MMTA Member NewsView Archived News

Upcoming Events April 25, 2022

MMTA's TDC is June 4th! We're looking for MD's BEST drivers to compete! Online Registration Printable Registration Sponsorships ***********************************SuperTech MDSaturday, June 25, 2022,CAT North, 800 Stevenson Rd. Severn MD 21144 Who can participate?Any truck or bus technician in Maryland or a neighboring state without its own event.All competitors will receive a study packet upon registering.What can you win?Winners receive over $5,000 in cash and prizes including tablets, trophies, a trip to the national TMCcompetition and more. All contestants receive lunch, an event t-shirt, and a goody bag.Register: Online Registration Printable Registration Volunteer Form Questions:Call 410-644-4600 or email: selena@mdtrucking.org.***********************************Stay tuned for:2022… Read More

Shipley Receives MMTA's 2022 Person of the Year Award April 13, 2022

2022 Person of the Year: MMTA’s Person of the Year is Ray Shipley of Shipley Transport.View event pictures at the MMTA Facebook page.All proceeds for this event provide financial support for students enrolled in trucking-related programs at MMTA-member community colleges. Read More

Eastwood Named Maryland’s Driver of the Year March 4, 2022

On Thursday, March 3, Gary Eastwood of Pitt Ohio was named Maryland’s truck driver of the year by the Maryland State Police.  Eastwood was one of 12 drivers recognized by Maryland Motor Truck Association as the 2021 Drivers of the Month, with the State Police choosing him from among the 12 winners as the Driver of the Year.  Eastwood has driven for 32 years, traveling 3.2 million safe miles.  His outstanding service includes: Helping another driver whose trailer was on fire, saving the tractor and the load. Assisting the police and emergency medical personnel when he was the first on… Read More

Maryland Tolling Update – Possible Duplicate Tolls and Trailer Plate Violation Issues December 28, 2021

Three years ago the Maryland Transportation Authority announced it had selected TransCore as its new contractor to provide customer service for its toll system. Much of the transition to TransCore occurred earlier this year. Since that time, MMTA has received numerous complaints. Some of the biggest issues include:   Examples where members were receiving notices of tolls due in the mail for tolls that actually charged to a company’s E-ZPass account. MMTA has confirmed with the agency that this did occur on a limited basis for some tolls in June and July 2021. Violations where photos were taken of trailer… Read More

Infrastructure Bill Creates Path for 18 – 20-Year-Old CDL Drivers December 22, 2021

Also included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is a three-year pilot program that establishes a training and apprenticeship program to allow 3,000 CDL drivers younger than age 21 to haul interstate freight and travel across state lines. Although all of the continental states allow drivers to get a CDL at age 18, federal law has restricted them from hauling interstate freight. Industry believes the pilot will show that, with appropriate training and safety technology, these drivers can be as safe as those older CDL operators who have more experience. Read More

Congress Passes Infrastructure Bill. What’s in it for Maryland? December 21, 2021

Congress passed the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The bill represents the most meaningful investment in infrastructure in several decades. Below is a summary of how funds are expected to be allocated to Maryland. $4.1 billion for highway improvement. $1.7 billion towards public transportation. $884 million to improve water infrastructure. $409 million for bridge repairs and replacement. $158 million to improve Maryland’s airports. At least $100 million to expand rural broadband and bring internet to families who do not have access. $63 million to enhance and create more electric vehicle charging stations. Read More

A Compliance Checklist for You December 15, 2021

As a benefit of MMTA membership, the Association has created a checklist of the major compliance items your company must follow when running trucks.  Although not intended to be “all inclusive”, MMTA’s new flyer at www.mdtrucking.org/files/Usingtruck.pdf can help you do a quick scan of the many areas where we see members with compliance questions and concerns.  Take a look, then contact Brenda Tharp at MMTA with any questions at 410-644-4600. Read More

MD State Police Launch Diesel Emission Inspection Team December 2, 2021

MD State Police Launch Diesel Emission Inspection Team. Recently the MD State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division conducted a diesel emissions certification course in preparation to deploy roving crews to enforce the state’s diesel emissions law. When a Maryland registered diesel vehicle fails a roadside smoke emissions test the driver will be issued a Diesel Emissions Safety Equipment Repair Order.  Owners must have that vehicle repaired and retested within 30 days or face having that vehicle's registration suspended.  More about Maryland’s Diesel Vehicle Emissions Control Program is at https://mde.maryland.gov/programs/Air/MobileSources/Documents/Diesel_Brochure.pdf. Read More

