Latest news with #FederalMotorCarrierSafetyAdministration
Time Business News
5 days ago
- Business
- Time Business News
Top 5 Benefits of Hiring a Trusted FMCSA Process Agent Today
When you are operating or intend to launch a trucking company, documentation serves as both your legal defense and compliance, so it's more than just a formality, and it will also cost you if you don't take it seriously. To stay compliant with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, you must appoint an FMCSA process agent. You should be thinking why it is important to hire a process agent? How does an FMCSA agent help you differently? And is it worth investing in an FMCSA trusted agent? To get all this, you should know what an FMCSA agent actually does. The agent is legally allowed to receive any legal documentation for you. If you or your business is involved in a legal matter, this agent is who is responsible for getting you out of any matter. So, choosing someone reliable is not just about compliance, but it's about safeguarding your business and yourself. Whether you are operating one truck or a trucking business across states, the right move is to hire a trusted agent whom you can rely on. Hiring a process agent isn't just a formality to complete your registration for a transportation company because hiring the wrong BOC-3 process agent can put your business at stake. Every state has its laws and regulations for transportation corporations operating beyond state lines, and the BOC-3 process agent simplifies the process of managing legal matters across different states. If he is irresponsible and he misses a legal notice, you may miss a deadline, and this type of mistake can lead to fines or your authority can be cancelled. An experienced agent is always alert to every legal document, and they inform you instantly. They know the processes and they sort the problem, keeping you compliant. If your business is operating across states, the FMCSA requires you to have an agent in every state, and it sounds like a nightmare to handle, until you have an agent that handles your services in all states. The agent will provide you best services and will file your BOC-3 once you get your MC number, after which you will get your legal authority for your truck business. It will save your time, and you can focus on roads, not paperwork. What happens if you are involved in a lawsuit but never receive notice? By serving as the company's point of contact, the process agent keeps it informed about any lawsuits. Without an experienced agent, you may not know about legal problems until it's too late. A process agent makes sure such things do not happen to you. Some experienced process agents provide 'blanket coverage,' which involves handling the filing procedure and representing the business in every state, guaranteeing compliance and offering ease. They will receive every document, notice and will be responsible for notifying you and sorting the problem. They help to maintain your authority status, and your business runs smoothly. The FMCSA isn't just playing around regarding the strictness of rules, because missing a file or ignoring a notice can suspend your operating authority. That's why hiring a reliable BOC-3 process agent helps you to stay on legal track. They are aware of deadlines, as they know the requirements of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and they help your business stay updated. They keep checking on deadlines and reminders of updates that help you keep your business growing. To keep your compliance record clean and to maintain trust with brokers, hiring a process agent is important. You don't want to spend your working business hours handling federal filings. You are wasting your potential earning time while understanding the legal concerns of FMCSA. An experienced FMCSA process agent handles all your issues and gives you time to focus on your business, as they better know what forms to file and when to file. You can have the peace of knowing that you will not be in any trouble because someone has your back legally. So, basically, hiring a process agent means no mistakes and focusing on business growth. Hiring a trusted FMCSA process agent is behind the scene moves that pay off big when it matters the most. It keeps you legally compliant, prevents you from getting trapped in unnecessary road drama, and keeps your authority clean. Once it is done, it will keep doing its job so that you can focus on your business, but not get yourself into legal suits. Don't take this matter lightly because this is protection for everything you have worked so hard for. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Business Wire
22-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Attorney and Safety Advocate Amy Witherite Calls for Urgent Reform After Fatal Kaufman County Truck Crash
DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Following a devastating truck crash in Kaufman County that claimed the lives of six people, nationally recognized trial attorney and trucking safety advocate Amy Witherite is calling for sweeping reforms in trucking regulation and enforcement. Witherite, founder of the Witherite Law Group, says the tragedy highlights dangerous gaps in the federal oversight of the trucking industry. 'This accident is not an isolated event—it's a glaring example of how weak and inconsistently enforced trucking regulations are failing to prevent needless deaths on our highways,' said Witherite, who has spent over two decades representing victims of catastrophic truck crashes. 'We can—and must—fix this broken system.' According to law enforcement, the truck driver involved in the Kaufman County crash admitted to falling asleep behind the wheel before slamming into stopped traffic. Witherite says that while the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) imposes hours-of-service rules, these regulations are often violated—and enforcement is sporadic at best. 'Truckers are supposed to rest after 11 hours of driving, but too many are pushed beyond those limits due to unrealistic delivery schedules and pay structures that reward driving more miles,' Witherite noted. 'Fatigue-detection systems exist but aren't required. Rest areas are insufficient. Enforcement is too limited to catch bad actors before lives are lost.' Witherite also pointed to the widespread problem of "chameleon carriers"— trucking companies that shut down to escape violations and reopen under new names—along with penalties that are too low to deter unsafe operations. Meanwhile, brokers and shippers often prioritize speed and price over safety, continuing to hire risky carriers despite documented violations. 'The families shattered in Kaufman County deserve more than sympathy. They deserve change,' Witherite emphasized. 'We need mandatory fatigue-monitoring technology, stronger enforcement, better infrastructure for driver rest, and an overhaul of how we compensate drivers to promote safety—not speed.' Witherite is urging policymakers and regulators to take immediate steps to close dangerous loopholes in oversight and bring the trucking industry's safety standards in line with the critical role it plays in the nation's economy. 'If trucking regulations were truly effective, tragedies like this wouldn't keep happening. We need a national commitment to protecting the motoring public,' she said. Amy Witherite is a trial attorney, safety advocate, and founder of the Witherite Law Group, a firm nationally known for its work on trucking litigation. She is a leading voice for reform and a frequent commentator on issues related to transportation safety. Call 1 800 Truck Wreck or visit to learn more.
