Category: truck drivers

5 Reasons Truckers Get Burned Out

Posted on May 11, 2016 by - appreciation, burn out, downtime, home time, personal finance, truck drivers, trucking dispatcher

Let’s face it, few things are worse than getting burned out on the job.

We hear about it all the time in the trucking industry, too. Maybe it’s the driver shortage, or maybe it’s the stress of the job.

But why do people get burned out? What challenges do truckers face that lead to burnout?

Not Enough Money

Nothing can demotivate a driver more than stagnating wages. It’s important to offer competitive rates in the industry, because people will need to be attracted into the profession. Or else labor will dry up over time.

Yet, money isn’t the biggest reason people leave the profession. In fact, money issues rarely account for more than 20% of exits from the industry.

Not Happy with Dispatching

When workers become dissatisfied with their supervisors, they will look for new opportunities elsewhere. We know that tension tends to exist between drivers and dispatchers/managers.

That’s why some companies have started initiatives to better profile and match drivers to dispatchers. This is a step in the right direction, but dispatching can still frustrate drivers.

Whether it’s unpaid wait time, being stranded far from home without a load, or bad directions—truckers have plenty to deal with between hauls.

Understandable how they might feel unappreciated.

No Appreciation

When a driver feels like they matter, they will put more effort and care into their work.

While truckers are used to hearing about their errors, receiving feedback on what they did right could help alleviate the frustrations that come with the job. Plus positive reinforcement from customers can help drivers set their own goals and improve relations.

Whether it’s more customer feedback or initiatives taken to show drivers appreciation, something needs to give. Maybe even more me-time can help out!

No Home Time

Come on, who doesn’t want more time at home? Of course, the problem isn’t always just how much time at home.

But some drivers dislike the infrequency of time home, or the unpredictability of time off. Sometimes it’s just how long each stay is.

Regardless, there should be efforts to maximize the recharging time drivers face when they get to go home. Whether that means routes closer to home or new scheduling efforts, there has to be a way.

Not What They Expected

But after everything is all said and done, a driver might realize this is not what they expected.

And if a driver is told they can earn a certain amount during recruitment, they may start to resent the company if the outcome is different. That results in recruiters looking shady and drivers feeling paranoid.

Maybe the problem isn’t money as much as it is the details of the job — the stress, the diet, or the schedule. Open communication will alleviate a lot of these issues.

One thing drivers won’t have to worry about is e-filing their IRS HVUT 2290 forms, because ExpressTruckTax has your back. Feel free to send us any questions you have at Support@ExpressTruckTax.com or by phone at 704.234.6005.

How do you think we can avoid driver burnout?

What is the New Trucker Coercion Rule?

Posted on February 23, 2016 by - driver coercion, e-log, FMCSA, Hvut 2290, national consumer complaint database, truck drivers, trucking dispatcher, trucking nation

You’ve been driving for hours, the sun long vanished behind the horizon, and you know you’re almost out of hours. That E-Log is ticking away, after all. But your dispatcher kept pushing forward, wanting you to get the freight there a bit faster. Between your lack of time and heavy eyelids, you know that feat is impossible.

You could stop now, or press on and keep driving. While you know you need to follow the rules, the dispatcher made it clear that you’re gonna start missing out on jobs if you don’t make this delivery in less hours than you have.

This is known as driver coercion.

Now thanks to the FMCSA’s trucker coercion rule, drivers can now report dispatchers, shippers, and other workers who encourage truckers to violate federal regulations to meet deadlines. With the new rule, financial penalties for shippers who coerce drivers into breaking the laws can reach up to $16,000. Basically, instead of risking your life, income, and future, the companies will now risk the coins that line their coffers.

In the words of the FMCSA:

“[The rule] addresses three key areas concerning driver coercion: procedures for commercial truck and bus drivers to report incidents of coercion to the FMCSA, steps the agency could take when responding to such allegations, and penalties that may be imposed on entities found to have coerced drivers.”

How did this rule start? Well, some commercial drivers reported pressure from shippers to violate federal safety regulations with threats of job termination, denial of future loads, reduced pay and hours, or even decreased future job opportunities.

How were drivers being coerced? The way most drivers faced it included ignoring driver hour limits, CDL requirements, drug and alcohol testing, and hazardous material transportation rules, among others.

“Any time a motor carrier, shipper, receiver, freight-forwarder, or broker demands that a schedule be met, one that the driver says would be impossible without violating hours-of-service restrictions or other safety regulations, that is coercion,” said FMCSA Acting Administrator Scott Darling. “No commercial driver should ever feel compelled to bypass important federal safety regulations and potentially endanger the lives of all travelers on the road.”

