Trucking Nation News Update

We know it’s been a while, but try not to get too excited. That’s right, your friends at TSNAmerica
are back for the newest edition of the Trucking Nation News! Over the last couple of months, there's been an awful lot going on the the world of trucking, and we’re here to give you the inside scoop. Take a look and see what’s changed and how it will affect you!

Oregon Highway Speed Increases 

Currently, as many of you probably already know, Oregon law allows motorists to travel 65 mph on most rural stretches of highway, and trucks are only allowed to travel 55 mph. But, starting on March 1, a new law will be put into effect that will increase the speed limit on rural stretches of highway to 65 mph for trucks, and 70 mph for motorists. The law is expected to make the stretches of highway safer, as it cuts the speed gap between motorists and truckers in half. And hey, you'll be able to drop off your load a little quicker too!

Some CSA Scores Will Still Be Public

Now you may have already heard about CSA scores being hidden, but despite the FMCSA reports claiming that the new updated scoring system would end the constant updates to the publicly displayed score, individual BASIC categories are going to be publicly available again with the February update. So by March, the FMCSA expects carriers’ absolute measures to be returned to the site. So if you were banking on your company’s score from being hidden, you may want to think again!

Snow Free Vehicle Mandates

With the winter comes cold weather, snow, and ice. But did you know that you could get fined for not properly removing the ice remnants from your truck before you hit the road? That’s right, several states have already implemented a law on the subject, including:

• Alabama
• Connecticut
• Georgia
• Iowa
• Michigan
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• Wisconsin

The penalties vary, but most range between $200 and $1,000 if the ice or snow causes any injury or death. So exercise caution, be sure to rid of your truck of excess ice or snow before hitting the road, and be on the lookout for flying ice from other truckers and motorists that didn’t clear theirs off!

*Note - This rule is only for snow or ice that has accumulated before driving. Injury or damage resulting from snow or ice that accumulates during the course of a trip is not punishable.

So you’re welcome Trucking Nation, now you can get back to trucking all informed and what not. And remember, it’s that time of the year, so if you need your BOC-3 filed, your MC#, or even a 2290 done for your new truck, just give us a call at 803.386.0320 or fill out a service request. We’ll do everything we can to get you back on the road legally in no time!

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TSNAmerica: Trucking Nation News Update

We’re back again Trucking Nation! And once again, we’ve crammed all the latest and greatest news updates in our newest installment of the Trucking Nation News Update. So sit back, buckle your seat belt, and let’s throw this thing into gear!

E-Logs

We know, we’ve mentioned this a time or ten, and so has everyone else. But the official ruling is FINALLY in place (took long enough, right?) and is set to go into effect December 16, 2017.

The federal rule that will require all truck operators to use electronic logging devices has now been published into the Federal Register, but not without backlash from the trucking industry. OOIDA has petitioned the ruling, and President and CEO Jim Johnston even went as far as to say OOIDA plans to, “fight this with everything we’ve got.” So while this rule may be now be published, it’s future is still unclear. (shocker)

Note: If you have a truck made before the year 2000, you’re a lucky trucker, because the e-log rule doesn’t apply to you. Enjoy your freedom!

URS- Unified Registration System

The Unified Registration System officially began its phased launch on December 12, 2015, putting into effect an entirely new system. What is it? It’s a new electronic online registration system made to streamline the FMCSA’s registration process. Skeptical? We don’t blame you.

But the good news is if you’re already registered you won’t have to worry about it until next year, because only new applicants are affected by the December 12 launch. Anyone that already has an existing USDOT, MC, or FF number will not be required to register using the new system until Sept. 30, 2016.

Don’t worry folks, we’ll be giving you plenty more information about the process before then, so stay tuned for our Unified Registration System FAQs!

Deadlines

With the excitement that comes with the holiday season and the end of the year, don’t forget about deadlines! Like we mentioned before, UCR Registration period is open and we’re here to help. The registration period began back in October and runs until the end of the year, so if you’ve successfully procrastinated doing it until now you may as well just let someone else do it for you! (Cough, us.) So just give us a call and let us take some of the unneeded stress of your plate this holiday season.

And just a quick and friendly reminder, the IFTA 4th quarter also concludes at the end of the year, so you’ll need to have your IFTA reports done and filed by January 31, 2016. Just in case you were wondering, yes, we do IFTA too.