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Medical examiners' records must be filed electronically: FMCSA
This story was originally published on Trucking Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Trucking Dive newsletter. All medical certification records for commercial drivers must be filed electronically as of June 23, according to a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration press release. The U.S. Department of Transportation believes the new digitized system will reduce the opportunity for document fraud and make it easier for roadside inspectors and law enforcement to access drivers' medical certification statuses. Currently, 37 states are already compliant with the Medical Examiner's Certification Integration rule. The remaining states are expected to meet the requirements in the coming months. First published by the FMCSA in 2015, the Medical Examiner's Certification Integration rule does exactly what its name implies — it integrates medical certification records into state-managed systems, per the release. For CDL holders and carriers, that means paper records can no longer be used as proof of medical certification. It also means that carriers won't have to verify that those certificates were issued by a medical examiners on the National Registry, and drivers don't have to submit paper copies to state driver licensing agencies, per the NRII Fact Sheet. Instead, medical examiners must electronically submit examination results to FMCSA's National Registry by midnight of the next calendar day following the examination. FMCSA will electronically transmit drivers' examination results — which can be 'medically qualified,' 'medically unqualified' or 'voided' — from its National Registry to state driver licensing agencies. Then, states will make that information available on the Commercial Driver's License Information System driver motor vehicle record. 'By integrating electronic medical certification records directly into state-managed systems, NRII helps ensure only qualified drivers are on our roads while giving our state and enforcement partners the real-time information needed to do their jobs more effectively,' said FMCSA Chief Counsel Jesse Elison in the release. 'Implementation of this rule embodies FMCSA's commitment to commonsense, efficient, and effective solutions that enhance safety and accountability,' Elison said. Recommended Reading 'No longer necessary': FMCSA seeks to reduce redundant reporting of traffic violations
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Economic uncertainty delays truckload market breakout
Chart of the Week: Outbound Tender Reject Index, National Truckload Index (linehaul only) – USA SONAR: The truckload market remains poised for a breakout, but the timeline appears to be extending. Analyzing the trend line of tender rejections (OTRI) and spot rates excluding fuel (NTIL) over the past two years reveals a clear upward trajectory with increasing volatility. However, this trend flattened in the first five months of the year, as economic uncertainty continues to dampen demand. The trucking sector is enduring one of its longest and most challenging economic stretches since deregulation. Truckload demand is currently down approximately 30% from its COVID-era peaks. While those peak levels were never sustainable, they lasted long enough to inflate capacity far beyond what the market required. From June 2020 to October 2022, the number of active truckload operating authorities grew by roughly 48%. Since then, they have declined by only about 12%. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration data is slow to reflect these changes, as it can take up to two years to clear inactive authorities unless operators self-report their exit. Carrier Details helps refine this timeline to around a year, but it still lags. Importantly, one authority can represent a single truck or a fleet of a thousand, so this metric isn't evenly distributed. Tender rejections serve as a reliable proxy for market balance. Carriers are unlikely to reject freight in soft markets unless they have alternatives, so rising rejection rates indicate tightening capacity and strained networks. Capacity has been in correction mode for years and seemed close to reaching equilibrium late last year. Over the holidays, the OTRI exceeded 10% for the first time since 2021. This occurred even as shippers increasingly turned to intermodal for longer hauls, taking advantage of early inventory pull-forwards that gave them more flexibility in shipping. The ongoing trade war has further fueled the inventory pull-forward phenomenon. After briefly cooling in late April and early May, tariff activity resumed, sending mixed signals and triggering repeated shifts in shipping behavior. Import bookings data shows a surge in container volumes bound for the U.S. last summer, followed by erratic swings. Container imports can be a useful demand proxy, but they often give false signals during periods of uncertainty — something that has plagued shippers since COVID. Import demand remains relatively high, but much of the freight is precautionary. With trade policy and consumer spending still in question, a significant portion of freight is sitting idle in warehouses rather than moving on trucks. The economy seems to be stalling, if not slowing outright, as business investment weakens. This protracted trade policy uncertainty is unprecedented, leaving businesses without a playbook. Hiring has slowed, and layoffs are rising. Initial jobless claims have increased since January after declining through the latter half of 2024. While aggregate figures remain historically healthy, the trend is concerning. If the labor market continues to