Don’t Wait for Motus to Find Out Your DOT Record Is Wrong
If you have been in trucking long enough, you already know how government system transitions go. The agency announces a new platform. It is supposed to be faster, cleaner, and easier to use. And then the cutover happens, and carriers spend weeks sorting out account access, outdated records, and login problems they did not know […]
What FMCSA Should Fix After the Clearinghouse Loophole and What Carriers Should Watch
By now, most people in the trucking industry have at least heard about the Brandon Blackburn case. What started as a shocking headline quickly became something more serious: a reminder that even a federal compliance system can have weak points if the right controls are not in place. According to the FreightWaves investigation, Blackburn was […]
How to Audit Driver Files After the FMCSA Clearinghouse Loophole
The Brandon Blackburn case has put a lot of carriers in an uncomfortable position. For many, the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse has been treated as a reliable checkpoint in the hiring and compliance process. Run the query, review the status, and move forward. That has been the standard approach. But after the FreightWaves reporting […]
How to Start a Trucking Company Part 1: DOT Numbers, Authority, and Required Filings
Each year, roughly 100,000 new motor carriers apply for their USDOT numbers. Many are experienced drivers stepping out on their own for the first time. But being a good driver and running a compliant operation are two very different things—and it’s usually not the driving that trips people up. Rather, it’s the filings, the compliance […]
When Compliance Isn’t Enough: What the Brandon Blackburn Case Should Be Teaching Every Carrier
Most carriers operate from the same assumption: if you follow FMCSA requirements, run the right checks, and keep your files in order, you are doing what the law expects. In most cases, that is a reasonable way to think about compliance. It is procedural, it is measurable, and it gives carriers a framework for making […]
The 37-Step Level I Inspection: What to Expect During Roadcheck
International Roadcheck kicks off May 12. For three straight days, inspectors across North America will be pulling over and inspecting commercial motor vehicles at a pace of nearly 15 trucks per minute. While this year’s spotlight is on cargo securement and ELD compliance, most Roadcheck inspections are full Level I inspections. This 37-step process evaluates […]
Skip the Shop: Virtual DOT Annual Vehicle Inspections Are Here
As a motor carrier, every minute your trucks are off the road is a minute your company isn’t making money. Some downtime can’t be helped. Occasional repairs are inevitable, and driver rest breaks will always be required. But the annual vehicle inspection? That doesn’t have to mean a full lost day per truck and trailer. […]
Diesel Above $5 Per Gallon: How Motor Carriers Can Protect Their Margins
Diesel prices have surged over the past several weeks, and motor carriers across the country are feeling the impact. The national average for on-highway diesel reached $5.40 per gallon for the week ending March 30, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. That’s more than 50% higher than this time last year and closing in […]
6 DOT Drug Tests CDL Drivers May Be Required to Take
Drug and alcohol testing violations are among the most common findings in FMCSA safety investigations. Between 2022 and 2026, Part 382 violations accounted for roughly one in four of all citations issued during carrier audits, with failures in pre-employment testing, random testing, and post-accident testing topping the list. The first step in preventing these violations […]
The April 30 IFTA Deadline Is Coming: Are You Ready?
The end of Q1 means one thing for motor carriers operating across state lines: your first quarterly IFTA fuel tax filing of the year is due April 30. Whether you’ve been through this process a dozen times or you’re relatively new to interstate operations, this is one deadline you don’t want to miss. Let’s walk […]