You can give us a call at 803.386.0320 or email us at support@tsnamerica.com anytime. The end of the year is almost here—what are you waiting for?

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Trucking Industry Update

Well folks, as the year comes to a close, it's busy time again in the Trucking Nation. In addition to all the fun that comes with year-end registrations and renewals, there are a lot of other trucking related happenings going on that we think you should know about. Why? Because you're a trucker, and you like to be aware of your surroundings. And at TSNAmerica, we like to keep our favorite truckers (that's you) as informed as possible.

Trucking News and Regulations

E-log Mandate:

Yeah we know, you’ve heard all about this one and every time you hear about it, it's something different. Well, we’re here to continue that trend! This rule has been all over the place the last few months, and while many of your were probably hoping it would kind of, you know, just disappear, it unfortunately looks like it’s here to stay.

Just this week the final rule outlining the specifications of the e-log mandate cleared the White House Office of Management and Budget. The review process took longer than planned, but technically the rule was able to clear four days ahead of the FMCSA’s original schedule. The final rule is still on track to be published into the Federal Register on November 30. So as much as you may be itching to find out more about this regulation and how it’s going to affect you, you’ll have to wait patiently just like the rest of us!

Highway Bill:

While you most likely are already familiar with the new highway bill (or should be, anyway), the bill is finally nearing reality, which would make it the nation’s first long-term highway bill in nearly a decade.

If you heard about this months ago and are wondering what the heck took so long, it’s mostly due to all the fine details in the bill that needed to be sorted out. Part of the bill, the Surface Transportation Restoration and Reform Act was recently passed by the house, and the Developing a Reliable and Innovative Vision for the Economy Act was passed by the Senate. Not sure what these acts are or what they entail? Well we wouldn’t worry about those too much if we were you. All you need to know is this is the government’s way of trying to improve the conditions of your roads as fast as possible. About time right? Judging by the current condition of the nation’s roads, the final passage and implementation of this bill can’t come soon enough.

When exactly will that be? Well if you’d quit asking so many questions we’d tell you! Just kidding, we’ll tell you anyway. Under the extension of the short-term highway fix, Congress has until December 4, 2015 to make a final decision, with a possible vote coming any day. So either way, it won’t be long before this one gets passed, Trucking Nation.

So as always, you’re welcome for making you the most informed trucker on the road. Stay tuned for more updates, because we’re chock full of 'em and we pride ourselves on staying up-to-date on all the latest trucking happenings. And remember, if you have any questions, or need any assistance getting your pesky UCR registration taken care of before the deadline, just give us a call at 803.386.0320, or email us at support@tsnamerica.com!

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TSNA: Trucking News Update

That’s right, the next installment of the Trucking Industry Update is here - powered by Truck Services of North America. Don’t hide it; we know you’re excited. In an industry filled with ever-changing regulations and policies, we know it’s a daunting task to stay up-to-date and informed. But not to fret, that’s what we’re here for. So just like always, keep reading and we’ll get to the good stuff.

Operation Safe Driver Week:

Starting on October 18 and running through the 24th is the annual Operation Safe Driver Week, sponsored by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA). During this week, officers in the United States, Mexico, and Canada will be looking for a variety of specific violations.

The five most common violations they'll be searching for are:

• Speeding
• Failure to Wear a Seat Belt
• Failure to Obey Traffic Control Devices
• Improper Lane Changes
• Following Too Closely

Last year during safe driver week, officers pulled over nearly 60,000 commercial vehicle and car drivers for “unsafe driving behaviors.” That’s right, almost 60,000 traffic stops across North America over a one week period. So if you want to be safe, drive safe, and don’t get pulled over next week!

Delayed Regulations:

There’s been a lot of long-awaited trucking mandates that were expected to be implemented before the end of the year: but many have now been postponed. Don’t get too excited though—that’s postponed, not canceled. But regardless, it looks like you’re all going to be getting just a little bit more time before you have to deal with any of these new rules.

Let’s take a look and see some of the regulations that have been delayed so far:

Speed Limiters: The official rule that would mandate speed limiters was originally expected to be issued by the end of September 2015, but now the final rule is not expected to pass until the end of 2016.

ELDs: This one isn’t going to be delayed quite as long, but the ELD rule originally expected to pass by the end of September has been pushed back until the end of October.

