We don’t have to tell you that trucking businesses face a lot of risks. The roads aren’t always the safest place, and that’s why it’s so important to take steps to emphasize and improve safety at your truck business. While this is beneficial because it will lessen the chance of your drivers and employees getting hurt, safety can also help you avoid truck insurance claims. In turn, that can help your truck insurance rates.
The following articles give suggestions and tips for improving different areas of safety at your business. Take some time to check out the various topics that we explore in the articles. We’ll explain the dangers of distracted driving, the importance of pre-trip vehicle inspections and preventive maintenance, why you should always wear a seatbelt, and more. Safety is an ongoing process, so it’s important to always be looking for ways to make your business a little safer. The following articles might help you think of ways to do that.
If you’re in the trucking world, you probably know all about the CSA (Compliance, Safety, Accountability) program from the FMCSA. It’s all about safety. It’s important to stay in favor with the FMCSA, and that means excelling in the CSA. Here are a few tips so you can improve how you’re doing in the grand scheme of things.
Read more5 tips to improve in the CSA (Compliance, Safety, Accountability)
Being in the trucking world means that you’re subject to many regulations. The FMCSA takes safety seriously – they have the CSA, or Compliance, Safety, Accountability program. You might wonder how to navigate the program and how to excel in it. And that’s why we’ve created this CSA survival guide for trucking businesses.
If you have a trucking business, hiring the right people is crucial. Having drivers who are committed to safety is so important for maintaining good loss history and DOT scores – they’re the people who are operating trucks for you and who are delivering loads for you. That’s why MVR checks are a big part of being an employer for a trucking business, and why it’s so important to do pre-employment screenings as well. Here are a few reasons why MVRs and pre-employment screenings are such a big deal.
Read moreThe importance of doing MVR checks for trucking businesses
Driving a truck or bus is, needless to say, a huge responsibility. But just how big of a responsibility is it? For one thing, there are numerous factors that create safety challenges for truck and bus drivers. Here are some of the main ones that operators of those commercial vehicles have to navigate every time they get on the road.
There are times when you are operating a commercial vehicle, truck, or any other large vehicle in an area where there are pedestrians. At times like that, it’s necessary for you as the driver to add an even greater measure of safety consciousness to your driving. With that in mind, here are some tips for staying alert and safe when pedestrians are in your area.
The Secretary of the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) is responsible for regulating the transportation of hazardous materials (HM). This includes actions completed by shippers, motor carriers, and commercial drivers. Guidelines for transporting hazardous materials also falls under the jurisdiction of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). Those affected by these regulations often have many questions about them. We explore some of the more common concerns below, and we’ll explain what a cargo tank inspection is.
Read moreHow do I know if an inspection is a cargo tank inspection?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires commercial drivers who transport certain types of materials to apply for and maintain a hazardous materials safety permit (HMSP). Drivers and motor carriers can refer to 49 CFR 385.403 to find further information about hazardous materials and to ensure they understand FMCSA expectations in this manner.
Read moreWhat do carriers have to do to get a Hazardous Materials Safety Permit?
When you drive your personal vehicle and get a warning – it’s just that, a true warning. The rules of the road change, though, when commercial trucking is involved. Because safety is such a significant issue for the industry and a warning could reflect problems in the overall way a brand is operating, a warning ticket is a far more severe thing for a commercial driver than it is for someone driving their own personal vehicle.
Follow-on actions are one of three possible responses to violations of FMCSA rules and regulations. Of the three responses, a Follow-On is considered to be the most severe and significant. All interventions by the FMCSA were designed to help educate, inform, and support businesses that have run afoul of regulations, but the Follow-On options are the most severe and most likely to trigger penalties.
Read moreWhat are potential FMCSA follow-on procedures for trucking businesses?
If you have decided to become a truck driver, you can’t begin your new career until you get the proper training. However, with so many truck driving schools operating all around the country, it can be difficult to choose the institution that is best for you. Below are some tips to help you choose the right truck driving school so you can be sure you have all the knowledge and skills you need to succeed on the open road.
Two primary types of truck driving schools exist: private schools and paid training programs. Paid training programs are usually operated by employers looking to hire graduates of the program. These programs pay you during your training and then hire you as an employee after the training program is complete. Private schools, on the other hand, usually require you to pay tuition and do not hire you after the program is complete. Instead, you will need to find your own job.
One of the most important steps you can take to ensure you are enrolled in the right program is to do adequate research before making a selection. As you research different truck driving schools, be sure to compare them on the basis of:
After you finish your training program and you are ready to begin working as a truck driver, you will need to find a job. If you are opting for a private training program that doesn’t hire program graduates, job placement services are an important consideration. Be sure to inquire about the job placement services each prospective truck driving program offers, as well as the most recent job placement records. If possible, choose a truck driving school that has a history of helping the majority of program graduates to find appropriate positions quickly after graduation.
Attending truck driving school isn’t just a formality for prospective truck drivers. During this time, you need to be learning important skills in a way that will translate easily to the real world. In order to get the best learning experience possible, you need to be under the instruction of trained, experienced professionals. Before choosing a truck driving school, ask about the background of the instructors that run the program.
In order to qualify for your CDL, you will need to complete classroom hours, as well as over-the-road driving experience. If possible, choose a school that operates a comprehensive program designed to prepare you to meet all the requirements for your CDL.
Choosing the right truck driving school can be a challenge, but the tips above will help to simplify the process. Before you begin working as a truck driver, remember to consider your insurance requirements and needs so you can protect yourself as a professional – and don’t forget the importance of safety.
It’s also important to have the right insurance to protect yourself as a trucker. Get started with big rig insurance quotes by filling out our online form, giving us a call, or messaging us on LiveChat.