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

How to Grow Your Hard Earned Money in Trucking [p]There are at least 3 ways to "grow" one's hard earned money in trucking:[/p] [p]1. earn more for what you do as a trucker;[/p] [p]2. earn a second income from the cab of one's truck; and[/p] [p]3. put your money in an investment that lets it grow while you're driving. [/p] [p]The majority of truckers are paid by the mile or by the task, meaning that they are trading their time for money.[/p] [p]There are a lot of "time wasters" associated with trucking, including: [/p] <li>detention at shipper and receiver locations;</li> <h2></h2> <li>waiting for loads;</li> <h2></h2> <li>road construction; </li> <h2></h2> <li>bad weather and storms; </li> <h2></h2> <li>bottlenecks and congestion; </li> <h2></h2> <li>mechanical breakdowns;</li> <h2></h2> <li>accidents (both preventable and not preventable); and</li> <h2></h2> <li>time that the Hours of Service regulations force truckers to wait without getting paid.</li> <h2></h2> [p]Seek to reduce or eliminate as many of these time wasters as possible.[/p] <h2></h2> [p]Regarding earning more money for what you do, you can:[/p] <li>make yourself available to drive during all hours when you legally can drive;</li> <h2></h2> <li>develop a good relationship with those in your trucking company who assign loads, including your driver manager;</li> <h2></h2> <li>develop good relationships with mechanics in your trucking company's shop, so that they will perform maintenance or repairs on your truck in a timely manner; </li> <h2></h2> <li>be friendly with everyone with whom you come in contact, including guards and lumpers; </li> <h2></h2> <li>work for a trucking company that values your experience and will pay you accordingly; and</li> <h2></h2> <li>perform with excellence all of the tasks assigned to you, so that you will develop a good reputation and be worthy of getting more miles or being assigned higher paying tasks.</li> <h2></h2> [p]Seek to pay off all that you owe as you buy things, so that you don't have to pay credit card interest.[/p] <h2></h2> [p]If you don't have a budget, begin by using our "spending diary" (free download) for a minimum of 30 days so that you track where you are spending money.[/p] [p]From there, set up a budget, including what you save.[/p] [p]When the time is right, put your savings into:[/p] <li>either an interest-bearing account of some kind;</li> <h2></h2> <li>or investments that are most likely to grow.</li> <h2></h2> [p]Two ways to save more money as a trucker include:[/p] <li>preparing and eating as many meals as possible in your truck; and </li> <li>resisting the urge to spend money on non-critical things. </li> [p]We provide 35+ free downloads through our site.[/p] [p]To get them instantly by email, sign up through the form on the page listed below and confirm your subscription: <h2></h2> <a href="https://www.truck-drivers-money-saving-tips.com/free-downloads.html">https://www.truck-drivers-money-saving-tips.com/free-downloads.html</a>[/p] [p]On behalf of my husband Mike and me, we wish all professional truck drivers safe travels and lots of money saving opportunities on the road.[/p] <h2></h2> <h2></h2> [p][b]By Vicki Simons[/b][/p] <a href="https://www.truck-drivers-money-saving-tips.com/">https://www.truck-drivers-money-saving-tips.com/</a>

Jan 08, 2021 • Carriers

Trucker Spotlight - Lashaune <em>The Trucker Spotlight series explores the lives of truckers and their journey to make a difference in their industry. We interview different truck drivers to understand some life lessons that make them who they are today. We also learn more about their motivations, and the problems that they encounter on the job. We also tackle how Trucker Path's solutions helped them with what they do. The information that they provide helps inform other people who are looking to delve into the trucking world.</em> <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/10/ts-lashaune-blog-1.jpg" alt=""] <h2></h2> Today we are putting the spotlight on <strong>Lashaune</strong>, the host of LockOutMen Podcast, who's been driving for around 5 years now. He hustled most of his life and did everything from retail to warehouse. Aside from trucking, he was also able to open a few successful businesses. Let's get to more about Lashaune and how he landed a trucking career. <h2></h2> <h3></h3> <h3><strong>What made you decide to be a trucker?</strong></h3> I've always had interest in driving a truck, at 1st it was the lack of funds, and I knew I didn't want to go through a trucking company.And so, I went to community college paid with my last credit card and got my license. I think I was forced in to pursue trucking because of my separation from my wife. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>In the years that you have been driving, what are the significant changes that you've noticed in the trucking industry?</strong></h3> Well I haven't been driving long to tell. I guess the eld mandate. <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/10/ts-lashaune-blog-2.jpg" alt=""] <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What made you decide to put up your Youtube channel?</strong></h3> I've been on YouTube for years. I just do it as a hobby. But when I got in to trucking, people started watching what I was doing and what I was talking about I just said to myself I'll just do something for the new drivers that are coming out here. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>Any times when you get lonely while driving? How do you deal with it?</strong></h3> Always lol it's just you and the truck. How i deal with it? I try not to think about it.. and try to get out and enjoy life when I get the chance to. <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/10/ts-lashaune-blog-3.jpg" alt=""] <h2></h2> <h3><strong>As a trucker, what are the current struggles in this COVID19 pandemic?</strong></h3> I'm still trying to get used of the new changes. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What are your usual routes? Favorite scenic truck route?</strong></h3> I run midwest most of the time. <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/10/ts-lashaune-blog-4.jpg" alt=""] <h3><strong>What was your weirdest or most unusual haul?</strong></h3> Running my 1st lowboy flatbed. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>How often do you use rest stops / truck stops? What are the things that you look for in a truck stop? Favorite truck stop meal?</strong></h3> Not often, but I deal with Loves the most cause of the free showers. As for food, I guess Flying J for Dennys. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What are the common troubles or problems you encounter while trucking?</strong></h3> Covid19 season and any problems that come with it! <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What are your pet peeves while driving/trucking?</strong></h3> The main one is truckers hanging out way too long in the fuel island. <h2></h2> <h2></h2> <h3><strong>We're glad that you use the Trucker Path app on your day to day trucking. What features do you enjoy the most?</strong></h3> What I like about <a href="http://www.truckerpath.com">Trucker Path</a> is the fact that you can check to see/truck parking and if there's spots there to park. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What are some tips that you would like to share for aspiring truckers?</strong></h3> Do your research research research and don't just fall for anything. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>Where can people watch your videos on Youtube?</strong></h3> They can view my videos on my <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfJfeN3qoZmaIb9YwbjWDlA">Youtube Channel, LockOutMen Podcast</a>. <h2></h2> <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mc6Je74Pn4Q" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe> <h2></h2> Hope you guys enjoy! <h2></h2> <h2></h2> <h4>By Aldous Aldwin</h4> <h3></h3> <h3></h3>

Oct 14, 2020 • Carriers

California Approves Fuel Tax Increase to Fund Road Improvements

Apr 07, 2017 • Community