FMCSA to Create Central Database of Drug Testing Results

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drug testing

By the end of September, the FMCSA publishes a final rule to establish a central database featuring drug testing results from company drivers and owner-operators, writes LiveTrucking.com.

The database is called The Commercial Driver’s License Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, and it will keep record of CDL permit holders who have either failed or refused a drug test. Live Trucking explained how the rule will work:

The rule mandates that carriers and owner-operators must submit positive drug tests or test refusals to the FMCSA regularly.

Drivers must give written consent to be added to the database before submitting a drug test.

Blivetrucking.comut, a refusal to do so could result in losing driving privileges.

If a drug test is positive, drivers must complete a “return-to-duty” process, which includes evaluation and monitoring by a substance abuse specialist. After completing this, the positive drug test will remain in the database for three to five years. However, if a driver fails to complete the process, a failed drug test will remain in the database forever.

That’s right, forever.

On the bright side, truck drivers can appeal a positive drug test if a possible error exists. Then, the FMCSA reviews that decision within 60 days, Live Trucking writes.

Trucking companies must annually search the database. They check for driver traffic tickets or citations related to driving under the influence.

According to the FMCSA, the regulation costs the industry $186 million annually

But, it also results in $187 million of benefits. Trucking companies spend $28 million annually for the annual mandate. In addition, they spend another $10 million in pre-employment screenings. An estimated $101 million allocates to drivers, required to undergo the return-to-duty process.

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Amarillo College Trucking School Brings Driving to the Deaf

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Amarillo College Trucking School One college student from Wyoming isn’t letting his deafness hinder his dream of having a CDL trucking job. Robert Stein of the Amarillo (Texas) Globe-News highlighted James Hanson’s inspirational story, telling how Hanson has been deaf since age 3.

That didn’t stop Hanson, now 26, from entering a career that many people might think is off-limits to those who are deaf, writes Stein. Hanson recently became the fourth completely deaf student to graduate from the Amarillo College Truck Driving Academy since 2014, which college officials  said is gaining a reputation for its ability to meet the unique needs of others like him.

“I’ve always had an interest in driving,” Hanson conveyed through his interpreter, Autumn McClanahan.

“My dad, in the past, he was a truck driver, so he supported that.”

“It makes me so happy to be graduating,” Hanson added as he celebrated along with classmates at a cookout at Amarillo College’s East Campus.

The Wyoming native’s path to Amarillo College began with Wyoming’s Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, the story states. Because of his hearing impairment, Hanson needed a waiver from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to skip the hearing examination required for a CDL driver job.

James Hanson 2

Finding a school that could accommodate Hanson wasn’t easy.

There wasn’t a school in Wyoming that could accommodate him. That’s how Hanson ended up in Amarillo, Texas. Case worker Carey Gill told the Amarillo Globe-News she spent months searching before learning of Amarillo College’s trucking program for the deaf.

“This is too good to be true,” Gill recalled thinking at the time. But six weeks and 240 hours of training later, Hanson graduated with a certificate and a license to drive a big rig.

“It was a very smooth process and very life changing for him,” Gill said.

Upon arriving at Amarillo College, Hanson matched with an American Sign Language interpreter from the college’s division of Disability Services. Overall, she stuck with him through the whole process. She shared the truck cab while he practiced with his learners permit or took his drivers test.

Now, the Amarillo College truck driving program receives more inquiries from deaf students nationwide, said Amarillo College Truck Driving Academy Director Jerry Terry. And, Hanson works towards a promising truck driving career.

Read the rest of the Amarillo Globe-News story here. All photos by the Amarillo Globe-News.

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Proposed federal rule to govern truck speeds to be published soon

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truck speeds

A proposed federal rule to require the use of speed limiters on heavy-duty trucks has “cleared its final hurdle in the regulatory process” and will likely be published in the coming weeks according to Overdrive magazine. The White House’s Office of Management and Budget stamped its approval on the rule Aug. 12, according to the White House’s online rulemaking portal.

Overdrive wrote about the speed limiter rule and what it will mean for some people with CDL trucking jobs.