Entry-Level Driver Training: The new requirements for entry-level driver training may not ever be passed. Just kidding, well, kind of. The rule has already been delayed multiple times, most recently to November 15, and Congress expects that date to get pushed back even further. The reason cited for the delay is that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has had a tough time justifying it from a cost-benefit standpoint. So while this new regulation may still may be coming your way soon, there's actually a strong chance it may not be heading your way at all.

Minimum Insurance Increases: Many agencies already agreed to this rule in principle, and the FMCSA was set to issue an advanced notice of the new regulation. Instead, it appears that other regulations have moved to the top of the priority list, and this has been put on the back burner for now.

I-95 Reopens in South Carolina:

This one hit us close to home here at TSNAmerica (quite literally), and we’re excited to say that all closed sections of I-95 through South Carolina have been reopened. Earlier this week, the state DOT announced that all southbound lanes had been reopened and that bridges on the northbound lanes were still under construction. But as of now, all lanes in both directions are ready for truckin’!

Well, folks, you’re welcome; you’re now the most well-informed truckers on the road. Stay tuned for more updates so you can continue to stay ahead of your brethren in both preparedness and knowledge.

At TSNAmerica, we take pride in helping you take care of all things trucking. We know the UCR registration season has begun and those 3rd quarter IFTA reports are due soon. So if you want someone to take care of it for you, just give us a call! You can reach us at 803.386.0320, email us at support@tsnamerica.com, or send us a service request.

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Trucking Industry Update

We know it’s been a bit since the last one and you’ve probably been itching for it… so here it is, the latest trucking industry update! This time, we’re going to be focusing on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the initiatives set for the last three months of 2015.

How do they affect you, you might ask? Well, it’s the FMCSA’s job to do everything in its power to keep you safe. Don’t you like being safe and knowing what’s going on in your own industry? Of course, you do, because there’s nothing wrong with being a well-informed trucker, and that’s why you’re going to keep reading to see the FMCSA’s newest initiatives!

FMCSA Yearly Initiatives

Safety Fitness Determination (SFD):

Currently, the FMCSA is in the process of publishing a new rule that would greatly increase the use of inspection data when making Safety Fitness Determinations of motor carriers. The new proposed rule would change the process for assessing the performance of truck companies to focus more on current performance information, such as roadside inspection and crash data. If you don’t like this rule, well, you may be stuck with it anyway. Although luckily for you, the FMCSA is giving everyone the option to voice their opinion. So if you don’t like it, you can tell them personally!

Inspection Modernization:

The FMCSA has officially launched a new version of their inspection software, called Aspen 3.0. It’s got a new look and feel, as well as lots of new and innovative features. The software includes many roadside functions, and even allows law enforcement officials to get direct access to out-of-service notices. So if you’re driving out of service you may want to rethink that, because it’s about to be much easier for them to find you!

Compliance, Safety, and Accountability (CSA) Phase III:

In order to prepare the launch of its final two CSA interventions, the FMCSA is working on training federal and state investigators. One of the biggest safety measures being implemented is the crash BASIC investigation, which will focus on specific trends that are most common in carrier crashes. Seems like that might be useful, right?

In addition to spending more time analyzing crashes for contributing factors, the FMCSA will also be fine-tuning its SMS algorithm to do a better job of identifying carriers to investigate. Once the changes are made official, they will be announced in a Federal Register notice. We’re not sure exactly how this works, but if you think your company could be at risk for an investigation, you better get it together fast!

Electronic Logging Devices (ELD):

Here’s the rule you’ve been hearing about a lot recently, and also the one that you’re probably the least excited about. Sense some sarcasm? Maybe just a tad. But in all seriousness, we know that most truckers across the nation are dreading the implementation of this rule, but it’s looking more and more likely that it’s only a matter when, not if. That’s right, the final ELD rule is currently under review and is scheduled to be published later in the year.

Don’t think this rule is going to help you? Take a look at why the FMCSA sees the rule as “beneficial to all parties,” and maybe it can change your view.

• It is estimated that by improving the hours of service (HOS) compliance, up to 20 fatalities and 400 injuries can be prevented each year. 
• The electronic logging systems will save companies time and money.
• Drivers will be protected from harassment. The devices will keep companies from forcing drivers to drive for longer than the mandated period under the HOS agreement.
• Law enforcement agencies can now view and review driver HOS records with ease.

Still not liking the idea? Yeah, we don’t blame you, but it’s looking inevitable, so the best thing to do now is to prepare yourselves!