deteriorate, consumer spending could contract further. Combined with persistent inflation and reduced investment, these factors suggest a stagnating economy. The fact that rejection rates have stayed above 6% since International Roadcheck in mid-May — despite underwhelming demand — should be seen as a positive signal for carriers and 3PLs. Demand conditions are actually weaker than in mid-2023, when excess inventory caused order slowdowns and pushed OTRI below 3%. This suggests a meaningful amount of capacity has exited the market, with more likely to follow as demand remains soft. While the outlook isn't bright for all stakeholders, it does indicate that the imbalance between truck supply and freight demand has narrowed. Shippers should take note: The market is primed for a sharp reaction if macroeconomic conditions improve. Even if they don't, transportation is likely to become more challenging going forward, even if not dramatically so. The FreightWaves Chart of the Week is a chart selection from SONAR that provides an interesting data point to describe the state of the freight markets. A chart is chosen from thousands of potential charts on SONAR to help participants visualize the freight market in real time. Each week a Market Expert will post a chart, along with commentary, live on the front page. After that, the Chart of the Week will be archived on for future reference. SONAR aggregates data from hundreds of sources, presenting the data in charts and maps and providing commentary on what freight market experts want to know about the industry in real time. The FreightWaves data science and product teams are releasing new datasets each week and enhancing the client experience. To request a SONAR demo, click here. The post Economic uncertainty delays truckload market breakout appeared first on FreightWaves. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
FMCSA Modernizing Complaint System to Fight Freight Fraud, Coercion, Safety Gaps
For years, drivers, brokers and carriers have voiced the same complaint: Filing reports with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration often feels like yelling into the void. The National Consumer Complaint Database (NCCDB), designed initially to collect reports on bad actors in the supply chain, has been criticized for being clunky, outdated and ineffective. Now, in a low-profile move buried in the Federal Register, the FMCSA is proposing a sweeping overhaul of the NCCDB. The goal? To turn it into a fully modernized system for flagging broker fraud, motor carrier violations, shipper coercion and questionable conduct from substance abuse professionals, medical review officers and others operating under DOT compliance rules. It's not a new regulation, but it might be one of the agency's most important modernization efforts in years. The proposed changes stem from a 2023 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report that slammed the FMCSA's existing complaint system for lacking transparency, accountability and enforcement power. The new framework aims to change that by streamlining how complaints are filed, tracked and resolved and it aims to bring clarity to a marketplace defined by ghost carriers and untraceable the proposal, the NCCDB would get a complete overhaul, making it easier to file complaints, allowing users to track the status of their submissions, and improving data collection methods so that trends, patterns and serial offenders don't fall through the cracks. There's even language allowing carriers and brokers to challenge inaccurate or duplicate data, a nod toward due process in a system that's long lacked it. (This sounds ridiculously familiar to fleets' issues with the lack of due process in the antiquated Data Q system.) At the root, this change is about enforcement, not usability. The FMCSA has stated that the goal is to make complaint data more actionable, linking it directly to safety violations, broker noncompliance and the kinds of coercive behavior that regulators often miss in the field. While many complaints have historically vanished into limbo, the revamped system would increase the chance that they trigger investigations or enforcement when the trucking industry, this could be a quiet turning point. Carriers dealing with coercive shippers or unlicensed brokers may finally have a meaningful place to submit evidence. Drivers who've faced harassment, withheld pay or unsafe working conditions could gain a traceable channel to elevate their concerns. Brokers who play by the rules may benefit from a system that starts calling out the ones who don't. Freight fraud and cargo theft have gotten so bad that private businesses like Freight Validate and the Freight Fraud Task Force have been developed to fight fraud on the front end. In many ways, this feels like a 'clearinghouse' moment for complaints, especially fraud. While it doesn't have the regulatory teeth of the Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse, the concept is similar: aggregating data, flagging repeat offenders and giving industry players a tool to verify legitimacy before they engage. Still, execution is everything. A digital form means little if it leads to no meaningful action. The FMCSA has opened the door to a smarter system, but it will need real infrastructure and enforcement commitment behind it to succeed. The agency is gathering public comment and refining the proposal based on feedback, with implementation likely to begin in 2026. Given the freight market's growing vulnerability to fraud, ghost operations and regulatory loopholes, many hope this won't just be a paper fix. The post FMCSA Modernizing Complaint System to Fight Freight Fraud, Coercion, Safety Gaps appeared first on FreightWaves.
