out?
3. Do they provide a great value for the fees charged?
4. Have they been around basically forever? Do they have a track record? Have they proven themselves?
5. And finally, are they fun and pleasant to deal with?

After checking out Dennis Bridges and eTruckerTax VERY thoroughly, we are very happy to recommend them to you for all your tax needs, starting with this tax season.

If filing your taxes is about as fun as a trip to the dentist, or if you answered “No” to even one of the questions above when you checked out another tax service, we strongly recommend that you reach out to Dennis Bridges, CPA and his awesome team at eTruckerTax TODAY!

Dennis has been working with truck drivers and small trucking companies nationwide for over 20 years, helping owner-operators save THOUSANDS of dollars on their taxes.

You can click here to find out about a very special offer he has put together exclusively for TruckingOffice members, whether you’re still dealing with prior-year issues or you just want the best trucker tax guy in the country to handle your taxes.

For even faster service, call his office direct at 888-234-3485, and be sure to tell them you’re from TruckingOffice. His special offer for our TruckingOffice members is only available for a limited time, so check him out today while it’s on your mind!

Best regards,
Your friends at TruckingOffice

P.S.- Is the IRS breathing down your neck? They deal with IRS problems of all kinds too! Dennis literally wrote the book on dealing with IRS issues. Call or email them today and sleep better tonight!

P.P.S.- Still not convinced? Check out what these folks said about him…

“Dennis Bridges is one of the few accountants in the country that really understands truckers and their taxes.”
-Attorney Tommy Swate, Speaking at the Great American Trucking Show (GATS) in Dallas, Texas

“Dennis Bridges is the trucker’s IRS Problem Solver!”
– Brendan Cooney, Assoc. Editor, Truckers News Magazine

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