April 2026

FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ADMINISTRATION - FMCSA

A leading safety audit violation is "Failing to use the correct method to log hours of service," often due to not using an ELD when necessary.

A frequent critical violation identified during an audit is "False reports of records of duty status," which occurs when a driver has a fuel receipt indicating refueling at a specific location, but the ELD records show the driver as off-duty.

If a driver does not have a valid DOT physical, they will now be taken out of service.

A bill is presently under consideration in the House to raise the insurance coverage for the trucking sector. If enacted, the bill would elevate the minimum insurance requirement for interstate motor carriers from $750,000 to $5 million. This new threshold reflects inflation and the current costs of medical care and other related expenses.

The bill also would index the new minimum insurance requirement to inflation. This provision ensures that financial protection for crash victims does not erode over time, keeping pace with rising health care costs and other expenses.

Starting April 1, 2026, any driver found tampering with their electronic logging device or records will be placed out of service. If an inspector finds that such tampering prevents reconstructing a driver’s actual schedule, the driver will be removed from service. The DOT has discovered cases where drivers were driving while logged as being in the sleeper berth, carriers or drivers creating false ELD accounts, and fuel receipts that don't align with the logs. The mandatory Out Of Service period is 10 hours, and in certain states, this is considered a criminal violation and may lead to criminal charges.

Investigators are focusing on "Principal Place of Business" fraud, where numerous carriers use the same P.O. box or virtual office address. Carriers must now maintain a physical location where records can be reviewed within 48 hours.

Neither individuals nor companies are permitted to sell, buy, or lease a USDOT number or MC number anymore.

Sole Proprietors: The USDOT number is permanently associated with the individual owner. If you sell your business, the purchaser cannot use your number; they must obtain their own.

Corporations and LLC's: The number is associated with the corporation itself. If the legal entity is sold or undergoes a change in ownership, the number can still remain the same, but the FMCSA records must be promptly updated with the new officer and demographic details.

Mergers & Dissolutions: When a company is dissolved or merges into a new legal entity, the original USDOT number must be designated as "out-of-business," and a new number must be acquired for the ongoing company.

2026 COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SAFETY ALLIANCE - CVSA’s ROADCHECK

CVSA’s Roadcheck is scheduled from May 12th to 14th this year. International Roadcheck is the world's largest targeted enforcement initiative for commercial motor vehicles, with approximately 15 trucks and motorcoaches inspected every minute on average across North America during the 72-hour period. Enforcement officers will conduct a 37-step inspection process that covers two main areas: checking the driver's operating requirements and evaluating the vehicle's mechanical condition.

This year's International Roadcheck is concentrating on the tampering, falsification, or manipulation of electronic logging devices (ELDs). During inspections, the inspector will examine the driver's duty status records as usual, paying particular attention to any false or manipulated entries, with an emphasis on ELD tampering.

The inspector will examine the seat belt's condition and confirm that the driver is correctly wearing and fastening it. Note: All occupants of the commercial motor vehicle, including passengers and co-drivers, are required to have their seat belts fastened.

The driver's general condition will be monitored for signs of illness, fatigue, or other impairments.

The inspector will check for any passengers without authorization.

The inspector will examine for the unlawful presence of alcohol, drugs, or other prohibited items.

Inspectors will check the driver’s medical examiner’s certificate and skill performance evaluation certificate (if applicable) and verify their validity. The inspector will also check for corrective lenses, hearing aids, and any other physical limitations indicated on the driver’s license.

Drivers must have their duty status records and supporting documents prepared. If using an electronic logging device, drivers need to be familiar with its operation and capable of completing the tasks requested by the inspector. Upon request, the driver must transmit the records. The inspector will confirm the driver’s hours of service and ensure the record’s accuracy.

The vehicles will undergo a Level 1 inspection, which encompasses brake systems; cargo securement; coupling devices; driveline/driveshaft; exhaust systems; frames; fuel systems; lighting devices (including headlamps, tail lamps, stop lamps, turn signals, and lamps/flags on projecting loads); steering mechanisms; suspensions; tires; van and open-top trailer bodies; wheels, rims, and hubs; windshield wipers. For buses, motorcoaches, passenger vans, or other passenger-carrying vehicles, the inspection covers emergency exits, electrical cables and systems in engine and battery compartments, seating, and HM/DG and specification cargo tank requirements, as applicable. Items requiring HM/DG inspection will only be assessed by certified HM/DG and cargo tank inspectors, as necessary.

