The consensus was “we don’t support toll increases no matter how minor” at the first of three public hearings on the Ohio Turnpike Commission’s proposed toll rate increases .

For truckers, the proposed increases are fairly small- $2.50 increase across the board for the trucking classes. Class 8 and 9 trucks (65,001-90,000 lbs) currently pay $31.00 to travel the length of the Ohio toll road. Class 6 and 7 trucks (42,001-65,000 lbs) currently pay $25.75. But no trucker wants to pay more. (more…)

That’s the slogan for this year’s CVSA (Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance) Brake Safety Week [PDF File]. From August 27 through September 2, 2006, the CVSA is focusing on brake safety. This is part of the CVSA’s annual Operation Air Brake Campaign.

Anyone who has seen a truck driver flying down the Grapevine, Black Mountain, Snoqualmie, or any other well-known down grade with a trail of smoke behind him and terror in his eyes knows the importance of good brakes. We all know the smell of burning brakes- which can be avoided by planning for the down grade and using engine brakes when your truck brakes are in good condition. But if your tractor or trailer brakes go, nothing is going to stop you except- if you’re lucky- a truck escape ramp. Keeping your brakes adjusted is just plain smart. (more…)

If you are paying the heavy use tax ( IRS Form 2290 PDF ) in 2006 and plan to sell your truck during the tax period, you’ll have a pleasant surprise starting this year. You can apply for a credit when you sell the truck- meaning you’ll get a pro-rated portion of the tax back.

In previous years, you had to pay the $550 tax and if you sold your truck during the tax period, you did not get anything back. You could provide the form to the person you sold the truck to so that they didn’t have to pay the tax in addition to what you already paid. But once you paid the tax, your money was gone.

Now if you sell your truck, you can apply for a credit on the money you paid out. This also applies to trucks that were destroyed in a wreck or that were stolen. This policy is in effect for the tax period of July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007. It does not apply to trucks sold, destroyed or stolen prior to July 1, 2006.
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Truckers headed north out of Denver toward Wyoming recently may have noticed that the northbound Fort Collins, Colorado, truck weigh station has been closed for construction for quite some time now.

But the bypassing will be over soon. The weigh station will be open for business in about two weeks.

The weigh station wasn’t merely renovated. Construction crews tore down the old building and built a new one from the ground up.

And don’t hold your breath for a similar reprieve in weighing going southbound. There are currently no plans to do any construction on the south bound Ft. Collins weigh station.

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