Trucking Advocate and Activist Allen Smith of TruthAboutTrucking.com : Articles Current News and Information for CDL Truck Drivers and Truck Driving Students…"Raising the Standards of the Trucking Industry"
The proposed new rules for the hours of service regulations have been tossed out by the court, thus keeping the HOS rules the same. Set to go into effect in January, 2009, the agency officials chose to keep the current hours of service rules the same, in order to prevent more confusion to both truck drivers and law enforcement officials.
The FMCSA reiterated the fact that the current rules provide both rest and safety issues, and saw no reason in implementing further changes.
I have to say that I am pretty annoyed with a lot of folks out there who are continually trying to pretend that everything is “peachy keen” within thetrucking industry. It appears that their goal is to create a rosie picture in order to get more people to join an industry that , well, ” just isn’t foreveryone.”
I watch Allen spend hours online researching all the “stuff” that goes on in trucking in order to alert folks and thus make things better for everyone. I couldn’t believe an e-mail he received from another website. I won’t mention a name or the site, but it pretty much said in so many words, ” don’t make such a grim picture out of the trucking industry… you can sell more products by talking about more of the positive aspects of trucking.”
Do you believe that? Sell more products! So, in other words, we should paint an unrealistic picture, get more folks to look into trucking, so we can then sell them a bunch of stuff about trucking, right? If that’s the case then we’d be no better than the recruiters and trucking companies that promise them the moon and stars…only to allow them to then get a good glimpse of the 128% turnover rate… and the reality of it all…..YUK!
No, I’d rather someone tell me the truth about something, and then give me the amunition to fight them head on and be successful. Yeah, you may lose some who don’t want to fight, but chances are those are the folks who would have ended up quitting after a few months anyway…after losing a few thousand dollars in CDL training costs and lots of lost time and heatache! Is it worth it to disillusion people and make them go through all that …just to sell a product to them? I don’t think so!
The reality is this: If you want to get into trucking you can make it, but you need to be aware of the “dirty little secrets” that go on so YOU CAN MAKE IT. That’s why Allen wrote “The Truth About Trucking “ back in 2000 and recent follow up books… not to scare people out of trucking, but rather to reveal the red flags so they can be successful in trucking.
Recently we have had a courageous women post to this blog and expose many of the industry “secrets”, that quite frankly, even shocked Allen. She has been posting on other blogs also and should be commended for her efforts. She does all this while driving OTR. Here is an example of a fighter! SHE LOVES OTR TRUCKING and is not going to give it up, but rather is willing to fight and make it better for both men and women. A women after our own hearts.
I encourage you to read her posts. So, get a cup of coffee and get comfy, ’cause there’s a lot of insightful reading!
The website for “The Best Truck Driving Jobs- A State by State Guide” is live. The book is quickly becoming a favorite and I hope it helps all those in trucking make the all important decision of “which trucking company should I drive for?”
I recently wrote a Hub on Hubpages which gives a little history on this most recent book. The name of the Hub is Truck Driving Jobs and EmptyPromises. It describes a couple of the most common scenarios that CDL truck drivers face while driving over the road for a typical trucking company. After you read them you’ll realize why there is a 128% driver turnover rate among the trucking industry.
I hope this book answers so many of the e-mails I receive asking me what is the best truck driving company for a particular state. I hope to continue my research for this book, and as always, whenever an update is made I will pass the newly added info on to my trucking audience and followers.
There still appears to be alot of confusion concerning whether or not persons with insulin diabetes are able to obtain a CDL license. For years, there was a ban that prevented those with diabetes who used insulin from driving commercial vehicles within interstate operation. However, in 2003, the FMCSA introduced the Diabetes Exemption Program which allowed individuals with insulin treated diabetes the ability to operate a CMV in interstate commerce.
In the beginning, this new regulation still had its problems. Mainly, it still required that people with insulin diabetes must have already driven commercially for the previous three years. If not, they would not be qualified for the exemption. Therefore, this three year rule made the new regulation, basically worthless for any new, potential CDL holders. This three year rule made it so difficult, that from 2003 to 2005, only four exemptions were issued.
Then, in late 2005, everything changed for the better. Due to the effort by the American Diabetes Association, President Bush signed into law, doing away with the three year requirement. There is no longerany need to show previous commercial driving experience, even if you are on insulin. However, there still are 57 other screenings, guidelines and provisions that one must pass in order to be granted the exemption. Also, one must abide by any particular state requirements in regards to the commercial driver license.
There are many questions and answers floating around the net stating that it is not possible to receive a CDL if you have insulin diabetes. The Truth is . . . YES YOU CAN! Thanks to the new regulations of the Diabetes Exemption Program, signed into law in 2005.
