April 9, 2025
Vehicle Compliance Insights
Key Credentials: Keeping Vehicles on the Road
Trucking companies need to have their basic credentials – including operating authorities, tax documents, titles and registrations – squared away in order to keep their trucks in compliance and generate revenue.
What to Know About Clean Truck Check
February 4, 2025
Whether you own one commercial motor vehicle or manage an entire fleet, are based in California or operate on California highways occasionally, staying current with Clean Truck Check (CTC) vehicle emissions requirements is essential to keeping your business moving.
Zero Actions Needed for Zero-Emission Truck Mandate (for now)
January 15, 2025
Since CARB has withdrawn the waiver, the program will not move forward at this time. This means, at least for the foreseeable future, high-priority fleets don’t have to worry about complying with the registration and Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) transition requirements.
New Service Helps Carriers Comply with California CARB Requirements
June 26, 2024
Clean Fleet State Compliance Reporting Service from J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc. keeps vehicles in compliance with CARB and other state-specific clean emissions requirements.
Data and Deadlines: Compliance Depends on Both
June 12, 2024
Organized and accessible records are the secret to painless and penalty-free audits and reporting under the International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA), International Registration Plan (IRP), and state vehicle compliance programs. But tracking the required data and deadlines can be a tedious and time-consuming task.
CMV Compliance Self-Evaluation
May 29, 2024
Keeping your commercial motor vehicle (CMV) fleet operating legally requires an understanding of complex IFTA (International Fuel Tax Agreement) and IRP (International Registration Plan) regulations.
Cost of DOT Non-Compliance Goes Up for 2024
January 29, 2024
The U.S. Department of Transportation has increased its maximum fines by 3.2 percent for the new year.
States Amping Up to Tax Electric Vehicles under IFTA
January 23, 2024
Various alternative fuels – including electricity – must be reported on tax returns under the International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA).
CARB Delays Registration Requirements for Two New Programs
December 29, 2023
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has announced delays in the reporting requirements for two of their programs, the Clean Truck Check and Advanced Clean Fleet programs.
New IRP Mileage Rules Start January 1, 2024
December 27, 2023
For carriers using electronics for distance tracking under the International Registration Plan (IRP), new rules apply to distance records produced by vehicle tracking systems, including electronic logging devices (ELDs) and
global positioning systems (GPS).
New IFTA Rules In Place January 1, 2024
December 27, 2023
The requirements for electronic distance records have changed to tightly define what data elements are required and what formats are acceptable under the International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA).
License and Permit Checklist for Starting a Trucking Company
December 19, 2023
Setting up your USDOT number and operating authority (both interstate and intrastate in many cases) is only the beginning when starting a trucking company. Once those are in place, the next phase of licensing, registration, and permitting begins.
CARB Announces Truck Registration and Fees for 2024
November 22, 2023
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has officially announced that vehicles subject to the Heavy-Duty Inspection and Maintenance regulation (HD I/M regulation), now called the Clean Truck Check regulation, must report their vehicles to CARB and pay the 2024 annual compliance fee by December 31, 2023.
Temporary Permits Explained
November 14, 2023
Temporary permits or permanent credentials: How to choose?
New Entrant Process
October 18, 2023
Becoming a new carrier is not as simple as requesting a USDOT number and beginning operations. There is a well defined process that must be followed. The necessary steps are aptly named by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) as “The New Entrant Process.”
Top 6 Small Fleet Challenges - Part 3
August 29, 2023
In this three-part series, we are exploring the six biggest vehicle challenges for small fleets. Vehicle compliance is comprised of three primary areas: the driver, the vehicle, and the carrier. In this third and final installment we examine the carrier.
Top 6 Small Fleet Challenges - Part 2
July 19, 2023
In this three-part series, we are exploring the six biggest vehicle challenges for small fleets. Vehicle compliance is comprised of three primary areas: the driver, the vehicle, and the carrier. In this second installment we examine the vehicle itself.
Top 6 Small Fleet Challenges - Part 1
June 23, 2023
Vehicle compliance falls into three compliance challenge areas: driver, vehicle, and carrier. In this three-part series, we will examine two of the top challenges for each area – beginning with the driver.
Learn the Secret to Successful Records for Fuel Taxes and Vehicle Registration
May 25, 2023
Organized and accessible records are the secret to a painless and penalty-free audit under the International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) and International Registration Plan (IRP).
Expanding Your Fleet – Two Ways to do it and Watchouts
December 14, 2022
A good thing has happened. You have come across a way to grow your business. However, it also means expanding your fleet. How you do that can make a huge difference when it comes to the long-term viability of your company.
Fuel Tax Records & Exemptions: Get the Whole Story
October 12, 2022
When it comes to fuel taxes, taking “the word on the street” at face value can lead to violations and expensive penalties.
How Are Vehicles Affected by Mergers & Acquisitions?
September 14, 2022
There is no shortage of advice on how to structure a "deal" to merge two companies into one, create a new subsidiary, or to buy assets. However, when you are looking to merge or acquire another transportation company, there's not nearly as much DOT compliance advice. Managing credentials for the vehicles that come with an acquisition can be particularly fraught with uncertainty.
What is My Base State?
September 14, 2021
Interstate motor carriers must indicate a base state of operations under several reporting programs. The base state approach simplifies compliance by eliminating the need to report operations, register vehicles, and pay fuel taxes to multiple states for every vehicle operated by the carrier.
4 Tips for Managing Vehicle Titles
July 16, 2021
Obtaining a title is often one of the first things you must do when taking ownership of a vehicle. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) require all commercial motor vehicles to operate in accordance with the laws and regulations of the jurisdiction in which they operate, which includes titling.
What to Consider Before You Merge or Acquire Another Transportation Company
May 14, 2021
There's no shortage of advice on how to structure a "deal" to merge two companies into one, create a new subsidiary, or to buy assets. If you are looking to merge or acquire another transportation company, there's not nearly as much DOT compliance advice.
Temporary Permits or Permanent Registration: How to Decide
February 23, 2021
Carriers often have vehicles that qualify for registration under both the International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) and the International Registration Plan (IRP). But, if the trucks don't leave the state, they are not required to register under the programs.
Quick Tips for IFTA Compliance
October 9, 2021
The International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) is a program designated for interstate carriers in the United States and Canada. Under IFTA, carriers can work with a single state or province to file and pay fuel taxes to all other member jurisdictions in which they operate.
Do These 3 Things Before Roadcheck 2021
March 5, 2021
The three-day International Roadcheck event begins May 4, 2021, and commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers will need to be ready. Roadcheck involves more than 50,000 roadside CMV inspections at locations across North America. If history is a guide, about 1 in 5 of those inspections will result in the CMV being placed out of service for serious violations.