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Our Drug Testing Consortium utilizes electronic chain of custody forms whenever possible for pre-employment and post-accident drug testing nationwide, eliminating the need to send a paper form.

To arrange the test, we require the driver's name, the CDL issuing state, CDL license number, date of birth, and the zip code where you wish to have the test scheduled.

Our office will generally receive the results in 1-2 business days. Please contact our office if you would like to establish our drug testing service.

Results are typically received by our office within 1-2 business days. Please reach out to our office if you wish to set up our drug testing service.

GEORGIA

Georgia is presently observing a fuel tax holiday from March 20 to May 19 and 11:59 PM, during which no state fuel tax will be collected. When filing IFTA tax returns, the fuel bought in Georgia during this period should still be included in the average miles per gallon calculation, but no tax can be claimed on the return.

NEW JERSEY

Carriers using company, owner-operated, or leased vehicles to transport freight in New Jersey are required to register with the NJ Division of Revenue. The registration process is mandatory for all individuals, corporations, and LLCs. While individuals and limited liability companies can register without a fee, corporations are subject to a $125 filing fee. Additionally, every registered company must file the state's Annual Report each year.

Limited liability companies and corporations are required to file an annual corporation business tax if they pick up or drop off freight. The minimum tax amount is $500 annually. The state is applying this tax to out-of-state carriers and is requiring them to file back taxes. Carriers are facing vehicle impoundment for failing to register in the state and pay this business tax.

All carriers are required to inform us about their activities in the state, enabling us to assess the requirements for their company.

PENNSYLVANIA

The deadline for the 2025 Pennsylvania Corporate Net Income Tax is April 15, 2025. All corporations and Limited Liability companies are obligated to pay the state’s income tax. The franchise tax component has been removed. The corporate income tax rate is now lowered to 8.49 percent of the apportioned taxable income. The 2025 tax forms will not be mailed out; they must be accessed online or by contacting the state. For carriers for whom we are filing, the following information is required:

Corporations - your federal tax return for 2025.

Limited liability companies - your partnership return or Schedule C, profit and loss, and balance statements for 2025.

If you have any questions, contact our office.

New Dashcams Available

Streamline your fleet's compliance and significantly boost safety with a comprehensive solution from Humphrey Transportation Compliance, LLC, your authorized Geotab reseller.

We offer Geotab's award-winning telematics platform combined with the advanced Geotab GO Device and GO Focus AI forward-facing dashcam – providing complete visibility into compliance, operations, and safety, all within a single system.

Simplify Compliance & Operations with Geotab:

• Effortless Compliance: Meet DOT requirements for Electronic Logs (ELDs), pre/post-trip inspections (DVIRs), and satisfy IFTA/IRP mileage record keeping.

• Reduce Paperwork: Digitize logs and inspections.

• Vehicle Insights: Access truck diagnostic codes and detailed fuel usage reports.

• Boost Productivity: Utilize risk, safety, and productivity reporting tools.

• Flexible & Easy: Use your smartphone or tablet (BYOD compatible) with a quick and simple device installation via the OBDII port.

  
  

Enhance Safety with the Integrated GO Focus AI Dashcam:

• Proactive Collision Reduction: AI detects tailgating, forward collision risks, and lane departures, providing alerts to help prevent incidents.

• Privacy-Focused Design: Features a road-facing lens only and records only crucial event footage (collisions, tailgating, driver button press) – no intrusive monitoring.

• Lower Costs & Liability: Event-specific video aids in driver exoneration and can help reduce accident-related costs and insurance premiums.

• Seamless Integration: Access ELD, GPS, diagnostics, and dashcam footage within your MyGeotab platform.

  
  

Your Partner in Success:

Humphrey Transportation Compliance is your main point of contact. We handle the hardware order, database setup, and custom report building, and help configure rules tailored to your fleet's needs.

Affordable & Flexible:

We offer flexible options with no long-term contracts required for our Dashcam, ELD, and mileage tracking services. Contact us for additional information.