No Texting Rule Fact Sheet

 No_Texting_Rule_Fact_Sheet.pdf

Overview and Background

FMCSA has published new rules that restrict texting and the use of hand-held mobile phones by truck and bus drivers while operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV).

Research commissioned by FMCSA shows the odds of being involved in a safety-critical event (e.g., crash, near-crash, unintentional lane deviation) are 23.2 times greater for CMV drivers who text while driving than for those who do not. Texting drivers took their eyes off the forward roadway for an average of 4.6 seconds. At 55 mph, this equates to a driver traveling 371 feet, or the approximate length of a football field (including the end zones)—without looking at the roadway!

What exactly is “Texting”?

Texting means manually entering text into, or reading text from, an electronic device.

Texting includes (but is not limited to), short message services, e-mailing, instant messaging, a command or request to access a Web page, pressing more than a single button to initiate or terminate a call using a mobile telephone, or engaging in any other form of electronic text retrieval or entry, for present or future communication.

What does this rule mean to you?

Fines and Penalties - Texting while driving can result in driver disqualification. Penalties can be up to $2,750 for drivers and up to $11,000 for employers who allow or require drivers to use a hand-held communications device for texting while driving.

Disqualification - Multiple convictions for texting while driving a CMV can result in a driver disqualification by FMCSA. Multiple violations of State law prohibiting texting while driving a CMV that requires a CDL is a serious traffic violation that could result in a CDL driver being disqualified for up to 120 days. 

What are the risks? - Texting is risky because it causes the driver to take his/her eyes off the roadway. Dispatching devices that are part of a fleet management system can be used for other purposes, but texting on a dispatching device is indistinguishable from texting on another text-capable device, and is therefore prohibited.

Impact on Safety Measurement System (SMS) Results - Violations negatively impact SMS results, and they carry the maximum severity weight.

Compliance

Simply do not type or read a text message while driving a CMV!

No Call, No Text, No Ticket!

Updated: Thursday, March 13, 2014

Reference: FMCSA website

The Bell's Ringing - Get to School!

No matter what profession an individual hopes to enter, there are always various factors that need to be taken into consideration. Those factors include education, money, location, and assistance programs. Well, becoming a truck driver is just like any other profession in this regard, and it all starts with the first item on the list... education.

To begin, when choosing a truck driving school which is right for you, try to get feedback from current or former students. Since they already have experience with the academic institution, they're your best eyes and ears, so to speak. If you're investigation brings about positive feedback, you're ready to move on in the process.

So, the school you've discovered gets the big "thumbs up" from its alumni; now it's time to ask the scary question... "how much is this going to cost me?" While this truck driving school may be everything you've ever dreamed of; if you can't afford the cost, it may be time to look elsewhere. However, with this mind, do your best not substitute cost for quality! In the end, you may be better off taking out a small student loan and going to the truck driving school that you know meets your criteria.

When the issue of money is resolved, it's time to decide if the desired school's location will be a good fit for your current situation (i.e. single or married with a family). Are you going to commute daily? If so, how far? Gas can get very costly! Or, are you going to move to attend your choice of truck driving school? If so, where are you going to reside and at what cost? Some truck driving schools do offer dorms similar to a college campus; but it will obviously raise the cost of attending the institution.

Finally, when you've got all your ducks in a row, do not skip over this final and imperative step. Make sure to inquire about what forms of assistance the truck driving school offers its graduates. A good truck driving school should offer help with the following:

a. resume building

b. reference letter

c. application process

d. job placement

e. assistance in obtaining the best possible job package including benefits

To conclude, choosing to go to school to become a truck driver is no different from working your way into another work related field. Always remember to cross your t's and dot your i's. Do not assume that any random truck driving school is right for you. Therefore, make sure to investigate each of the key components (education, cost, location, and assistance) discussed with regards to each and every truck driving school you review. If you cover all of these bases, the decision you make should be a sound one.

John Hill operates a website for truck drivers. His goal is to better educate truck drivers on laws and regulations. You will find information on CSA scores, CSA Points and how to be a trucker by visiting the CDL Learning Center.

