FMCSA proposes fee reductions for Unified Carrier Registration
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recently issued a proposed rule that would reduce Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) fees for 2020 and 2021.
The reduction in annual UCR fees applies to motor carriers, private motor carriers of property, brokers, freight forwarders and leasing companies that are paying fees to their respective state.
What is the Unified Carrier Registration fee reduction?
The UCR fee reduction would be for 12.82% in 2020 and 4.19% in 2021, based on the rates paid in 2018, however the Unified Carrier Registration vice chairman of the board of directors stated that the rates are expected to decrease by another 1-2%.
As an example, a carrier with a fleet of two or more trucks paid $69 in 2018 and $62 in 2019, but after the fee reduction, they would only pay $60 in 2020 and $66 in 2021.
How are the UCR fees calculated?
Fees are calculated based on collections of the second year prior, which would be 2018 right now. Based on federal law, requests for fee adjustment are required when the annual revenue exceeds the maximum allowed and the board estimates that by the end of 2019 the total revenue will exceed the maximum by $3.08 million.
If there are excess funds after other costs are covered, such as payments to the states and administrative costs, they are retained and fees for the following year are reduced.
Based on the board’s research, the fee reduction includes a reduction in the amount of the administrative cost allowance from $3.5 million to $3.2 million for the 2020 and 2021 UCR Agreement registration years. They have also determined that the administrative cost allowance needed for the 2020 and 2021 registration period should be $3.2 million for each registration year.
The agency reviewed the board’s formal recommendation and concluded that its projection of the total revenue received for registration year 2018 is acceptable.
Licensing services
We offer many different services related to licensing, including assisting with your Unified Carrier Registration (UCR).
All of our services are geared toward keeping your trucking company safe and DOT compliant.
If you have any questions, call (888) 260-9448 or email at info@cnsprotects.com.
IFTA Fuel Tax Rates (2019 Q3)
What are the 2019 IFTA tax rates for the 3rd quarter?
The International Fuel Tax Association (IFTA) has released the 3rd quarter 2019 fuel taxes. You can download the full list of 2019 Q3 tax rates below.
You can also find more information on the International Fuel Tax Association website.
Which states had IFTA tax rate changes?
There were seven states that showed a tax rate change, including Maryland, Montana, Nebraska, Ohio, Rhode Island, Tennessee and Virginia. IFTA lists the 3rd Quarter 2019 Tax Rate Changes, which will go into effect on July 1, 2019.
When are your IFTA taxes due?
The IFTA return due date for the 3rd quarter is October 31st. Take a look below for a list of IFTA fuel tax reporting for the each quarter.
- 1st quarter (January to March) — April 30
- 2nd quarter (April to June) — July 31
- 3rd quarter (July to September) — October 31
- 4th quarter (October to December) — January 31
Review the 2019 1st quarter IFTA tax rates
Review the 2019 2nd quarter IFTA tax rates
IFTA fuel tax rate changes (2019)
In 2019 some states and provinces had changes in their IFTA fuel tax rates causing a split rate for the effected quarters. Two of those were Alberta—the Canadian province—and the state of Alabama.
The Alberta Treasury Board and Finance, Tax and Revenue Administration (TRA), had a tax rate change for the 2nd quarter of 2019, which went into effect on May 30, 2019. Since the change fell in the middle of the quarter, Alberta will have a split rate for this quarter.
The Alberta Tax and Revenue Administration has requested that all jurisdictions honor this rate correction for the 2nd quarter fuel taxes.
The State of Alabama will also have a split rate, but during the 3rd quarter of 2019. Legislation was recently passed incorporating the tax rate change, which will go into effect September 1, 2019.
Review a full list of the 2019 2nd Quarter Tax Rate Changes and 3rd Quarter Tax Rate Changes or review the fuel tax rates for each quarter below.
IFTA Tax Rates for 2019
FMCSA changes CDL requirements
On February 7, 2020, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) will place new CDL requirements on entry-level driver training (ELDT).
Individuals wanting to obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL), upgrade their current license from a Class B to a Class A CDL or receive driver training for a passenger, school bus or hazmat endorsement. Requirements are also changing for instructors offering CDL training.
Is it difficult to get a CDL license?
As of February 7, 2020, entry-level CDL trainees will have much stricter requirements for obtaining their CDL. For anyone planning to become a truck driver, you can attend a CDL school and get your CDL license before changes go into effect in 2020.
The new rules require an entry-level driver to complete a prescribed program of theory and behind-the-wheel instruction provided by a school or other entity listed on FMCSA’s Training Provider Registry (TPR) before taking the CDL test.
What are the new requirements to obtain a CDL license?
- CDL school requirements: The minimum standards and requirements for CDL schools will be set at a federal level, as opposed to being set by each state.
- Department of Transportation (DOT) management: CDL schools must record and report hours behind the wheel (no federal minimum) to DOT.
- Schools must register and self-certify: Schools can self-certify instructors. Individual instructors may have to register with the DOT depending on the state.
- CDL driving instructor requirements: Driving instructors are required to have a minimum of 2 years driving experience, a clean motor vehicle record and a medical certification for classroom, on the road and private range instruction
- Increase in curriculum mandates:
- DOT requires 31 theory course topics instead of the original four knowledge topics, which will be accompanied by 19 mandated behind-the-wheel (BTW) skills, that will be tested with vehicle inspection skills at the state department of motor vehicles.
- The new Training Provider Registry (TPR) will require CDL schools to apply to join, starting February 7, 2022.
Learn more about all levels of truck driver training and CDL test preparation courses that we offer at our CNS Driver Training Center.
