MMTA Member NewsView Archived News

Urgent Action!!! MMTA Members Please Respond to COVID Vaccination Surveys by January 20! January 15, 2021

For several weeks, MMTA has participated in weekly meetings with the MD Emergency Management Agency, MD Department of Health, and various other agencies regarding the roll out of the state’s COVID-19 vaccine.  To support the state’s efforts, it is critically important that our members respond to the two surveys below.  Please do your best to reply by January 20.  Although your responses will not entitle you to immediate vaccines, providing the information requested will better assist the state with prioritizing and coordinating mass vaccination distribution efforts. Your responses will help MMTA’s efforts to prioritize trucking as an early vaccine recipient.… Read More

Upcoming Events January 8, 2021

Jan 27th, 2021 Topic: News you NEED if your company uses owner-operators! Summary:  Does your company use owner-operators? Are you ready for the next attack on the independent contractor model? In states like California and New Jersey, the use of independent contract/owner-operator drivers is under attack. President-Elect Biden has indicated his plans to further examine the use of independent contractors across all industries. Motor carriers and private fleets are easy targets for audits and lawsuits challenging whether an owner-operator is an employee, potentially subjecting you to unemployment insurance, workers compensation, and various other damages. This seminar will discuss the regulations and… Read More

MMTA Announces Safety Award Winners! December 31, 2020

MMTA is pleased to announce the winners in its 2020 Fleet Safety Competition, sponsored by Great West Casualty Company. These awards recognize those companies with the lowest accident frequency rate in various mileage classes.The winners were: 0 – 250,000 Miles: Denver Companies 250,001 – 500,00 Miles: Town & Country Movers 500, 001 – 1,000,000 Miles: FTC Aggregate Supply Over 1,000,000 Miles: Pitt Ohio The Fleet Safety Grand Championship went to FTC Aggregate Supply for having the lowest overall accident frequency rating.Congratulations to all winners and thank you to Great West for sponsoring this important recognition! Read More

Maryland Toll Updates. December 28, 2020

Since March, the Maryland Transportation Authority has temporarily paused mailing Notices of Toll Due for travelers on its toll roads without E-ZPass.  However, the agency recently resumed processing and mailing toll notices for customers with unpaid trips.  On January 1, 2021 it will reinstitute video toll rates (150%) for those customers who go through a toll facility without E-ZPass.  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

Expiring Background Checks for Hazmat Drivers. December 11, 2020

Last month the Transportation Security Administration extended the exemption for renewal of hazmat background checks through December 31, 2020.  This allows states to extend the expiration date of hazardous materials endorsements (HMEs) that expire between March 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020 for 180 days from the date when they were scheduled to expire if a background check has not been completed.  This means the expiration date is different for each driver.  For example, a driver with a HME that expired on July 1 would have 180 days from then to complete his background check and renew his HME.  Read More

2021 UCR Registration is Open! October 5, 2020

Registration for the 2021 UCR registration year opened on October 1, 2020.  Fees remain the same as they were for 2020 and are currently listed on the UCR website (www.ucr.gov).    As a reminder, all interstate for-hire and private motor carriers, as well as brokers, freight forwarders and leasing companies that operate in a participating UCR state are required to annually register and pay UCR fees.  Although Maryland is not a participating state, jurisdictions such as VA, PA, WV, and DE do participate. Therefore, if you travel into one of those states you are required to register and make payment.… Read More

FMCSA Extends Medical Certification Waiver! September 28, 2020

FMCSA just announced an extension for drivers with expiring medical qualifications due to the challenges of getting your medical certification completed during the pandemic.  Those drivers whose medical certifications expired after March 1 but before June 1 will have until October 31 to complete their medical exams. Drivers whose medical certifications expired after June 1 will have until December 31 to complete their medical exams. Go to www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/2020-09/NEDD%20on%20Expiring%20CDLs%20-%20FINAL%20-%20Sep%2018.pdf for the full announcement. Read More

