Tow Truck Driver Qualifications
Do You Need a CDL to Drive a Tow Truck? Clear Rules by Weight and Scenario A tow operator’s CDL requirement turns on vehicle weight and configuration, plus whether you’re moving placarded hazardous materials (e.g., a subsequent move of a placarded unit). Under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration framework, CDL classes align to what […]
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Truck Driver Qualifications and How to Meet Them in 2026
As a DOT compliance specialist focused on U.S. motor carriers, my goal with this guide is simple: clarify what “truck driver qualifications” actually mean under FMCSA rules, and show how to operationalize them so your fleet stays audit-ready while you focus on running the business. What DOT/FMCSA Means by Truck Driver Qualifications “Qualifications” are not […]
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Texas Commercial Driver Handbook 2026
What the Texas Commercial Driver Handbook is and how to use it to pass on the first attempt The Texas Commercial Driver Handbook is the state’s primary study resource for the Commercial Learner Permit (CLP) and CDL skills tests. It aligns with federal standards from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and is implemented […]
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California Commercial Driver Handbook 2026
As a DOT compliance specialist serving California carriers, I treat the California CDL handbook as more than study material; it’s the operational blueprint that informs safe driving, audit-ready files, and a healthier CSA profile. Below, I connect the handbook’s core topics to day-to-day controls, hiring workflows, and documentation standards that keep fleets running, and insurable, […]
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Commercial Driver Training for New Fleet Owners
What Commercial Driver Training Encompasses and What FMCSA Requires Today Commercial driver training is not just about passing a road test. For fleet owners, it is the foundational layer of a broader compliance system that governs who you hire, how you document their qualifications, how they operate under Hours of Service (HOS), and how your […]
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US Commercial Truck Driver VISA Freeze: Our Guide for Fleet Owners and New Carriers
What the “VISA freeze” is and who it affects The phrase “U.S. Commercial Truck Driver VISA freeze” refers to a reported pause in the issuance of work visas for certain commercial driver categories. Practically, the policy conversation has focused on limiting or temporarily suspending new visa issuance for non-citizen drivers whose authorization to work and […]
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What Trucking Companies Must Know about Commercial Driver License in 2026
As a DOT compliance specialist working closely with trucking company owners, I see the same issue repeated across the industry: many fleets treat the commercial driver license (CDL) as a simple hiring checkbox. In reality, the CDL is one of the most critical pillars of your entire compliance and safety program. If it’s misunderstood, poorly […]
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Oregon Trip Permits (2026)
What an Oregon Trip Permit is and Who Needs One An Oregon trip permit authorises temporary operation when your vehicle is unregistered in Oregon, or you need to use a registered vehicle in a way not covered by its current registration. Oregon DMV sells trip permits directly for light vehicles and RVs; permits for heavy […]
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Trucker Tax Deductions: A Practical Guide for Owner-Operators and OTR Drivers
The deductions you can claim hinge on how you operate. In my work supporting fleets on compliance and recordkeeping, I see the strongest outcomes when drivers maintain a clear tax home, a consistent log of trips, and a separation of personal vs. business spending from day one. Per Diem & Meals Under DOT Hours-of-service Per […]
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IFTA Fuel Tax Reporting: A Guide to Filing Your Quarterly Return (2026)
As a DOT compliance professional serving trucking companies, I know IFTA returns can feel routine until something breaks, missing fuel receipts, unassigned miles, or a quarter that closes before your data is clean. This guide lays out how I structure compliant, audit-ready IFTA filing for fleets and owner-operators, with a pragmatic workflow you can replicate. […]
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