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News

With CME site still down, FMCSA provides ‘search tool’

It has been almost a month since the FMCSA’s National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners website has remained operational. The website, which allows commercial drivers to confirm which doctors are on the national registry to perform Department of Transportation physicals, originally went down on Nov. 30 and didn’t resume its functionality until Dec. 14. However, the site […]

News

Canada launches its own push for ELD mandate

Now that the electronic logging device mandate is in effect in the United States, the government of Canada is moving forward with its own law requiring the devices in commercial motor vehicles. Transport Canada formally published a draft version of its ELD mandate on Dec. 16. According to the document, nearly half of all Canadian commercial […]

News

Oregon set to begin collecting higher vehicle taxes and fees Jan. 1

The first of the year marks the beginning of new and higher taxes and fees in Oregon. The changes result from a transportation funding bill approved by state lawmakers. A 4-cent increase in the state’s 30-cent fuel tax rate takes effect Jan. 1. Additionally, 2-cent increases will follow every two years through 2024. At that […]

Federal, News

Trafficking bill that includes CDL ban passes House

A bill that would disqualify someone from having a commercial driver’s license if they committed a felony involving a severe form of human trafficking was passed unanimously in the House on Thursday, Dec. 21. The No Human Trafficking on Our Roads Act, S1532, was originally sponsored by Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., and received bipartisan support. […]

News, OOIDA

OOIDA seeks nominations to join its Board of Directors

You have until the end of the year to nominate someone to join the OOIDA Board of Directors as an alternate board member. Every two years OOIDA holds an election for board alternates. Alternates are elected to two-year terms by and from the membership. All current alternate board member terms expire in 2019, so it’s […]

Features

Soendker retires after three decades of service to Land Line

When Sandi Soendker started working at Land Line in the fall of 1987, she didn’t know much about the trucking industry. Soendker soon realized she would need to learn fast. “I would say to (former Land Line editor and current OOIDA Executive Vice President) Todd Spencer, ‘I don’t know anything about trucking.’ He would say, […]

News

As of Jan. 1, Texas law permits heavier intermodal loads along border

The start of the New Year in Texas will coincide with a new law that authorizes an increase in truck weights for tractor-trailers hauling intermodal shipping containers. Signed by Gov. Greg Abbott earlier this year, the new law allows seven-axle combinations with a gross vehicle weight of up to 100,000 pounds. Six-axle combinations will be […]

News, Truck Parking

More than 3,000 parking spaces added in 2017 by Big Three truck stop companies

A new year is right around the corner. Over the past 12 months, private truck stops have added several locations and even more parking spots. In total, the Big Three truck stops – Love’s, TravelCenters of America and Pilot Flying J – have added more than 3,000 truck parking spots to the infrastructure in 2017. […]

News

FMCSA certified medical examiner website still down

With Christmas approaching, the FMCSA’s National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners website still wasn’t operational. The website, which allows commercial drivers to confirm which doctors are on the national registry to perform Department of Transportation physicals, originally went down on Nov. 30 and didn’t resume its functionality until Dec. 14. However, the site stopped working again on […]

News

FMCSA requests comments on guidance for ag haulers

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is requesting public comments to clarify guidance for agricultural commodities haulers with respect to hours of service. The agency is seeking to clarify its guidance for motor carriers and state enforcement officials, noting that existing exemption language “is susceptible to multiple interpretations.” Comments are due by Jan. 19. You […]