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about any of these new rules or implementations, just let us know! Just kidding, please don’t do that; take all those issues up with the FMCSA! They’re always happy to receive feedback from trucking professionals like yourself.

If you have any other trucking-related issues, that’s where we come in. We offer a ton of services for trucking professionals, so if you need anything taken care of for you, just give us a call at 803.386.0320 or email us at support@tsnamerica.com.

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Winds of Change Coming In Wyoming

Anyone traveling through Wyoming must brace for unusually strong gusts of wind that can topple an empty rig in the blink of an eye. This article will focus on gentler winds, i.e. changes in Wyoming law and attitude that are still worthy of your attention.

Wyoming made national news in April when two huge pile-ups occurred on I-80 within a single week, raising concerns about highway safety along our vast open spaces. While truckers have always known to “expect the unexpected,” Wyoming weather and abundant wildlife can surprise even the most experienced drivers! Bluebird weather one minute can change to dense fog or ground blizzards the next, and pulling off to the side of the road has its own risk as everyone else is trying to do the same. It can become one big tragic cluster in seconds.

This is why the Wyoming Highway Patrol (WHP) opposed legislative bills to raise the speed limit from 75 mph to 80 mph on long, lonely stretches of our interstate highways. The patrol reasoned that higher speeds would result in less reaction time to our unpredictable everything and urged Wyoming lawmakers not to raise the limit. Those patrol worries did not win the day. So, Wyoming motorists enjoy the higher speed limit, but the WHP is showing less tolerance for those exceeding the limit even by a few miles per hour.

Several months ago it came to light that the WHP tied raises, promotions, and bonuses to ticket quotas, setting off a firestorm of criticism that resulted in discarding such policy before lawmakers felt compelled to introduce bills to formally stop the practice. The negative public sentiment toward the WHP changed quickly after the April pile-ups as the patrol worked tirelessly in horrible conditions to rescue accident victims and clean-up the carnage for days afterward.

Newspaper photos of the scene from both accidents showed multiple mangled semis and prompted a number of letters to the editor urging truckers to drive more cautiously. What few outside the industry realize is that truckers cannot stop on a dime and are as susceptible as any other driver to sudden zero visibility.

Like the Serenity Prayer, we seek patience to accept what we cannot change, and strength to change what we must. Obviously, operators can lessen risk by making sure their equipment and their brains are in good working order and capable of handling higher highway speeds and adjusting to sudden changes in conditions.

Another wind of change in Wyoming has been greater protection for persons using non-motorized modes of transportation. During the last legislative session, a law was passed that requires motorists to allow bicyclists three feet when passing them on the roadway. This happened, mind you, when legislators were also considering whether to increase the speed limits on two-lane roads (where cross-country bicyclists are more likely to travel). If safety is a top priority, increasing the speed limit on two-lane roads may not be such a wise choice. Such a law has not yet passed.

Truckers traveling on rural roads and in town should be aware that Wyoming school buses are now equipped with video cameras, so as to more easily identify and prosecute those drivers who pass a bus that is stopped with flashing red lights. This development occurred because of the death of a little girl exiting a school bus who was hit by a passing motorist ignoring the flashing bus lights.

For several years, Wyoming law has required motorists to move to the passing lane when passing a stopped patrol car with flashing lights on the side of the road…if you can safely do so. Traffic is beyond your control but maintaining reasonable speeds to allow maneuverability is still in your control.

Wyoming lawmakers have been keenly aware of the dangers of distracted driving. Hand-held cell phone use is banned in most cities and towns, and texting while driving is forbidden everywhere in the State. Marijuana remains illegal in Wyoming but not in neighboring Colorado. I’m wondering if I’m the only one who has noticed a distinct change in the flow of traffic in Colorado since marijuana became legal. Too often now, I cross into Colorado on I-25 and see a number of drivers appearing completely unaware of how slow they are driving and what effect that is having on other motorists. Their “happy zone” is my frustration.

Another small wind of change that is of particular interest is a new Wyoming law that deals with towing abandoned or disabled vehicles. The Wyoming Department of Transportation removes vehicles when an operator cannot. Law enforcement must now choose from a rotating list of tow truck companies, something that was not done in the past.

