Jun 29, 2023

Truckers And Their July 4th Plans

Truckers And Their July 4th Plans

We surveyed Trucker Path users on what their plans were for July 4th. Here’s what they told us.

Survey Reveals Truckers Just as Happy Today As a Year Ago <p>Trucker Path’s recent survey revealed surprising truths about truck drivers’ current state of happiness and job satisfaction. </p> <p>In a March 2023 survey of Trucker Path app users, owner-operators and company drivers were asked 10 questions whether they were making as much money, working as many hours and experiencing as much job satisfaction as they were a year ago. </p> <p>With freight rates low, fuel prices still high and trucking regulations on the rise, we were expecting responses ranging from bad to really bad. </p> <p>Boy, were we surprised. The picture painted by their responses is a clear contrast to the doom and gloom pundits were pushing toward the end of 2022. Granted, it’s not all flat grade and open road ahead. But judging by truckers’ responses, it doesn’t look like we’re headed off a cliff, either. </p> <p><strong>Truckers Report Earning the Same Pay Today</strong> </p> <p>Driver compensation was the number three issue for drivers that was revealed in the 2022 American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) Top Industry Issues report. Additionally, DAT reports that dry van spot rates dropped 28% from March 2022 to March 2023. Nevertheless, over 65% of respondents in the Trucker Path survey report making anywhere from about the same amount of money to much more money now. </p> <p><a href="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2023/05/Q5-New-2.png"><img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2023/05/Q5-New-2.png" alt="" width="500" height="325" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-7178" /></a> </p> <p><strong>Drivers Say They’re Working the Same Hours in 2023</strong> </p> <p>Hours of Service (HOS) has made ATRI’s top 10 list of industry issues in 8 of the last 10 years. Despite perennial complaints about HOS restrictions limiting their ability to work, drivers in the survey say they aren’t lacking for driving time today. Over half report driving about the same amount of hours as a year ago. Over 80% say they are driving the same or more. </p> <p><a href="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2023/05/Q4-New.png"><img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2023/05/Q4-New.png" alt="" width="524" height="352" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-7180" /></a> </p> <p><strong>Truckers’ Job Satisfaction and Job Happiness Steady</strong> </p> <p>As pressures on the job mount, truckers make peace with conditions, clearly indicating their moods are not following the trajectory of freight rates. Regardless of major challenges like truck parking, fuel prices, speed limiters and HOS rules, almost 75% report being either about the same or better when it comes to happiness. </p> <p><a href="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2023/05/Q6-New.png"><img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2023/05/Q6-New.png" alt="" width="531" height="327" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-7181" /></a> </p> <p>The same with job satisfaction: almost 75% of respondents say their jobs are just as satisfying or more so than they were last year. </p> <p>Here are some of the reasons truckers gave for their happiness and job satisfaction: </p> <p><em>“It’s been a good profitable year for me so far.”</em> </p> <p><em>“This job gives me the opportunity to support my family.”</em> </p> <p><em>“Truckers are always learning, every day.”</em> </p> <p><a href="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2023/05/Q8-New.png"><img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2023/05/Q8-New.png" alt="" width="489" height="329" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-7182" /></a> </p> <p><strong>Truckers Polled Indicate a Desire to Stay Put </strong></p> <p>Trucker Path’s survey suggests the great reshuffle might be slowing. Carriers competing for driver recruits have made for a very fluid job market in recent years. Not to long ago it was common for drivers to jump ship for better rates, signing bonuses and the promise of better hours or lanes. In the Trucker Path survey, less than half said they looked for a job in the last six months. </p> <p><a href="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2023/05/Q7-New.png"><img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2023/05/Q7-New.png" alt="" width="510" height="304" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-7183" /></a> </p> <p><strong>The Truckers Looking for Jobs Are Likely to Stay in Trucking</strong> </p> <p>Almost 50% of respondents in the Trucker Path survey who said they looked for a job within the last six months indicated they were looking for a job within the trucking industry. That’s good news for the industry which is still short 78,000 drivers by last ATA estimate. </p> <p><a href="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2023/05/Career-New.png"><img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2023/05/Career-New.png" alt="" width="502" height="304" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-7184" /></a> </p> <p><strong>Truckers as Optimistic as Can Be Expected</strong> </p> <p>America’s tough and talented truck drivers aren’t exactly the types to come out and say the future looks bright. They have their eyes on the road and the job ahead. For that reason, it’s always good to adjust trucker’s comments up a little for deflation. </p> <p>In other words, when over 54% of truckers polled say 2023 will be about the same or better than 2022, you can deduce that things aren’t so bad—and certainly better than expected. </p> <p>Here’s what that means from the mouths of truckers: </p> <p><em>“I believe that truckers are sticking together more and the ones that don’t want to are leaving the industry.”</em> </p> <p><em>“Fuel prices should drop slightly. The rate of inflation should also drop slightly. Spare parts for vehicle repairs and other equipment repairs should become more widely available reducing downtime for maintenance.”</em> </p> <p><em>“Work is there. You just need to know how to play the game.”</em> </p> <p><a href="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2023/05/Q9-New.png"><img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2023/05/Q9-New.png" alt="" width="518" height="329" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-7185" /></a> </p> <p>Your friends at Trucker Path are here to help you play the game—to win—with industry-leading solutions that help you rule the road and run your business profitably. <strong><a href="http://truckerpath.com">Check out all that we offer for drivers, owner-operators and fleets here.</a></strong></a> </p>

