Latest news
Canadian ELDs and Third Party Certification Requirements
Hopefully by now you’ve heard the big news. Canada recently announced it’s own ELD mandate that will go into effect in June 2021. It is very similar to the American version but with at least one key difference. ELDs will need to go through a third party certification process in order for Canadian drivers and[…]
Successful Fleets are Safe Fleets
One of the easiest ways to reduce unnecessary expenses and keep your drivers from being sidelined on the road is to make sure your fleets operate safely. Safe fleets reduce fuel costs, have less accidents, and face fewer fines from roadside inspections. Follow these safety tips to boost your bottom line and keep your drivers[…]
Fleets Flock to ELDs for Compliance and Added Functionality
Carriers and fleets across the country are beating the December 16 deadline to phase out AOBRDs in favor of electronic logging devices (ELDs). Doing so well in advance of the deadline gives these carriers an advantage over their non-complying competitors and improves fleet functionality. If you haven’t made the switch yet, here’s what you need[…]
Monitor the Health of Your Fleet
With multiple routes and vehicles, and an entire fleet out on the road, the last thing you need are unforced errors that cost time and money. When trucks and equipment go without necessary repairs or when you get a mechanical violation during an inspection, you’re at the mercy of preventable problems. The health of your[…]
How to Keep Your Best Drivers
You already know the trucking industry faces a driver shortage crisis. You also know how hard it is to keep a driver long-term. But the worst is when your best drivers leave — for another carrier or when they leave the industry completely. Recruiting, hiring, and training a new driver is expensive. Keeping a good[…]
Don’t Let One Bad Accident Destroy Your Fleet
No matter how much safety training you offer, eventually a driver will be involved in an accident. Maybe it was their fault, and maybe it wasn’t. Hopefully no one is injured, but of course, that’s always a possibility. What you do after the accident can make all the difference in whether you still have a[…]
Marijuana Legalization Negatively Impacting Driver Shortage
The trucking industry has faced a growing driver shortage in the past several years and decades. Marijuana legalization, for recreational or medicinal use, has only made the problem worse. Drug Testing All drivers face a drug test before being hired but many carriers are voluntarily opting to include a hair test as part of the[…]
How California’s Contractor Law Could Impact the Trucking Industry
California lawmakers recently voted to overhaul their independent contractor rules and regulations. Not only does this have major ramifications for the state but the country as a whole. The trucking industry will absolutely be impacted if the bill is signed into law. A.B. 5 pushes businesses, regardless of industry, to classify more independent contractors they[…]
Class is In Session: Back to School Safety Tips for Fleets
No matter how much you may try to avoid side streets and roads that run right through town, eventually your route will take you through a school zone or past a school bus stop. Now that school is back in session, all drivers, but especially truck drivers, need to be more careful. Here’s what you[…]
Crossing Borders and the ELD Mandate
Contrary to what some people believe, and a few industry myths you might find on the internet, Canadian and Mexican drivers who cross the border into the US on their route don’t get to avoid the US ELD mandate. When driving on US highways, the drivers and fleets are subject to the rules of our[…]
Document Management: Fleet Managements Unsung Hero
As a fleet manager, where does the majority of your day go? If you immediately envision a mountain of paperwork, missing documents, and going back and forth with a driver who swears they gave you a receipt, you’re not alone. For too many fleet managers, paperwork takes up a lot of time, attention, and energy. […]
Time Is Running Out! Now is the Time to Transition from AOBRD to ELD
If you still use automatic onboard recording devices (AOBRDs) in your trucks and ignored the big changes from the ELD mandate, time is almost up. The grace period for grandfathered AOBRDs ends December 16, 2019. While it may feel like you still have plenty of time, it’s better to transition to an ELD system now[…]
