Category: Trucker News

Fully loaded cargo trailers can face a number of potential hazards on the open road. Yet loading a trailer does not have to be a nerve-wracking experience. Rather, it provides an opportunity to prevent injury and avoid damage, both to cargo as well as other motorists. The key is to follow established safety procedures.

Weigh the cargo (or calculate the weight) to be placed on the trailer. Be sure the weight does not exceed the capacity of the vehicle towing the trailer, its axles or the trailer coupling (the tongue weight rating). Check the maximum weight capacity rating for the trailer to ensure it can support the cargo. Your cargo capacity is equal to the gross vehicle weight rating its GVWR minus the empty weight of the trailer.

Perform a “walk-around” inspection of the unloaded trailer. Inspect the tires for correct air pressure and tread depth. Check the lighting system for blown bulbs or non-working lights. If appropriate, check the air brake system and air canisters for leaks. Make sure all tie down straps and harnesses are secure and not torn or loose. Verify that the trailer registration is up to date and licensed for road use.

Load the heaviest items on the trailer first, when possible. Keep the center of gravity low in the trailer and centered fore and aft. This keeps the tongue weight of the loaded trailer within acceptable limits for the towing vehicle. Use a forklift when possible, so that dense loads do not need to be repackaged and loaded by hand.

Distribute the weight of the cargo evenly as you load, in the fore-aft dimension as well as the left side-right side dimension. This will reduce the risk of accidentally overloading or under-loading the trailer tongue. For example, too much weight to the back of the loaded trailer will cause a lack of traction of the towing vehicle’s rear wheels. Too much weight toward the front could hinder steering, and possibly cause a loss of control. Have someone assist you with the loading process to double check that the load is evenly distributed.

Place heavier items lower on the trailer and lighter ones higher on the trailer. Loading this way keeps the overall center of gravity of the trailer low. An even left side-right side distribution helps reduce the chance of overturning on sharp curves or during a minor accident.

Secure all cargo with chains or appropriate tie-down straps. Depending on the size of the load, chains or straps should be used inside an enclosed trailer every 10 running feet or less. Secure across as well as along the length of the load, using floor-mounted eye hooks or strap rings. All separate cargo sections need at least two straps or chains to prevent movement along either axis (fore-aft and left-right). A good rule of thumb is to only use straps and chains that have twice the weight rating as the cargo they are securing.

Cover any items that are not enclosed in the trailer with heavy tarps. This reduces damage to cargo by inclement weather. Covering the cargo with heavy tarps also ensures that loose items do not get fall off the trailer at high speeds. All tarps should be secured with multiple redundancy, using heavy-duty bungee cords or high tensile strength nylon straps.

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For many people, nothing surpasses the feeling of bombing down the racetrack at breakneck speed, passing a rival while the wind sweeps through your hair, engine grease sticks under your fingernails and a whiff of unburnt fossil fuel lingers about your nostrils. The only thing remotely comparable to winning the race might be claiming tax deductions for your efforts. Well, if your car has the right set-up, then the government may let you do just that.

Business vs. Hobby Activity
One approach to substantiating tax deductions for auto racing expenses involves characterizing the undertaking as a business rather than hobby activity under Treasury Regulation Section 1.183-2. For an example of how to do so, look to the case of Morrissey v. Commissioner, which concerned a banker who operated a competitive drag racing outfit. The taxpayer proved that he entered into racing with the actual and honest intent to earn a profit, and therefore, the court allowed him to claim deductions for racing-related expenses. Critical factors in this determination included that Morrissey had obtained sponsorship from a local casino, actively worked to make his car more competitive, enjoyed previous success in drag racing, prepared detailed business plans and maintained a separate bank account for racing transactions. (Morrissey v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo 2005-86)

Advertising Expense
Another way to claim deductions for racing costs rests upon the argument that the activity provides a direct benefit to your business as an advertising venture. For instance, in Ciaravella v. Commissioner, the owner of a company that sold and leased Learjets, also raced open-wheeled cars. Ciaravella’s company reimbursed him for his racing activities as an advertising expense. The IRS argued that such reimbursement actually constituted a disguised dividend rather than a deductible payment. However, the court allowed the company to claim the reimbursement as an advertising deduction, in part, because Ciaravella’s car bore the company’s logo and he used his status as a race car driver to develop relationships with wealthy race fans interested in purchasing Learjets from his company.

