Jun 16, 2017 • Carriers

HAZMAT Transportation

HAZMAT Transportation

Understand the requirements of HAZMAT transportation and how truck drivers can avoid violations.

HAZMAT Transportation

HAZMAT transportation can be lucrative for carriers but it requires understanding common Department of Transportation violations and how to avoid them in regards to hazardous materials.

HAZMAT transportation can be extremely dangerous for truck drivers which is why it typically pays at a higher rate. To enforce regulations and promote the safety of HAZMAT transportation, the FMCSA conducts over 154,000 annual roadside inspections, with an estimated 35,000 DOT HAZMAT violations reported. That’s nearly 23 percent of inspections resulting in a violation!

Most Common Violations of HAZMAT Regulations

No Copy of USDOT hazardous materials registration number (8.1 %)
Package not secure in vehicle (7.6 %)
Placard damaged, deteriorated or obscured (6.9 %)
Vehicle not placarded as required (5.9 %)
No Shipping papers (5.1 %)
Shipping paper accessibility (4.7 %)
Emergency response information missing (4.5 %)
Failure to provide carrier required placards (4.4 %)
Offering a hazardous material without preparing a shipping paper (3.0 %)
No placards or marking when required (2.9 %)

Want to obtain a HAZMAT endorsement on your CDL and potentially earn more with HAZMAT transportation?

GHS Transport Pictograms Cheat Sheet for hazardous materials from Global Chemical Resources.

TagsOwner Operator

Industry Update - May 26, 2020 <h4>By Aldous Aldwin</h4> <h3></h3> <h3></h3> <a href="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/05/b9.jpeg"><img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/05/b9.jpeg" alt="" width="600" height="312" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-4941" /></a> <h3><strong>Load Volumes are Up by 7 Percent</strong></h3> <a href="https://www.freightwaves.com/news/another-great-week-for-load-volumes-now-up-7-year-over-year">Load volumes are up 7% versus last year even as import volumes are down.</a> Traditional produce markets in the Southwest have contributed to the largest monthly changes in volumes (Tucson, Phoenix). The rapidly improving consumer spending data is also playing a role in this growth. The reopening of most states is unleashing the pent-up demand from Americans who have grown tired of being on house arrest. <h2></h2> <h2></h2> <img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/05/b13.jpeg" alt="Availability" /> <h3><strong>Truck Availability Falls 17 Percent</strong></h3> The availability of trucks on the spot market dropped 17.5% even if spot freight volumes on major lanes continued to grow last week., This is a probable sign that capacity is shifting to the contract market as industries open up. <h2></h2> Pricing power remains with brokers and shippers. <h2></h2> Here are the national average spot rates through the week: <ul> <li>Van: $1.55 per mile, 8 cents lower than the April average</li> <li>Flatbed: $1.86 per mile, 8 cents lower than April</li> <li>Reefer: $1.97 per mile, 4 cents higher than April</li> </ul> <h2></h2> <h3></h3> <img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/05/b10.jpeg" alt="Amazon" width: 100%; height: auto;/> <h3><strong>Amazon Invests $4 Billion to Keep Employees Safe</strong></h3> In a Youtube video posted by Amazon, it revealed to have allocated $4 Billion on COVID-related initiatives to get products to customers and keep employees safe. Here's a breakdown of their initiatives. <ul> <li>Shipped 100 million masks to employees and partners</li> <li>To deliver 6 million meals</li> </ul> Watch the full video below. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yxQrMO2gcnY" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