May 24, 2023

Trucker Tax Tips, Part 4: Know the Things that Can Make You a Target for an IRS Audit <p>Welcome to part 4 of our 4-Part Tax Primer for Truckers created by Trucker Path and the tax experts of <a href="https://www.atbs.com/trucker-path">ATBS</a>. In this post we address the elephant in the cab: IRS audits. </p> <p>Being audited by the IRS is every taxpayer’s nightmare. However, if you adhere to the IRS’s rules and complete your tax return properly, then you shouldn’t have anything to worry about if you’re audited. </p> <p>No mistake an audit by the IRS is something to be avoided, but there is only so much you can do to avoid attention. Whom the government chooses to audit often has to do with statistical probabilities, biases and dumb luck. Nevertheless, it is important to know what the authorities look for. </p> <p><strong>7 Things That Can Invite an IRS Audit</strong> </p> <p>1. If you make a lot of money. That doesn’t mean you should try and make less. Just make sure you report everything you make and have good records to support deductions. How does high income increase your chances of an audit? <a href="https://www.atbs.com/post/7-red-flags-that-may-lead-to-a-tax-audit">According to IRS statistics on audits</a>, if you make up to $200,000, your chances of an audit are about .9%. $200,000 to $1 million those chances jump to 3.25%. If you make over $1 million, they surge to 11.1%. </p> <p>2. If you don’t report everything you make. The IRS knows what you’ve been paid by the W-2s and 1099s they receive. If you’ve underreported, they know and you can expect them to look into it. </p> <p>3. Failing to deduct fair market value. This has to do with large equipment purchases. Claiming you paid more than you did can invite the IRS’s scrutiny. </p> <p>4. Entering the wrong information. Errors invite a closer look by the IRS. Proofread your return for misspellings and double-check your math. </p> <p>5. Screwing up the forms. There are a lot of forms you have to file as a business owner. Take the time to get them right and if you can’t, get help from an accountant. </p> <p>6. A lot of donations. If you are a super generous supporter of causes, the IRS is going to be suspicious. It’s just statistics. Don’t let that stop you from giving. Just be warned and be meticulous with your records. </p> <p>7. Having a business. That’s right, you’ll invite extra scrutiny just for being an owner-operator. The IRS considers business owners a high-risk category because there are a lot of opportunities to cheat on the income and deductions they report. (Not that you would.) </p> <p><strong>Avoid Mistakes with the Help of an Accountant</strong> </p> <p>Taxes can be a tremendous distraction to independent truck drivers. For truckers struggling with the complexities of taxes or overwhelmed by IRS requirements and deadlines, outsourcing can be the answer. An accountant that specializes in handling taxes for owner-operators understands the expenses and deductions particular to trucking. They will have the experience and grasp of changing tax laws to provide you every advantage and ensure compliance with the law. </p> <p>If you’re considering getting outside help for your taxes this year, Trucker Path users can get special discounts on tax and accounting services through ATBS. Check out the details <a href="https://www.atbs.com/trucker-path">here</a>. </p>