Yellow Caution Flag
Beware however that the Internal Revenue Service and federal tax courts have noted that people often engage in auto racing for amusement or recreation as a hobby-like undertaking. Note also that for tax purposes, the law prohibits hobby deductions in excess of hobby income. (IRC Section 183) As such, those looking to claim deductions for the full amount of their racing expenditures should be prepared to demonstrate to the IRS that their activity has an underlying profit motive. Consult with your tax attorney or certified public accountant for further advice on documenting and substantiating this position for your specific situation

Commonly Deductible Items
If you can prove that your pursuit of auto racing glory should qualify as a for-profit activity, then the tax rules allow deductions for many of the related costs. (IRC Section 162) Commonly incurred deductions related to operating an auto racing business may include expenditures for supplies (gas, oil, tires and other spare parts), travel (airfare, lodging and meals), entrance fees, licensing, repairs, uniforms, research and development, merchandising production, advertising, administrative overhead and employee salaries. However, expenditures for the cost of acquiring or improving long-term assets, such as a race car or trailer, usually should be capitalized and depreciated over a five-year period, unless an exception applies.

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The freedom of self-employment can prove quite liberating. However, this freedom doesn’t extend to the various taxes you must pay on the self-employment income you earn as a truck driver. However, because you aren’t subject to tax withholding, you do have more control over your periodic tax payments during the year, which you may reduce by claiming business deductions for your truck-driving expenses.

Income Taxes
Whether you earn your income hauling merchandise across the country in an 18-wheeler or operate a moving business, you must pay federal income tax on your net earnings if you’re a self-employed truck driver; if you reside in a state that imposes an income tax, you must pay that tax as well. Although you’re subject to the same tax rates that employees pay, you’re not subject to tax withholding, which means you receive your gross earnings when you collect payment from each customer. However, this doesn’t mean you can wait until April 15 when you file your tax return the following year to pay your taxes. Instead, the IRS requires that you make up to four estimated tax payments during the tax year.

Self-Employment Tax Obligations
The federal government imposes self-employment taxes on truck drivers who operate their own business. The sole purpose of these taxes is to fund the Social Security and Medicare programs. One disadvantage to paying these taxes as a self-employed truck driver is that you pay twice as much as taxpayers who earn their income from employment. This is because employers are responsible for paying the other half of these taxes for their employees. However, the IRS does allow you to claim a deduction for 50 percent of the self-employment tax payments you make as an adjustment to income.

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A freight shipment is a large scale movement of goods, which can be loose or secured on pallets. Freight charges change frequently, sometimes as often as once or twice per year, often due to higher gas prices. If you are a business that needs to save on shipping charges, there are a few steps that you can try to get the best possible rate possible. Even if you are an individual who makes a large one-time shipment, you may be able to save some money when you inquire.

Call the sales division of the freight company directly and ask to establish an account. Explain your shipping volume and ask the representative if you can take advantage of any special customer program discounts. The representative may offer you a better program compared to what you might find by booking online.

Provide the sales office for the freight company with information about your company that shows that you ship a significant volume of goods each year. For instance, a history of your previous shipments from your last freight company might be proof enough of your business potential.

Bring your shipping history to your current freight provider after a year to ask if you can negotiate a lower rate program.

Join industry groups and organizations that are related to your business. Check the benefits package some organizations have made special arrangements with freight companies to offer group discounts to members. For instance, Small Publishers Association of North America (SPAN) is an industry group for publishers that has a freight discount program.

Consolidate your shipments to the same recipient. Economies of scale come into play when you send more items at one time to create a larger shipment one big shipment will cost less than several small shipments to the same place.

Pack all of your shipments o. The rates for pelleted items are often lower as compared to loose shipments.
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The most common way to ship freight continues to be by tractor trailer. While there are hundreds of trucking companies in the U.S., not all provide services to transfer all types of freight. Understand the main types of freight and what your exact needs are will aid greatly in your search for a transportation company

LTL
LTL stands for “less than truck load” and is the most common type of freight. Using a trucking company to ship an LTL load is usually the most cost-effective means to ship freight and most U.S.-based trucking companies offer LTL services. LTL services are most commonly used for well-packed freight that weighs up to 8,000 pounds.

TL
TL stands for “truck load” and is freight that weighs more than 8,000 pounds or takes up the majority of the space in a tractor trailer. Most TL loads are picked up and delivered by the same truck. Unlike an LTL load truck, a truck that delivers a TL load only has to stop at one location to deliver its load. This makes the delivery time for TL quicker than LTL deliveries.

Air Truck
For freight that is fragile or delicate, Air Truck services are often used. These trucks provide a smoother ride, which helps prevent shipping damages and potential loss. Though more expensive than other types of freight, Air Truck freight is a safer choice when shipping delicate objects.

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We don’t think much of hauling services in our daily lives, but they are crucial to our civilization. When the trash is piling up, who are you going to call? If you’ve ever tried to get rid of a microwave, refrigerator or air conditioner, you know the true value of hauling companies. There are laws and regulations that need to be followed, and they know all of the details about how to get rid of these types of items properly.

