English proficiency & non-domiciled CDLs: Are you legal?
If you’re a fleet safety director or a professional driver in late 2025, you might feel like you’re suffering from regulatory whiplash. In the span
Brad Klepper
- About Brad Klepper
- Brad Klepper is a regular contributor to The Trucker, providing valuable information for drivers and motor carriers. He is also president of Interstate Trucker Ltd., a law firm entirely dedicated to legal defense of the nation’s commercial drivers. Brad is also president of Driver’s Legal Plan, which allows member drivers access to his firm’s services at discounted rates.
Posts by Brad Klepper
Lawsuit abuse hits record-high concern for trucking: Explaining the legal side
This past weekend, depending on when you are catching this article, an important report was released live at the American Trucking Associations’ annual convention, and
Federal audit targets state CDL programs; signals major shift in national oversight
For those who enjoy a bit of light reading from Washington, the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Office of Inspector General (OIG) just dropped its latest
Navigating the digital highway: Your data is your fortress; protect it accordingly
All right, folks, let’s talk data — you know, the valuable information that makes up your digital life. With more of our lives online than
Think Like a Lawyer, Part 2: What to do during and after a roadside stop
So, you’ve done everything right — your pre-trips are solid, your rig is humming and you’re cruising along the highway … when your rearview mirror
Think like a lawyer, Part 1: What to do before you get pulled over
When you’re behind the wheel of a commercial truck, you’re part driver, part logistics wizard, part weather forecaster, part mobile mechanic, part safety guru and
CSA: The score that doesn’t care you were having a bad day
What is CSA? Let’s start with the basics The Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program is how the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) monitors safety
Suspended and confused: Legal hazards that can put you out of service
Let’s be honest — most truck drivers I talk to don’t spend their spare time brushing up on federal regulations. And who could blame them?
Are you ready for FMCSA’s SMS overhaul? Here’s what we’ve learned
If you caught my last column on the FMCSA’s Safety Measurement System (SMS) overhaul back in December 2024, you already know big changes are coming.
Navigating the FLSA in trucking, Part 2: Legal Paycheck Deductions & State Laws
While the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) provides clear guidelines on minimum wage and overtime, it also allows for certain deductions from employee wages—provided they
Navigating the Fair Labor Standards Act in trucking, Part 1: Minimum wage and overtime
The trucking industry, known for its complexity, finds itself entwined with various federal and state labor laws that dictate how drivers are compensated and treated.
FMCSA’s SMS overhaul: Will it fix problems or just shift the gears?
All right, drivers, buckle up! There are some big changes coming to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Safety Measurement System (SMS) in 2025.
Are you ready for changes to FMCSA’s Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse?
Let’s get this out of the way up front: I am a staunch advocate for road safety. I believe that no policy or regulation aimed
Institute a comprehensive safety plan to help ensure fleet safety — Part 5
After taking a hiatus last month to explore the ramifications of the proposed rescheduling of marijuana, we’re back with the fifth — and final —
The cannabis question: Shifting policies could require industry to reimagine impaired driving prevention
Let’s cut to the chase. I make my living out of defending truck drivers — and while speeding tickets can negatively affect a driver’s career,
Institute a comprehensive safety plan to help ensure fleet safety — Part 4
In Part 4 of this series, I am finally getting to the team no one thinks of when it comes to building a comprehensive safety
Institute a comprehensive safety plan to help ensure fleet safety — Part 3
In the third installation of this series, we’re going to talk about bad habits. Whether we want to admit it or not, most of us
Institute a comprehensive safety plan to help ensure fleet safety – Part 2
I’m sure my riveting column about strategically interviewing candidates as part of your comprehensive safety plan is what’s drawn you back for the highly anticipated
Institute a comprehensive safety plan to help ensure fleet safety – Part 1
We all know how much people love to hate lawyers. Even I can jump right on that bandwagon. When you pay a lawyer for his/her
Surprise! More news on the Corporate Transparency Act’s impact on trucking
As I mentioned last month, I am, and always have been, a big fan of surprises. But only the good surprises. Well, I kinda/sorta got