The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have issued an order at the end of January stating that persons on conveyances and transportation hubs are required to wear a mask. This includes anyone onboard to wear masks for the duration of their travels including those operating the transportation hubs. Public…
All three commissioners of La Plata Country, Colorado have agreed to an ordinance preventing commercial vehicles from using “Jake Brakes” in the area. State law already requires engine brake mufflers, but the county has adopted its own ordinace for further enforcement. This local ordinance will allow for signage to be…
The U.S. Court of Appeals has upheld a ruling by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration stating that California can not enforce its own meal and rest breaks for commercial truckers if they conflict with the federal hours-of-service regulations. ATA’s President praises this move as a victory because there should…
The Department of Transportation made a final rule implementing higher fines for drug/alcohol violations. According to the new regulations, those who violate any part of 49 CFR part 382, subpart G…, could be fined up to (but not exceed) $5,833. Also, fines have been increased for those who violate an…
Canada’s Public Safety Minister Bill Blair has announced that the border between the US and Canada will remain closed through February 21. Prime Minister Trudeau has also exclaimed that the border will remain closed as long as necessary to keep people on both sides safe. As before, this will not…
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance has posted a bulletin asking for commercial vehicles carrying vaccine shipments to not be deterred or detained. The COVID-19 vaccine is kept cold using dry ice and the CVSA is asking commercial motor vehicle inspectors to not hold up these vehicles unless there is an…
A bill has been put forth that would allow extra-long semis on North Dakota roads. Road trains are tractors pulling multiple trailers and exceeding federal length and weight limits. There are some out there who claim that doing so would increase traffic accidents and cause more damage to bridges and…
The Minnesota Department of Transportation has announced load increases have now begun on unrestricted state highways in the central frost zone. The load increases are already in effect in the northern areas of Minnesota. In areas where these load increases have gone into effect, vehicles can increase their weight limits…
For over 65 years, rear impact guards have been required on trucks but were not included on the list of items that have to be inspected during the annual commercial vehicle inspection. Following a petition from the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance and recommendations from the U.S. Government Accountability Office, the…
The annual IRS shutdown is coming, it usually starts December 26 and runs through mid-January, so those commercial vehicle owners that got a new truck in November need to get their paperwork in. Truck owners are encouraged to file Form 2290 as soon as possible to assure 2290 acceptance. These…