Featured Blogger Benjamin Bellville

Involving drivers in the freight logistics process can be a great way to boost your overall effectiveness when it comes to moving freight and customer relations. Many small trucking company owners don’t understand that this is a process that begins with the hiring of their drivers. First I’m going to show you some things to look for in employees that you will want for your company, then I will outline the ways you can involve them in the freight logistics process and the benefits it will afford your company by doing so.

Driver Hiring Criteria
When you are going to involve your drivers more in the day to day operations decisions you will need to look for a certain type of driver. Just because a driver has a clean driving record and good recommendations does not necessarily mean they are the driver for you and your approach. Here is what you should look for in the interview process.

• Are they business minded?
• Do they have strong organizational skills?
• Do they have great communications skills?
• Do they look professionally presentable?
• Are they experienced in trucking company operations?
• Do they know how to use a load board and book freight?
• Basic computer skills?
• Are they safety and compliance minded?
• Do they believe in driving fuel efficiently?
• Can they perform basic mechanical tasks?

This is just the tip of the iceberg here, and will be dependant on just how much responsibility you want to give your drivers over time. Important to remember is that many truck drivers choose to drive for small companies because they are made to feel like they are more a part of the process and that what they think matters. This type of approach fosters confidence in your company and has a higher retention rating than just treating them like another number in a truck.

If you feel they may just be inexperienced in the industry but are business minded enough to train then by all means give them a shot. Sell your company as a building ground for drivers to build their own business within your business while providing them all of the tools and help they will need to some day branch out on their own. Include them daily in the freight logistics process as by involving drivers you will be shocked at what they are truly capable of. After all they are the ones with the real road experience who have a better idea of what it takes to get freight from point A to B that someone in an office has to guess at.

Teach them how to be your eyes and ears and as a group your company will virtually run itself. Why more companies don’t understand this I will never know. They treat drivers exactly the way they are stereotyped in the news and by society, how does this make a driver feel good about working for you or make them truly care about your business success?

I hope this week’s freight logistics posts have given you much food for thought and an idea of how to approach this topic when you start your company or how to make things better in your current company. Of course this has just been some highlights meant for a basic understanding, it’s up to you to unlock the approach that makes you most comfortable and that you feel provides you the best chance of success.

Did you know that when you start a trucking company you need to file for your HVUT taxes before you can obtain your IRP? Why not let Express2290 show you how they can save you money with fast electronic filing.

Need some help with your 2290 filing? The experts at ExpressTruckTax.com have the answers to all your questions.

What qualifies as a “highway motor vehicle”?
The IRS says a highway motor vehicle is any self-propelled vehicle designed to carry a load over public highways, whether or not that vehicle is also designed to perform other functions. Examples include trucks, buses and truck tractors. For the most part, vans and pickup trucks are not subject to this tax because their taxable gross weight is usually less than 55,000 pounds.

What qualifies as a “public highway”?
Any rod in the United States that is not a private roadway. That includes federal, state, county and city roads.

Are there any vehicles exempt from filing Form 2290?
Yes. Vehicles operated by:

• The Federal Government
• The District of Columbia
• A state or local government
• The American National Red Cross
• A nonprofit volunteer fire department, ambulance association , or rescue squad
• An Indian tribal government but only if the vehicle’s use involves the exercise of an essential tribal government function
• A mass transportation authority created under a statute that gives it certain powers normally exercised by the state
• A qualified blood collector vehicle
• Mobile machinery that meets the specifications for a chassis

Who files when a vehicle is dual registered?
If a taxable vehicle is dual registered to an owner and another person, the owner is liable for the tax and must file Form 2290.

What is the Taxable Gross Weight?
The taxable gross weight of a vehicle (except buses) is the total of

• The actual unloaded weight of the vehicle fully equipped for service
• The actual unloaded weight of any trailers equipped for service usually used with the vehicle
• The weight of the maximum load usually carried on the vehicle and on any trailers usually used with the vehicle.

What is the Taxable Gross Weight for buses?
It’s the bus’ actual unloaded weight fully equipped for service plus 150 pounds for each seat provided for passengers and driver.

Can I pay my tax online?
Yes. If you’re filing electronically, you can pay the IRS using Electronic Funds Withdrawal, or with the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System

What’s the purpose of Form 2290 and why should you file it? Here are some of
the reasons you may need to file, straight from the IRS:

• Figure and pay the tax due on highway motor vehicles used during the period
  with a taxable gross weight of 55,000 pounds or more.
• Figure and pay the tax due if, during the period, the taxable gross weight of a
  vehicle increases and the vehicle falls into a new category. See the
  instructions for line 3 on page 5.
• Claim suspension from the tax when a vehicle is expected to be used 5,000
  miles or less (7,500 miles or less for agricultural vehicles) during the period.
• Claim a credit for tax paid on vehicles that were destroyed, stolen, sold, or
  used 5,000 miles or less (7,500 miles or less for agricultural vehicles).
• Report acquisition of a used taxable vehicle for which the tax has been
  suspended.

Use Schedule 1 (Form 2290):

• To report all vehicles for which you are reporting tax (including an
  increase in taxable gross weight) and those that you are reporting
  suspension of the tax by category and vehicle identification number (VIN).
• As proof of payment to register your vehicle(s) (unless specifically
  exempted) in any state. Use the Schedule 1 stamped and returned to you
  by the IRS for this purpose.