What should you do if you’re feeling coerced to break or bend a rule? First, you need to head to the National Consumer Complaint Database and file a report. While the FMCSA says the burden of proof is on the shippers, the truckers still have to provide evidence needed to sustain the fees against the violators. This means, make sure you have documentation of any incident you report, as the FMCSA will have to investigate these claims.

How does this affect you as a driver? Well, you know your limits and boundaries better than anyone else. Even if you disagree with these rules, your best call is to follow the new coercion rules, and to be upfront with the dispatchers and loaders.

Wait, still confused? Basically, the agency will now issue fines to companies who coerce drivers to break and bend laws to make deadlines.

While we can’t help you with pushy dispatchers, we can help you when it comes to filing your HVUT 2290s. If you have any questions, send us an email at support@expresstrucktax.com or give us a call at 704.234.6005.

What do you think about the new driver coercion rule?

It’s National Truck Driver Appreciation Week

Posted on September 14, 2015 by - expresstrucktax, freight, National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, truck drivers, trucking industry

That’s right! From Sept. 13 to 19, professional truck drivers across the country will be admired and acknowledged for their hard work and dedication in the industry. Businesses are offering promotions and hosting various events and tributes, such as free daily deals, coffee refills, and a health fair for free blood pressure screenings, glucose tests, and flu shots. In addition, our own affiliates are providing fun and memorable activities for National Truck Driver Appreciation Week. Take a look below or refer to TheTrucker.com to get the complete 411 on the following events:

Celadon Trucking

Steve Sommers from America’s Truckin’ Network will be at Celadon headquarters from Monday to Thursday while Kristi Lee and Tom Griswold from the Bob and Tom Show will be in attendance on Friday. Make sure to check out the schedule because something fun and special will be happening each day!

Con-way Truckload

Management will be providing delicious grilled lunches for their drivers at terminals, as well as giving away random items and prizes. Get yourself a free hat or T-shirt. You deserve it!

RWI Transportation

RWI has scheduled hourly giveaways from Monday to Friday, as well as daily food for its drivers. Don’t miss out—each operator can receive gifts and free truck washes!

Schneider

Drivers can come for free food and drinks as Schneider provides tents and grills at more than 100 of their locations. This week is also a chance for drivers to chat with executives and receive personal thanks for a job well done.

Did You Know?

To further commemorate approximately 3.5 million hard-working men and women who make up America’s trucking industry, I’d like to provide some interesting facts, courtesy of Planet Freight.

  • The trucking industry collects, on average, $650 billion in revenue each year. That is about 5% of America’s GDP. 
  • In the United States, there are over 200,000 female long haul drivers. 
  • There are about 15.5 million trucks operating in the United States today. 
  • The top transported goods in the United States are clothing, food, furniture, and electrical machinery equipment/goods. 
  • The trucking industry is expected to grow by about 21% over the next 10 years. 
  • Annually, trucking accounts for about 70% of all freight transported in the United States. 

A Note from Us

Everybody at ExpressTruckTax recognizes you and thanks you for not only for being a loyal customer but for impacting the trucking industry in such a powerful way. Without you, essential freight wouldn’t be moved across the U.S. every single day and our precious goods wouldn’t be delivered in a safe, timely manner. We appreciate you, Trucking Nation!

We’d love to speak with you if you have any questions or concerns. Just give us a call at 704.234.6005, email us at support@expresstrucktax.com, or drop us a line on Facebook or Twitter!

#WellnessWednesday: Mindfulness for Truck Drivers

Posted on September 2, 2015 by - #wellnesswednesday, mindful on the road, mindfulness, truck drivers, trucking industry

Hello, truckers! I want to share an important fact before we get down to business. According to Corporate Wellness Magazine, “Nearly 1 of every 15 people in the workforce is employed in the trucking industry, including over 7 million truck drivers on our roads.” That’s a lot.

While it’s unfortunate, stats have suggested that truck drivers are among the unhealthiest populations in America, mostly due to the particular lifestyle and lack of good nutritional options on the road. We must change this now! Who is with me?

Driving, although somewhat stressful at times, is a perfect opportunity for developing mindfulness, or a kind of meditation practice, if you will. Don’t worry, it’s not what you think, as Eden Kozlowski mentions in a Huffington Post article: “You don’t need incense, an exotic location or to be transported to some elevated state of being. Your truck can be your sanctuary.”

With that said, let’s take a look at some ways to attain the state that enables you to reduce stress, maintain a healthy diet, and improve your quality of life:

Turn off the Radio and Enjoy the Silence

Yes, I’m referring to music, advertisements, and the news. Being in silence gives you the ability to fill your awareness with thoughts and perceptions, allowing your mind and body to relax more than ever. Engage in how your body feels—what is it that makes you feel good, tired, or happy?