Canada’s ELD Mandate: What You Need to Know
On June 13, 2019, Transport Canada released its final rule outlining the new Canadian ELD requirements. Whether you’re a Canadian driver or fleet owner or a driver in the US who crosses the Canadian border, the new ELD mandate will impact you. Here’s what you need to know. The Purpose of the ELD Mandate Set[…]
The Impact of Oversupply on the Transportation Industry
Carriers and the transportation industry, in general, are going through a bit of a market correction this year. After a booming year for many carriers in 2018 with shippers scrambling to get goods across the US and paying higher prices, 2019 is on a downward trend. This is causing pain to the industry but it[…]
Radio Nemo Interview with Gorilla Safety CEO at GATS 2019
LIVE from the Great American Trucking Show 2019 Radio Nemo interviewed Gorilla Safety’s CEO, Mark Walton, discussing the looming ELD Mandate deadline and how easy it is to make the transition from AOBRD to ELD. Tune in to hear more about the benefits of ELDs and the changes for drivers editing capabilities. Other topics covered include[…]
If You Employ CDL Drivers, You’re Going To Need A Query Plan For The Drug And Alcohol Clearinghouse
With the registration for the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse a few months away, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has announced the Query Plan options for employers conducting queries in the Clearinghouse. The Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse is designed to help monitor drivers that are not legally permitted to operate a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) due to drug[…]
Gorilla Safety Establishes New Organizational Infrastructure To Accommodate Growth; Bolsters Team With Several New Appointments
Company Also Moves all Customer Support to its Houston Headquarters HOUSTON … August 20, 2019 … Gorilla Safety, a provider of an innovative, proprietary and patented fleet and safety management solution, announced today it has established a new corporate infrastructure and appointed 10 professionals as a result. Concurrently, the Company moved all customer[…]
FMCSA Announced the Proposed Changes to the Hours of Service Rules
Wednesday, August 14, 2019, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on the long awaited changes they suggest for the Hours of Service (HOS) rules. “This proposed rule seeks to enhance safety by giving America’s commercial drivers more flexibility while maintaining the safety limits[…]
Freightliner is now delivering the electric eCascadia truck to customers
On August 12, 2019, Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) announced that they are ready to start deliveries of their eCascadia all-electric semi trucks to customers. According to Freightliner, Penske Truck Leasing and NFI will be the first companies to employ the eCascadia in their commercial operations. The trucks are part of the Freightliner Electric[…]
Over 1,600 Trucks Placed Out-of-Service During Brake Inspection Blitz
On May 15, 2019, more than 1,600 commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) were placed out-of-service (OOS) for critical brake violations during a surprise brake safety inspection blitz. Surprise Brake Inspection Blitz One day only, fifty-five jurisdictions in the United States and Canada participated in a surprise brake inspection blitz and reported the results to the Commercial[…]
What You Need To Know About The IRT Model Replacing Current CSA Scores
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is currently working on an Item Response Theory (IRT) Model that will replace the current Safety Measurement System (SMS) used for CSA Scores. SMS identifies commercial motor vehicle (CMV) carriers at high risk for future crashes. The IRT Model will focus on “safety culture” rather than trying to predict[…]
Improve Your Safety Score By Keeping Up With Repair And Maintenance
Being placed out-of-service during a roadside inspection is the last thing any successful fleet wants. An inspection that turns up simple, ridiculous and expensive violations disrupts time on the road delivering cargo. Too many inspection violations can make your safety score plummet. Potential customers will see the low safety score as proof that your company is[…]
Texas, Are You Ready For The ELD Mandate December 2019?
