New Commercial Driver’s License Changes 1/30/2012

The New Year is also upon us. Everyone should be getting ready for the new Commercial Driver’s License regulations (383.71) that go into in January. I strongly suggest that everyone and I really mean everyone, drivers, dispatchers, recruiters, etc read the new regulations as there are some very interesting changes.

There are new regulations for applications submitted prior to January 30, 2012 and there are new regulations for applications submitted on or after January 30, 2012.

Truck drivers will now have to pick what classification they will be driving. Here is a list of the new classification; Non-excepted interstate driver, excepted interstate driver, non-excepted intrastate driver and excepted intrastate driver.

 There is a new section on driver’s license transfers, driver license renewals and driver license upgrades. There is a new section on nonresident CDL, a section on new CDL applicants, a new section on existing CDL holders and a new section on existing CDL holder’s self-certification.

Finally, there is a section on the medical certification documentation required by the State and a new section on maintaining the medical certification status of “certified”. If you are now working for a motor carrier that has FMCSA authority, you MUST have a 649-F medical form. If your in California, then the DL51 form is no good.

Section 383.71 lists the “Acceptable Proofs of Citizenship or Immigration” that will be allowed to prove you can drive a commercial vehicle in the United States. There are 5 documents for US citizens and four documents for a lawful permanent resident.

As always there are exceptions to these regulations, so you should call your local association’s safety department. If you do not belong to a trucking association, you should!

The transportation world is always changing and as it goes more electronic each year you will simply be left behind as time goes on.

NTA Announces Exclusive Partnership with Secure Shipper to provide Supply Chain Services to NTA Customers and Users

 When we look at today’s world’s economy, we can’t help but worry. You, as small business owners, don’t have the luxury of sitting around on your behind and “occupying” some city hall or port.

You need to generate business. You need to keep your drivers busy. I have seen too many small businesses go under in the last few years.

I was born in Missouri, the “Show Me” State. The home of Harry “the buck stops here” Truman. Harry Truman was the 33^rd President of the United States. He was in office from 1945 -1953. I was one year when he took office. Truman is one of hero’s. So just like Truman, the buck stops here with NTA.  I don’t know about you but I just can’t sit around and watch our member trucking companies go under. NTA decided to actually do something about this situation.

NTA has partnered with Secure Shipper. This is a place where shippers and brokers can find a secure trucker with credentials. After all, how are you going to be a part of the supply chain if no one knows you exist? This is NOT a load board. This is a place where a shipper in China  or a broker in New York, who needs a safe and secure trucking company in the US can find a match.

NTA realizes that many NTA members are very active in the broader supply chain and are providing transportation services to international shippers and forwarders. Because of the growing demands on companies throughout the supply chain to develop and maintain security programs it is becoming very common for shippers to require that their partners have some kind of security profile.

Supply chain security refers to the overall effort to strengthen and secure the logistics supply chain. A basic goal of any security program is to prevent the introduction of weapons of terror, including weapons of mass destruction, from entering the supply chain.

Not certified? No internal security program? Secure Shipper can help you upgrade your security profile so you can start marketing your company as a non-certified business partner.

This Secure Shipper Directory listing gives you the marketing platform to promote your company, describe your services and facilities, post security documents, list your associations, memberships, awards, etc.

With a listing in the Secure Shipper Directory, your company will be seen as a resource for certified members of the secure supply chain worldwide. More information can be found at www.ntassoc.com.

Study Confirms Dangers of Texting While Driving

 Researchers at the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) have determined that a driver’s reaction time is doubled when distracted by reading or sending a text message. The study reveals how the texting impairment is even greater than many experts believed, and demonstrates how texting drivers are less able to react to sudden roadway hazards.

The study – the first published work in the U.S. to examine texting while driving in an actual driving environment – consisted of three major steps. First, participants typed a story of their choice (usually a simple fairy tale) and also read and answered questions related to another story, both on their smart phone in a laboratory setting. Each participant then navigated a test-track course involving both an open section and a section lined by construction barrels. Drivers first drove the course without texting, then repeated both lab tasks separately while driving through the course again. Throughout the test-track exercise, each participant’s reaction time to a periodic flashing light was recorded. Reaction times with no texting activity were typically between one and two seconds.

Reaction times while texting, however, were at least three to four seconds. Worse yet, drivers were more than 11 times more likely to miss the flashing light altogether when they were texting. The researchers say that the study findings extend to other driving distractions that involve reading or writing, such as checking email or Facebook.

The study, sponsored by the Southwest Region University Transportation Center, was managed by Christine Yager, an associate transportation researcher in TTI’s Center for Transportation Safety. Forty-two drivers between the ages of 16 and 54 participated in the research.