Until the physical qualification standards within the regulations are amended by the FMCSA, you will have to apply for the exemption. Here is the 16 page Diabetes Exemption Form you can download and fill out. You will have to be evaluated by an Endocrinologist and an Ophthalmologist or Optometrist, and the form has areas that will need to be filled out by the doctors. The FMCSA must grant or deny an exemption within 180 days of receiving your application.
According to the law passed by Congress, individuals with insulin treated diabetes will have to demonstrate that they have control of the diabetes while on insulin. For those with Type 1 diabetes, they are required to have been on insulin for two months before they can apply for the exemption. Individuals with Type 2 diabetes are required to have been on insulin for at least one month. But, as you can see, one or two months is much better than the three year driving rule!
If Trucking is a desire and career you wish to pursue and you are presently using insulin, then I believe it is worth while to look into the Diabetes Exemption Program.
If you have any questions concerning the Diabetes Exemption Program, you can email: medicalexemptions@dot.gov
As the Nation continues to become more fearful about the present day economy, more than ever there are those investigating trucking as “the career of choice”. The number 1 question that arises is: ” Is Truck Driving a Stable Career?”
The number 2 question is: ” What are the Best Trucking Companies to work for?”
The number 3 question is” What are the Best Truck Driving Jobs?”
There are many factors which are associated with this question, therefore, I think it best to direct you to a post I recently wrote for HubPages. I will be writing more posts on this topic, as there will be many subtopics that you will want to know about which will directly effect the stability of trucking in general. So, for all you possible truck drivers, cdl drivers, and truck driving students ….here is the post…
Have certain problems prevented you from receiving your CDL, but you still want to work within the trucking industry? Are you an Owner Operator and you find that you’re losing money on the load boards? Would you like to discover how to build your own customer base? Have you ever thought about starting your own successful freight broker business? It can be done, with the right training.
Mr. Jack Martin of A1 Freight Broker Training out of Lavonia, Georgia has been involved in the trucking industry since the early 80’s. As owner and trainer of one of the most successful freight broker schools in the country, some of his students have booked their very first load within four days of completing his training. His expertise has also helped many owner operators understand why load boards can actually lose you money!
Jack Martin will be our special guest on Truth About Trucking “LIVE”, on Tuesday, December 16th, 2008 at 7:30 PM EST. Phone lines will be open for all of your calls, so you can have your questions answered by an expert in the field. So, mark the date and time down and be sure to tune in and learn how you can start your own freight broker business.
Jack Martin – A1 Freight Broker Training – Our special guest – on Truth About Trucking “LIVE.”
A major concern for truck drivers is ( or at least it should be) their driving record and how the point system will effect their employment status.
The point system for each state varies, but there is a general rule of thumb one can utilize in order to stay on top of their driving record. The points added for violations can be more severe when operating a commercial motor vehicle in comparison to your own personal vehicle. A good guideline to use is figuring that the points for a CMV will equal one and a half times the normal point system for a personal auto. For example, in Missouri, if you are caught speeding excessively in your personal car, you will receive 3 points against your driving record. If caught while driving a commercial motor vehicle, you could figure that the number would increase to 4.5 points.
Generally, there are variations to how many points a driver will receive for a speeding violation, based on the excessive miles per hour over the limit. A standard guideline is as follows:
Speeding – MPH over not specified = 2 points
1-10 MPH over = 3 points
11-20 MPH over = 4 points
21-30 MPH over = 6 points
31-40 MPH over = 8 points
More than 40 MPH over = 11 points
Other violations can also wreak havoc on your CDL:
Reckless driving = 5 points
Inadequate brakes = 4 points
Following too close = 4 points
Improper lane change = 3 points
Railroad Crossing violation = 3 points
Failure to yield/stop = 3 points
Other minor moving violations = 2 points
While each trucking company has their own hiring policies, on the average, trucking companies require that anew cdl driver employee have:
NO failed or refused drug or alcohol test within the last 3 years
NO reckless driving convictions within the last 3 years
NO license suspension for points within the last 3 years
NO more than 3 moving violations within the last 1 year
NO more than 4 moving violations and/or accidents within the last 3 years
NO felony convictions within the last 7 years
NO controlled substance violations within the last 7 years
NO DWI, DUI, BAC or open container violations within the last 3 years
NO incarceration within the last 5 years
NO misdemeanors involving dishonesty, theft or fraud – these are considered immediate, disqualifying events.
Serious, major driving offenses can cause you to lose your CDL for various periods of time. These types of offenses include DUI and DWI, either in the form of alchohol or drugs, refusing to take an alcohol test, leaving the scene of an accident, using the CMV to commit a felony, driving a CMV with a suspended license and causing a fatality through negligent driving. Any of these offenses can cause you to lose your CDL for life.
