What Is an MC Number? An Owner-Operator’s Guide (2026)
An MC number — short for Motor Carrier number — is the identification number the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) assigns to your interstate operating authority. Think of it as the license number of your trucking business: if you haul regulated...
Check Your ELD Before a DOT Inspection
A couple of weeks ago, we got a call from the Minnesota Department of Transportation after a DOT inspection. The agent asked if a specific trucker has an ELD account with us. We want to make it clear that we gave no private data to the agent, just confirmed the...
Check Your DOT Medical Card
With all the news about DOT inspectors putting trucks and truckers out of service, let’s take a look at one that a truck driver has the most control over (other than his flip flops.) DOT regulations about medical cards is a simple set of requirements, but some...
Avoid ELD Fraud: How Owner-Operators Can Choose a Reliable ELD
The bots on social media platforms have been slamming anyone who expressed a mild interest in trucking with posts about truckers being pulled from the roads because they can’t read a children’s book and an increasing number of reports about ELD frauds....
Need a New ELD?
Did you just find out your electronic logging device (ELD) has been removed from the FMCSA list? Are you looking for a new ELD? Shopping for a replacement? Consider whether trucking management software and ELD that work together are a better fit than a stand-alone...
What Is A DVIR?
A DVIR is a Daily Vehicle Inspection Report — the daily record a truck driver completes documenting the condition of the rig and any defects found. Every industry has their own abbreviations and codes. In trucking, DVIR is one of many, but it’s one that a...
Truck Maintenance Logs For Winter Prep
Talking about the weather is boring. But we have to pay attention to the changing seasons in the trucking industry the same way any outdoor business must. Driving loads across the country or even just across the city can be an easy trip or into a blizzard. Truck...
Navigating Freight Brokerage Authority & Business Setup
It’s a good thing when new people want to move into the freight brokerage. It’s a field that can be tough to break into. Learning the ropes for a freight brokerage can be overwhelming. The steps to get a brokerage authority may seem confusing. But if you...
Legal E-Logs for Less
Whether you’re starting a new trucking company or trying to cut expenses, finding legal e-logs is one of those tasks that has to be done early in the start-up, or as soon as possible to save money. What Are Legal E-Logs? Legal e-logs are electronic logging...
No Contract ELDs
A no contract ELD is a compliant electronic logging device you pay for month to month, without committing to a long-term (often year-long) contract. For owner operators and new truckers, it means staying compliant with the ELD mandate without getting stuck with a...
Hate Your ELD? Find the Best ELD for Trucks
Do you hate your ELD? Many truck drivers do. It’s one of those pieces of equipment that truckers are stuck with, it costs too much, and the consequences of it not working can be dire. If the contract is what you hate most, learn how a no contract ELD keeps you...
Choose the Best ELD for Trucks
The best ELD for trucks is an FMCSA-compliant electronic logging device that is easy to install, simple to use, and doesn’t lock you into a long-term contract. Here is how to choose one as an owner-operator or small fleet. Is it that hard to choose the best ELD for...
How to Get Your Own Operating Authority: A Step-by-Step Guide
Getting your own operating authority gives you the opportunity to schedule your own loads and to negotiate your own rates. As an owner-operator trucker, leasing on to a large carrier company has benefits, but holding your own authority will provide you with...
Free ELD? Don’t use one!
Free ELD sounds like a good deal, doesn’t it? What’s the problem with free? Apparently, there were free ELD options in 2017. But they’re all gone now. And those so-called free ELD packages that you find on search engines now – they’re not...
Make ELD Data Work for You
The ELD mandate started years ago. Many of the complaints were resolved over time . Truckers are used to them now. The ELD’s purpose was to reduce the number of accidents. But the usefulness of the ELD data isn’t just about hours of service. It has plenty...
How to Get a DOT Inspection
We’ve been asked about how to get a DOT inspection several times recently. “Is this a thing?” we asked our trucker Allen (who is the founder of TruckingOffice) and he said yes, trying to get a DOT inspection is a thing. Especially when a trucker has...
New in Trucking? Here Is What You Need to Know About the ELD Mandate
If you’re new to the trucking industry, you may have discovered that learning to drive your truck was the easy part. The hard part of the job is learning the hundreds of safety and compliance rules and regulations. Then, there’s the part where you have to...
What Is a DOT Audit and How to Pass It
Government audit. Those are two words that strike fear into the heart. When the government offers a program to “help” you start a new business, but there’s a safety audit in the middle, does that worry you? Or when the government calls and says, “We want to...
Roadside DOT Inspection Compliance Checklist
“Prepare before you’re pulled over.” That’s the best advice you’ll get about roadside DOT inspections. How Do You Prepare for a Roadside DOT Inspection? Check your truck before driving, keep your required documents available, make sure your HOS...
16-Hour Short-Haul Exemption
For certain truckers, there is a 16-hour short-haul exemption that is available under certain circumstances. Short Haul A short-haul is a trucker who hauls a load and returns home the same day. These truckers may cross state lines, but they consistently return home...
What 2020 DOT Requirements Mean For You
If you work in the trucking industry, you know that new legislation and changes in the Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations are not uncommon. And, 2020 is no exception. There are several new DOT requirements that go into effect this year. They will impact...
3 Tips to Help Avoid Violating DOT Regulations
Before you can effectively avoid DOT violations, you need to know what constitutes a violation and why DOT standards are so rigid. The great news is that when you put forth the effort to ensure compliance with their regulations, you become a safer driver. ...
DOT Inspection Levels: What Truckers Can Expect at Each of the 9 Levels
In high school, it was that feeling you had right before the test. Did you study enough (at all)? It’s the same feeling when the lights flash behind you on the road, and you realize you’re about to be inspected. You check your watch. You find...
Cyber Monday Sale at TruckingOffice
Cyber Monday – where every online company has sales to push this one day of the year. We’re not going to miss it either. TruckingOffice CYBER MONDAY SALE Whether you’re looking for yourself or the trucker in your life, trucking management software is...
Where do you buy an ELD?
The new ELD requirements for the trucking industry are strict and for truckers, owner-operators and fleet builders. There’s no avoiding them once they go into effect. At that point, you will be required to comply with the ELD mandate or risk being penalized. We know...
Sneak Peek: TruckingOffice ELD announcement
TruckingOffice ELD (electronic logging device) is in development now December is right around the corner. We’ve got the government mandate to get an electronic logging device (ELD) into our cabs by then. TruckingOffice ELD is now in the works. What is the ELD...
Is It Time to Go Through your DOT Compliance Checklist?
Is it time to go through a DOT compliance checklist for your rig? Today may be the day to do it. Why? Making sure that all the points in the DOT compliance checklist are covered is part of running a trucking company. Also, if your business conducts state-to-state...How to Ace the DOT Safety Audit
Fleet operators can spend their time keeping trucks rolling or dealing with the complex and confusing DOT Safety Audit requirements. Of course, every operator knows what happens if trucks or businesses do not comply or pass: bye-bye business! There is an easy way and...
IFTA Fuel Tax Report Requirements
Years ago, every state had its own regulations and mandates regarding IFTA fuel tax report requirements. Most have now become members of the IFTA. An acronym for the International Fuel Tax Agreement, the system works to standardize many of the varied and...A Brief Review of DOT Rules and Regulations
Required DOT Rules and Regulations The DOT rules and regulations are meant to be followed by all truckers and other drivers on US roads. Each state has its own variation of these regulations, but some of the rules are enforced on a federal level. When training or...Free Load Profit Calculator for Truckers
How To Get Your Own Trucking Authority
Get Your Own Trucking Authority
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