The Texas ELD mandate is coming December 19, 2019. Texas commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) driving intrastate must make sure that their fleet is in sync with the new requirements to remain compliant. Texas has updated their Hours of Service (HOS) code with a ruling that follows the guidelines put in place by the Federal Motor Carrier[…]
Final Driver Training Rule Has Been Delayed For 2 Years
The Final Ruling that will set the standard of training for drivers applying for a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) has been delayed for 2 years. Despite the delay, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) insists the new curriculum and training will still take effect on February 7, 2020. Driver Trainers and State Driver Licensing[…]
Hours-Of-Service Proposed Rule Set To Debut July 31
After much delay, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has reset the projected date of publication for the new and improved “flexible” Hours-of-Service (HOS) Rule to July 31, 2019. This date was released by the Department of Transportation (DOT) in the June 2019 Significant Rulemaking Report. The proposed driver’s HOS Ruling was set to debut[…]
Gorilla Safety Offers Asset Tracking For ANY Business With Advanced GPS
Ever feel like you can’t find your trucks or trailers? Tired of not knowing what’s going on around your business? You can’t leave yourself in the position of not knowing where your $160,000 truck and $75,000 trailer are. Gorilla Safety has you covered. With Advanced GPS Tracking, you know where your company’s assets are at[…]
House passes Funding Bill that bars the DOT from eliminating the 30-minute Break Rule
On Tuesday, June 25, 2019, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the 2020 government funding bill. Stipulations were placed on this bill that requires motor carrier’s ratings with the DOT’s Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program to be made public within 6 months. The stipulations placed on this bill, H.R. 3055, were fought by the House Rules[…]
Brake Safety Inspection Week 2019
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has announced that this year’s Brake Safety Week is scheduled for September 15-21, 2019. Although inspections happen all year long, there are several inspection blitzes a year focusing on different aspects of commercial motor vehicles (CMV). While checking brake systems is always part of the North American Standard Inspection Program,[…]
U.S. DOT launches program to help Veterans and Reservists find jobs in the Trucking Industry
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced Monday, June 17, 2019, that they are accepting applications for a pilot program to permit younger drivers between the ages of 18 to 21 with the U.S. Military’s equivalent of a commercial drivers license (CDL) to operate large trucks in interstate commerce. During the pilot program, which is[…]
Gorilla Safety aligns with project44 to provide location data services to shipping companies
Location Data Services Play Key Role in Meeting Increased Demand for Shipment Visibility HOUSTON … June 17, 2019 … Gorilla Safety, a provider of an innovative, proprietary and patented fleet and safety management solution, announced today the Company has aligned with project44, the world’s leading advanced visibility platform for shippers and logistic service providers[…]
USDA Clarifies the Rules Regulating Hemp Transport After Drivers Arrest
There has been a lot of confusion about hemp’s legal status due to a recent high-profile arrest of a driver hauling industrial grade hemp from Oregon to Colorado. When driver Denis Palmurchuk was arrested by Idaho State Police for transporting 7,000 pounds of industrial hemp and charged with smuggling marijuana, the U.S. Department of Agriculture[…]
FMCSA Seeking Data on Detention Times When Loading & Unloading
Driver detention times have long been an issue in the transportation industry affecting driver pay and increasing the risk of accidents. According to results from research done on Driver Detention Times in Commercial Motor Vehicle Operations, “drivers experienced detention time during approximately 1 in every 10 stops for an average duration of 1.4 hours. This represents[…]
The ELD Mandate: Improving Safety Through Technology
The ELD Mandate goes into effect when the AOBRD grandfather provision expires, December 16, 2019. At this point, Phase 3 of the ELD Rule begins. Drivers and Motor Carriers subject to the ELD Rule must use ELDs registered with the FMCSA to remain compliant. How do ELDs Work? ELDs synch with the CMV engine to automatically record:[…]
Hours of Service Proposed Rule Delayed
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has delayed the new and improved “flexible” Hours of Service (HOS) Rule that was set to debut on June 7, 2019. The White House’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has been reviewing the FMCSA’s Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) since late March and has yet to[…]
2019 International Roadcheck: What to Expect During a Level I Inspection
With the International Roadcheck Inspection going on this week, June 4-6, CVSA-certified inspectors will be conducting numerous Level I – North American Standard Inspections. An average of 17 commercial vehicles are inspected every minute during this 72-hour blitz. Every year, during the CVSA’s Roadside Inspection spree, inspectors focus on a specific category of violations. This year,[…]
Houston Bus Company Fined by DOJ for Hiring H-2B Foreign Workers over Americans
On May 29, 2019, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced a settlement against a Houston transportation company, El Expreso Bus Company. El Expreso has been charged with hiring imported foreign workers on the H-2B visa over eligible Americans. The H-2B Program The H-2B program allows US employers to import and hire up to 66,000 foreign[…]
AOBRD vs. ELD: Do you know the difference?
