Friday, May 31, 2013

FMCSA Issues HOS Exemptions


On May 31, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued two separate exemptions from hours of service (HOS) requirements. 

First, FMCSA granted the Department of Energy's request for an exemption from the minimum 30-minute break requirement, allowing employee-drivers engaged in the transportation of security-sensitive radioactive materials to use 30 minutes or more of ''attendance time'' to meet the HOS rest break requirements, so long as they do not perform any other work during the break. The exemption is effective from July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2015. 

The agency also granted an exemption request from Trailways Companies. Under the exemption, which applies to all regular-route passenger carriers and their drivers, drivers are exempt from the HOS record of duty status requirement to enter a change in duty status on the daily log for breaks in driving time of 10 minutes or less, specifically for the purpose of picking up or dropping off passengers, baggage, or small express packages. This exemption is effective from May 31, 2013 to May 31, 2015.

Friday, May 24, 2013

IRS Grants Extrra Time to File for Fuel Tax Credits


By Notice 2013-26, issued last month, the federal Internal Revenue Service has granted extra time for those filing for 2012 fuel tax credits for biodiesel, biodiesel mixtures, alternative fuels (including propane used to power forklifts), and alternative fuel mixtures. 

These credits were extended by the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (the Fiscal Cliff legislation) until the end of this calendar year, and retroactively for calendar 2012. 

Seeing that the new legislation came shortly before, or even after, filing deadlines for 2012 use, IRS has extended those deadlines until July 1, 2013, subject to certain other requirements. 

See the Notice here: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-13-26.pdf.

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

9 Ideas to Find & Keep Drivers

Enhanced DataQs



The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recently launched an enhanced DataQs Website with added features to improve user experience. As part of FMCSA’s overall Data Quality Program, DataQs enables motor carriers, drivers, FMCSA employees, State Partners, and the public to improve the accuracy of motor carrier and driver safety violations and crash data.
You will see a new login page but the web address is the same. While most users will enter the same login information, DataQs has sent some users an email with a new username due to changes in the username requirements. New features include an updated design to improve user experience and a step-by-step guide to assist you when requesting a review of FMCSA-issued data.
Other enhancements included in the enhanced DataQs:
  • New login page, create account page, and My DataQs dashboard
  • Help Center with more frequently asked questions
  • Clearer terminology (for example, challenges are now referred to as Requests for Data Reviews (RDRs))
  • Search capabilities within the List of Requested Reviews
FMCSA’s enforcement and compliance programs are data-driven and the Agency, together with its State Partners, is committed to continuously improving safety data. Better data means safer roads, and the enhanced DataQs Website is an important part of our continuous improvement efforts.
If you have questions or comments, please contact us at https://dataqs.fmcsa.dot.gov/ContactUs/Default.aspx or call the the DataQs Technical Support line at 877-688-2984.

Thank You,
DataQs Team
U.S. DOT/Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

Friday, May 10, 2013

Large Truck and Bus Crash Data, 2011 – An Overview



The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is pleased to announce this annual webinar to present data on trucks and buses involved in crashes in 2011 and trends over the past six years. This overview will cover the types of trucks and buses involved in crashes, types and the characteristics of crashes, and drivers. In addition, the webinar will feature recent trends, crash rates, the economy and crashes, crash descriptions and factors, and large truck occupant fatalities. The webinar will be presented by Dr. Ralph Craft of the Analysis Division.

Please note that this webinar will be hosted twice: once on Tuesday, May 28, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. EST and again on Thursday, May 30, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. EST. Both webinars will feature the same content, so you only need to register once. You can sign up for either webinar below.

Audience: Motor Carrier Industry, FMCSA Employees, Highway Safety Community, and the Public


To register, click on one of the links below, and answer all of the questions on the form. If any of the questions on the form do not apply to you, simply type N/A. Once you have completed the form, click the “Submit” button at the very bottom of the page. You may need to scroll down to get to that location.

Tuesday, May 28, 2013, 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. EST


Thursday, May 30, 2013, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. EST


For any general questions on these webinars, contact Kelly Stowe at kelly.stowe.ctr@dot.gov or 202-385-2378.

FMCSA to eliminate 'defect-free' equipment reports for motor carriers

FMCSA to eliminate 'defect-free' equipment reports for motor carriers: Land Line Magazine