Uncategorized
The future of the trucking industry has arrived with the new Tesla semi truck being released this year. Tesla semis were first revealed by Elon Musk in 2017 and experienced quite a few delays getting to the market. The brand new electric truck has finally arrived however, and the Pepsi Company (PepsiCo) is the first carrier company to use it.
PepsiCo originally ordered 100 Tesla semi trucks, and 15 of the vehicles will be launched first in the Modesto area. Following Modesto, PepsiCo will launch 21 more of the Tesla semis in Sacramento. The Pepsi Company owns one of the largest private semi fleets in all of North America and hopes to reduce their carbon footprint with these new energy efficient vehicles. The trucks can supposedly run for up to 425 miles using a single charge, making them the most sustainable semi on the market today.
The Pepsi company will begin transporting its famous Frito-Lay products from their Modesto California facility and will also send trucks on 100 mile daily routes, delivering Pepsi cola from the Sacramento warehouse. It also plans to test out the new trucks’ long range capabilities using the Sacramento facility, driving Pepsi from the Sacramento branch to other stores and warehouses located between 300 and 400 miles away.
The California Air Resources Board is working with PepsiCo to transition the facility in Modesto to be able to demonstrate all of the benefits of zero, and near zero emission technologies on both current and future sustainability. According to a CNBC interview with Mike O’Connell, the vice president of the supply chain for PepsiCo., the Tesla semi project has already delivered a 91% reduction in greenhouse gasses. This energy savings is an excellent first step which the company then plans to filter down into their other operations.
Transitioning to Electric Semis Means Updated Trucking Fleet Management
As more and more companies start transitioning to sustainable models such as the Tesla semi, they will need trucking fleet management services more than ever. What fleet management means is the ability to maintain accurate records and licensing documentation for an entire fleet of vehicles. Trucking fleet management can be overwhelming for a company to manage in-house since many companies are already at capacity with their staff and resources.
What fleet management means when you choose to hire a company like VLC, is less stress and more streamlined trucking fleet management from an entire team of professionals. At VLC we want to take the headache and hassle of trucking fleet management off of your plate so that you can focus on your routes, employees, maintenance, and all of the other day-to-day things that come with running a successful carrier company.
We also believe what fleet management means is more than just driver compliance. We have been serving customers for more than 50 years and are experienced at providing solutions to the entire trucking industry not only for driver compliance, but also for fleet optimization and vehicle compliance as well.
Choose VLC to Provide Optimum Trucking Fleet Management and Customer Service
At VLC we have an entire team of experts who have dedicated their careers to understanding the challenges of the trucking industry and are always working to both improve trucking fleet management and provide innovative and comprehensive solutions to each carrier company’s fleet of vehicles.
Along with basic trucking fleet management we also can assist businesses with driver safety and compliance, permitting and reporting, IRP registration, licensing, and operations’ costs. Whether your company is thinking about transitioning to electric fleets in the near future, or whether that is way out on the horizon, we will be ready to assist you in optimizing your trucking fleet management whenever you’re ready. This way, you can rest assured knowing an entire team of professionals is providing a foundation of safety, security, and optimum customer service for your business. Give us a call VLC today by dialing 530-637-1696 or emailing us at info@im4trux.com
Fleet Management, Geotab
At Vehicle Licensing Consultants (VLC), we commonly get questions about Geotab and how it can benefit carrier companies. But what is Geotab exactly and how can it help you make better informed decisions for your business? At VLC we want to help our clients understand the ins and outs of the industry and offer tools that can help make it simpler to increase your company’s efficiency.
What is Geotab?
Geotab is a commercial telematics vendor that offers GPS tracking solutions for vehicles along with other non-vehicle asset tracking. Geotab has been rated number one by the ABI research group for commercial telematics vendors, and it continues to impress the international community with innovative and creative solutions combined with top-of-the-line technology.
Whether you are a small company that has only a single vehicle or a large company that has an entire fleet, when you go to your Geotab login the “My Geotab” program can help you stay abreast of what is happening with your fleet at any time.
What kinds of things does Geotab offer?
The solutions that your Geotab login offers are many and the Geotab Data Insight Solution program can provide you with essential data analysis to organize and empower your company. The Geotab marketplace uses a variety of products that can help with efficiency, allowing you to know the location of all of your vehicles at any time.
Geotab offers the following benefits to carrier companies across the globe:
- increased optimization through fleet maintenance
- fleet benchmarking
- fleet management
- asset tracking and management
- routing and dispatching services
- driver tracking and reporting
Geotab also offers safety and compliance in the following areas:
- driver coaching through a Geotab login
- electronic logging device (ELD)
- driver/vehicle inspection reports
- driver safety reporting
- dash cams
- compliance within the international fuel tax agreement (FTA)
Finally, Geotab offers both sustainability and expandability through:
- hardware integration
- data insights to companies
- EV fleet management software integration
- greenhouse gas and emission reductions
What is the Geotab GO?