IFTA Fuel Tax Rates (2019 Q2)
The International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) has released the 2nd quarter 2019 fuel taxes.
When are your IFTA taxes due?
The IFTA return due date for the 2nd quarter is July 31st. Take a look below for a list of IFTA fuel tax reporting for the each quarter.
- 1st quarter (January to March) — April 30
- 2nd quarter (April to June) — July 31
- 3rd quarter (July to September) — October 31
- 4th quarter (October to December) — January 31
Review the 2019 1st quarter IFTA tax rates
Review the 2019 3rd quarter IFTA tax rates
Now Offering DOT CDL Physical Exams
CNS is now offering appointments for DOT medical card exams. The service will be provided at CNS headquarters, located at 38 Copperfield Circle, Lititz PA 17543 as well as onsite exams across PA for fleets. The service will also extend to PA School Bus medical exams.
Exam appointments can be scheduled Tuesdays and Thursdays as well as the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each Month.
CNS has hired, John Reel, PA-C, MPAS, as our new Certified DOT Medical Examiner. 
John has 35 years of experience in emergency medicine, general surgery, family practice, pulmonary medicine, internal medicine, occupational medicine and urgent care. John was named one of 50 Physician Assistants Who Make A Difference Today by the National Commission of Certified Physician Assistants Health Foundation in 2017.
Schedule an exam today! Exams@cnsprotects.com or by calling 717.625.0280 Option 2
IFTA Fuel Tax Rates (2019 Q1)
The International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) has released the 1st quarter 2019 fuel taxes.
When are your IFTA taxes due?
The IFTA return due date for the 1st quarter is April 30th. Take a look below for a list of IFTA fuel tax reporting for the each quarter.
- 1st quarter (January to March) — April 30
- 2nd quarter (April to June) — July 31
- 3rd quarter (July to September) — October 31
- 4th quarter (October to December) — January 31
Review the 2019 2nd quarter IFTA tax rates.
Review the 2019 3rd quarter IFTA tax rates.
CLASS B to CLASS A CDL GETS MORE STREAMLINED
Elaine L. Chao, US Transportation Secretary, said “Today’s action demonstrates the Department’s commitment to reducing regulatory burdens and addressing our nation’s shortage of commercial drivers” in reference to the FMCSA announcing today a final rule reducing costs and simplifying the process to upgrade a Class B Commercial Drivers License to a Class A CDL. By adopting a new Class A CDL theory instruction upgrade curriculum, the rule will save eligible driver trainees and motor carriers across the United States over $18 million annually.
FMCSA Administrator, Raymond P. Martinez, called the final rule “common-sense” and committed the FMCSA to “strategically reform burdensome regulations to improve the lives of ordinary Americans by saving them valuable time and money – while simultaneously maintaining the highest level of safety.”
FMCSA is amending the Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) regulations published on December 8, 2016 detailing the ELDT rule requires the same level of theory training for individuals obtaining a CDL for the first time as for those who already hold a Class B DEL and are upgrading to a Class A CDL. FMCSA recognizes that because Class B CDL holders have prior training or experience, they should not be required to complete the same level of theory training as individuals who have never earned a CDL.
Determining Class of CDL Required
As a result of the Federal Commercial motor vehicle Safety
Act of 1986, Pennsylvania established a Commercial Driver
Licensing Program. This program has been developed to
improve driver quality, ensure commercial drivers have the
skills needed to operate commercial vehicles and to prevent
drivers from having more than one driver’s license. The
program requires you to have a CDL if you operate or plan
to operate any of the following Commercial motor vehicles
(CMVS):
a) A combination of vehicles with a gross combination
weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 pounds or more,
provided the vehicle being towed is in excess of
10,000 pounds.
b) A single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating
(GVWR) of 26,001 or more pounds.
c) A vehicle designed to transport 16 or more persons,
including the driver.
d) A school bus designed to carry 11 passengers or more,
including the driver.
e) Any size vehicle, which transports hazardous materials
and is required to be placarded in accordance with
federal regulations.
f) Any size vehicle used in the transportation of any material
that requires hazardous materials placards or any
quantity of a material listed as a select agent or toxin in
42 CFR 73. Federal regulations through the Department
of Homeland Security require a background check and
fingerprinting for the Hazardous materials endorsement.
To get a CDL, you must pass knowledge and skills tests.
This manual will help you pass the tests. This manual is not a
substitute for a truck driver training class or program. Formal
training is the most reliable way to learn the many special
skills required for safely driving a large commercial vehicle
and becoming a professional driver in the trucking industry.
Figure 1.1 helps you determine if you need a CDL
Exemptions: You do not need a CDL to drive military equipment while in military uniform; certain fire and
emergency equipment owned by a fire company; or recreational vehicles; implements of husbandry; or
certain motorized construction equipment.
This section examines the requirements of the CDL and how you can get your CDL.
As part of the motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act, the Federal motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) amended
the Federal motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to require interstate commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders,
subject to the physical qualification requirements of the FMCSRs, to provide a current copy of their medical Examiner’s
Certificate (also known as the U.S. DOT Physical card) to their State Driver Licensing Agency.
Interstate is defined as trade, traffic or transportation in the united States:
• Between a place in a State and place outside of such State (including a place outside of the united States); or
• Between two places in a State through another State or a place outside of the united States; or
• Between two places in a State as part of trade, traffic, or transportation originating or terminating outside
the State or the united States.
IFTA UPDATE: 2018 Fuel Tax Rates
The International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) has released the 4th quarter 2018 fuel taxes. Please click below to see the rates.
Tired of dealing with fuel taxes? Click here and let us do all the work.