Make sure your state has your current medical certification
In the old days, many facets of trucking were more difficult than they are today. One thing to which this maxim does not apply is
Cliff Abbott
- About Cliff Abbott
- Cliff Abbott is an experienced commercial vehicle driver and owner-operator who still holds a CDL in his home state of Alabama. In nearly 40 years in trucking, he’s been an instructor and trainer and has managed safety and recruiting operations for several carriers. Having never lost his love of the road, Cliff has written a book and hundreds of songs and has been writing for The Trucker for more than a decade.
Posts by Cliff Abbott
Keeping equipment in tip-top shape is key to passing DOT inspection
Getting selected for a DOT (Department of Transportation) inspection is a lot like going to the dentist. Nobody looks forward to the occurrence. The best
Sales of new Class 8 trucks strong, used truck prices declining
August was another strong sales month for new Class 8 tractors on the U.S. market, according to data received from Wards Intelligence. Manufacturers reported sales
Safety Series: Be prepared to encounter a variety of weather and road conditions this fall
October is a month of transition. In southern areas of the U.S., it’s almost a continuation of the summer, with balmy temperatures and plenty of
Going down? Analysts debate how long freight rates will remain low
Those who were hoping that freight rates might begin to rebound in August were disappointed — and the disappointment is likely to continue for a
FMCSA’s ‘adverse conditions’ rule can be a valuable tool if used correctly
Everything’s going great — you’re even ahead of schedule, cruising along in moderate traffic, enjoying the day. Then it happens. Brake lights ahead indicate stopped
Those Who Deliver with Sharp Transportation
If you want to know if a carrier that claims to put drivers first really does so, take a look at their turnover rate. While
Looking to the Future: Automated tech already commonly used in passenger, freight vehicles
Throughout history, humans have adapted to new technology as it became available. In most cases, innovations involved refinements to familiar products — but every so
Private fleets have huge impact on trucking industry
COLUMBUS, Ind. — One segment of trucking that many don’t know much about is the private fleet category. Private fleets are those whose parent company’s
Better days ahead for carriers that survive freight cycle’s bottom
COLUMBUS, Ind. — When representatives of the trucking industry attend a conference entitled “Market Values,” you can be sure the topic of freight is on
Don’t expect self-driving trucks to take over the highways any time soon
COLUMBUS, Ind. — During the OUTLOOK 69, Market Vitals seminar, presented Aug. 22-24 by ACT Research, many attendees expected answers about autonomous trucks. When will
Regular inspection, maintenance can help improve tire performance
Tires are second only to fuel in annual expenses for motor carriers both large and small. With a new set of truck tires costing $2,500
Picking the right time to change jobs can be as important as finding the right carrier
The trucking industry is known for high driver turnover rates for a number of reasons. For one thing, many of the jobs are on the
Exploring EVs at ACT Research’s Market Vitals conference
COLUMBUS, Ind. — Electric vehicles (EVs) — trucks in particular — were on the minds of attendees at ACT Research’s 2023 Market Vitals conference, held
Recession possible but less likely than before, experts say at ACT Research conference
COLUMBUS, Ind. — It was a full day on Wednesday, Aug. 23, at the 69th Market Vitals conference hosted by ACT Research. Presented at The
US Class 8 truck sales still strong despite losing steam in July
U.S. sales of new Class 8 trucks in July were higher than in the same month of 2022, according to information received from Wards Intelligence.
Planning, awareness can help drivers find safe truck parking
Every professional driver knows that the highway can be a dangerous place. From other motorists to construction, weather and other conditions, the list of possible
Preventing fatigue can help drivers and motor carriers improve safety ratings
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Ask anyone who’s been in trucking for more than five years if electronic logging devices (ELDs) have changed the industry, and
Efficient operation is key to surviving trucking downcycle
More carriers are leaving the marketplace while fewer are starting up, according to July data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. New carrier starts
Electric drive axle trailers add new dimension to carrier decarbonization choices
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The press coverage of brands of heavy-duty electric vehicles is enough to confuse anyone who is currently driving an old fashioned