The Geotab GO is a small vehicle tracking device that is a leader in the worldwide marketplace in GPS services. The Geotab GO easily plugs into your vehicle’s OBDII port if one is available, and if not, an adapter can be used as well.
There is no lengthy installation process and installing the Geotab GO does not require a professional installation expert or any specialty tools at all! Data can be sent from a variety of sources within the vehicle including:
- the instrument panel
- the drivetrain
- the engine
- other subsystems
By using a variety of internal networks, the Geotab GO is able to provide rich data at all times. There is also a Geotab GO “rugged” telematics device that is perfect for heavy equipment, agricultural machinery, oilfield equipment, and any yellow iron vehicles. It is hearty and near indestructible, can be installed in a location where it will be exposed to the elements, and has all of the benefits of Geotab for your heavy machinery.
Reach Out to Learn More About Geotab Today!
If you are interested in learning more about how Geotab can help you contact us at VLC today by calling 530-637-1696 or emailing us at info@im4trux.com
DQMConnect™, Driver Qualification File Management
Driver qualification files are critical to any trucking fleet, and as a manager, you know how time-consuming managing these files can be. DQMConnect is a driver qualification file management software that makes it easy to manage and store your driver qualification files. The software is highly intuitive and easy to use, making it ideal for fleets of any size. With DQMConnect, you can quickly and easily store and access drivers’ qualification files, making sure that your fleet is always compliant.
Let’s review everything you need to know about DQMConnect and why it is the fastest and most convenient way to manage DOT driver qualification files.
About DQMConnect
DQMConnect is an online driver qualification file management solution that makes it easy to store and access driver qualification files. The software is highly intuitive and easy to use, making it ideal for fleets of any size. With DQMConnect, you can quickly and easily store and access drivers’ qualification files, making sure that your fleet is always compliant and ready in case of a DOT audit.
How We Do It
DQMConnect enables you to quickly and easily store and access DOT driver qualification files from any device. All you need to do is upload the driver qualification files to the platform, and you’ll be able to access them anytime and anywhere. The platform is also integrated with Geotab, so you can access ELD data and ensure that your driver qualification files are accurate and up-to-date.
Benefits of an Online Driver File Management Solution:
Using an online driver file management solution like DQMConnect helps make managing driver qualification files easier and more efficient. You’ll be able to quickly and easily store and access driver qualification files, making sure that you’re always compliant. Additionally, you’ll be able to prepare quickly for DOT audits.
Here are some of the most important benefits of an online DOT driver qualification file management system:
Less Time Wasted by Management
Managing and updating DOT driver qualification files is a time-consuming task that can pull value from other parts of the business. If a high-level manager or fleet manager is spending resources trying to keep up with every driver’s files, the company’s growth and bottom line will suffer.
Reduced Risk of Non-Compliance
Driver qualification files are an important part of staying compliant with the Department of Transportation. With a driver file management system, you can quickly and easily access driver qualification files, reducing the risk of non-compliance.
No Matter Your Size, We Have the Solution for You!
Fleets – Large and Small Can Take Advantage of DQMConnect
DQMConnect is a powerful online driver qualification file management system that is suitable for fleets of any size. From large fleet operations to single-truck owner-operators, DQMConnect is the perfect solution for managing and storing driver qualification files.
Owner Operators Need Driver Qualification Files Too
Owner-operators are responsible for managing their own driver qualification files. With DQMConnect, owner-operators can easily store and access their driver qualification files, making sure that they’re always compliant.
Additional Benefits
Simple & Fast Audit Preparation
With DQMConnect, you’ll be able to quickly and easily prepare for audits. The platform makes it easy to access and review driver qualification files, making sure that you’re always audit-ready.
Integrated with Geotab for ELD Data
DQMConnect is integrated with Geotab, making it easy to access ELD data and ensuring that your driver qualification files are accurate and up-to-date. This helps reduce the risk of non-compliance and ensures that your fleet is always running smoothly.
Why You Need Detailed DOT Driver Qualification Files
The Department of Transportation is very specific about the driver qualifications that are required for trucking. If you’re not compliant with the DOT driver qualification files, you could face serious consequences. The DOT driver qualification files are a comprehensive set of requirements that truck drivers must meet to be qualified to drive a truck. The files include information such as driver education, experience, and licensing requirements.
If the DOT decides to perform an audit, they will require access to your driver qualification files in order to verify that you’re in compliance. Having an up-to-date and compliant driver qualification file management system will help you avoid potential problems with the DOT.
