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Recent Posts
Prepare for Driving in Winter with These 5 Tips
Cold weather can prove challenging for new commercial drivers. Even if you've driven in winter weather with a Class-C license, those same roads as a commercial driver may present new challenges. According to the Department of Transportation, nearly a quarter of weather-related crashes occur on snowy, slushy, or icy roadways.
FMCSA Safety Scores: The Federal Report Card for America's Trucking Companies
The Safety Measurement System (SMS) evaluates carriers across seven BASIC categories, shaping how shippers, insurers, and regulators view your operation. Learn what the scores mean and how to improve them.
Are You Ready for Your Safety Audit?
Make sure you're prepared for this process as a new motor carrier. In the first year of running your motor carrier, you can expect to undergo a Safety Audit. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) closely monitors new motor carriers as part of a probationary period before granting permanent operating authority.
All Blogs
Essential Compliance Guide for Owner-Operators: Stay DOT Compliant and Avoid Penalties
By Lavpreet Kaur | Updated January 2025
Running your own trucking business means you wear many hats. Learn the essential compliance areas you need to know, from DOT registrations and hours of service rules to vehicle maintenance and drug testing programs. Follow these tips to stay on the road and out of trouble.
IFTA Filing Season: A Checklist for a Smooth Quarter
By Joy Collado | September 5, 2025
Quarterly IFTA filing doesn't have to be a headache. Follow our comprehensive checklist to gather your mileage and fuel data correctly for a stress-free submission.
Understanding FMCSA Out-of-Service Orders: What Carriers Need to Know
By STS Editorial Team - November 2025
An out-of-service order is a serious action taken by the FMCSA that requires carriers to stop operating immediately. Learn about the common reasons for these orders, their consequences, and how to prevent them through proper compliance practices.
What to Know About the Biennial MCS-150: Are you giving yourself enough time to update?
By STS Editorial Team - October 23, 2025
Filing your Form MCS-150 is a necessary part of your business if you have an active US Department of Transportation (USDOT) number. The MCS-150 is a mandatory form required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) used to calculate your Compliance, Safety, and Accountability score and maintain your USDOT number. You are expected to update your MCS-150 on a biennial basis, meaning every two years.
ELD Removed from FMCSA's Registered Devices List
By STS Editorial Team – October 23, 2025
As of today, the US Department of Transportation announced the FMCSA removed PHOENIX ELD from their list of registered devices. They were placed on the FMCSA's Revoked Devices list due to the companies' failure to meet requirements outlined in Title 49 CFR Appendix A to Subpart B of Part 395. Motor carriers will have up to 60 days to replace their revoked devices with compliant ones.
Five ELDs Removed from FMCSA's Registered Devices List
By STS Editorial Team - October 17, 2025
As of today, the US Department of Transportation announced the FMCSA removed five electronic logging devices from their list of registered devices.
ATRI Survey Reveals Top 10 Trucking Industry Issues for 2025
By STS Editorial Team – October 28, 2025
A changing economic landscape, upcoming environmental regulations, English proficiency, and AI also featured.
CDL Medical Certification Integration
By Lavpreet Kaur | November 2025
What happened to CDL medical certification since the National Registry Phase 2, or NRII, went into effect June 23, 2025? Since June 23, 2025, most state driver's licensing agencies (SDLAs) will not accept medical certificates from commercial drivers to update their information on the motor vehicle record (MVR). The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and SDLAs streamlined the medical certification process for drivers who hold commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) or permits (CLPs).
Tariffs on Medium and Heavy-Duty Vehicles to Begin November 1st
By STS Editorial Team - October 23, 2025
Last Friday, President Donald Trump made an official announcement to impose tariffs on imported medium- and heavy-duty vehicles and parts. To impose this tax, the president used Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, a law that gives the president the authority to restrict imports that may affect national security. Starting November 1, a 25% tariff will apply to trucks that are weight class 3 (10,000 lbs.) or heavier.
English Proficiency Testing: A Quick Guide for Motor Carrier Compliance
By Wesley Moran | November 2025
An executive order that took effect June 25, 2025, once again made an inability to speak and read English an out-of-service (OOS) violation. While drivers are required to meet the requirements of the regulation, carriers must identify existing drivers in their fleets and potential new hires who may not possess these skills and act on them. Carriers who do not vet their drivers could face Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) challenges and liability in the event of a crash. Most OOS violations can be resolved quickly, but learning a new language can be a lengthy process. The driver will not be permitted to drive again until skills have improved to meet the minimum standards.