Types
There are many different types of hauling services. Some companies haul away rubbish and remainders that are left after a construction project is completed, while others haul trash for major businesses and apartment complexes. Additionally, hauling services include tow truck businesses, moving services and vehicle transporters (hauling a car, boat, RV or other large vehicle cross country or overseas).

Who Hires Hauling Services?
Large retail businesses like Wal-Mart and Home Depot who get rid of a lot of trash and unneeded rubbish need hauling services frequently. They have dumpsters behind their stores that get filled with trash quickly and need to be taken away on a regular basis, sometimes daily. There are also boxes, recyclables and broken items that can’t be put back on the sales floor or returned. Apartment complexes are also frequent customers of hauling services. Residents have to dump their garbage in one common dumpster, which needs to be emptied frequently. Other customers of hauling services include individuals who are moving, building crews and municipalities who are responsible for removing trash created by their residents.

Hauling Equipment
Hauling services usually require a large investment in equipment, namely trucks and hauling tools. A rubbish and trash hauler will need specialized dumpster trucks that are built to pick up entire dumpsters and either empty them or haul them away. Towing businesses have to purchase wreckers, which are the tow trucks equipped with tow bars that allow the driver to drag an automobile behind using its own wheels, and flatbed tow carrier trucks that pull cars, SUVs and motorcycles up onto a flat surface for hauling. There are also heavy-duty tow trucks that are powerful enough to pull huge trailer trucks. Moving services and vehicle transporters usually employ standard trailer trucks to perform hauling duties.

Considerations
Hauling services will forever be needed. The standard individual does not have the equipment or capacity to haul items on his own. Commercial locations have to keep up with state and local laws regarding trash removal, so they must keep ongoing contracts with hauling services.

Starting a Hauling Service Business
If looking into this type of business, it’s important to remember that hauling is hard work that usually requires a serious physical commitment from the owner and employees. Many hauling services get their business from customer referrals and by advertising their services on their hauling trucks, as in the case of U-Haul

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Few consumers are aware that insurance companies typically use credit information when evaluating an auto insurance application. According to the Insurance Information Institute, insurance companies have recognized a connection between credit history and claims risk. Those with poor credit scores are 40 percent more likely to file claims than those with clean credit histories. Although getting auto insurance with bad credit can be a challenge, there are ways for credit-challenged consumers to get the coverage they need.

Obtain a copy of your credit report from Equifax, Experian or TransUnion. Review the information contained in the report carefully. If you find erroneous data, write a letter to these credit bureaus asking them to investigate and remove the data. This can help your odds of obtaining car insurance through a standard company, and can allow you to obtain coverage at lower rates.

Shop for quotes from several companies. You can obtain quotes online or use an insurance broker to obtain multiple quotes quickly. If you use a broker, let him know that you have bad credit. He will be able to select companies that accept credit-challenged applicants. You can then compare quotes and coverages to get the best deal for your money. Make sure you compare policies with similar coverages, so you can make a fair choice.

Ask a captive agent if her company offers “no credit check” auto insurance programs. Some companies offer “no credit check” options, even if they typically use credit scoring to determine acceptability and premium rates. Keep in mind that insurance companies usually charge higher premium rates for “no credit check” programs.

Contact “direct writers,” which provide quotes and sell policies via the telephone or Internet rather than through field agents. Some of these companies do not use credit information when evaluating applicants. This also gives you the advantage of being able to purchase your auto insurance policy without leaving your home or office.

Look for “high risk” insurance companies. These companies specialize in helping consumers with poor driving histories, bad credit and other challenges. Most high risk companies do not pull credit reports. These insurance companies typically charge higher premiums than standard companies, so explore other options before buying a policy from a high risk auto insurer.

Keep your driving record clean. Companies will sometimes accept credit-challenged applicants who demonstrate safe driving skills. A good driving history can help make up for past credit problems.

Expediter services transport time-sensitive freight for manufacturers around the country. Often a company needs to send products quickly. Expediter vehicles can deliver to areas that large vehicles are unable to because of regulations or limited space. You can start your own expediter company if you have a van or small truck, but you must make sure you have the necessary licenses before you begin.

Talk to other expediters about their work. A successful expediting company requires dedication and you could be away from home for days delivering freight. Talking with others will help you decide if expediting is right for you. You can find expediters to talk to by going to local truck stops and online forums.

Apply for a free Employer Identification Number . Your EIN is your business Social Security number for taxes. File for your EIN using your business name.