The speed limiter rulemaking initiated in March 2014.

It followed a petition by the American Trucking Associations and Roadsafe America. It asked the DOT to implement a 65 mph speed limit on trucks, weighing more than 26,000 lbs.

Little has been made public about the rule’s contents, however, such as what the regulated speed limit would be, when the rule would take effect and which trucks would be required to comply with the mandate.

Those details, Overdrive says, publish when the rule proposal releases in the Federal Register.

There likely will be a 60- or 90-day comment period, too, Overdrive writes. During which, FMCSA seeks comments from stakeholders and the public about the rule and its requirements.

Then, FMCSA uses the comments to craft a final version of the speed limiter rule. In addition, they then go back through the regulatory process before finalizations. That process generally takes several years. The rule likely offers a compliance window, likely a year or longer, before fully in effect.

Image from Overdrive magazine.

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9 Easy Ways to Make the Road Friendlier

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friendlier driving

In a world where drivers increasingly are becoming distracted by technology—and courtesy on the road isn’t what it used to be—we asked people with CDL driver jobs the million-dollar question: How can drivers make the road friendlier?

Here are the most popular answers from the truck drivers we surveyed, with a few of our own answers added.

Try practicing these suggestions and see how much friendlier your life on the road becomes.

1. Turn your CB back on.

Communicate accidents, weather and construction delays. Offer help with parking or backing into a dock. There are so many reasons a driver could use a hand. Use your CB for good and see what comes of it.

2. Smile and wave.

Drivers used to do this a lot more back in the good ‘ol days. The truth is, a simple smile or wave when passing another truck could make all the difference in a driver’s day. Give it a try sometime. As one truck driver said, “in order to be a community, we must communicate.”

3. Maintain a safe following distance.

Keep in mind, trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds and may need up to 100 yards to stop. When the vehicle in front of you passes a fixed object, you should be able to count at least two seconds before you pass the same object. Too many times, cars cut trucks off or trail too closely behind them.

4. Be aware of a truck’s blind spots.

A truck has blind spots up to 20 feet in front of the tractor, anywhere along the sides of the trailer and up to 200 feet behind the trailer. When passing a truck, don’t move back into your lane until you can see both truck headlights in your rearview mirror.

5. Respect goes a long way.

Always help other truck drivers in need when you can. You never know when you’ll be able to make a difference in someone’s life, however small it may seem. Small gestures like letting a truck pass or spreading the word about problems ahead can set a strong example for others to follow and brighten a fellow driver’s day.

6. Move over for emergency vehicles.

When you approach a stopped emergency vehicle with lights flashing, state law requires that you move a lane away from the emergency vehicle or slow down 20 miles per hour below the posted speed limit.

7. Don’t judge.

Look beyond race, gender and fashion sense to what lies at a driver’s core. Truck drivers are judged enough as it is. Why judge your colleagues all the more?

8. When in a construction zone, drive the posted speed limit.

State departments of transportation tout the “3 S’s” of managing work zones safely: speed, space and stress. Managing these three factors can make driving in a construction zone much easier. Leave adequate braking room between your vehicle and the one ahead of you. Also, keep a safe distance between your truck and traffic barriers, construction equipment and workers.

9. Pay attention.

In today’s world, it’s easy to get distracted at the wheel. According to Distraction.gov, in 2014, 3,179 people were killed and 431,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers. While texting and driving often is the main distraction that comes to mind, distracted driving doesn’t end there. Things as fleeting as adjusting the radio or reaching for your coffee can have dire consequences, too. By paying attention at the wheel, drivers can make the roads safer, and friendlier, for everyone.

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Drive My Way Matches Drivers to CDL Trucking Jobs at GATS

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Great American Trucking ShowThe Great American Trucking Show kicks off in Dallas, Texas, tomorrow, Aug. 25 and runs through Saturday, Aug. 27. We’re excited to meet you over the next few days! Stop by Booth 1055 and introduce yourself to the Drive My Way™ team, especially if you’re looking for a new trucking job.

