MMTA Member NewsView Archived News

MMTA’s Consortium can help with Your Drug Testing Needs! November 10, 2022

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

Upcoming Events October 28, 2022

***********************************Who is Maryland's SAFEST 2022 driver? MMTA is now accepting 2022 Drivers of the Month/Year nominations! Nomination form  Here's your chance to reward your driver's hard work and dedication!!!!  Does he/she help the community? Have recommendation letters for service and going beyond the call of duty? Have an accident free driving record? Entry Deadline: December 9, 2022! Don’t sell your driver short! Submit a high quality nomination! Questions? Email Brenda Tharp at brenda@mdtrucking.org or call 410-644-4600   *********************************** 2022 Western MD Legislative Dinner Dec 7 *** 6pm COST: $70 per person (Advance Payment Preferred) Bar Sponsors: Frederick Brick Works Lightning Transportation Mark's Equipment… Read More

Baumgart Elected New MMTA Chairman September 28, 2022

On September 27, 2022, Eric Baumgart was named the 80th Chairman of the Board of Maryland Motor Truck Association at the organization’s annual meeting in Ellicott City, MD.Baumgart is the Director of Operations, Corporate Safety & Compliance for Carroll Motor Fuels, a 4th generation, family owned and operated commercial petroleum business based out of Baltimore, Maryland that was founded in 1907.He replaces 2020-2022 Chairman Jack Saum of Beltway Companies.Also elected at the annual meeting were MMTA’s new Board of Directors and the Association’s Officers. The 2022-2023 Officers are: Chair: Eric Baumgart, Carroll Motor Fuels Vice Chair: Scott Pauchnik, FedEx Secretary:… Read More

Make Sure You Pay Your Highway Use Tax if Operating in New York September 28, 2022

Recently one MMTA member was cited for not paying the New York state highway use tax (HUT). New York imposes the HUT on motor carriers operating qualified motor vehicles on its public highways (excluding toll-paid portions of the New York State Thruway).  HUT certificates of registration are required for any truck, tractor, or other self-propelled vehicle with a gross weight over 18,000 pounds. An automotive fuel carrier (AFC) certificate of registration is required for any truck, trailer, or semi-trailer transporting automotive fuel. You must also affix a decal to each vehicle that is required to have a certificate of registration… 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

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

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

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

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