TalkCDL Trucking Podcast

CDL EXAMINER ARRESTED HANDING OUT CDL'S. A Pennsylvania CDL Examiner was arrested after gave passing grades to Class A CDL driver without taking the test. According to arrest records, Roberto Correas was charged with wire fraud with the alleged charges. Correas allegedly provided a pre-signed CDL skills exam score sheets to a co-conspirator, who then also allegedly would complete the sheets with passing grades for drivers who did not actually take the test to fraudulently qualify them for CDLs. Correas also allegedly conducted CDL skills tests for a company, and applicants paid $275 for each exam. Correas did not submit those payments to the company and kept the money, supposably. Trucker shot in the face by passing motorist A truck driver was traveling on Interstate 95 in the Richmond Hills Georgia. He passed a Blue Ford Focus but moments later the car caught up to the victim. As the car was passing the trucker, a person leaned out of the window branching a rifle. The perpetrator then shot and struck the trucker in the face. The truck driver said that the incident happened while moving at a rate of 70mph. The truck driver managed to stop at a truck stop where he called police. After examination by EMS, it appears that the weapon used was a BB gun. If you have any information about this incident please contact the State Police in Georgia. 54 People Killed when a Tractor-Trailer wrecks Chiapas, Mexico: On December 9th 2021 in Southern Mexico, a semi truck crashed carrying over 200 migrants. The truck was traveling at a high rate of speed when it failed to negotiate a curve. The truck rolled over, sliding into a concrete pedestrian bridge and a construction zone nearby.  TalkCDL's New Facebook Group Find our all new Facebook TalkCDL Trucking Podcast Group and join. You can post videos and pics. We are also wanting everyone to post any emergencies or traffic problems. We will be trying to keep everyone alerted to and problems ahead.

TEN DEADLIEST HOLIDAYS TO TRAVEL. In the United States, holidays means one thing, Celebration and celebration means alcohol and travel. We have the top ten holidays that are deadly for travel. You won't believe which holiday did not make the list. The list was compiled by Dale E. Anstine and attorney at law. Here is the bottom five holidays but you will have to tune into this weeks podcast to find out the rest of the list. * Cinco De Mayo* Veterans Day* Halloween* Mothers Day* Fathers Day Eyes on 94 DOT Blitz Troopers across 4 states are teaming up in effort targeting commercial drivers next week. The "eyes on 94" commercial vehicle enforcement operation will take place Dec. 6th thru the 10th, 2021. The real it will cover are all along I94 in Illinois, Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. Trooper will be specifically watching for violations that can contribute to a crash. Such violations are, following too closely, improper lane usage, speeding and improper passing. For more of this story head on over to CDL Life and check it out for yourself. 2021 Nebraska trucker of the year This year's Nebraska trucker of the year is Raymond "Joe" Brooks Jr. also known as animal. Brooks has driven four million accident free mikes in his life. He said he gets more pleasure from delivering wreaths across America. You can check out this story here. * Free Download Load-smart Owner Operator Load Calculator* JJ Keller the Truckers Secretary* Hiring Lease Purchase Drivers* Hiring Class A and B Local Company Drivers home every day* Trucking Companies Cheating ELD’s* High Schoolers now have Trucking Class* Trucking Companies Not To Work For