Drive My Way’s “matchmakers” will be on hand to sign up drivers for free on our website so you can get matched to the best job for you, all based on your qualifications and preferences.

CCJ Market Movers

The Great American Trucking Show has a lot on tap in 2016, as it always does. You can hear what the industry’s thought leaders have to say about how e-commerce is changing the transportation landscape during “CCJ Market Movers” (1 p.m. Thursday).

ESGR Military Signing

If you’re a military veteran, don’t miss the ESGR Military Signing (10:30 a.m. Friday). Drive My Way is a proud supporter of the event, which educates and inspires military veterans as they pursue careers in trucking. The military-themed event highlights veteran hiring in the trucking industry and features a signing in support of the Guard and Reserve. Drive My Way will be there, and we hope to see you there, too.

Trucker Talent Search and Pride and Polish Awards

There’s also the perennially popular Trucker Talent Search (3:30 p.m. Friday) and Pride and Polish Awards (10:30 a.m. Saturday). Drive My Way is looking forward to it all! We’d love to connect with you. If you’re around, swing by Booth 1055, spin the wheel to win some candy, and get on the road to finding your next great job!

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ATA’s Spear: Autonomous Trucks Won’t Hurt Trucking Jobs

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will autonomous driving effect people with CDL trucking jobs?American Trucking Associations President Chris Spear appeared on Fox Business News in August and for the third time in less than a week addressed the topic of autonomous trucks. The magazine Transport Topics wrote about the exchange. They stated Spear doesn’t perceive autonomous trucks as a threat to CDL trucking jobs.

“In fact, it could actually improve job growth in our sector,” Spear said on the show. Spear added the (autonomous) technology could result in bringing more drivers and technicians into the industry.

He also spoke on the subject in an address to membership during the National Truck Driving Championships and National Step Van Driving Championships in Indianapolis in August, where he said, “Here’s the key: We’re not at the table. We have to be at the table. I am not going to concede in this role a regulatory framework in the next five to 10 years that the auto industry designed and we inherit.”

Read the full Transport Topics story and see the Fox video here.

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Visit Drive My Way at the Great American Trucking Show

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DMW IOWADrive My Way is hitting the Great American Trucking Show for the third consecutive year! We can’t wait. Will you be there, too?

Stop by Booth 1055 and meet Drive My Way’s matchmakers.

They will be on hand to help match you to the perfect driving job for you.

At Drive My Way, we’re all about matching truck drivers with jobs that allow them to live the life they want, while matching employers with drivers who are both qualified and engaged!

Stop by booth 1055 and spin the wheel for a chance to win your favorite treat and find out how we can match you to the perfect job.

We look forward to meeting you at the Great American Trucking Show!

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7 Things to Consider Before Becoming a Commercial Truck Driver

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thenewswheel.comAre you considering a Commercial Truck Driver job? It can be a gratifying career for sure, but not everyone can handle long hours on the road every day.

Here are seven great points to consider if you’re weighing a career as a commercial truck driver, as published on the website Newswheel.com.

1. Before even considering starting a career as a truck driver, ask yourself if you enjoy driving.

If you have a regular driver’s license and you hate driving, you will likely hate being a truck driver. Before you put the time and effort into this career, you should make sure it’s something you will enjoy.

2. Before embarking on a career as a truck driver, be sure you are physically and mentally able to sit for several hours.

You could be driving for hours before you get to your first stop. If you are unable to handle sitting that long, your career will be a short one.

3. Depending on the company you start driving for, you could be responsible for loading and unloading your truck.

This can be very physically demanding. If you have any health issues that prevent you from lifting anything heavy, you may want to consider a different career path.

4. Most people will not be able to get behind the wheel of an 18-wheeler and just start driving.

You will need to learn how to drive a truck before you can consider a career doing so. When you go to truck driving school, you will learn everything you need to so that you can safely drive your truck in even the most congested areas. You will also learn about safety and the rules of the road that apply to 18-wheelers.