The ELD Mandate is less than a year away and there have been a lot of questions from drivers and enforcement personnel concerning the difference between grandfathered automatic onboard recording devices (AOBRDs) and electronic logging devices (ELDs). With AOBRDs still in use until December, it can be difficult to distinguish between the two devices. What’s[…]
Automated Driving Vehicles Under Review
The US Department of Transportation is taking a look into the necessary steps required to test Automated Driving Systems (ADS) Technologies. The FMCSA released an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rule Making (ANPRM) on May 22 requesting public comment on the questions regarding the regulations that surround human operators and how they may differ for ADS.[…]
Updated Driver Training Regulations Cuts the Cost by $18 Million Annually
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced the Final Rule updating driver training regulations and saving an estimated cost of $18 million annually. Entry-Level Driver Training The Final Rule updates the Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) Regulations put in place December of 2016. This rule implements a new Class A CDL theory instruction that reduces[…]
FMCSA Seeking Public Comment on 18-21 Year Old Drivers and the New HOS Rule
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is currently seeking public comments on the 2nd Pilot Program under the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act that will allow 18 – 21 year old non-military drivers to operate commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce. Subsequently, there will be a new Hours of Service (HOS) Rule debuting[…]
Tips for a Successful Move: National Moving Month
In 1997, Allied named May National Moving Month. In the Summer months the number of home sales rise making the summertime the busiest moving season. Moving can be stressful and overwhelming but it doesn’t have to be! Here are several tips provided by the FMCSA to make moving less of a hassle and to ensure a[…]
“Flexible” Hours of Service Rule Set to Debut June 7
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has announced that the new and improved “flexible” Hours of Service (HOS) Rule will debut on June 7, 2019. There will be a 49 day comment period on the new HOS that is set to end on July 26, 2019. These dates are susceptible to changes; however, they[…]
Operation Safe Driver Week 2019: “Late won’t kill you, speeding will.”
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s Operation Safe Driver Week has been set for July 14-20 this year with a special focus on speeding. “For more than two decades, speeding has been involved in nearly one-third of all motor vehicle fatalities,” said CVSA President Chief Jay Thompson with the Arkansas Highway Police. “That is unacceptable, especially[…]
Falcon Transport Closes Abruptly Leaving Hundreds Unemployed
On April 27, 2019 employees of Falcon Transport, a trucking company from Youngstown, Ohio, received emails stating that the company was shut down – effective immediately. “All Falcon Employees, We regret to inform you that Falcon Transport Co. is not able to continue operations and will be shutting down effective today. Please stop any work[…]
$900 Million Available in Infrastructure Grant Funds through BUILD
On April 22, the U.S. Transportation Secretary, Elaine L. Chao, announced the availability of $900 million in Infrastructure Grant Funds. The Department of Transportation’s announcement was a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to apply for funding through BUILD Transportation Discretionary Grants program. To view the Notice of Funding Opportunity, click here. BUILD stands for the[…]
5 Things You Need to Know About the Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse
On January 6, 2020, the FMCSA and DOT will implement the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse. The Clearinghouse will help to monitor drivers that are not legally permitted to operate a Commercial Motor Vehicle due to drug or alcohol violations. The Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse will be used to enforce the rules already in place regarding[…]
5 year Exemption granted to Agricultural Haulers by the FMCSA
On April 15, 2019, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) granted the Agricultural and Food Transporters an exemption allowing for new cargo securement methods to be implemented until 2024. The FMCSA partners with industry, safety advocates, and state and local governments to keep our roadways safe and improve CMV safety. What does the 5 year[…]
What to expect with 2019’s Roadcheck Inspection spree
Violations that put your trucks out of service are dangerous to drivers and bad for business. It’s important to keep the trucks in your fleet well maintained and compliant with the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA). 2019 Roadcheck Inspection The International Roadcheck is set for June 4-6, 2019. Every year, during the CVSA’s Roadside Inspection[…]
The ELD Mandate: Don’t wait to transition from AOBRD to ELD
This is an important time in the trucking industry and compliance is vital. Phase 3 of the ELD Rule being implemented is fast approaching and the AOBRD grandfather provision will expire. On December 16, 2019, Drivers and Motor Carriers subject to the ELD Rule must use self-certified ELD’s registered with the FMCSA. Self-Certification is the[…]
National Work Zone Awareness Week
On average, over 700 fatalities occur in work zones each year determined by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). 2019 National Work Zone Awareness Week In an effort to protect our drivers and workers, the FMCSA created National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW). NWZAW is an annual event bringing awareness to work zone safety[…]
