MMTA Member NewsView Archived News

2022 Annual Meeting at Turf Valley August 11, 2022

*********************************** 2022 Annual Meeting at Turf ValleySeptember 27, 20229:15 am – 10 am Registration & continental breakfast10 am– 3 pm Speakers, luncheon, & general membershipNote: In-Person EVENT!$65 thru Sept 9th *** $85 starting after September 9 *** Non-member rate is $185Turf Valley Resort, 2700 Turf Valley Rd, Ellicott City, MD Online Registration Printable Registration Flyer (2 pages) Sponsorship Read More

Upcoming Events August 8, 2022

*********************************** 2022 Annual Meeting at Turf ValleySeptember 27, 20229:15 am – 10 am Registration & continental breakfast10 am– 3 pm Speakers, luncheon, & general membershipNote: In-Person EVENT!$65 thru Sept 9th *** $85 starting after September 9 *** Non-member rate is $185Turf Valley Resort, 2700 Turf Valley Rd, Ellicott City, MD Online Registration Printable Registration Flyer (2 pages) Sponsorship *********************************** Topic: Compliance SeminarSept. 22, 2022 *** 9:30 AM ***  Virtual Nov. 17, 2022  *** 9:30 AM *** In personSummary:  Make sure your company is in compliance with the various federal and state motor carrier safety regs. This seminar covers the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs), federal and state roadside… Read More

MVA Increases Locations with IRP Services July 12, 2022

The MVA recently increased the number of branches where International Registration Plan (IRP) transactions can be completed. A list of the branches is below. These will show up when someone goes to make an appointment. The agency is also adding some Saturday appointments for CDL skills tests where available. Annapolis  Beltsville  Cumberland  Elkton Glen Burnie  Hagerstown  Largo Salisbury  Waldorf Read More

Predatory Towing Bill Becomes Law without Governor Hogan’s Signature June 28, 2022

Although Governor Hogan elected not to sign it, MMTA’s legislation to provide some protections for motor carriers, truck drivers, and insurers against egregious towing bills is now the law. Most of the provisions take effect October 1, 2022.   Beginning October 1, 2022: Towers on the MD State Police rotation have to file their maximum rates for police-initiated tows when they apply annually for the program. The State Police must make those rates available to the public. The State Police must establish a complaint/discipline process where towers can be expelled from the list. Trucking companies must be allowed to use… Read More

John Kidd is 2022 Maryland SuperTech Champ! June 27, 2022

Thank you all participants, sponsors, and volunteers for making this event a great success! Congratulations to Maryland's SuperTech Grand Champion, John Kidd of TravelCenters of America. SuperTech Winners PDF SuperTech Event Photos   Read More

Baltimore City Truck Restriction Along Broening Highway June 21, 2022

The Baltimore City Department of Transportation contacted MMTA with concerns about repeated trucks traveling along Broening Highway northbound from Cardiff Avenue to Boston Street. Broening Highway is restricted to trucks between these two roadways. Signage is posted but is being ignored. Police will be aggressively enforcing the restriction due to complaints from residents with homes along the route. Trucks are not allowed north of Cardiff Avenue. The only exceptions are oversize/overweight vehicles with an approved permit for travel along the roadway. Read More

FMCSA Extends COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Until August 31 June 14, 2022

FMCSA’s Emergency Declaration that was set to expire on May 31 has been extended through August 31, 2022. The declaration was also modified. It currently covers transportation of: Livestock and livestock feed; Medical supplies and equipment related to the testing, diagnosis, and treatment of COVID-19; Vaccines, constituent products, and medical supplies and equipment, including ancillary supplies/kits for the administration of vaccines, related to the prevention of COVID-19; Supplies and equipment necessary for community safety, sanitation, and prevention of community transmission of COVID-19 such as masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, soap, and disinfectants; Food, paper products, and other groceries for emergency restocking… Read More

Sign Up for MMTA Text Messaging Services. June 9, 2022

In an effort to better communicate with our members, MMTA is launching a text messaging service. We’ll provide brief updates on our most timely news, such as compliance tips, enforcement issues, legislative alerts, and event reminders. If you’d like to enroll, complete the form at www.mdtrucking.org/files/TextMessagingConsentForm.pdf.   Read More

Bain Wins 2022 MD State Truck Driving Championships June 6, 2022

After a two-year hiatus caused by the pandemic, 60 of Maryland’s finest truck drivers gathered in Timonium, MD to test their skills as they competed for the coveted title of Grand Champion of the Maryland State Truck Driving Championships.  On June 4, 2022 Joyce Bain of FedEx became only the second woman in the event’s history to be named the Grand Champion.     Joyce competed in the Sleeper Berth Class. This was her 5th time competing at the Maryland competition. She previously won the Sleeper Berth Class in 2015. Joyce has 32 years in the trucking industry and has driven… 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

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

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

Take Advantage of MMTA Fuel Prices With Carroll! June 16, 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 Carroll Form Questions: Email armand@mdtrucking.org or call 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

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