Mar 01, 2023

Essentials From Trucker Path Bundles Key Solutions <p><em>Combined ELD, load board, dispatching portal and truck navigation address core needs of small- to mid-sized trucking companies at an affordable price </em></p> <p><strong> PHOENIX – March 22, 2023 </strong> – Trucker Path, the most comprehensive and most used mobile app for North American truckers, today announced Essentials, an affordable bundle of products for small- to mid-sized fleets. Included in the package are truck-safe navigation and routing, ELD, load board and direct-to-app dispatching solutions</p> <p>“Our new Essentials package includes everything a small- to mid-sized carrier needs to efficiently and effectively grow their business,” said Chris Oliver, CMO at Trucker Path. “Not only does Essentials save our customers 35% compared to the cost of buying individual products, but it also provides an advantage when it comes to support and coordination, and seamless interoperability from a single provider. Most importantly, these products include features that support our customers’ current needs as well as those they will encounter as they grow. Running a trucking company is tough, but our Essentials package makes it easier and for a very affordable price.</p> <p>Essentials from Trucker Path includes:</p> <p>● <strong>ELD:</strong> Powered by Geotab for keeping drivers compliant and safe (includes electronic DVIR capabilities)</p> <p>● <strong>LOAD BOARD:</strong> TruckLoads, offering unlimited access to search, bid and even book profitable loads quickly and easily</p> <p>● <strong>DISPATCH PORTAL:</strong> Fully integrated, easy-to-use software that makes it simple to dispatch loads directly to the drivers’ Trucker Path app</p> <p>● <strong>TRUCK-SAFE ROUTING & NAVIGATION:</strong> North America’s most relied upon real truck mapping and navigation from Trucker Path</p> <p>Fleets using other brands of ELDs to meet regulatory requirements can also take advantage of the Essentials bundle from Trucker Path without its ELD solution.</p> <p>To learn more about Trucker Path Essentials, visit <a href="https://www.truckerpath.com/essentials">https://www.truckerpath.com/essentials</a></p> <strong> About Trucker Path </strong> <p>Phoenix-based Trucker Path is the provider of a wide range of truck driver-centric mobility products. Its Trucker Path app is currently in use by over 1 million professional truck drivers. Offering best-in-class navigation with truck optimized routing, the Trucker Path app also provides access to vital up-to-date information about truck stops, real-time available parking, fuel prices, weigh station status, and truck scales and wash locations. The company also offers TruckLoads, a digital freight exchange that connects drivers, carriers and brokers; COMMAND™, the industry’s first and only Operations & Driver Relationship (ODR) platform that provides small to mid-size fleets with the necessary driver and TMS technologies to successfully run a fleet; and DISPATCH, a full-service dispatch service designed specifically to serve the back-office needs of small carriers and owner-operators. For more information, visit <a href="https://www.truckerpath.com/">www.truckerpath.com.</a></p> <p>Media Contact:</p> <p>Susan Fall</p> <p>LaunchIt Public Relations</p> <p><a href="tel:8584901050">858-490-1050</a></p> <p><a href="mailto:susan@launchitpr.com">susan@launchitpr.com</a></p>

Mar 23, 2023