Incorporate your company. According to the Internal Revenue Service, “LLCs are popular because, similar to a corporation, owners have limited personal liability for the debts and actions of the LLC.” An LLC will suffice in most states for personal asset protection although as the owner, you will have to guarantee any debts that the company incurs. Apply for incorporation through the secretary of state in your home state. The cost varies from state to state.

Apply for a U.S. Department of Transportation number. Each motor carrier must have a USDOT number. File for your USDOT number under your business name. There is no cost to receive a number.

Contracting with an established company (lease-on) with your small truck or van to gain first-hand knowledge about everything from paperwork to potential earnings. As a lease owner, you will have the opportunity to know the load’s gross revenue. Do not contract with a company with the intention of stealing their client base. Most company’s have a “no-compete” clause in their contracts, which prevent you from legally obtaining freight from one of their customers for at least two years. Look in your local newspaper’s classified ad section to find local company to lease with, or apply with a company online.

Apply for operating authority . The U.S. government requires all interstate carriers to obtain Motor Carrier (MC) number from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. After you receive your MC number, you will need insurance as well as hiring process agents. A process agent represent your company and cab accept legal documents for you in every state. It costs $300 to apply for your MC number. The cost of insurance will depend on the amount of coverage, your driving history and the amount of time you’ve been in the business. You can locate a service that provides process agents through the FMCSA. A process agent service will cost $50 or less.

Apply for any local permits your city or county requires.
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Commercial trucking companies are part of the US economic infrastructure, moving goods across the United States 365 days a year. There are no direct government grants for commercial trucking companies, however there are federally-funded grant programs to help commercial trucking companies obtain the financing needed to operate their businesses.

Industry Statistics
According to www.truckinfo.net, in fiscal year 2008-2009, the total revenue for the American trucking industry was estimated around 225.5 billion dollars. Common carrier and for hire commercial trucking companies generated 97.9 billion dollars of revenue which out-gained air transportation by 19 billion dollars. Private trucking fleets generated revenue estimated at 121 billion dollars.

DOT Certification
THE DOT provides grant funding to state DOT agencies for business development. This funding creates financial programs for businesses that do commercial trucking. A requirement is that commercial trucking companies be certified and approved by the USDOT to operate as a commercial or private carrier.

Types of programs
There are several types of programs funded through the USDOT and the SBA. An example of a grant funded program is the DOT Short Lending program. To apply for this program, a commercial trucking or transportation business must not be a start-up business and must have obtained special certifications through the USDOT and SBA. The maximum loan amount for commercial trucking companies is $750,000. The loan is treated as a revolving credit line.

SBA financing programs
The SBA has several programs that are financed by federal funding to help commercial trucking companies obtain operating funds. The 7(a) Loan Guaranty program can be used to assist in annual operating cash and the 8(a) Loan program can be used to obtain working capital loans and loans for fleet management and maintenance equipment.

Government procurement contracts
Your commercial trucking business can use the government procurement system set up by the USDOT. You can participate as a contractor or sub-contractor, which opens your firm up to many financial opportunities. Many commercial trucking companies funded their business with a basic procurement contract while establishing business relationships with vendors. If your company needs a loan, a procurement contract can act as collateral to obtain a loan or line of credit.

Take Advantage
If you own a trucking company, the best financing is through affiliation with the programs developed by the federal government. These programs also have provide business development modules in areas of technical training and import and export development services to the transportation industry. Become affiliated with a USDOT specialist by contacting your state or federal DOT office.

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A G1 test is the written theoretical test that drivers must take before getting behind the wheel of a car in Canada. The test is the first step in getting a full license. After the G1 test is completed, the driver must drive with an experienced driver until the G2 test has been completed. The G1 test does not give drivers a full license and a driver cannot drive alone based on passing the G1 license

Contact the Ministry of Transportation in the province of residence to learn the minimum age for taking the G1 test. While it is usually 16 in most provinces, it is better to be sure before beginning preparation for studying. You can find the telephone number of your province’s Ministry of Transportation in the telephone directory or by doing a Google search online.

Read the driver’s handbook for the province in which the G1 test will be taken. It is important to read the right handbook, as there may be different rules for each province. For example, tractors are more common in the prairie provinces than in Ontario and there are specific rules regarding passing them on the road.

Take notes while reading the handbook. Focus on basic driving maneuvers, meanings of traffic signs, the responsibilities of the driver, basic rules of the road and emergency situations.

Attend driving education classes to put the theory into practice, if feeling unsure about the theoretical handbook material. These courses may be offered by school districts, community programs or driver’s education courses offered through the Ministry of Transportation. Research each program available in the local community. The courses are often required before taking the G2 test, which is the actual road test.

Contact the local department of the Ministry of Transportation to schedule your test. Depending on where the test is taken, there may be specific times when you can take the test. In some places, you can just walk in and take the test on the spot.

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