Trucking Industry News - Page 2
USDOT Number vs MC Number: Which One You Need in 2026
Two numbers, one company, and a lot of confusion about which one is the real one. In 2026 the answer got simpler than it has been in thirty years, and it is not the answer most people expect. This is what each number is, which one you need for what you are actually doing, and […]
MVR vs PSP vs Clearinghouse: which driver record is which, and when each applies
MVR, PSP, and Clearinghouse are three different driver records: state license, federal roadside and crash history, and drug and alcohol standing. Here is which is which and when each applies.
What a missed MVR or driver-screening step actually costs before your first hire
A skipped MVR or pre-employment screening is not a one-time fine. Here is what it actually costs at the roadside, at claim time, and at audit, and how to close the gap.
IRP vs single-state plates: which one applies to your truck?
IRP applies to interstate trucks above 26,000 lb GVW or 3+ axles. Single-state plates work only for intrastate operation. Here is the exact decision tree.
Common IFTA mistakes new owner-operators make
First IFTA returns trip on the same patterns: estimated mileage, mixed fuel, skipped zero-mile quarters, wrong base state. Here’s what to fix.
FMCSA Biennial Update (MCS-150): When It’s Due and What Happens If You Miss It
MCS-150 is the silent one: free, 10 minutes, every 2 years. Miss it and your USDOT deactivates, MC goes inactive, and interstate operation becomes a violation.
MC Application Mistakes That Delay or Kill Your Authority
Operation-type misclassification, EIN/legal-name mismatches, BOC-3 docket errors. Every common MC application mistake stretches activation from days into weeks.
How to set up a driver qualification file (step-by-step)
Step-by-step driver qualification file setup for new owner-operators. MVR, application, road test certificate, medical card, D&A enrollment, Clearinghouse: the federal checklist of what must be on file before the first dispatch.
Do I need MVR monitoring as an owner-operator?
Federal rule requires an annual MVR on every CDL driver, including the owner-operator who is also the driver. Here is when monitoring is required and what to keep on file.
DOT D&A consortium vs FMCSA Clearinghouse: what each one does
Consortium administers the testing program. Clearinghouse is the federal database of violations and queries. Both are required, separately. Here is how they work together.