Lastly, truckers whose native language is not English, should be aware of English Comprehension Examinations that, by law, WDOT personnel can administer at a Port of Entry if they have reason to believe that the trucker does not have a sufficient grasp of the English language in order to understand roadway signs and signals. Unfortunately, the results of the test may be considered “passing” by one patrolman at the Port of Entry on the eastern border of Wyoming, while the same test with the same results by the same trucker on the western border is considered “failing” by a different WDOT grader. The subjective nature of this makes it vulnerable to criticism as patently unfair. The ACLU has raised a number of objections and concerns about this test in recent years but the ACLU just closed its Wyoming office so will no longer be around to try to right this wrong.

As you can see, Wyoming laws and attitudes have changed only slightly this year. People in this State are generally grateful for all that the trucking industry and individuals bring to us. By constantly expecting the unexpected, you will be doing your part to prepare for and adjust to those wild, windy things you cannot change or control.

By: Deb Kellam, Hall & Evans, LLC

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Breaking News: New Trucking Regulations

So far this summer has been an uncharacteristically busy one for the trucking industry. It seems like just about every week the Senate is passing a new transportation bill, and it can be a daunting task to keep up with all the new rules and regulations.

But that’s what your friends at TSNAmerica are here for, so take a look below and we’ll go over all the new mandates and bills that have been passed recently or will be coming soon.

Trucking Updates

So far this summer, these are the new mandates and bills that have been either passed or proposed.

Speed Regulator Law:

A newly proposed bill would require the use of speed limiters on heavy trucks is set to be published by the Department of Transportation this week. Details of the bill have not been made public yet, but the bill is expected to pass through the White House and be published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration later this week. However, the bill is expected to include the proposed speed limit and also whether or not the rule will be applied to trucks that are already in use.

E-log Mandate:

Also this week, the final version of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s rule that would make the use of electronic logging devices mandatory is supposed to be finished. The rule will not actually take effect until two years after its publication in the Federal Register, but it will require all drivers that must keep duty records to use an electronic logging device.

The rule is currently under review by the Office of Management and Budget, although it is expected to be cleared next month on September 21 and published by September 30. in addition to this rule, a corresponding rule.

DRIVE Act:

Also within the last month, the DRIVE Act, which stands for Developing a Reliable and Innovative Vision for the Economy, was approved by the US Senate with a vote of 65 to 34. This is big news for trucking because let’s face it, we all know the highways across our country could use some work. The bill comes at a big time for the industry, as over the last several years 34 short-term extensions have been passed to extend the current method for highway funding, which has proven to be ineffective. The new bill will put over $350 billion into the funding of our nation’s highways, railroads, and public transit systems. While the sponsors of the bill were only able to guarantee the bill’s first three years, the bill is still a huge step forward for the industry.

New Transportation Bill:

In addition to the aforementioned DRIVE Act, the Senate has also been working on another transportation-related bill. Although it’s been 22 years since the last time taxes were raised as an act of Congress, it’s looking more and more likely that those 22 years will be coming to an end soon.

Senator Tom Carper from Delaware announced the TRAFFIC Relief Act of 2015, which would increase fuel taxes by four cents each year for the next four years in order to offset years of inflation. The money would go towards the highway trust fund, and the proposal would index taxes to the rate of inflation after four years and would make a pair of earned income tax credits permanent.

Thanks for reading Trucking Nation, we hope you enjoyed the trucking update. Be sure to stay tuned for more updates from TSNAmerica.

And remember, if you ever have any questions about new trucking regulations or registration requirements, don’t hesitate to give us a call at 803.386.0320, or email us at support@tsnamerica.com.

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It's Official: Our Parent Company Has Made the Inc. 5000!

At TSNAmerica, we’re thrilled to announce that SPAN Enterprises, our parent company, has made the Inc. 5000! The Inc. 5000 is composed annually and contains the fastest-growing privately-held companies in the United States. SPAN officially checked in at number 1150 on the list, making it the 11th largest company in the Charlotte metro area and the fastest-growing software company in South Carolina!

TSNAmerica and the Company Behind the Scenes

Truck Services of North America was launched in 2012, and our team and agency is one of many services provided by SPAN Enterprises. As you may or may not already know, we are a registration and processing agency providing solutions for the hard workers in America’s highly-regulated transportation industry.

With our customer service and professionalism, we’ve done all we can to become the nation’s premier processing agency. All of our transportation service experts work closely with federal and state agencies to ensure that our customers stay informed of constantly changing rules and regulations.