Saum Elected MMTA Chairman of the Board September 25, 2020

On Thursday, September 24, Jack Saum was named the 79th Chairman of the Board of Maryland Motor Truck Association at the organization’s virtual annual meeting. Saum is the dealer principal of Beltway Companies, which operates 7 new and used truck dealerships in the Mid-Atlantic and provides leasing services through its Idealease of Baltimore location. Saum has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2013. He replaces 2019-2020 Chairman Armand Patella of Preferred Services.Also elected at the annual meeting were MMTA’s new Board of Directors and the Association’s Officers. The 2020-2021 Officers are: Chair: Jack Saum, Beltway Companies Vice… Read More

Legal Challenge to Hours of Service Filed. Rules Still Slated to Take Effect September 29, 2020! September 22, 2020

Less than two weeks before revised hours of service rules are set to take effect, a coalition of anti-trucking groups and the Teamsters union have filed a legal challenge in court.  On September 16, the groups filed a petition with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit seeking to invalidate the rule. However, unless an emergency stay is granted, the rules are still slated to become effective SEPTEMBER 29, 2020.  A summary of the changes is below.   Short-Haul Operations Extends drivers’ maximum on-duty period from 12 to 14 hours. Extends the air-mile radius within which… Read More

Email Phishing Scam is NOT FROM MMTA! September 21, 2020

This morning several of our members reported receiving an email that appeared to be from Maryland Motor Truck Association with the subject "Update Invoice!".  The email indicates that MMTA is going through an audit of our bank records and asks for certain financial records to be sent.  Please be advised that this email is not from MMTA.  It is being sent from an "andrk@earthlink.net" address.  A copy of the actual text is below.  We urge you to simply delete this message should you receive it. Thank you,Louis CampionPresident & CEOMaryland Motor Truck Association ************************************************************************************************************ Fake Phishing Email Text From: Maryland… Read More

Face Masks Now Required at Major Truck Stops August 24, 2020

In the last few weeks several major truck-stop operators announced new requirements aimed at stemming the spread of the coronavirus. Pilot, Love's, and TravelCenters of America all now require truck drivers to use face masks at the more than 1,500 facilities they operate across the United States. Read More

No More Cash Tolls in Maryland August 18, 2020

Earlier this week, the Maryland Transportation Authority announced that all-electronic (cashless) tolling is now permanent across Maryland.  Since the outbreak of COVID-19, no cash has been accepted at the state’s toll plazas.  The announcement means that Marylanders now must either use E-ZPass, video toll (which is a premium charge), or enroll in a new “pay-by-plate” system that will soon be available.  Using E-ZPass offers the best savings on tolls.  Companies who want to enroll in E-ZPass can do so directly through MMTA by contacting Dottie Duvall, dottie@mdtrucking.org.  Read More

COVID-19 Update Hub April 13, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic is a rapidly evolving situation with ramifications for the economy, interstate commerce and America's trucking industry. The American Trucking Associations has created a COVID-19 Update Hub at www.trucking.org/COVID19# to provide members and industry stakeholders with timely, fact-based information to answer frequently asked questions and address common challenges that arise from the pandemic and national response. The page is updated regularly with information and guidance provided by government officials and other stakeholders involved in response efforts.Items include information on: State Declarations: OS/OW, SDLA Closures, CDL Expiration, etc. Commercial Parking and Driver Facilities Federal Hours of Service Waivers Congressional Action: Emergency… Read More

Do Your Drivers Ever Need a Doctor While on the Road? December 2, 2019

MMTA is pleased to announce a new offer for members brought to you by Kelly & Associates.  Kelly has partnered with Teladoc to give our members special pricing to provide access to doctors via the internet or on the phone.  Your drivers can access a doctor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year from anywhere in the country.  Medications can even be prescribed from your virtual exam. Want to learn more?  Call Kelly at 443-589-1713, or go to www.mdtrucking.org/files/FinalTelaDoc.pdf. Read More

MMTA Members Now Save on Shell Lubricants! October 24, 2019

MMTA is pleased to announce its latest partnership with Shell Lubricants. Shell's coolants, engine oils and grease can help your company improve fuel economy, save on maintenance and increase equipment life. As an MMTA member, new Shell customers are eligible for special pricing with our purchasing program. Fill out the form at http://www.mdtrucking.org/files/ShellFlyerFinal.pdf and return it to MMTA to have your Shell representative contact you to discuss your product and pricing needs. Read More