Massachusetts RMV implements further credential extensions

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The Massachusetts RMV has implemented further extensions for expiring motor vehicle inspection stickers, passenger plate registrations, professional credentials, and licenses and permits, including Commercial Driver’s Licenses and Permits (CDLs / CLPs).

While 60-day extensions had already been implemented for most credentials, passenger plate registrations, and inspection stickers expired or expiring in March and April, this new action will apply the same 60-day extension to those expiring in May. Additionally, credentials expiring in March 2020 that previously were extended by 60 days will have an additional 60-day extension applied.

The following new changes are associated with commercial activities. Details on all of the extensions are available on the RMV’s COVID-19 information page.

  • All commercial and non-commercial driver’s licenses, ID cards, and Learner’s Permits that expire in May 2020 will now expire in July 2020 and do not need to be renewed at this time. Customers holding a license marked “Limited-Term” that has expired or will expire between March 1 and May 31, 2020 should visit Mass.Gov/RMV for more information and to check the validity of their credential.
  • The RMV also recently introduced an online renewal option for CDL holders if they are self-certified in the Non-Excepted Interstate (NI) category for medical certification.
  • In accordance with updated guidance from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), all CDL Medical Certificates expiring between March 1 and April 30, 2020 will not expire until June 30, 2020 and do not need to be renewed at this time. Extensions to CDL Medical Certificates are intended to prevent license downgrades and elective medical visits, as well as alleviate demand on medical providers, during the State of Emergency.
  • Professional credentials for School Bus Certificates, School Pupil Transport Licenses (7D), Inspector Licenses, Inspection Station Licenses, Driving Instructor Licenses and Driving School Licenses that expire in May 2020 will be extended for 90 days after the State of Emergency is lifted and do not need to be renewed at this time.

TAM continues trucking industry legislative support

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The Trucking Association of Massachusetts (TAM) remains busy on the legislative and regulatory fronts during these unique times surrounding the COVID19 response.  On the regulatory side, TAM has been in regularly communication with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and its related divisions of MassHighway and the Registry of Motor Vehicles.

Whether talking about the renewal of CDLs, medical cards, weight restrictions or routing, MassDOT and its divisions have been responsive and timely. Many thanks to the hard working men and women of MassDOT, MassHighway and the Registry of Motor Vehicles who have continued to support the trucking industry during this time.

In addition to regular outreach to a variety of state agencies, TAM has continued to push forward with its non-COVID19 related efforts so that when the Massachusetts legislature is able to renew its focus on non-COVID19 related matters, we can continue our progress forward.

To this point, TAM has discovered that the new “normal” of conference calls and video-conferencing has continued to allow us to “meet” with legislators.  In the past two weeks alone, we have been able to discuss the rolling stock initiative with Senator John Keenan, Chair, Senate Post Audit Committee; Senator Joan Lovely, Asst. Majority Leader; Senator Diane DiZoglio, Senate Chair, Joint Committee on Community Development, (Chief of Staff) and Senator Harriet Chandler, Senate President Emerita (Budget Director). As we continue to educate legislators about the rolling stock initiative, feedback continues to be positive.

As well, TAM continues to work with legislators on the Governor’s legislation to revise the laws governing CDLs. As you may recall, TAM identified four areas for potential amendment to address minimum driving ages, types of infractions preventing the acquisition of a CDL; the treatment of students currently in truck driver training schools and the use of the driver verification systems.

TAM continues its work on COVID19 and non-COVID19 regulatory and legislative matters before the Massachusetts legislature and state agencies.  As a reminder, if there are COVID19 related statutory or regulatory issues that are impacting your ability to work within the Commonwealth, please let TAM know.

Trucking industry leaders named to White House economic revival group

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Press release from the American Trucking Association, April 15. Administration Calls on Industry Leaders to Chart Path Forward.

Arlington, Virginia – American Trucking Associations President and CEO Chris Spear is among the selection of transportation leaders named by President Trump to the administration’s Great American Economic Revival initiative, which is convening bipartisan groups of industry leaders from across all sectors of the U.S. economy. These groups will work with the White House to chart the path forward for the economy as it rebounds from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I am honored to serve our President and the nation in this capacity, representing the trucking industry and joining four ATA member company CEO’s, to bridge this crisis to a safe, speedy and full recovery,” said Spear. “Just as they have during the mitigation and response efforts, truckers will be at the forefront as we revive our economy’s engine and get our country moving again. No industry will be more vital, and we embrace the opportunity to play a leading role in this national effort.”

The following trucking CEOs were also named to the administration’s transportation group:

  • Fred Smith, FedEx
  • David Abney, UPS
  • John Roberts III, J.B. Hunt
  • Darren Hawkins, YRC Worldwide

Trucking is the central link in the United States’ supply chain, moving more than 70 percent of the nation’s freight tonnage. More than 80% of U.S. communities depend solely on trucking for delivery of their goods and commodities. In 2018, the trucking industry hauled 11.49 billion tons of the nation’s goods.

Throughout the mitigation and response phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, truckers continue to serve on the frontlines, delivering food, PPE, medicine and other essential supplies to meet the needs of medical professionals, first responders and the American people.