Appreciate Your Surroundings

When you’re on the road, do you ever stop to fully experience your beautiful surroundings? Even though green landscapes may not appear everywhere you roam, it’s encouraged to appreciate the scenery when it’s there. Eden says, “Life can be incredibly repetitive, especially when on the road. So, if you are going to be ‘in it,’ participate and make it more.”

Shift Over to the Slow Lane

Sounds boring, right? Well, if you’re trying to be more mindful, driving a tad below the speed limit can eliminate a lot of tension. Shift over to the slow lane and allow drivers to pass you if necessary. Hey, you can even wish them well!

Eat More Healthy Food

Part of being mindful is eating enjoyable and nutritious food while being aware of the nourishment you are consuming. Eden says that this practice “opens the door for you to see how important you are, how important food is, and how it provides nourishment not just for your body but also your soul.”

I do admit—it takes commitment and determination to attain mindfulness, but once you get the hang of it, I have no doubt that you will feel amazing effects. Eden says that with mindfulness, “You eventually start to trust life more, trust yourself more, you start to look at the bigger picture instead of all the clogging minutia.” That’s a big 10-4.

Do you have some tips on how to stay mindful on the road? Or maybe you would like to share some highlights from your own wellness journey. Either way, drop us a line on Facebook or Twitter! We love hearing from you, Trucking Nation!

And remember, if you haven’t done so already, it’s time to e-file your HVUT to avoid penalties!


Be Ready to File Form 2290 for Heavy Highway Vehicles

Posted on August 31, 2011 by - 2290 e-file, 2290 tax, e-file 2290, Fleet Owners, Form 2290, Form 2290 E-file, Form 2290 filing delay, IRS Tax Implications, Tax 2290, truck drivers, Truck Operator tax, truck taxes

As the month of November moves closer and closer, you will want to be able to get your Form 2290 taken care of as swiftly as possible once it is made available. It is unfortunate enough that the filing process was delayed, but to avoid any future confusion about the issue, it would be beneficial to be ready to file once the form is available.

In order to make the filing process easier with the IRS using Form 2290, it is very important that you keep accurate records, just like you would when filing any other type of tax return. It is crucial for anyone filing form 2290 to maintain their records for at least 3 years prior to the filing date for any taxable highway vehicles registered to them. For fleet owners and small trucking companies who have filed form 2290 in the past, it is wise to always keep the 2290 records on hand, as one never knows when IRS inspection may take place. It is even important to save these returns if they are only for a part of a year. In the case of a suspended vehicle (public highway use was less than 5,000 miles/year) it is still necessary to keep records of Form 2290’s filed for them as well.

You will need to gather the following information before filing form 2290 to accelerate the filing process. You will need a description of all vehicles for which you are filing as well as a VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) for each one. You will also need to know the gross taxable weight of the vehicle.  It is also necessary to report the date the vehicle was acquired, as well as the name and address of the previous owner. The first use month for the taxable period is also required for reporting. If a vehicle is considered to be suspended, keep a record of actual highway mileage. If the vehicle is an agricultural vehicle, then keep accurate records of the number of miles it is driven on a farm or field. Keeping proper records of your 2290 information will be a great help to you in the unfortunate event of an audit.  It will also make the task of filing this form much easier.

ExpressTruckTax.com is an IRS authorized E-File provider who can help you file form 2290 as well as keep secure online records of previously filed form 2290’s. For more information on the 2290 filing process, heavy vehicle use tax, IRS payment methods, etc visit the Express Truck Tax website or call our Truck Tax experts at 704-234-6005. You can also email any questions to support@ExpressTruckTax.com.

Truck Tax Regulations for 2011 (HVUT)

Posted on August 20, 2011 by - 2290 form, e-file 2290, Expresstrucktax.com, Fleet Owners, Form 2290, form 2290 2011 delay, form 2290 download, HVUT, Tax 2290, truck drivers, Truck Operator tax, Truck Tax, Truck tax regulations

You don’t have to be a transportation expert to understand that Washington DC is known for its gridlock. The very worst of it is actually off the roads and on Capital Hill. While both parties in Congress continue to argue, there is a significant piece of legislation that has yet to be voted on. The delay of this legislation being enacted has thrown many people in the trucking & transportation industry for a loop.

The law previously referred to is a transportation law known as SAFETEA-LU – the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users – which expired in 2009, but it allowed the taxes associated with the Highway Trust Fund to be collected for an additional two years. When SAFETEA-LU became law in 2005, lawmakers added what they believed to be enough time to get the next multi-year transportation authorization bill in place.

Those two years have passed faster than expected and we are left without a new Highway Bill to replace it. The House and Senate committees are now drafting preliminary versions of the legislation and will continue to debate its details. Let’s hope that both sides come to an agreement soon to avoid massive confusion in the trucking industry. Trucking Regulations alone are complicated enough.