Serious traffic violations such as speeding 15 MPH or more over the speed limit, reckless driving, improper lane change and following too close, can lead to severe consequences as well. For a second offense, you could receive a 60 day suspension, and a third violation could result in a 120 day suspension. Violating an out-of-service order will result in a 90 day suspension. Violating it a second time will bring a one year suspension and a third time will result in a minimum of 3 years.
Keep in mind, that if a CDL is suspended, the state cannot issue a conditional or hardship license. If you are convicted of a driving violation, even if it is in your personal vehicle, you must notify your employer and any points you receive will also go against your CDL. These new rules went into effect on September 30th, 2005.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, a few of the guidelines for disqualification of a CDL is:
1st traffic violation = 60 – 120 days suspension
Two or more violations within a 3 year period = 90 days to 5 years
One or more violation of an out-of-service order within a 10 year period = 1 year
DUI, Leaving the scene of an accident, use CMV to commit felony = 3 years
Any of the 1 year offenses while operating HazMat = LIFE
Safety and moving violations are taken very seriously for those who are licensed to operate a CMV. As you can see, it would not take much to reach 4-5 points on your driving record, professionaly or personally. One speeding ticket and failing to stop at a stop sign, could bring you 7.5 points on your CDL and you could find yourself out of a job. These same violations in your own personal vechicle could result in 5 points on your regular driver license . . . and could delay you from receiving your CDL for quite some time.
The point system for each state varies, but this general format will give you a good idea on the various points one can accumulate against their driving record.
Many who have subscribed to the Truth About Trucking newsletter are waiting for the release of my latest book, “The Best Truck Driving Jobs- A State By State Guide“. With the economy hurting as it is, I believe this is a most needed book for everyone: students, new CDL drivers and CDL veteran drivers. The book is going to launch next week, but a few are going to receive it early. These are the winners who were on the last 2 Blog Talk Radio Shows. We will be sending out their free copies today and they may review the book and post here.
Briefly, the book,”The Best Truck Driving Jobs- A State By State Guide“, is a work of extensive research into many nationwide trucking companies, both large and moderately sized. These are stable companies which I believe to have some of the best employer ethics. These trucking companies are listed by state which will help drivers according to their homeload location needed. Some of the criteria which I based the information on included:
1 How long has the company been in business
2 Driver Comments and Reviews
3 Freight Lanes
4 Truck Driver Salary/Earnings
5 Interviews
I believe this will be one of the best resources that a driver can have. So many times an enthusiastic driver will get on the internet to locate a new truck driving job, and by the time their research of companies is complete, they’re more confused than ever trying to decide.
The book is completed, and it will be ready to launch by Tuesday, 11/25/08 of next week. We will be sending e-mails out to our subscribers with special links and prelaunch offers. If you are not on the subscriber list you can sign up either on this blog or on our Truth About Trucking website.
Ihave compiled this info for truck drivers who are looking to make a good living in trucking with companies that have proventhemselves in treating their drivers fairly.
This is a REAL, Selected, well researched Group of Companies, complete with their description and contact numbers…not just a “random” off the wall list of nonsense.
I recently read a post on another trucking blog about the increasingly popular Trucking Movie, “Drive and Deliver”. This documentary movie represents life on the road through the eyes, perception and reality of 3 truck drivers. Many truckers will relate to this movie, and although I haven’t watched it yet, I definitely plan on it. The movie is now available on DVD.
If anyone has seen the movie please write a post or short review…we’re all interested.
One of the most courageous woman truckers right now is writing on the AskTheTrucker blog, exposing the treatment and tactics allowed to continue within the trucking industry, as viewed through her eyes and own experiences. The purpose for these posts are two fold:
1) To warn women desiring to get into OTR trucking about the many “red flags they must be aware of so they may avoid them.
2) To encourage other woman in trucking to speak up and not be intimidated or fearful of “losing their job.”
Desiree has a written a Journal type posting which I encourage women to read. She posts regularly, and in my opinion it’s like getting a treasure of info, which I’m sure many would be more than glad to “pay for”" if it was available in book form.
Her experiences start all the way from day 1 in truck driving school, where she first began in her quest for the coveted CDL license. It then continues into driver training and team driving. This persistant woman would not allow ANYTHING to prevent her from attaining her #1 goal of driving the bigrigs. Her experiences are at times like something you would read in a novel or watch at the movie theatre.
She is a testimony of integrity, commitment, and perseverance.
If you are anyone interested in a trucking career, looking into truck driver training, are already a truck driver, or just interested in knowing what is still allowed to go on within the trucking industry, then I believe you will benefit from these journaled blog posts.
: hos, hours of service, truck drivers