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TAM partners with Aunt Flow

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COVID-19 Disposable medical maskWe recently partnered with Aunt Flow to provide much needed masks to our industry. To say this is a unique collaboration would be an understatement and we wanted to be sure to say “thank you” and give you a little background on their company. Special thanks to Jen Severns for helping us put this together so quickly.

Aunt Flow was founded in 2016 by Claire Coder. At the time, Coder was 18-years-old, a college drop-out, and had a vision to ensure everyone had access to basic necessities. While Aunt Flow started out manufacturing menstrual products and selling to Fortune 100 and 500 companies, the business has expanded to PPE.

“At Aunt Flow, it is our primary goal to help. We call this people helping people. PERIOD®” said Claire Coder.  When COVID19 was on the rise, Coder decided to make the risky switch to moving all of their supply chain resources to production of masks and other PPE.

Now, the woman-owned company, based in Columbus, Ohio, is supporting millions in need of PPE, ranging from Veterans Affairs to the State of Michigan to Truckers in Massachusetts.

Aunt Flow is a registered FDA importer and supplies: 100 percent organic cotton tampons and pads, 3-ply masks, ISO gowns, booties and sanitizers.

Hashtag: #ThankATrucker

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What seems like a lifetime ago but in reality was only about three weeks ago, I was leaving my local supermarket and saw a truck near the back of the lot with the driver outside the vehicle taking a breather. I stopped to introduce myself and spent a few minutes with Dave, a trucker from J&R Schugel based in Minnesota.

He had just dropped off 40,000 pounds of oats north of Boston and was waiting for his next assignment. Seconds later his phone rang and he was heading to Devens, Massachusetts to pick up another load.

I did not get his last name, and I should have, but I can only imagine where he has traveled over the last three weeks. Our worlds have changed so much but drivers like Dave just “Keep on Truckin.”

Thanks to Dave and everyone else on the road and behind the scenes keeping things moving. #ThankATrucker

RMV introduces online CDL renewal option

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From the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles.

The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) continues to thoroughly review its licensing protocols and credential requirements to identify additional measures that can be implemented to reduce non-essential travel, reduce the need for customers to visit RMV Service Centers, and ensure proper “social-distancing” can take place under Governor Charlie Baker’s declaration of a State of Emergency the week of March 9.

The following new changes to service delivery and organizational protocols are now or are about to be in place…

  • Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) holders are now able to renew their licenses online if they are self-certified in the Non-Excepted Interstate (NI) category for medical certification.

Reminders concerning previously announced changes have also been posted online, including…

Driver’s licenses, ID cards, and Learner’s Permits, including Commercial Driver’s Licenses & Permits (CDL/CLP), that have expired or are expiring between March 1, 2020, and April 30, 2020, have had a 60-day extension applied to the current expiration date and do not need to be renewed at this time. Customers holding a license or ID marked “Limited-Term” that expired between March 1 to April 30 should visit Mass.gov/RMV for more information and to check the validity of their credential. CDL Medical Certificates that expire on or after March 1 until April 30will be extended until June 30 to prevent license downgrades and elective medical visits, as well as alleviate demand on medical providers.

The full post from the RMV can be accessed online here.

 

FMCSA extends, expands emergency declaration

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The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued notice it is extending Emergency Declaration No. 2020-002 issued March 13, and expanded on March 26.

The declaration continues the exemption granted from Parts 390 through 399 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for the fifty States and the District of Columbia.

This declaration extends the exemption through May 15, 2020, and further expands the relief expressly to cover liquefied gases to be used in refrigeration or cooling systems.

The declaration – dated April 8 – is available as a downloadable PDF.

Free gas for first responders on April 10

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Harry Patel, the owner of Harry’s Mobil in Lowell, Massachusetts will be offering free fill-ups to all first responders including doctors, nurses, law enforcement and firefighters on Friday, April 10 starting at 6 a.m. Proper ID will need to be shown.

In support of this effort, long-time TAM member J&S Transport will be waiving all delivery fees during this event in support of Mr. Patel and the local community. They will have a truck on-site to replenish fuel as needed during the day.

Kudos to Mr. Patel, and John and Sharon Hamel from J&S Transport.

Harry’s Mobil is located at 1460 Middlesex Street in Lowell.

FAQs – Paycheck Protection Program loans

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As a follow-up to our April 7 teleconference, the Small Business Administration (SBA) has provided a list of frequently asked questions concerning Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. The information is current as of April 8.

The SBA, in consultation with the Department of the Treasury, intends to provide timely additional guidance to address borrower and lender questions concerning the implementation of the PPP, established by section 1102 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.

TAM will monitor for release of related documents and additional information, and will continue to provide updates.

OSHA Posters & Info: COVID-19 guidance for the workplace

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For employers, particularly those providing essential services, the United States Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) has issued a new poster listing steps all workplaces can take to reduce the risk of exposure to coronavirus.

The poster highlights 10 infection prevention measures every employer can implement to protect workers’ safety and health during the coronavirus pandemic. Safety measures include encouraging sick workers to stay home; establishing flexible worksites and staggered work shifts; discouraging workers from using other workers’ phones, desks and other work equipment; and using Environmental Protection Agency-approved cleaning chemicals with label claims against the coronavirus.

Copies of this and other new OSHA documents can be found on the OSHA website.