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Safe and Profitable

While operating as a motor carrier, it’s important to maintain a good CSA score with the US DOT. This score can make or break your business as it can determine if you will continue to have operating authority from the US DOT.   Keeping our equipment clean and p...

DOT Gotcha's

One of the dreaded phrases a trucker hears is “pull around back and bring in your paperwork.”   An experienced professional takes this in stride, with the confidence that the truck is mechanically sound and all driver related requirements are in order.  You comply with the o...

Do You Really Need a Lawyer?

In our judicial system, you have the right to defend yourself on any charge against you.  This right to defend yourself, called a “Pro Se Defense” in the court system, could include any charge from a parking ticket to murder. However, a lawyer is available to defend you to en...

$23.8 Million Dollar Judgement - A Warning to Shippers

A recent $23.8 million dollar judgment against C. H. Robinson Worldwide is getting a lot of attention in the trucking industry.  Many are seeing this huge award as a warning to the whole trucking industry.  This case is based upon who controls the shipment and I believe the s...

Reactive or Proactive

One book that I really enjoy is "7 Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen R. Covey and I quote the book several times in this blog.   First quote " Your language is a good indicator of how you see yourself."   His habit one is to be proactive.  Easy ways to sp...

Tractor and Trailer Reflective Tape Requirements

A quick glance around any truckstop parking lot will soon reveal the absence, inadequacy or inappropriate placement of the white or red and white reflective tape. These are known as “conspicuity treatments” that the FMCSA regulations require on trailers and the rear of truck ...

Getting a Citation and the Next Steps

Very few, professional, careful, and safe truck drivers have not received a citation at some point during their career.  What you do after receiving that citation will have a large impact on your CDL, your MVR, and your CSA score. To protect yourself you must understand ...

ELD Mandate: D-Day or Soft Landing?

In the two years since the final ELD rulemaking was announced, December 18, 2017 was seen as a D-day for trucking, with predictions of drivers hanging up their keys and loaded trucks stranded at inspection stations a week before Christmas, put out of service because they lack...

Chicken Lights and Federal Regulations

It is a long held belief that any lights that are installed on a commercial motor vehicle, particularly truck manufacturer installed lights, must be capable of operation, day or night.  More often than not, old school drivers know this to be true, the young drivers they are t...

Become a Pro

Team Run Smart Pro Driver Selection Criteria From August 23 through October 31, 2012, Freightliner Trucks will be accepting applications from professional truck drivers to participate as a Team Run Smart Pro Driver during the 2013 and 2014 calendar years. Each Team Run Sm...