We take pride in being a true one-stop shop for all your trucking needs, so we have professionals that provide services including 2290 filing, IRP registration, HazMat Certification, IFTA filing, and much more.

Not to mention, we have a US-based support team that’s able to answer all of your questions, all year long. No having to talk to someone halfway across the world or getting stuck with a clueless customer service representative, our tax experts have your back!

More About SPAN Enterprises

SPAN Enterprises was created in 2010 by co-founders Agie Sundaram and Naga Palanisamy, who first created Unitwise, a business management program specifically crafted for Mary Kay sales professionals.

Since then, the company has grown from its original duo to over 200 employees spanning the globe. SPAN has launched over 14 different cloud based applications, and over 20 different software program. Most of the company’s work is in e-filing tax software platforms and business management programs, although it plans to launch more in new industries before the end of the year.

As SPAN has grown over the last few years, TSNAmerica has grown as well. We have done everything in our power to continue our growth, while doing it from the same small town where it all began, Rock Hill, South Carolina.

As a company, we’re continuing to grow and striving to reach new levels every year. We couldn’t have done it without you, our customers, so thanks to you all for helping us to create something special. Even as we continue to grow, our small-town mentality will never change, and neither will our service. We look forward to the years to come, Trucking Nation!

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2290 Phone Filing: Give Us a Call!

The Heavy Vehicle Use Tax season is in full swing, and you’ve got just under four weeks left to get those 2290’s filed.

If you’re having trouble getting it filed or don’t know if you’ll have the time to wait in line at the IRS office, give us a call. Not only are we experts with trucking permits and registration, but we’re licensed tax professionals!

So why wait until the August 31 deadline to get the 2290 out of your way, when you can call TSNAmerica and get your 2290 filed for you today!

What is a 2290?

Form 2290 is a federal tax form used to file Heavy Vehicle Use Tax, also known as HVUT. The form must be filed annually if a taxable motor vehicle weighing over 55,000 pounds is registered, or required to be registered in your name under District of Columbia, Canadian, or Mexican law at the time of its first use during the tax period, and that vehicle will travel 5,000 miles or more during the tax year. The HVUT season runs from July 1 every year to the following June 30. After filing, you will receive a stamped Schedule 1, which acts as your proof of payment and must be kept in your truck for records.

Need some help? File it all over the phone!

If you need any help filing your Form 2290, we offer phone filing! All you need to do is make a 5-minute phone call and give us your relevant information. Here’s what you’ll need to have ready when you call:

• Business Contact Information: You’ll need your business name, phone number, and address. Be sure that the information you give us matches exactly how it is registered with the IRS.
• EIN: Employer Identification Number
• VIN: Vehicle Identification Number
• Taxable Gross Weight of the Vehicle: This number is the weight of your truck, trailer, plus the maximum weight that can be hauled in the trailer. If you are unsure of the taxable gross weight of your vehicle, it should be listed on the vehicle’s registration.
• Payment Information: You’ll need to decide how you want to pay the tax fees, the IRS accepts payments via electronic funds withdrawal, EFTPS, or via check/money order. 

Once we have all that information, we’ll ask you if any of your vehicles are used for special purposes such as logging or agriculture, as it can affect your taxes. After we get all of your information, we’ll email you a copy of Form 8453 for you to sign and send back to us via email, fax, or postal mail, whichever is the most convenient method for you.

Once we receive the your signed copy of the 8453, that gives us the “good to go,” and we’ll get your 2290 filed that day and send you a copy of your Schedule 1 as soon as the IRS accepts your return.

So pick up the phone and make the 5-minute phone call to TSNAmerica today, and let us take the paperwork out of your way.

If you have any questions about our 2290 e-filing service, you can give us a call at 803.386.0320, email us at support@tsnamerica.com, or you can fill out service request. Remember, we also provide lots of other trucking services, so be sure to let us know if you need help with anything else so that you can keep trucking!

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TSNA: Trucking News Update

It seems like just about every week this summer there’s been something monumental or groundbreaking happening in the Trucking Nation. Whether it's a new law or bill, new rig technology, or another tax deadline to remember, this summer has been quite a busy time for the trucking industry. Take a look below, and we’ll tell you about all the new and interesting additions to the trucking industry so far this summer.

