2006 Auto Transport Industry News Archives

DECEMBER 2006

Looking Back at Transport 2006

Topping the headlines, not only for the auto transportation industry but nearly all news is obviously the high cost fuel this year. It definitely had an effect on transport brokers, carriers pricing and the whole industry. Now with prices stabilized we hope, it may be time to strategies your company and how to be more efficient next time a fuel crunch is in play. Truck makers themselves are a good place to start and they have. It looks like many manufactures ar looking at building more fuel efficient and aerodynamic trucks and carriers. For the most part it was generally pretty quiet @ the FMCSA this year. We thank you all for your readership and wish you and your families a Wonderful Holiday Season!

November 2006

As the slow season approaches the auto transport and moving industry there are some things you can do to ensure a smoother "slow season". Some transport & shipping companies beef up their international shipping efforts which are much less effected by the seasons as in america. For those that have their proper licenses and authority here is some import eligibility guidelines published by the USDOT: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/ .

Other areas of interest may be the 2007 department of transportation Budget brief.

October 2006

Finally the news we have been waiting for since the beginning of spring. Gas prices are down which is good news for the transport industry and consumers both. Usa Today reports more on tumbling gas prices. http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/energy/2006-09-11-gas-prices_x.htm

Also the FMCSA has releases its motor carrier safety report for June which can be found here Motor carrier safety report

September 2006

He has chosen the former federal highway administrator Mary Peters. Peters will replace retiring Norman Mineta. Since November 2005, Peters has been national director for transportation policy and consulting in the Phoenix office of Omaha-based engineering and consulting firm. For more on that story visit: http://www.cnn.com

There has been some relief for the transport industry at the pumps this labor day as gas prices since the first time this summer are on the decline. This is good news for both the transporters and the consumers, as the snow birds prepare to transport their vehicles. For more on that story, http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14561809/

August 2006

The FMCSA has a handy little update tool for those transport companies interested. You can get emails to any page on their site for news and updates automaitcally. http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/email_subscriptions.htm

Gas prices and the effects of transport pricing still high but equal to fall of 2005.

July 2006

New Company Guidance (Q&A) available at the fmcsa.dot.gov website. A guide for improving highway safety.

Oil prices hit high this summer and gas prices continue to rise which can raise the cost of transport but also improve business as the option to drive gets costly.

June 2006

Consumers who are moving now have a nice guide put together by the government to help with lost or damaged goods during your move. To find out more view the moving brochure about value protection & valuation.

New Deputy Administrator Announced Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta today announced the selection of David H. Hugel for the position.

Hugel joins the Agency and will serve as the Acting Administrator until a permanent Administrator is nominated. He joins the Department of Transportation after serving the past 3 years as the Administrator for the Maryland Division of Motor Vehicles.

May 2006

Gas & Diesel prices grab the headlines again this month. Yesterday 5/3/06 showed possible signs of relief but experts predict this latest gas prices are here for the summer anyway. This may be positive though for transporters as its not cheap to drive any where,l never mind a far distance. While auto transport prices will have to increase to reflect carrier diesel increases it still may be a better alternative to customers. Current diesel prices.

April 2006

Gas Prices- Gas prices are expected to rise again with no near relief insight. Officials are blaming lack of oversight in markets according to Fox News. For more on this story and the new auto fuel economy rules for SUVs and pickup trucks and vans, visit the Fox News gas Story.

ddDOT updates Medical Exam Policies - the department of transportation has updated their procedures. The updates cover who can conduct and downloading the proper forms.

March - 2006

For new companies looking to obtain their authority the FMCSA has released an FAQ Guidance for new transporters.

For broker looking to find more carriers we have released a carrier directory which also allows them to post their routes by state and regions. Their insurance info will be listed as well so you can verify it. You can request an open slot on their trucks by hitting a simple reserve slot email. For more visit loaddepot.com "keeping transport moving". Carrier will find a better way to control their business and keep their trucks full. You can find auto, motorcycle, RV's and Boat carrier services.

February - 2006

International Shipping News

President Bush endorsed switching over shipping operations at six major U.S. seaports by a state-owned business in the United Arab Emirates. He pledged to veto any bills Congress will try to approve to block the agreement.

The president on Tuesday defended his administration’s earlier approval of the sale of London-based Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Co. to Dubai Ports World, despite concerns in Congress.

The pending sale expected to be finalized in March puts the Dubai Ports in charge of major shipping operations in New York, New Jersey, Baltimore, New Orleans, Miami and Philadelphia.

Coke's Super bowl ad not super to truckers

It seems that coca cola bottling company has stirred up the american truckers association. The commercial depicts trucks ramming thru neighborhoods and buildings. Its for cokes new high enrgy drink to compete with red bull. The problem lies with streo typing trucks and their safety records. Coke has responded to instead shjow a driverless truck running out of control.

The final rules are in for all and available at the federal carrier motor safety administration or the following link below.

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/final/finalrules2005.htm

November/2005

As we stated in last months transport news the government has created a new helpful web site for consumers in need of transport and moving services as well as for auto transport brokers and carriers. The web site can be found at http://www.protectyourmove.gov/and it is a valuable resource.

11/1/05

You can now voice your opinion and have your comments heard regarding how the FMCSA will handle moving disputes regarding brokers and shippers of household goods. They are interested in what the public has to say before arriving at a decision. Read More

OCTOBER/2005

California Auto Transport Broker Ordered to Reimburse Victims of Auto Moving Scam. (view the full story)

Visit The FMCSA's New Moving Consumer Protection Web Site

Source is the U.S. Department of Transportation Issues New Rules Regulating Work and Sleep Schedules for Commercial Truck Drivers

New Transport Regualtions Summary:

The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) today issued a new Hours-of-Service rule that spells out the length of time commercial drivers can operate trucks before they are required to take a break. The new rule is the product of years of research meant to keep drivers healthy and make highways safer, officials said today.

"This new rule will help keep drivers healthy and make our roads safer," said Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta. "Drivers that are well rested are less likely to lose control, crash, or injure others."

As in the 2003 regulations, the new rule prohibits truckers from driving more than eleven hours in a row, working longer than 14 hours in a shift and driving more than 60 hours over a seven day period or 70 hours over an eight day period, Administrator Sandberg said. In addition, the new rule requires truckers to rest for at least ten hours between shifts and provides a 34-hour period to recover from cumulative fatigue.

The most important change under the new rule now allows short-haul operators not required to hold a commercial drivers license, like landscape crews and delivery drivers who work within a 150 mile radius of their starting point, to extend their work day twice a week. They also will no longer have to maintain logbooks. The change was prompted by safety data that show short haul drivers make up over half the commercial fleet yet are involved in less than seven percent of the nation's fatigue-related fatal truck crashes,

Another change contained in the new rule requires truckers who use sleeper-berths to rest for eight hours in a row, and take another two consecutive hours off duty before resetting their daily driving schedule. Studies show that drivers are less likely to be fatigued if they take a single eight hour block of rest than if they break their rest into smaller periods of time as they were allowed under the previous rule.