Over the years, definite changes have been experienced in the trucking industry – just like most businesses in the world today. Seems like someone’s always forming “new and improved” regulations, rules, equipment, restrictions, or something. To try and keep you up-to-date, because we know it’s hard to stay on top of all those changes, we put together a few updates.
Hopefully, this will answer the questions of as many trucking individuals as possible. Surely, it will not cover every concern you may have, but it’s a good starting point.
It Will Probably Cost More Just to Drive Trucks
Just for the privilege of being able to drive trucks, an increase has been proposed by the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration). Thanks to compliance audits and tuition, over the next 10 years, truck driving could cost in excess of $5.6 billion. Driving range time of 10 training hours (and on public roads, an unspecified amount of time) is what is being proposed by the FMCSA. But the revision of these new proposed regulations has been and is being petitioned by numerous groups.
The EPA Weighs In
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, as well as the Environmental Protection Agency have taken greenhouse gas effects into consideration and issued three new standards. The manufacture of specific trucks will be affected by these standards; specifically, models being manufactured in the years 2027, 2024, and 2021. Due to the new standards, there will temporarily be a cost hike in trailers and tractors as well. But the fuel savings over the next couple of years, insists the EPA, will adequately cover any additional expenses.
Introducing: ELDs
Electronic logging devices, or ELDs, connect to the engine of a truck. In years past, the logging history of driver and truck (hours) has been recorded manually. These little devices will give a more accurate reporting (recording) of that information. This will have an effect on any number of truckers.
It was required that many trucks adjust to the use of these devices as of late last year. There are, however, some exemptions that can take certain individuals up to next year. Those who are exempt are as follows:
- Drivers who, out of every 30-day period, use paper RODs eight days or less.
- In cases where the driven vehicle is also the delivered commodity, drivers who conduct operations referred to as “drive-away, tow-away”.
- Short-haul drivers using the 150 or 100 air-mile radius.
- Trucks that were manufactured before the year 2000.
- Drivers using AOBRDs.
If you have not attached to your ELD, you could be fined or penalized. Your truck may even be taken out of service. These devices are definitely going to change the trucking industry as it was once known.
Mickey Genuine Parts stays on top of all regulatory changes, rules, regulations, restrictions, etc. The experienced and knowledgeable technicians working at our certified service centers throughout the nation have the know-how to install any part or accessory required by law. If you would like to know more about Mickey Genuine Parts, or the accessories and other products we carry, contact a representative today. Mickey cares about each and every one of our valued customers and wants them to know that we are here for them for many of their trucking/trailer needs.