MMTA Member NewsView Archived News

Upcoming Events February 17, 2023

***********************************Topic: Compliance SeminarVirtual: TBD *** 9:30 AMIn person: March 16, 2023 *** 9:30 AMSummary: 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 inspections, DataQ procedures, and safety review procedures. Cost: --per person-- $100 for MMTA members, $200 for non-membersOnline RegistrationPrintable RegistrationSessions sponsored by J. J. Keller.***********************************Topic: Drug/Alcohol WebinarVirtual: TBD *** 9:30 AMIn person: Apr. 20, 2023 *** 9:30 AMSummary: DOT regulations require ALL supervisors of drivers to be trained in drug and alcohol testing rules. This seminar meets all DOT training requirements!  It includes all materials… Read More

Pitt Ohio's Kahl is 2023 Driver of the Year January 27, 2023

On January 26, 2023 Ricky Kahl of Pitt Ohio was named Maryland’s truck driver of the year by the Maryland State Police. Kahl was one of 12 drivers recognized by Maryland Motor Truck Association as the 2022 Drivers of the Month, with the State Police choosing him from among the 12 winners as the Driver of the Year. Kahl has driven for 33 years, traveling over 3 million safe miles. The combined records of the Drivers of the Month equal 287 years of experience and over 18 million miles of safe driving. Congratulations to all of our winners for their… Read More

Fleet Safety Contest Winners January 27, 2023

On January 26, 2023 MMTA announced the winners of its fleet safety contest at the Association's annual Safety Awards Banquet. They were: 0 - 250,000 Miles Division - Digging & Rigging II 250,001 - 500,000 Miles Division - Comer Construction 500,001 – 1,000,000 Miles Division - Town & Country Movers Over 1,000,000 Miles Division - Pitt Ohio Pitto Ohio received the grand trophy for having the lowest accident frequency rate among all winners. Congratulations to all of our companies for their outstanding safety records! Read More

MMTA Grassroots Effort. Which Elected Leaders do You Know? January 11, 2023

From the Governor down, dozens of new elected officials will soon be taking office in Annapolis. As part of MMTA’s efforts to continue providing power advocacy for trucking, we are embarking on a grassroots strategy to identify relationships members have with their elected officials. Your outreach to a key senator or delegate that you know can be the difference in a vote on an important industry issue. Therefore, we are asking all members who have relationships with their elected officials to please submit them to MMTA President Louis Campion, louis@mdtrucking.org. Please provide the following: Your name and company List the… Read More

Previous Employer Drug & Alcohol Testing Query Changes January 6, 2023

On January 6, 2023, three years of violation data will be stored in the FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse. Therefore prospective employers will no longer have to conduct manual inquiries with a CDL driver’s past employers; the query of the Clearinghouse will satisfy that requirement and will be the sole source for drug and alcohol histories.   However, if a prospective employee was subject to drug and alcohol testing by a U.S. Dept. of Transportation mode other than FMCSA (e.g., Federal Railroad Administration, Federal Transit Administration, Federal Aviation Administration), prospective employers will still have to request drug and alcohol violation… Read More

Trucks with 2009 and Older Engines No Longer Allowed in California December 29, 2022

Beginning January 1, 2023, California will implement the final phase of its Truck and Bus Regulation. On that date, only trucks with 2010 or newer diesel engines may operate in the state. Noncompliant trucks registered in California will be notified as part of their registration renewal, while enforcement against trucks registered outside the state will be through roadside inspections. Fleets and brokers should ensure any contract freight is compliant with this regulation. Read More

Reminder - Connecticut Highway User Fee Starts January 1, 2023 December 29, 2022

Starting January 1, 2023, Connecticut will impose a new Highway Use Fee on carriers operating vehicles weighing 26,000 lbs. or more. The fee is calculated based on a vehicle’s weight and number of miles driven in the state. It ranges from 2.5 cents per mile to 17.5 cents per mile. The first Highway Use Fee Return is by February 28, 2023. Carriers traveling in the state must register with the CT Department of Revenue Services by January 1. Go to https://portal.ct.gov/DRS/Businesses/Highway-Use-Fee/HUF.  Read More

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

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