Ensure Fast and Accurate DOT Driver Qualification File Management With DQMConnect
If you’re ready to optimize your DOT driver qualification file management, it’s time to get DQMConnect from Vehicle Licensing Consultants. Whether handling day-to-day operations or dealing with a potential DOT audit, there’s nothing more important than having all your driver qualification files and driver data organized and accessible.
With DQMConnect, you can finally eliminate the hassle and waste of inefficient driver qualification file management. With a simple and intuitive interface, DQMConnect makes it easy to store, access, and update your driver qualification files. Plus, Geotab integration ensures that your driver qualification files are always accurate and up-to-date. Contact us to schedule a discovery call for your 30-day trial of DQMConnect.
DQMConnect™, Driver Qualification File Management
Don’t be intimidated by software and the trend toward everything digital. We would like to show you that not all software products are difficult to use and that even the conversion process from your old paper files doesn’t have to be a terrifying ordeal.
If you have been thinking about moving to digital for your driver files, but a little uneasy about the training and transition time such a move would impose on your already busy staff, then we would like to introduce you to something so different, so easy to use, you will wish you had done it sooner.
If you are ready to embrace digital, DQMConnect™ can make the journey simple, easy, and painless. While it is true that some software packages take a long time to install, this is not true with DQMConnect™.
Utilize our easy to deploy software and you will be up and running in seconds. Yes, seconds! We want you to start realizing value from the very moment you begin. We have designed a tool that you can operate with no training, it couldn’t be more intuitive.
Your next concern might be all those paper files you have been collecting and storing for years. What do I do with those? How can I transition to digital when so many driver files are already bundles of paperwork in a file cabinet?
DQMConnect™ enables you to bulk upload your documents, making the transition seamless. Once uploaded, you will see how easy finding and reviewing files can truly be. And the most important part…You are in control of your driver files at all times.
And the Benefits? There are many, but here are the top 4:
- Never lose a document
- Easy to manage for multiple people
- Secure encrypted server storage
- Compliance tracking
Still a little skeptical or unsure? Don’t worry. Take a DQMConnect™ tour with one of our compliance specialists. We will show you the simplicity of digital and a well-designed driver file management system.
Embrace digital and learn more about DQMConnect™. The first and only tool that is quick, easy, and keeps you in control of your files.
DOT Compliance, DQMConnect™
The new driver physical requirement has been put in place this year by the DOT as an important part of keeping America’s roads and highways safe. Let’s take a look at what it is and what you need to do to keep compliant with the new health exam requirements.
What is the new 2022 DOT Physical?
The new 2022 DOT physical is a health exam required of commercial drivers by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to ensure that commercial drivers are capable of fulfilling their job. This exam must be completed by a DOT medical examiner and documented every 24 months.
Are All Drivers Required to Get a DOT Physical?
This requirement applies to the following classifications of drivers:
- Drivers who transport hazardous materials
- Drivers who are paid to operate a vehicle that carries over 8 people
- Drivers who operate a vehicle that carries more than 15 people
- Drivers who operate a vehicle with a gross combined weight of over 10,000 pounds
What does the Physical Consist of?
The DOT exam will cover:
- Health history
- Vision assessment
- Hearing test
- Blood pressure
As well as a number of other health factors that can indicate a risk while operating a commercial vehicle.
What Factors Might Disqualify a Driver?
Here are a few guidelines and some minimum requirements for drivers to pass their exam:
- 20/40 vision in each eye (with or without glasses); 70+ degrees field of vision; the ability to distinguish between red, green, and yellow.
- The hearing test requires you to hear a harsh whisper in your best ear
- Blood pressure below 180/100; blood pressure between 140/90 and 179/109 may require an annual exam.
- Medical conditions, such as diabetes, hernias, obesity, and sleep apnea that are not in control
- Uncontrolled or unstable heart conditions
- Epilepsy or seizure disorders
- Meniere’s disease, an inner ear disorder that causes dizziness
- Use of marijuana, even if prescribed
- Use of illegal substances
- Use of oxygen therapy
- Some respiratory conditions
What You Need to Know for Compliance
Just like any other DOT requirement, if your driver is caught without a medical certificate, they are taken off the road and you will pay for it. Not just in fines, but in the business that is impacted by the loss of a driver.
As driver requirements are changed, increased, and refined, it is so important to have a way to track which of your drivers complies and who may be coming due for their next medical exam.
Take a look at DQMConnect. This amazing application is helping many companies address the same concerns. Real-time alerts and a dashboard view of your driver compliance, puts you in control.
Keep your company safe, your drivers compliant, and your clients happy with DQMConnect.
