Glostone Newsletter for January 2014
posted in Newsletter by Brian Gray
Happy New Year!
Just as the end of a year is a time of reflection and analysis of things past, the new year should begin with resolutions and goals to accomplish even more. We at Glostone have re-committed ourselves to you, our customers. We are committed to serve as your trusted Transportation Safety and Compliance Team with accuracy, advocacy, efficiency and integrity. We see 2014 as full of potential for the Trucking Industry and look forward to working hard to help you be a successful part of it. Your success is our success.
Our monthly newsletters are meant to bring you timely information that you can use to stay safe, be in compliance and improve your bottom line. To send a suggestion of a topic that you would like to see covered in an upcoming newsletter send your topic to daveg@glostone.com. Should you wish to opt out of receiving our newsletter, you can easily do so by using the unsubscribe link at the bottom of this page. With this, our first newsletter of the year, we want to take the opportunity to wish you and your family a healthy, safe and prosperous new year. We look forward to working with you!
DOT Auditors Cracking Down On Drug Testing “No Shows”
Now that the Compliance Safety Accountability (CSA) measure is in full swing, the Department of Transportation (DOT) is performing more audits than ever. A key area of compliance that many auditors seem to be focusing on is a Carriers random drug & alcohol testing program. Auditors are checking to see that the program is in place and that drivers are submitting to random testing when called upon. If it is discovered that a driver did not submit to a random test, the auditor will consider the non-submission as a “refusal to test”. The refusal is a serious violation for both the company and driver involved.
A refusal to test carries the same consequences as a positive test result where the driver must immediately cease all safety-sensitive functions, including driving, until the driver completes a substance abuse program. The driver must then submit to a return-to-duty test and test negative in order to resume performing safety-sensitive functions. Finally, the driver will need to submit to a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) recommended number of unannounced follow-up tests. The number of follow up tests is determined by the SAP with 6 being the minimum. All follow up tests are required to be observed. The cost of missing a random test could be well over $1,000, take many months and even years to complete.
In addition to serious violation points negatively affecting their CSA score, a company can be fined by the DOT $100 per day it allows a driver to drive while knowing the driver refused to test. Flagrant mismanagement of the drug and alcohol program can lead to the company being placed Out-of-Service by the DOT.
If you have any questions regarding your drug and alcohol testing program or need our help to train your drivers on the importance of submitting to random testing, just give us a call!
Operate a Reefer Trailer? You May Have a Tax Deduction Coming!
The 18.3 cents federal tax you pay at the gas pump on every gallon of fuel only applies to self propelled vehicles. Carriers who purchase fuel to operate a Refrigerated Trailer or other non-road equipment may claim the total amount of taxes paid on these purchases as a deduction on their 2013 income tax using IRS form 4136. If you are a Glostone Trucking Solutions Fuel Tax Reporting customer and reported reefer fuel purchases to us, we will calculate your deduction and provide a completed form 4136 for you at no additional cost. If you have questions, give us a call at 503-607-1088.
2014 Licensing Checklist
Out with the old and in with the new certainly applies to interstate truck licensing and permits. Your January inventory of credentials, permits and fees paid should include:
2014 Registration Cab Card
2014 IFTA License
2014 Unified Carrier Registration Fees Paid
2013-2014 IRS Heavy Vehicle Use Tax paid
2014 Oregon Weight Certificate (if applicable)
2014 New Mexico permit (if applicable)
21st Series New York HUT permit and decal (if applicable)
2014 HazMat permits (if applicable)
Should you need any assistance with obtaining or have questions about any of these or other truck license or permit, give us a call at 503-607-1088.