GREAT GIFTS TO BUY FOR YOUR TRUCKER. We have this years gift ideas for truckers. How about a new memory foam mattress for that hard working trucker in your life. Or how about a pair of compression socks for that long haul driver in your life? Thats right. A pair of compression socks can mean the difference between your trucker getting blood clots and eventually swelling allot from sitting in one place for hours at a time. Tune into this weeks podcast and hear all the gifts that made the list this year. Trucker sets new record A truck driver recently set a new record for the most amount of drugs attempted to smuggle. Check out this story how a trucker crossed the boarder with huge amounts of Fentanyl and Meth. Thats not all this story has to offer. Listen to the ironic reasons this crazy driver gave authorities and how he will be getting sn extended stay in the local jail. Trucker Smuggles 91 migrants across the boarder Would you believe that a truck driver did not know what he was hauling? Would you also believe he was paid a whopping $350 to haul 91 people in the back of his tractor-trailer to San Antonio? Yeah, neither did we haha. Tune in and hear this whacky story that could only come from trucker land. United States to require vaccines for truckers crossing the boarder President Joe Biden has initiated a new law requiring that all essential workers, crossing the boarders into the United States be vaccinated. All foreign truck drivers must show proof of vaccination. Please tune into the show to hear the rest of this story and more on this weeks episode of "Great gifts to buy for your Trucker" * NCI Hiring Lease Purchase Drivers* Carter Lumber Hiring Class A and Class B LOCAL Home Every Day Truck Drivers* JJ Keller The Truckers Secretary* Trucking Companies Cheating ELD’s* High Schoolers now have Trucking Class* Trucking Companies Not To Work For

TRUCKING COMPANIES CHEATING ELD'S. There are plenty of trucking companies that are erasing driver logs in order to give the drivers fresh hours to run on. When interviewing drivers, we have been told several times that their company will reset their hours so that a load can be delivered and a fresh load can be picked up. Although a carrier may reset the logs and show on their end that driver is compliant. The main company that holds the driver logs has record of everything that goes on. This will prove to be a carriers downfall if a D.O.T. audit takes place on the log company itself. The log companies records will not match up with said carriers, resulting in huge fines. Ed Durr a trucker from New Jersey just became a law maker in the senate Edward Durr a 25 year truck driver, spent less than $200 on his campaign and beat a long standing senator. Durr beat Steve Sweeney the senate president and has become senator-elect. Now that the trucking industry has a voice in the senate, we are in hopes that someone will finally give truck drivers a break. Truck Driver Fired for refusing to run over on hours A Houston trucking company crane masters will have to pay the former driver $24,000 in total for back wages and interest. The surface transportation assistance act was created to protect truck drivers from being bullied into driving tired and over the regulated hours. You can read the full story here. Ruthann's joke of the day How does a cucumber become a pickle? Answer: They go thru a jarring experience! TalkCDL Trucking Podcast To follow us just go to www.talkcdl.com and click on the subscribe button. You can also follow us on our Facebook page. Twitter users can find us here. * NCI hiring Purchase Drivers Newer Kenworth T680's* Carter Lumber Hiring Local Class A and Class B drivers east of the Mississippi* The truckers secretary JJ Keller can keep any size fleet organized and up to date* High Schoolers now have Trucking Class* Trucking Advice An Interview with miss Eugenia* Trucking Companies Not To Work For

High Schoolers now have Trucking Class. We recently sat down and interviewed a teacher from Patterson High School in Patterson California. Along with David Dein, Teacher, Instructor and former Trucker himself, he was joined by Lindsey Trent, President of the Next Generation In Trucking Association. Mentor to Trucking. Back in the day when a man could teach his grandson or his own child how to drive a tractor trailer, he could also help him get a job driving for a living. But today it is allot different. Insurance companies rule the industry and dictate who can drive. Having a mentor was almost a thing of the past until now. Patterson High School is changing the way boys and girls at the senior level are getting started In the trucking industry. They now have a class that teaches everything about being a trucker. They teach all things from road hazards to all safety aspects. of the industry, they even teach CB language. Thats right, these kids know what "Hammer down, Smokey, Chicken house and Yard Stick mean. Dein is teaching these kids how to be a man or a woman that navigates safely and productively. Dein told us the most important thing to him is that these kids are pursuing this career because its "what they want to do". He explained how, money will come to the ones that are in it for the lifestyle and not the money itself. Dein seemed to have great heart in wanting his students to succeed in the industry that he himself fell in love with years ago. HIGH SCHOOLERS NOW HAVE TRUCKING CLASS. Tune in and hear this intriguing interview with Dein and Trent. Lindsey also shares that great passion for these youngsters and has a no quit attitude when it comes to promoting the future of these kids and the industry itself. We will be checking in to see where this new approach to helping grow the ever growing "driver shortage in America". This is our opinion has a great chance of being a great solution to this huge problem. TalkCDL Trucking Podcast Interviews If you are in the trucking industry and you have something that might be of interest to our audience, please write to Ruthann@TalKCDL.com and tell us what you would like to talk about. If you have recent pictures or videos that you have taken yourself, please send them to Troy@TalkCDL.com or if the file is too big, please send us your email address and we will send you a file request from Dropbox. * Carter Lumber hiring Local Class A and Class B Drivers* National Carriers looking for Lease Purchase Drivers* JJ Keller keeping small trucking companies organized * High School Trucking Class* Trucking Advice An Interview with miss Eugenia* Trucking Companies Not To Work For

WHEN TRUCKERS ATTACK TRUCKERS. A truck driver pulls in the wrong way at a truck stop. Another truck driver is coming out of the truck stop where the first driver is trying to pull in. Words are exchanged and both men get out of their trucks. More words are said and one driver retrieves a sword from his truck, swinging it at the first driver. One man is in the hospital and one man goes to jail. In another incident, two truckers are at a receiver. They get into an argument. One man is dead and the other is in prison for a very long time. This happens more often than most realize. Maybe not as extreme but every day truckers get into kittle fights with each other and t could end deadly. What is the best thing one can do while over the road? Number one, leave when you spot trouble. Number two, be alert to your surroundings. Truck Driver receives a DUI In White Plains truck driver Billy Robinson, 55, of Inwood, NY was given a DUI after he was tested positive for Alcohol with a level of 0.24% blood alcohol. He was released to a sober third party and must appear in court 11/19/21 A letter from the ATA The letter below was sent to one of our friends at a major trucking company. It outlines the issue of the mandatory vaccination Dear ATA members:We have outstanding news to share this morning regarding the vaccine mandate Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) that OSHA released yesterday.  We have received indications from senior Department of Labor officials that the exception for employees who exclusively work outdoors or remotely and have minimal contact with others indoors does exempt solo truck drivers from the mandate. Furthermore, Labor Secretary Marty Walsh is on record saying so. ATA will continue to advocate for the broader workforce as well.While we complete our due diligence to confirm this fact through official channels, this appears to be a major victory for ATA and our membership.  This is a result of our pressure campaign during the rulemaking process and all of your help as ATA drafted our comments and strategy.We continue to believe that OSHA is using an extraordinary authority unwisely and applying it across all industries at an arbitrary threshold of 100 employees in a way that fails to take into account the actual risks. ATA will continue to consider potential legal action to protect all segments of our workforce from this misguided mandate.We will be back in touch with you shortly regarding official confirmation from the Department of Labor, an updated tool kit to use for your workforce and our next steps.Thank you for your support, as always. We're happy to be able to share this great news with you this morning. TalkCDL Trucking Podcast Upcoming Interviews We are booked for the month of November for interviews but would love to schedule more in December. If you are wanting to be on the show please write Ruthann@TalkCDL.com or Troy@TalkCDL.com and let us know what you would like to tap about. * JJ Keller the truckers Secretary * National Carriers Hiring Solo Lease Purchase Drivers* Carter Lumber Hiring Local Class A and Class B Drivers* Trucker Stand Trucker*

7 BEST SEMI TRUCK Brands. OK so you probably know which semi-trucks are on the list of "7 best semi truck sales". Volvo, International, Mack, Western Star Kenworth Freight Liner and Peterbilt. But do you know what order the fall in? You might be surprised with great gear reviews list of best semi truck brands list. The list is made up of how it impacts the industry according to side and truck sales. So tune into this weeks podcast and hear the fun. Trucker Killed by Police In Pennsylvania up on Interstate 80 inside a east area, a trucker was shot and killed by police. PA State police were responding to a robbery call and had to surround a semi truck at a rest area. The truck driver allegedly charged the police, hitting their squad cars, which at that time police fired their weapons, hitting and killing the trucker. Carter Lumber hiring Class A and B Local driver across the country * NCI Hiring Lease Purchase Drivers* JJ Keller the Truckers Secretary * Trucking Advice An Interview with miss Eugenia* Trucking Companies Not To Work For* Trucking news with ruthann* Two Trucking DUI StoriesTrucking’s white elephant and stuff TalkCDL Interviews. If you wish to be on the show please write to Ruthann@talkcdl.com and tells us a little something about you. Please include your contact number and the best time to get a hold of you.

VACCINE'S FOR TRUCKERS PLUS DRIVER KILLS MAN. If you are working for. trucking company with more than 100 employee's, chances are you have been told you will need to get the Covid Vaccine. All across America drivers are talking about wether they will get the "jab" of not. Some say they will but many have a problem with being told they have to. A noticeable amount of doctors, nurses, EMS workers and health care workers are refusing the jab because of concerns that they may not be safe or effective, according to a survey by Surgo Ventures, a non-profit group focused on solving health and social problems. So if doctors and medical field people are afraid of the shot, then shouldn't the rest of us be concerned? People across the country including truckers, are saying they will quit their job before they are forced to receive the vaccine. Trucker Claims Self Defense after shooting a man in WV. WILLIAMSON, W.Va. Was the scene of a road rage gone bad. According to a criminal complaint, 66-year old James Armstrong, the truckers, fired his gun at the other man, 51-year old Eric Sammons, during a confrontation. The complaint says that Sammons blocked the semi truck at an intersection and proceeded to walk back towards the semi-truck screaming and cussing. Witness account said Sammons was making threatening comments. Armostrongs Lawer said that his client never even opened the door. Allegedly Sammons opened the door of the Semi and that is when Armstrong pulled the trigger. Sammons died at the scene. Armstrong was charged with 2nd degree murder. TalkCDL Trucking Podcast Interviews We are looking for people in the trucking industry to appear on the show. If you have the desire to come onto the show and hang out with us, then write to ruthann@talkcdl.com and lets get you on the podcast. * National Carriers Hiring Solo, Teams and Students and Lease Purchase Drivers* Carter Lumber 166 locations hiring Local Truckers Home Every Day* JJ Keller the TRUCKERS secretary * Trucking Advice An Interview with miss Eugenia* Trucking Companies Not To Work ForTrucking news with ruthann* Sick of Trucking News* Two Trucking DUI Stories

SEMI VS TRAIN PLUS TRUCKER STUFF. A trucker was convicted on 27 counts that killed four people in a horrible wreck in Colorado. CDLLife is running an article about Rogel Lazaro Aguilera-Mederos, a truck driver that is facing allot of prison time when he is sentenced. To read the entire article please head on over to CDL-Life and enjoy. Trucker Stuff This week on TalkCDL Trucking Podcast, Ruthann and Troy talked about everything from the all battery Freight Liner fleet to a semi truck that was stuck on a Railroad track. Ultimately the semi truck lost. Some how the video was not clear whether the trucker was already stuck before the lights went off on the crossing guard or if he tried to beat the lights. Either way, a car-hauler is built low and one must be always watching for obstacles that the bottom can be hung up on. The video was brutal and can be found here. TalkCDL News We were invited to appear on "Just Another Trucking Podcast", which is just another trucking podcast haha! This podcast is across the pond and is more of a comedy for truckers. Watch for us to make our debut with the boys in England. If you are wanting to be on the show please write to Ruthann@TalkCDL.com and let us know what is on your mind. Be sure to leave your contact info sop that we can look you up. Thank you for every thing all of you do to make TalkCDL Trucking Podcast a success. * Carter Lumber hiring Local truckers* National Carriers Lease Purchase New Kenworth t680s* JJ Keller The Truckers Secretary * Trucking Advice An Interview with miss Eugenia* Trucking Companies Not To Work For* Trucking news with ruthann Stay safe this winter drivers Winter is almost upon us and that means snow and ice covered roads. TalkCDL wants every driver to remember that you are the captain of the ship. Do not let anyone convince you to drive if you feel it is unsafe. make sure you have a CB and it is turned on and the volume is turned up. Pack warm clothes and good boots in case you find yourself broke down. Thank you and good night! SEMI VS TRAIN PLUS TRUCKER STUFF

SUICIDE BY SEMI TRUCK. Over 45,000 people commit suicide every year In the United States. Over 1.3 million people attempt suicide which means there are allot of people that feel they are in a dark place. Employees At Highest Risk For Work-Related Suicide: * Law enforcement officers, firefighters, and detectives* Soldiers throughout service branches* Farmers, fishery, and forestry workers* Installation, maintenance, automotive, and repair technicians* Truck drivers and laborers* Management, business, and financial operation positions* Janitors, cleaners, and landscapers As you can see, in the list above, trucking rates number 5 on the list of of highest rate of work related suicides. Truckers are alone on the road and being alone can make you feel lonely. Truck drivers put weeks on end alone in a small cabin with nothing to do but think. Loneliness and being away from immediate family can chat depression. If you know a trucker that seems to not be himself, please get help. If you notice your trucker friend acting different to where he does not seem to be himself, please talk to him. This could mean the difference between life and death. If you are married to a truck driver or live with one, a healthy relationship is very important for someone that is gone more than home. It is important that he/she has confidence that things are good at home. Many drivers fall into depression when their relationship is rocky which make them fear of things falling apart with their significant other. A strong woman can keep a trucker going while away from his home and family just by instilling confidence in him and your relationship. The articles that we used for this podcast can be found at the following links: * Suicides in the work place* Pride Transport* The Truckers report* CDLLife* Committing Suicide Suicide BY Semi truck Suicide BY Semi truck. There is a growing rate of people that are taking their life by semi truck. There are no statistics on this subject but there are many stories of pedestrians and 4 wheeled vehicle purposely entering the path of semi trucks. When you force someone to kill you like a truck driver, you affect more than just yourself. Your family and friends are devastated but the driver of that semi truck has to live with the event the rest of his life. In recent interviews, some truckers have stated how their lives have changed dramatically after someone had jumped into their path only to lose their life. Most truckers will never be the same knowing and witnessing the death of someone that chose to end it all with their tractor-trailer. * National Carriers Hiring Truck Drivers and Lease Purchase Drivers* Are you in a crisis? Call 800-273-8255 or text 

TRUCKING ADVICE AN INTERVIEW WITH MISS EUGENIA. We sat down in the studio and spoke to Eugenia Kogen. She is an aspiring truck driver. This 23 year old female future driver is full of sass and plenty of spunk. Eugenia lives in the great state of New Jersey and is looking forward to joining a Missouri based trucking company for her training to obtain her Class A CDL. Troy and Ruthann had allot of fun with Miss Kogen, talking about her future. She revealed to us that she plans on becoming and over the road driver and from the sound of her attitude, she will be great at it. She talked as if she has already ran a million miles, at least it seemed that way. Eugenia has an attitude that is pure trucker. For a 23 year old young women, she sure sounds as if she has known what she wanted to do all her life.  Tune into this funny but serious interview and hear how Eugenia is going to concur the world. We sure hope to hear from here as her career blossoms into a professional driver.  TalkCDL Trucking Podcast Interviews We are always on the hunt for really cool drivers like yourself, to appear on the show. If you would like to sit down with Troy and Ruthann and hang out on the podcast, please write to Ruthann@TalkCDL.com or you can message us through our Facebook page Sponsors for TalkCDL If you would like to sponsor TalkCDL, please write to Rutahnn@TalKCDL.com, we would love to put a package together for you. * JJ Keller The Truckers Secretary helping small to large fleets. No job too small or big* National Carriers hiring OTR Regional Lease Purchase Drivers* Trucking Companies Not To Work For* Trucking news with ruthann* Molesters, Truck parking scam, Trucking news* Two Trucking DUI Stories* Trucking Companies are responsible for their drivers

THE FIVE DEADLIEST WINTER DRIVING STATES. When it comes to driving in winter conditions, some states are more deadly than others. We got the info on which states have more fatalities than the rest in the winter. Most drivers when interviewed, do not want to drive in the northwest from December to March. They feel that states like Montana, Washington and Oregon are too dangerous because of their harsh winter conditions, along with those steep mountains. But guess what? Not one of the northwest regions contains on of the five deadliest winter driving states. Tune into this weeks podcast and hear the countdown. Will your home state make the top five? The states with the worst statistics will surprise you, we are sure of it. If your truck winterized? Are you prepared for this winter? Many drivers will venture into some harsh conditions without the proper gear in their rigs. Even if you don't think you will ever be dispatched out of the south and into the north, you should be prepared for anything. There have been record cold temperatures over the years and even states like Florida can produce dangerous cold temps. So make sure you have at the least, a warm blanket and a jacket. Things that you should have, if you are traveling into the frigid northern states. Winter clothes including a coat, long underwear, thick socks, boots, gloves and a nice warm hat. Some extra things we advise. Hand warmers, you can pick them up where hunting supplies are sold. If you find yourself broke down in cold weather with no heater, a hand warmer will keep you warm for several hours till help arrives. Hand warmers are small packets that you activate by bending and shaking. They automatically throw off lots of heat. One in each glove, each boot and even one down your pants will keep you toasty warm. They also make the kind that stick to your skin which enables you to put it on the back of your neck. * JJ Keller the truckers Secretary* National Carriers OTR Lease Purchase Student drivers solo drivers semi truck trucking job* Molesters, Truck parking scam, Trucking news* Trucking news with ruthann* Trucking Companies Not To Work For* Two Trucking DUI Stories* Trucking Companies are responsible for their drivers

TRUCKERS CAN'T FIND PLACES TO EAT AT. Since the pandemic has begun, it has disrupted people in many ways. Truckers are no different to these sufferings. Finding a common place to sit down and enjoy a hot meal has been challenging for most Americas Truck Drivers. A recent poll by CDLLife found that over 75% of all OTR Truck Drivers are having difficulty finding a good hot meal and a place to enjoy it on the road. Truck Stops and other places are finding it hard to keep employees working during the pandemic. Many workers are choosing to stay home and collect unemployment instead of taking a chance and working in the general public. This has put a strain on the restaurant business which intern has affected the Over-the-road truck driver. Companies could capitalize on this situations. Another problem that had plagued ti United States, is finding truckers to fill their empty trucks. A trucking company could possibly help with their own problem of the lack thereof, by installing microwaves, inverters, electric burners and crock-pots. This would attract drivers to a truck that is set up to provide "hot home cooking" right in the comfort of their very own assigned company truck. TalkCDL Trucking Podcast Interviews If you are someone that is in the trucking industry and would like to appear on the show, please write to Ruthann@TalkCDL.com and tell us what you would like to talk about. We are always looking for people that have some good juicy stories in trucking. Thank you to everyone that supports the show by listening to every episode. We appreciate all of our listeners. * National Carriers hiring Solos, Teams, Lease and Company Drivers* Cocoon MDR The FREE Ap that pays Truckers* JJ Keller The Truckers Secretary * Trucking news with ruthann* Meet Marvin Keller Trucking plus disaster zones* Passing on the trucking torch* A look at 2020’s crazy events in trucking* Is Trucking Getting Better

