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2 weeks ago | 
worktruckonline.com | Kathy Close
Effective June 23, 2025, state driver’s licensing agencies (SDLAs) will no longer accept medical certificates from commercial drivers. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and SDLAs are streamlining the medical certification process for drivers who hold commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) and permits (CLPs).
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1 month ago | 
automotive-fleet.com | Mark Schedler |Kathy Close
Hiring and retaining qualified drivers is essential for both safety and regulatory compliance. Whether you're bringing on a new hire, rehiring a former driver, or managing driver qualification files, understanding the requirements is critical to protecting your operations. Join us for this informative webcast as we tackle key questions, including:Who needs a Driver Qualification (DQ) file? What happens if documents are missing from my DQ files? When is sleep apnea testing required?
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2 months ago | 
worktruckonline.com | Kathy Close
It’s been a long-standing question for motor carriers. Who has authority over the workplace safety of its commercial drivers — the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) or the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)? The answer is both. When drivers are on the road, they are under the authority of the FMCSA, but employers are still subject to OSHA’s General Duty Clause.
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Jan 7, 2025 | 
worktruckonline.com | Kathy Close
Commercial licensing is now tied to a driver’s Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse status. Drivers in a prohibited status face a denied or downgraded commercial driver’s license (CDL) or commercial learner’s permit (CLP). State driver’s licensing agencies (SDLAs) were given until November 18, 2024, to have systems to connect with the Clearinghouse to learn of and act on a driver’s status. How Many Drivers are Affected?
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Sep 26, 2024 | 
worktruckonline.com | Kathy Close
Your safety record may take a hit if you assign a driver to a vehicle when not properly licensed. Approximately 54,000 drivers were placed out of service in 2023 during roadside inspections for operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) without a commercial driver’s license (CDL) when one was required. It was the fourth most cited roadside inspection driver violation for the year.
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Sep 7, 2024 | 
automotive-fleet.com | Kathy Close
If you employ drivers who are required to hold a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and regulated drivers who are not, are you aware of the differences between the two when it comes to driver qualification (DQ) files? Let’s look at each piece of the DQ file for a comparison.
The Application
The driver-specific application contains the same data elements for both driver types; however, information provided on the application differs.
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Aug 24, 2024 | 
worktruckonline.com | Kathy Close
Those who travel short distances with their commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) often wonder if they are subject to the same Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) as over-the-road trucking companies.
The majority of the safety regulations and subsequent recordkeeping are the same for all interstate carriers. This includes Driver Qualification files, U.S. DOT markings, cargo securement, insurance, equipment specifications, vehicle inspection and maintenance, and so forth.
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Jul 27, 2024 | 
worktruckonline.com | Kathy Close
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) began its crusade against distracted driving with a texting ban that began Oct. 27, 2010. It then advanced to cell phone restrictions by Jan. 3, 2012. Even though the cell-phone ban is six years old, the temptation to use an electronic device while operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) is still strong for some drivers.
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Jul 20, 2024 | 
truckinginfo.com | Kathy Close
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) began its crusade against distracted driving with a texting ban that began Oct. 27, 2010. It then advanced to cell phone restrictions by Jan. 3, 2012. Even though the cell-phone ban is six years old, the temptation to use an electronic device while operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) is still strong for some drivers.
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Jul 20, 2024 | 
truckinginfo.com | Kathy Close
Several common misunderstandings of motor carrier safety regulations resurface year after year. Some seem plausible and even have a hint of truth. Nevertheless, these common myths are just that — myths. Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations for truck drivers are constantly changing and are often misunderstood.
Provided are the top four most common misconceptions, along with the possible source of each:1.
