How US Trucking Proposals Could Affect UK Haulage Companies

Haulage companies around the world have always been wary of government regulation, especially since profit margins are narrow and the operating costs keep going up. