Transportation & Logistic Services and Resources
The trucking industry is heavily regulated, and the rules are constantly changing. Semi trucks, which are more heavily regulated than other types of trucks such as delivery trucks, step vans and box trucks, have more regulations that are applicable.
In Ohio, drivers of semi trucks are required to demonstrate their knowledge and fitness to drive at both the state and federal level. According to the Ohio State Patrol, drivers and their employers must know the:
- Ohio “move over” law
- Requirements for weigh stations or bypass authorization
- Registration requirements
- Method for determining the weight of a truck
- Requirements for obtaining a commercial driver’s license (CDL)
- Differences between Class A, Class B and Class C licenses
- Permitting requirements for oversize and hazardous loads
- Restrictions on truck drivers under age 21
- Restrictions on truck drivers who fail to meet the federal vision standard
- Restrictions on drivers who fail to meet the federal medical standard
- Requirement for wheel protectors
- Regulations regarding vehicle types, weights and lengths
- Regulations about weight and length restrictions based on the type of roadway
- Federal Trucking Regulations
Drivers must know the federal regulations described in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR). These include:
- Restrictions on the transportation of passengers
- Prohibition against using a commercial vehicle for other purposes
- Hours-of-service limits that prohibit drivers from operating without mandated rest breaks
- Logbook requirements
- Inspection and maintenance requirements
- Warning devices and gauges requirements
- Load securement requirements
It’s important to know the trucking industry varies state to state in their enforcement of trucking regulations and those issued by the federal government. And it is not only that states have different levels of commitment to trucking safety. Each state operates with specific conditions that determine where they put their resources. States with flat landscapes are less likely to be concerned about brake safety than states with hills and mountains. States dominated by particular industries such as the logging industry are going to be more concerned about load securement.
While requirements vary state to state, it’s important for drivers to know the laws governing the industry. While MSW Enterprise Ltd. is not a CDL training company, we are familiar with the FMCSA and Ohio PUCO laws and registration requirements. If you find yourself feeling as if you’re on a merry-go-round when navigating all that’s required to get your equipment on the road, don’t hesitate to reach out to see if we’re able to help.
We offer expertise in compliance and navigating governmental entity registration and permitting, and like driving is your jam, compliance is ours.
Inquire how MSW Enterprise Ltd. Logistic and Transportation Professional Services is able to help you complete the paperwork side of things, so you’re able to focus on getting on the road.
Digital Services
It isn’t a scam to think you can start a successful transportation business. YouTube & Instagram are right! You can start a transportation business with moderate to great profit margins. In this day and age, you can learn the trucking business without spending a ton of money or enrolling in a super expensive in-person class.
MSW Enterprise Ltd. Logistics and Transportation Professional Services offers digital books and guides to assist you in starting and running your transportation business. All our books and guides include step by step instructions and are written using easily to understand language in a highly complex and regulated industry.
We stand by our products and services to ensure a successful, compliant business structure. Our guidebooks are provided in a universal format that allows for printing, that are reader compatible on any device or phone, and are reader friendly using plain-language for all levels of understanding.
FREE New Entrant Safety Audit Digital eGuide
New Entrant Safety Audit Digital eGuide provides information on ensuring FMCSA compliance for the New Entrant Safety Audit process. Our eGuide includes information on the purpose of the audit process, possible audit findings, potential consequences, and includes information on how to format and write a FMCSA Corrective Action Plan, if ever needed. Our eGuide includes sample templates and our goal is to save you money and prevent the need for unnecessary setbacks in the area of compliance.
Purchase JumpStart Your Transportation Business
*Sorry, no refunds on digital purchases
JumpStart Your Transportation Business $9.99 is a step-by-step guidebook that includes information on creating your LLC, obtaining a free EIN, and includes information on: Commercial Industry Insurance Strategies, Registering for International Fuel Tax Agreement, Registering for International Registration Plan, and much more.
Purchase Access it! AND Book It! Load-board eGuide
*Sorry, no refunds on digital purchases
Access It! AND Book It! Load-board eGuide $9.99 is a universal eGuide that provides information on accessing load boards of all types and uses. Whether you operate flat-beds, cargo vans, box trucks, or dump-trucks, our eGuide includes information on what a load board interface includes, information on carrier packages, document samples and examples, includes the different rates of pay carriers should be requesting, breaks down white glove services in the transportation industry, tips & tricks to negotiating with Brokers and Shippers, and much more!
Transportation & Logistic Consultative Services
Our goal is to empower business owners in the transportation industry to tap into strengths and experiences. During our consultation appointments, we discuss, brainstorm, and explore how to build and grow your transportation business. Our consultative appointments result in business owners, having a stronger business foundation and/or strategy to scale to the next level.
During the appointment be prepared to discuss:
- Current transportation business strategies
- Business plans
- Transportation business goals
- Business decisions based on personal strengths
- Small business funding sources
- Training and resources available in the transportation industry
MSW Enterprise Ltd. Logistics and Transportation Professional Services thrives on seeing aspiring or current business owners in the transportation industry be successful! We value the expertise you, the business owner, bring to the table. We partner with those in the transportation industry and meet them where they are and we’re passionate about seeing businesses elevate.
If you’d like to request our Consultation Services, please reach out to us. We look forward to learning about your transportation business and how we’re able to support your future endeavors.
Website Development Services
MSW Enterprise Ltd. Professional Services is all about the success of your business.
An essential element of a successful business is your brand. MSW Enterprise Ltd. assist business owners in showcasing their brand by offering services in website development and design, obtaining a business website domain, and various marketing tools such as advertising items and business cards.
There are many options on the internet that offer free templates, websites, and logo makers. While those options are great, our company specializes in making your business unique. We offer a no ‘cookie-cutter’ suite of services that are unique to your business, including elements and branding messaging most important to you and your transport business brand. We prepare you, so, once fully completed, we’re able to turn your website over to you and will work with you so you’re fully able and capable of maintaining your professional website for the long haul.
If your interested in becoming one of our satisfied customers, please contact us, to discuss how we’re able to provide your business brand with the professional touch you desire and deserve.
Our suite of services include:
- Website Domain Ownership of your choice (.com/.net/.org)
- WordPress Website/ (5) Pages of your Choice Included
- Professional email address for your business
- (50) Standard Business Cards
- (1) Vehicle Magnet Decal of your brand logo
MSW Enterprise Ltd. Administrative Services
Our company prides itself on providing professional services of all gametes, and actually being good at it! We work with individuals, other businesses, and various governmental entities and professionals of all backgrounds and abilities to solidify goals into success stories. Our professional services supports is no different. We provide business owners with administrative, backend office, and organizational services supports.
Administrative and Backend Supports
Our backend office support are services that are necessary for business to function smoothly. Our supports include administrative tasks, data entry, staffing retention efforts, federal and state request for hearing and seizure exemptions, developing a corrective action plan (CAP), monitoring annual registration and compliance requirements, order fulfillment, assisting with managing various financial statements, communicating with factoring companies, and overseeing logistics.
IRP vs. IFTA
What’s really different?
If you’re an interstate trucker, chances are you’ve heard about both IRP and IFTA registration. If you ask many trucker’s, they’d most likely relate them as being the same, considering, if you need one, you almost always need the other. However, there is a distinction between these two essential filings. Lets learn the distinctions between IRP and IFTA and why you should get both.
IRP Divides Registration Fees
When you register any vehicle in your home state, you pay a fee to that state to register your truck there. This fee goes towards road maintenance and other transportation projects within the state. However, if you’re an interstate trucker, your truck travels on roads all over the country. Meaning, other states are paying for you to put wear and tear on their roads. All the while, your home state collects all the fees for itself.
The International Registration Plan, or IRP, fixes this problem. With IRP plates your truck’s registration is recognized in every jurisdiction you’ll travel to. In exchange, your home state shares your registration fees with the other states you travel in. This way, the fees that’s required pay for maintenance on the roads your truck actually uses, not just your home state.
IFTA Is Fuel Purchases & Use
IFTA is a similar program to IRP, but, instead, IFTA (the International Fuel Tax Agreement) is specific to the taxes truckers pay on the fuel they use. IFTA shares the taxes you pay when you buy fuel across all jurisdictions that you travel throughout. This way, if you buy fuel in Ohio and then spend most of your time on the road in Indiana, then Indiana will get a larger percentage of your fuel taxes.
Just like IRP, IFTA creates a fair system where the vehicles that put the most mileage on a jurisdiction’s roads pay towards their maintenance. However, IFTA is specific to fuel taxes, making it a separate entity from IRP.
Both IRP and IFTA Are Important
Despite their differences, both IRP and IFTA are key for interstate truckers. They simplify the complicated system by which truckers register their trucks and file their fuel tax returns. If you’re a new or current authority who needs help getting these registrations completed, please reach out to MSW Enterprise Logistic and Transportation Professional Services to discuss how we’re able to meet your registration needs.
Steps to Starting Your Transportation Business Today!
If you’re interested in starting a transportation business, there are some very important regulating agencies that you should be aware of. With each governing agency, there are specific rules and requirements to obtain needed authority, registration, and permits; so you’re able to maintain those licenses you’ve worked so hard to obtain. Below are (3) entities we encourage you to become familiar with to start your transportation business off safely and in compliance.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s primary mission is to prevent commercial motor vehicle-related fatalities and injuries. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is a US Department of Transportation agency that regulates and oversees commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). The FMCSA’s mission is to reduce injuries, fatalities, and crashes involving large trucks and buses. More…
The New Entrant Safety Assurance Program, an entity of the FMCSA who monitors new entrants for 18 months through a safety audit and roadside inspections. New entrants must operate safely; maintain up-to date records; conduct periodic inspections; perform maintenance on commercial motor vehicles (CMV); and pass the safety audit. More
The United States of America Department of Transportation’s mission is to deliver the world’s leading transportation system, serving the American people and economy through the safe, efficient, sustainable, and equitable movement of people and goods. This entity is responsible for overseeing all federal departments modes of transportation, include the FMCSA, Federal Railroad Administration, and the Federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. More
In addition to becoming familiar with all federal and state regulating entities to ensure compliance in your transportation business, there are also some necessary steps you should be prepared to complete when you’re ready to get started. Below are (4) steps that we’ve compiled that all transportation business owners will be required to complete. If you’d like more information and a step-by-step guidebook, written in plain language, that can assist your business with completing the steps below, we’ve developed a digital eBook, JumpStart Your Transportation Business, that’s available as well as a digital eGuide that focus’s on required areas of compliance, JumpStart Your Transportation Business New Entrant Safety Audit Digital eGuide.
4 Important Steps to Starting Your Transportation Business Include:
- Creating a business plan. This plan should include your foundational reasoning for starting the company as well as the necessary capital to get the company off the ground. Typically, a business plan will include a 3-5 year projection of how you expect the company to grow. As a new business owner, developing a thorough, detailed plan is extremely important because it’s a stepping stone to the rest of the process.
- Secondly, you will need to have a commercial driver’s license, or CDL, depending on the type of equipment you want your company to acquire, as required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Some business owners opt for acquiring Cargo, Box, or Sprinter’s where the licensing requirements aren’t so stringent. If you opt for hauling heavy freight that requires the use of Sleeper Trucks, Flatbed Trailers, RGN’s, or Step Decks, you’ll need to acquire a CDL license. There are different types of CDL licenses, so it’s important to know which type your business will require. Depending on the type of materials you are transporting there are also endorsements needed, many of which require additional testing and may mean you have to renew your license more frequently for safety reasons. Make sure to do your research and ensure you have the proper licenses for your business needs. The application requires fees, proper identification, tests for knowledge and vision confirming you understand the requirements for operating a large truck.
- Thirdly, you’ll need to officially get your business up and running, which will require you to register with local and state governments according to regulations in your area. This process includes choosing a business entity that suits your needs. For example, if you are starting the business alone, you may want to consider a limited liability company (LLC) for the protections it affords. There are other types of LLCs for partnership companies or larger corporations. Next, you will want to choose a business name that expresses the identity of your company and communicates a strong impression to customers. Before doing so, it is important to consult the US Patent and Trademark Office database to make sure your company name is original. Finally, you will need to apply for your trucking authority. This registration is mandatory for companies using vehicles of more than 10,000 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW). You can file an application concurrent with your business registration through your state.
- Following your registration procedures, you need to make sure to obtain the proper licensing and permits to operate your business legally. Because of the unique challenges trucking companies face in a highly regulated industry, it is important to research all requirements before you begin operations, as some of the these steps may not be necessary depending on the vehicle or commodity you’ll be transporting. Some steps may include:
- Getting your U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) number
- Getting your MC/Operating Authority
- Getting your International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) stickers
- Obtaining an Employment Identification Number (EIN)
- Register for properly apportioned license plates
- Acquiring proper local/state business licenses
- Obtaining commercial liability, cargo, physical damage, and other necessary types of trucking insurance
- Obtaining a processing agent
- Joining an Owner Operator Consortium
Programs & Requirements You Should Know!
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is the lead government agency that regulates commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) and is responsible for ensuring their safety. The FMCSA’s mission is to reduce the number of injuries, crashes, and fatalities involving buses and large trucks by using education, research, collaboration, technology, and compliance. That being said, there are a number of programs that’s available to support transportation business owners with ensuring safety and compliance, keeping both the public and transportation operators safe while important necessary economy driven work is under task. We’ve complied a list of links and resources below, of both, programs that’s available to support transportation business owners as well as links of some requirements transportation business owners should definitely become aware of when starting and running your transportation business.
The Motor Carrier Safety Planner
This online guide provides simple explanations and templates to help companies that operate CMVs understand and comply with Federal safety regulations.
Driver Physical Qualification
For commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers, the most important safety feature is YOU – the driver! The physical qualification examination you take for your Medical Examiner’s Certificate, Form MCSA-5876, confirms that you are healthy enough to safely perform the demanding job of a CMV driver and keep our Nation’s roads safe.
Hazardous Materials
Transporting hazardous materials? Make sure you keep the load on the road and do your part to prevent cargo tank truck rollovers.
Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot (SDAP) Program
This three-year program will help individuals ages 18, 19, and 20 explore interstate trucking careers and help trucking companies hire and train new drivers through an apprenticeship pilot program.
Transportation Worker Identification Credential, also known as TWIC®
Having a TWIC card allows you to haul loads into ports, boats, and associated areas that not all truckers can access. It also allows you to add hazmat endorsement to your resume, which improves your reputation as a driver.
Insurance Filing Requirements
In addition to filing an application for operating authority, all applicants for motor carrier, freight forwarder, and broker authorities must have specific insurance and legal process agent documents on file before the FMCSA will issue the authorities.
Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax (2290)
Anyone who has registered or is required to register a heavy highway motor vehicle with a taxable gross weight of 55,000 pounds or more in their name at the time of first use on the public highways during the reporting period must file Form 2290.
Ohio Intrastate Motor Carriers and Registration Information
‘CPCN’ stands for Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. All for-hire motor carriers that operate point-to-point in Ohio are required to have a CPCN from the PUCO before beginning operations.
Request a Quote From Our Expert
MSW Enterprise Ltd. Logistic & Transportation Professional Services offers various services and tools to get your company off the ground running. While FMCSA’s rules, regulations, and requirements may initially seem daunting, we’re here to help navigate you through the process. If you’d like a quick consultation on your transportation business goals, have questions about any of the information we’ve provided, need assistance on where to locate important information to help your business succeed, or if you’re just interested in getting started in the transportation business industry, please consider partnering with us.
Feel free to use the Contact Us form, to get started!
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3 Severance Circle 18793
Cleveland Heights, OH 44118
MSW Enterprise Ltd. does not engage in the unauthorized practice of law.
MSW Enterprise Ltd. Professional Services 