TRUCKING COMPANIES NOT TO WORK FOR. Are you a driver that is having a hard time getting a job, because of your past references? If you are, then you are not alone. Many truckers have been duped into working for certain carriers only to "not' have a job reference when they have terminated employment. Driver that work for small carriers run the risk of being ghosted when leaving a trucking company. Many small carriers do not run their business as professional as the larger carriers and therefor are not compliant with other. carriers when they are in need of a reference from said company. They often times will not even pick up the phone when they see another trucking company calling them, knowing they might be losing an employee. Oil field companies might just top the list of carriers to avoid. Many trucking companies have complained over the last decade, how impossible it is to obtain any kind of a reference from this industry. In fact, not only do they avoid giving references but many time an Oil Field Carrier either they go out of business because of the volatile nature of the business or they seem to be changing names along with new owners always buying them out. Family owned businesses across the board are also making our list of companies to be careful of when gaining employment. Not all family owned companies are bad but in many cases, we have seen the "family Owned" businesses take it personal when an employee quits their job. Suggestion would be to always check carrier reviews before proceeding with employment. What you want to avoid, is a carrier that will not have the courtesy of giving you a professional job reference once you quit their company. The reason for all of this is truckers are judged by future carriers on many things. MVRs, A cadet history, criminal history and job history. If a trucker does not have at least one year in the last three years of verifiable work history, he runs the risk of not getting. good job when the opportunity comes. A few tips; one, ask you're recruiter if they are a company that reports to Hireright. If they are, then whether you quit or stay you will have a life time reference because Hire-right is a company that keeps record for all trucking companies that participate in their plan. You will then have at least ten years till that reference is no loner held on record. TRUCKING COMPANIES NOT TO WORK FOR * JJ Keller the Truckers Best Friend * National Carriers Hiring Lease Drivers, Solos, Teams, Students * Cocoon MDR The FREE Ap that Pays Truckers* Trucking news with ruthann* Trucking Back In The Day* Bad Recruiting Call and Trucking News* Trucking Companies are responsible for their drivers TRUCKING COMPANIES NOT TO WORK FOR

1099 TRUCK DRIVERS LEGAL OR NOT. We recently sat down in the studio and talked about the ever growing pool of 1099 truck drivers. We were asked a question. Is it legal or illegal to pay a truck driver without holding his taxes back, thus calling him a 1099 truck driver? We went to the best resource to find out and that was the IRS. The IRS has a series of questions they ask when determining if a company is legally or illegally paying their drivers correct. They call it the "IRS 20 factor test". It is a series of strategic questions that you may ask yourself, to determine how to classify your drivers. 1099 TRUCK DRIVERS LEGAL OR NOT We won't go into all the questions, but you can go to the "factor test" yourself for the complete list of questions. The first question on the list is, what Is the Level of Instruction? The answer from the IRS is simply "Independent contractors render services on their own terms. If a business demands how, where, and when to do a particular job, it’s indicative of employment". Another question is Are there materials and tools provided? The answer the IRS gives is simply this "Again, independent contractors invest in tools and materials required for them to their job efficiently. If a business provides these resources, they are working with an employee". Im sure you get the point! Fines and Penalties Ruthann looked up the penalties for mis-clarifying your drivers. There were two separate ways the IRS looks at it when determining the penalty. One, was it just an accidental misclassification? And two, was it an intentional misclassification. The penalty for a mistake is a moderate fine plus the carrier is made to pay the FICA, Medicare and Social Security taxes that would not be "back-due". The penalty for those that the IRS determines to be in violation on the count of intentionally mis-classifying a driver and paying him on a "1099" basis instead of a 'W-2" basis, can be much steeper. In addition to paying all the above mention "back taxes", a carrier can be made to pay an additional 20% of the employees wages. So if you think about how steep this can get, think of this. If you had 20 drivers that you are paying on a "1099" basis. Let's say you have been doing this for 5 years. Now, let's say the IRS steps in and determines that you did this intentionally. Just in fines alone, it would be $16, 000 per year per driver if the driver has been earning 80K per year. the grand total for this would be $1.6 million dollars in fine plus the back taxes you would have to pay in for the employees. Troy's Solution Troy thought about it for a while and said, re-classify your drivers now before it's too late. Turn them into "Lease Drivers"! That's right, make contracts and lease the trucks to the drivers. Now you have proper contract drivers instead of an employee that you are paying on a 1099. Better yet, speak to a Lawer or a good tax accountant. Make sure before a driver that's angry with the company decides to turn you in to the IRS. * Cocoon MDR the Ap that pays Truckers to Drive* JJ Keller the Truckers Secretary * National Carriers Solos, Teams, Students, Regional, lease drivers*