FMCSA Adds Rear Underride Guards to Inspection List November 18, 2021

On November 9, FMCSA published a rule adding rear underride impact guards to the list of items in Appendix A that must be examined as part of the required annual inspection in Part 396.17 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS CHANGE IS DECEMBER 9, 2021. THEREFORE IF YOU ARE USING A FORM THAT DOES NOT SHOW REAR IMPACT GUARDS AS ONE OF THE ITEMS INSPECTED, YOU WILL NEED TO MANUALLY ADD THAT TO YOUR FORM. For questions, contact Brenda Tharp at MMTA, brenda@mdtrucking.org, 410-644-4600. Read More

Special JJ Keller Pricing for MMTA members November 18, 2021

MMTA Members Get Discounted Pricing!Featured this month:JJ Keller NEW Handbooks! NOTE: Limited time offer! Promotion ends soon!  Prices on handbooks can be aggregated for volume pricing! Read More

Fleet Safety Contest Now Open November 4, 2021

Does your company have an outstanding safety record? If so, you should enter MMTA’s annual safety contest, sponsored by Great West Casualty Company. The contest recognizes those companies in various mileage classes with the lowest accident frequency rates.  To enter, a company must provide its accident frequency rate based on Maryland miles only and DOT recordable accidents that occurred in Maryland between October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2021.   Plaques will be presented to the winners in each of four divisions.  Contest division winners will also be automatically entered to win the Chairman’s Safety Award grand trophy. To enter, please complete… Read More

E-ZPass & Video Tolls Keep Your License Plates Current to Avoid Problems. October 20, 2021

Due to the pandemic, the MTA paused mailing Notices of Toll Due to drivers who used the toll facilities without E-ZPass, or whose transponders did not read properly when passing through a toll facility. MDTA has now resumed the processing of these backlogged tolls. As a result, MMTA is receiving calls from members who have received a large number of notices in the mail indicating toll payments are owed. For questions, contact Louis Campion at MMTA, 410-644-4600. Read More

Preventive Maintenance Inspections for Trucks June 1, 2021

MMTA’s top priority was changing the frequency between Maryland Preventive Maintenance (PM) inspections.  Current law requires a PM annually or every 25,000 miles, whichever comes first.  Starting October 1, 2021, the new requirements will be: Annually or every 35,000 miles (whichever comes first) for Class F tractors if they are no more than 5 years old; and  Annually or every 50,000 miles (whichever comes first) for Class E straight trucks if they are no more than 5 years old and are powered by a zero-emission fuel source (e.g., electric, hydrogen, etc.). Note: This mileage increase does not apply to tow… Read More

Take Advantage of MMTA Fuel Prices With Carroll! May 18, 2021

$ave BIG on fuel with member discount pricing! No contracts or minimums! No more fuel cards – Use your phone! No more paper receipts! Complete on-line fuel management system for immediate access to driver information, reports, vehicles, and transactions!************************************* Customer intro video  Carroll Information Flyer Questions: Email armand@mdtrucking.org or call 410-644-4600 Read More

MMTA’s Consortium can help with Your Drug Testing Needs! January 25, 2021

Your CDL drivers are required under federal law to be in a random drug & alcohol testing pool.  MMTA’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Consortium, in partnership with ARCpoint Labs of Southern Maryland, can help members comply with the federally mandated drug and alcohol testing rules.  The rules are often misunderstood and a frequent cause of violations.  Do you have problems with: Spending too much for tests? Employees waiting forever for a test? Chasing drug testing paperwork? Dialing 1-800 numbers and getting voice mail? MMTA's program is here to help.  Benefits include: Inputting and maintaining your driver pool. Random selection of… Read More

New Baltimore County Law Outlaws Overnight Truck Parking within 1,000 Feet of Residences. December 15, 2020

As of November 2, a law passed by the Baltimore County Council prohibits the parking of any “tractor, trailer, or combination tractor-trailer” from parking or standing for more than one hour between 1:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. on any public road, street, alley or way that is within 1,000 feet of a residential zone.  Fines are $250 per day.    Read More