Summer Trucking News Updates

Fuel Tax Increase: While for some this is more of a slight annoyance than it is news, for truckers this can be quite a costly issue. Since July 1, seven states have increased their fuel taxes, including Idaho, Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, Rhode Island, Nebraska, and most recently Washington state. If your state or a state you travel through isn’t included in the list, it could be next. Many other states and even some Canadian provinces are still considering a spike in fuel taxes.

House Announces New Short-Term Funding Bill: Just this week, the House of Representatives has unveiled a new short-term highway bill, the third bill since MAP-21’s expiration last year. The current funding is set to expire July 31, and the new bill would extend that funding to the end of the year. The funding would help the nearly bankrupt Highway Trust Fund by pumping in close to $8.5 billion from the nation’s general fund.

Samsung Announces New Smart Truck: At the end of last month, Samsung unveiled its newest addition to the tech industry, the smart truck. The smart truck was created to first be used in Argentina, where there is nearly one traffic fatality every hour, with many coming from drivers attempting to speed around semi trucks. The truck actually contains a camera on the front and a TV screen on the back, which shows the view from the front of the truck, essentially allowing drivers to “see around the truck.” While it may be some time before we see these on US highways, if they prove to limit traffic fatalities, it may be sooner rather than later.

Kentucky Emergency Exemption: On July 14th, Kentucky announced an emergency exemption for all utility vehicles operating in the state due to severe weather. This allows these vehicles an exemption from the standard hours of service requirements, mandatory stoppage at weigh stations, IRP registration, and also from obtaining oversize/overweight temporary permits. Keep in mind that these exemptions are not for all trucks, only those helping with relief efforts. The exemption is in place through the 23rd of July.

IRS Offices by Appointment Only: The IRS announced that for this Heavy Vehicle Use Tax season, 10% of its offices will be available by appointment only. So if you’re used to going up to your local IRS office and waiting in line, you may have to alter your plans a bit.

We know as a trucker with a hectic schedule, it can be hard to find time and find an IRS office to get an appointment scheduled. Luckily for you, there is another way to get your Form 2290 filed, and you can do it without even leaving the cab of your truck. Just make a 5-minute phone call to TSNAmerica, and we’ll do it for you, same day. Don’t forget Form 2290 is due by August 31, so don’t hesitate, and call us today!

Thanks for reading Trucking Nation, we hope you enjoyed the news update. Be sure to stay tuned for more updates from TSNAmerica.

And remember, if you ever have any questions about new trucking regulations or registration requirements, don’t hesitate to give us a call at 803.386.0320, or email us at support@tsnamerica.com.

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Happy Thanksgiving from Truck Services of North America!

Happy Thanksgiving from our family at Truck Services of North America!

A Letter of Gratitude

We’d like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to all of you, not just to our TSNAmerica clients (who are awesome, by the way!), but to everyone in the transportation industry!

We love serving those in the trucking industry because of the monumental service you all provide for our nation. Days like Thanksgiving wouldn’t be possible without all of the fresh food that you delivered to our local markets.

And then there’s Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Christmas shopping, and that oh-so-handy expedited shipping–none of which would be possible without you working around the clock. Last minute Christmas shoppers (like me) would be out of luck if it weren’t for the truckers willing to drive through the night.

So in this season where we remind ourselves to give thanks for everything, big and small, we want to thank you, the transportation professionals always working behind the scenes and rarely getting the appreciation you deserve.

Thank you for your constant service and dedication to safety. We’re grateful that we can serve you!

Thanksgiving Festivities

Every year, the TSNAmerica team gets together with the entire SPAN Enterprises family for a huge Thanksgiving Potluck! 

Everyone brings their signature holiday dishes, and we always bring way too much and have plenty of leftovers. Amidst the feast of three giant turkeys (they're call it that in the history books) was green bean casserole, mac and cheese, mashed cauliflower, dressing, corn casserole, and every other scrumptious side you can think of. And that didn't even include dessert.

Of course before we indulged, we had to remember those in the community who are less fortunate, so we donated hundreds of canned vegetables to a local children's and homeless shelter, Pilgrims' Inn! Nothing  beats the feeling of giving back!

And no Thanksgiving party would be complete without games! We had a corn cob eating contest, a turkey-drawing contest, a turkey-imitating contest, AND we played pin the feather on the turkey! Here's support specialist, Staci, searching for her turkey. This story has a happy ending. Staci found her turkey and successfully pinned a feather on the tail!