May 26, 2020

Truck Freight Rates [h2] Truck Freight Rates [/h2] [p]Before getting into the details surrounding truck freight rates and how owner-operators can find the best one, it's important to understand what is a good truck freight rate and how are rates determined.[/p] [h2]What is a Truck Freight Rate? [/h2] [p]A Truck freight rate is simply the price or rate a broker or shipper is willing to pay a carrier to haul a load. Essentially, it's what you will be paid to haul a load. Our focus here is regarding truck freight rates for owner operators and carriers with authority. [/p] [h2] Where Can I Find Truck Freight Rates? [/h2] [p]You can find truck freight rates on load boards like <em>Truckloads</em>. Search over three million monthly truck loads and filter your results based on location, trailer type, weight, pick up/drop off date and more. Use Truckloads free load board to view a freight broker's credit rating, days to pay and call brokers directly from the mobile app to book the best freight rate for you! [/p] [button text="Try Truckloads Today" href="https://truckerpath.com/truckloads/free-load-board//?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=truckfreightrate" width="250px"] [video id="snyBYpnuhWw"] [h2] How are Truck Freight Rates Calculated? [/h2] [p]Truck Freight rates are calculated based on a variety of factors including the current market conditions, demand levels, overall weight or size, distance traveled and the type of goods being shipped. Certain routes and areas will offer higher freight rates because the supply of loads is so great, therefore the need for carriers will be higher.[/p] [p]Keep in mind that truck freight rates are often set by a<a href="https://truckerpath.com/blog/what-is-a-freight-broker/"> freight broker </a> who takes a portion of the total rate a shipper is willing to pay and pays the carrier the difference. This rate is often negotiable and can fluctuate. [/p] [p]If a shipper is sending valuable equipment that is extremely heavy, chances are the freight rate is going to be very favorable for carriers. [/p] [p]Since the truck cargo that needs to be shipped is valuable, there is additional desire to find qualified carriers. Of course, you'll need to have the right equipment and trailer necessary to haul the specific load. [/p] [giphy]<iframe src="https://giphy.com/embed/3o7btPCcdNniyf0ArS" width="480" height="268" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe>[/giphy] [h2] What Loads Pay the Best Truck Freight Rate? [/h2] [p]In order to maximize your earnings, you'll benefit from hauling loads with the best freight rate as often as possible. Freight rates are typically paid by the mile and can range from $1.50 to upwards of $4.00 or more per mile. Typically, the best freight rate is for flatbed loads but this is not necessarily always the case. [/p] [p]We surveyed over 150 experienced <a href="https://truckerpath.com/blog/how-to-become-an-owner-operator/">owner-operators</a> asking them what they think are the best freight rates. 59 percent considered $3.00 per mile the best rate for carriers while 32 percent said $2.00 was a fair freight rate.[/p] [p]While these are ideal freight rates for the carrier, they are often times difficult to find in most areas and the volume of freight shipping at these rates can also be limited. [/p]

Aug 22, 2017 • Carriers

Trucking Industry Statistics [p] Here's a closer look at the trucking industry statistics highlighting the significance of the backbone of America - truckers.[/p] [h2]Trucking Industry Statistics[/h2] [p] The trucking industry statistics are truly remarkable. It's an industry topping $726.4 billion in revenue for 2015 and responsible for six percent of all jobs in America. [/p] [p]If you bought it, they brought it. [a href="https://app.appsflyer.com/com.sixdays.truckerpath?pid=Social Facebook"]Truck drivers[/a] keep America rolling by driving countless and lonely hours delivering the cargo we desire. Without trucks to ship things, those shelves would be mighty bare and those same-day delivering services from your online shopping wouldn't be possible without truckers.[/p] [p]Don't believe us? Check out the trucking industry statistics.[/p] [h2]The Trucking Industry Powers America[/h2] [p]Merge onto any highway and you'll see countless semi trucks heading in either direction of the road. Seems like they're endless amounts of them right? You would be correct, in fact [a href="https://app.appsflyer.com/com.truckerpath.truckloads?pid=Social Facebook"]80 percent of all cargo in the USA[/a]![/p] [img src="/uploads/2016/12/Trucking_InfographicsPT1.jpg" alt=""] [h2]The Trucking Industry Can Be Dangerous[/h2] [p]There are 3.5 million truck drivers in the trucking industry who put their life at risk delivering an array of commodities and goods. Drivers operate heavy-duty trucks with a load weighing as much as 80,000 pounds. In 2015, 852 truck drivers lost their life while working, making truck driver the most dangerous job in the USA. So remember to give truck drivers space and don't tailgate.[/p] [img src="/uploads/2016/12/Trucking_InfographicsPT2.jpg" alt=""] [h2]What Do Truck Drivers Haul?[/h2] [p]Truck drivers haul a variety of goods with machinery, electronic and motorized vehicles making up 27 percent of goods shipped by truck drivers in America. The most common thing trucks haul is machinery, followed by electronics and motorized vehicles. Additionally, mixed freight includes commodities such as food and restaurant supplies.[/p] [img src="/uploads/2016/12/Trucking_InfographicsPT3.jpg" alt=""] [p]Let's face it, without the trucking industry we wouldn't be able to enjoy the things we have. Shelves would be empty and people would undoubtedly be in a state of panic if that happens. The trucking industry statistics don't lie![/p]

Jun 27, 2017 • Community