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National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners

The National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners lists medical examiners (MEs) who have been trained, tested and certified to perform medical examinations for commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers in interstate commerce. These MEs fully understand the medical standards in the FMCSA Regulations, related guidance and how they relate to the medical demands of operating a commercial motor vehicle.

The goal of the National Registry is to promote and preserve the highest level of professional standards, training and care among medical examiners. Therefore, the National Registry requires that medical examiners performing CMV driver examinations be trained and certified.

All healthcare professionals are eligible to apply to become a certified medical examiner if their scope of practice authorizes them to perform physical examinations, as defined by the State in which they practice.

The objectives of the National Registry are to:

• Ensure that medical examiners understand fully the medical standards in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) and related guidance and how they apply to CMV drivers
• Maintain ongoing competency of medical examiners through training, testing, certification and recertification
• Promote public confidence in the quality of the medical examinations of CMV drivers
• Ensure that the list of certified medical examiners is easily accessible

Search for a Medical Examiner: https://nationalregistry.fmcsa.dot.gov/NRPublicUI/home.seam

The Quest for a Commercial Driver's License

So, you've come to a precipice in your life that a decision needs to be made. The decision you've come to is to become a licensed truck driver. Keep in mind, however, that this new adventure comes with a great deal of legwork to be completed.
First and foremost, to obtain a truck driving job, one must get a Commercial Driver's License (CDL.) Earning a Commercial Driver's License requires the proper training, at an accredited truck driving school. In the United States, training can be obtained through various employers, truck driving schools, government institutions, and the private sector. However, each of these options is subject to inspection of their testing facilities, at any time. That being said, each of these institutions is an option when seeking your CDL. Whichever route you choose, make sure to expect to take part in the following areas:
• The General Knowledge Test
a. vehicle types and differences
b. types of endorsements
c. braking systems
d. safety precautions
• The Road Test
a. pre and post trip inspections
b. vehicle handling
c. on the road driving
The General Knowledge Test contains approximately 30 questions. To pass this assessment, a potential truck driver must receive at least an 80%. Once this hurdle is complete, one must then pass the driving test portion. During this portion, the truck driving student can expect to take part in numerous driving scenarios.
Once the truck driving student has successfully passed both the General Knowledge Test and Road Test, they can receive their CDL permit. This is the perfect opportunity to hone one's driving skills out on the actual roadway. The time spent driving with a permit is paramount, because you'll have another licensed and experienced driver riding next to you. This takes quite a bit of pressure off your shoulders for your first experiences out on America's roads.
When you actually receive your valid Commercial Driver's License that you've worked so hard for; it's a good idea to understand exactly what a CDL contains. Your Commercial Driver's License will contain the following criteria:
a. Your full name and legal address
b. Your accurate physical description (including height, weight, gender, etc.)
c. Your photograph (color)
d. State's license number
e. License expiration date
f. What vehicles you are allowed to operate
g. Any additional endorsements you may have earned
Additional endorsements can be tested for and earned if you choose to do so. Some of these additional endorsements can raise your pay nicely. Therefore, once you've earned your Commercial Driver's License, one may wish to attempt earning one of the following endorsements:
a. Hazmat
b. Tanker
c. Doubles/Triples
d. School Bus
In the end, the trucking industry is a vital component to the economic success of the United States. By becoming a truck driver, and earning your Commercial Driver's License, one can earn quite a good living. To expedite the process, one should prepare in advance by taking a CDL practice test. In addition, becoming a truck driver offers a sense of pride. Without the truck driving profession, American commerce would fail to work, leaving America's public and private sectors a disaster. Therefore, earn your Commercial Driver's License and hit the road to success.
CB39.org is a web site dedicated to truck drivers and coaching people to become truck drivers. You can find more information about a truck driving job here: CDL Learning Center - http://www.cb39.org/cdl_learning_center/cdl-learning-center.html CB39.org - http://www.cb39.org/index.htmlArticle Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Jeffrey_Hill

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