5. No company will hire you to drive trucks for them if you don’t have your heavy vehicle license.

Most areas require that you take a written test and have your permit to drive a tractor trailer. You will likely need to hold your permit for a specific period of time before you can take the test for your license. When you take your test, you will need to go driving with an instructor. If you do well and pass the test, you will get your license to drive an 18-wheeler.

6. Some people who have received their license choose to work 40-hour a week.

In this scenario, you can go into work, take your truck out, do your job, return your truck and then go home. Some people want a different type of career, choosing to drive very long distances, which keeps them away from home for days or weeks at a time.

7. The final step to becoming a commercial truck driver is to find a good job.

Your driving school may offer job placement. You can also find companies online who are hiring.

Working as a commercial truck driver can be a very rewarding career. As long as you know a few tips for becoming a commercial truck driver, you should be well on your way.

Looking for a trucking job yourself? Find the right CDL trucking job for you with Drive My Way. Register today. It’s free!

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Sharpshooters: The Truck Drivers with a Talent for Photography

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LeRoy BaxterAs an owner operator for Baxter Trucking, LeRoy Baxter transports honey bees throughout the West, from Montana and Wyoming to California and South Dakota. His routes take him through Big Sky country, past mountainous vistas and along the Pacific coastline.

Along the way, Baxter documents the scenic beauty he sees with his smartphone camera. For Baxter, who’s driven OTR for 22 years, taking pictures on the road has enhanced his CDL trucking job all the more. Here are some great shots he’s taken and what he has to say about his photography.

Tetons from Togwotee PassHow did you learn photography?

Years ago, when I first started trucking over the road, I would take pictures, put them in a scrapbook and make notes on where the pictures were taken. For Christmas one year, my wife gave me a camera that took panoramic pictures. I got into it for a while but phased out of it because the pictures were expensive to develop.

I started getting into it again when I joined Facebook five years ago. People seemed to be interested in the photos I posted. I said, “If I’m posting pictures, I might as well be posting good pictures.” So I started practicing.

LeRoy railroad tracksWhat do you look for when you’re shooting?

Lines. The simplicity of the lines inspires me. I strive to capture that in my photos. I like taking black and white pictures most of all. They bring out the crispness of the lines and the different tones of colors.

What do you love to shoot?

The Tetons and the Crazy Mountains of Montana. They’re so impressive. They never fail to give me a different look. The way the sun hits them, it’s never the same. As truck drivers, the landscape is one of the things we look at the most. It always fascinates me. I always want to know what’s on the other side of whatever I’m looking at.

LeRoy Montana2

How has photography enhanced your trucking job?

Photography has helped me experience my journeys out here even more. As drivers, we’ve looked at that same country a million times. But in taking pictures, I notice a lot more than I used to. It makes me look forward to the seasons. Each season offers something new and different.

Why do you take pictures?

I used to take them because I wanted to show people what I was doing. Then it snowballed into people enjoying what I show them. I get pleasure out of that. I want people to see the same beauty I’m looking at and experience the same happiness.

LeRoy Levina montanaDo you learn anything from taking photos?

I probably take 300 or 400 pictures a week. Most of them aren’t very good, but every once in a while there’s one. From those, you learn what works for you and what doesn’t. It takes lots of practice. I experiment with light and times of day. Over time, I’ve gotten better.

All photos by LeRoy Baxter

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Back at GATS

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DMW IOWAThe Great American Trucking Show is just around the corner, and we can’t wait! The show takes place from Aug. 25-27 at The Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, Texas. We’ll be there. Will you? If so, swing by and see us at Booth 1055! You can meet the Drive My Way™ team in person and spin the wheel for a chance to win your favorite treats.

If you’re a truck driver looking for that perfect job that fits your qualifications and lifestyle, you’ll definitely want to stop by and see us. We have more jobs in our system than ever before! At Drive My Way, we’re all about helping you find the job that’s right for you. So stop by Booth 1055 and see all the jobs that you could be a great match for.

Drive My Way’s matchmakers will be on hand to answer questions and help you register on DriveMyWay.com (Registration is always free for drivers.). The best part? You’ll be one step closer to landing the best job for you!

We look forward to meeting you!