And then came the food. While we were chowing down, each of us shared what we are thankful for this year. Here were some of the responses:

• TSNAmerica Manager Carrie is thankful for the new roof over her head and thankful that the hail storm this year was the only bad weather we had to deal with in SC!
• Amber, one of our support specialists, is grateful for the simple things in life that we often take for granted, like faith, family, friends, love & music.
• Staci, the newest member of our support team, gave thanks for her tight-knit circle of friends who is always there to cheer her up and cheer her on!

To see what everyone else in the SPAN family is thankful for, check out the SPAN Facebook page!

SPAN Family Photo

Holiday Support Hours

To spend time with our families, our offices will be closed this Thursday 11/27 and Friday 11/28. However, we'll still be available for email assistance at support@tsnamerica.com! We'll be back on the phones and online chat Monday.

We hope you all get the chance to celebrate Thanksgiving with family and friends. Drive safely!

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November 30th Deadlines: Oregon Weight-Mile and SD IRP Renewals

TSNAmerica is back with a Trucking News update!

If you operate in Oregon or South Dakota, beware of a potential “road block” ahead!

Oregon Weight-Mile quarterly tax filings are due Tuesday, November 30th, and so are many South Dakota IRP Renewals.

TSNAmerica is here to help you avoid a paper-work traffic jam! We have all of the information you need to stay in the loop, plus we can file it all for you fast!

Oregon Weight-Mile Tax

• This weight-mile tax is required for commercial vehicles travelling on Oregon’s public roads that weigh over 26,000 lbs. 
• Private or off-road travel need not be reported, and government, charity, and many farm vehicles are excluded from the tax.
• If you are a current registrant for this tax, you are required to file a report even if the tax owed is zero and you didn’t operate at all this quarter.
• If you no longer plan to operate at all, you must cancel your Weight Receipt. 
• Tuesday, November 30th is the reporting deadline for those on the Quarterly Mileage fee basis. Your fee basis is determined by the vehicle’s weight, load contents, and purpose for travel. Check with the ODOT if you’re unsure of your fee basis.
• However, 1st year Weight Receipt holders are required to report mileage tax monthly. 
• When reporting on a monthly basis, filings must be submitted electronically or postmarked by the last day of the month following the close of the reporting period. For example, November filings would be due by December 31st.
• And don’t forget, your Weight receipt, one of the credentials for the Weight-Mile tax along with the Tax Identifier, must also be renewed with the ODOT annually!

South Dakota IRP Renewals

• According to SD law, if your vehicle transports items weighing more than 500 lbs for business, you must be commercially licensed. For intrastate carriers, this means obtaining a commercial license, but for interstate carriers, a trip permit or IRP license is required.
• Some vehicles are exempt from the IRP (Prorate) license. Contact us to find out if you’re exempt!
• Renewal deadlines for SD IRP renewal are staggered based upon the date you first applied for licensure. If you are unsure whether your renewal is due Nov. 30th, call TSNAmerica for help! 
• You will need the following for your annual SD IRP Renewal Application: distance travelled in each jurisdiction for all of the vehicles you’ve registered, including trip permit distance (for newly added vehicles) and mileage traveled on toll roads. 
• On the application form, you must also note any changes in business information, as well as vehicle information. This includes any change in vehicle ownership, changes in registered vehicle weight, and addition or removal of vehicles from your fleet. Vehicle changes should be noted on the Vehicle Information Form on Schedule A/E. While renewing, you must also notify them of any changes to the IRP jurisdictions you intend to travel through.
• In addition to yearly renewal, SD IRP license holders are required to display cab cards and apportioned vehicle ID plates, as well as keep thorough records. Records must be kept for six years (the current year and five previous years), and should include the following information: IVDFR (individual vehicle distance and fuel records), a monthly summary, a quarterly summary, and a yearly summary. 
• Renewals must be filed at least 45 days prior to the due date, and the fees must be paid at least 15 days before. 

If you have questions or need help filing your Oregon Weight-Mile tax return or SD IRP renewal, call us for immediate assistance from a real, happy person in our hometown of Rock Hill, SC.

We can help you figure out what you need to file, and we’ll file it for you extra fast! And because this is what we do, we can also take care of your quarterly IFTA returns, IFTA renewal, UCR renewal, IRP renewal in other states and more- all before the filing deadlines!

Give us a call today at 803.386.0320. or email us at support@tsnamerica.com to cut down on your pesky paperwork.

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