Under normal circumstances, tax provisions related to the Highway Trust Fund would be extended as part of the authorization. Unfortunately, no one can accurately predict what will happen in the future, especially with the extreme volatility between political parties of late. One thing that is predictable, however, is that ExpressTruckTax.com will keep updating their website and blog with the latest news affecting the Trucking Industry. Once there is more information available about the HVUT filing process, we will let you know. Express Truck Tax is the premier provider of Tax Services for the Trucking Industry; as soon as the IRS releases the new Form 2290, it will be available for EFiling at www.ExpressTruckTax.com.

IRS Tax Implications for those in the Trucking Industry

Posted on August 19, 2011 by - 2290 e-file, 2290 tax, e-file 2290, Expresstrucktax.com, Fleet Owners, Form 2290, Form 2290 E-file, Form 2290 filing delay, IRS Tax Implications, Tax 2290, truck drivers, Truck Operator tax, truck taxes

For many Owner-Operators of Heavy Highway Vehicles, the benefits of self employment make being on the open road a very exciting experience. However, due to the heavy regulation of the Trucking and Transportation Industry, there are various taxes you must pay for self-employment income earned as an independent truck driver. Since self-employed individuals are not subject to tax withholding, there is more control over periodic tax payments throughout the year, which can be cut down by claiming deductions for business expenses.

Self-Employment Tax

The Self-Employment tax applies to truck drivers who operate their own business. These taxes are imposed in order to fund the Social Security and Medicare programs. The disadvantage of paying these taxes as a self-employed individual is that you owe 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. There is somewhat of a silver lining to this though, 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.

Truck Driver Deductions

You are not required to pay income tax or self-employment tax on your gross earnings from self employed truck driving. Instead, it calculates your tax due on net earnings, which is equal to your gross earnings minus all deductions you can claim. In order to claim a deduction, the expense must be ordinary and necessary to operate your business. This may cover any number of expenses you incur, but typically, truck drivers may deduct the cost of gasoline, oil, truck repairs, insurance and parking charges. You may also deduct the cost of the truck itself by including the lease payments or depreciation of the purchase price in your deductions. And, if you ever stay in a hotel during those long road trips, you may deduct your lodging expenses also.

Other Truck Taxes

IRS Form 2290 is meant to send information about the usage of a commercial truck and to pay taxes on that use to the IRS. You can use this form for a single truck filing, or up to twenty-five vehicles can be reported on one form. The major reasons for filing the form include:

The typical Tax year for Form 2290 is from July 1st to June 30th of the next year. The form and any payment are typically due by the end of August of the corresponding year. The IRS requires that forms with 25 or more vehicles to be electronically filed.

As mentioned Earlier, the typical tax year is from July 1 to June 30, but this year it has changed. Due to legislation being held up in Congress, there has yet to be a legislation enacted to collect these Heavy Vehicle Use Taxes. The IRS has announced that it will not be accepting these 2290 forms until November 1 of this year.

Why Former Drivers Make The Best Trucking Dispatchers

Posted on January 5, 2011 by - Express2290, former truck driver, freight logistics, HVUT, smal trucking company, Tax 2290, truck drivers, trucking dispatcher

Featured Blogger
Benjamin Bellville

If you are running a small trucking company and are large enough that you are needing to hire one or more trucking dispatchers then you really need to consider that a former driver can fill the position better than anyone else. Allow me to point out my reasoning here and by the time you have finished reading this I am sure you will agree with my reasoning.

Depending on the size of your company and how you approach your freight logistics you may have a need for trucking dispatchers who are able to also book freight with brokers and perform sales to obtain direct freight customers as well. While you may be able to find someone with sales experience they often will not have a firm understanding of what it realistically takes to transport the freight.

I’ve had dispatchers with no driving experience before and all they could do was look at things from an on paper best scenario viewpoint. These types will drive your drivers away quicker than anything because they tend to talk down to drivers and make them feel like dirt in general. It’s an attitude that will fester through your company and hurt you in the long run. While it would be difficult to teach these types what being out on the road is really like, it would be much easier to teach a former driver the freight logistics aspect of the trucking company.

A former driver can relate to the trials the current truck drivers face on a daily basis and they know what is possible to do legally, they will make your employees feel more at ease sort of like they have someone on their side in the grand scheme of things. Happier drivers will be more productive drivers as a result. Less stress will also lead to healthier truck drivers.

Using former drivers as trucking dispatchers can also save you money in the long run as they will know better how to handle emergency situations as more than likely they have probably experienced it themselves while out on the road. They will also have a basic knowledge of most other operations within the company and can be turned into the ultimate multitasking machine over time.

As you can see it just makes sense as a strong business decision that will provide a strong inner working to your trucking company for years to come. The same way that doing business a truck tax company like Express2290 will be a smart choice to benefit your bottom line.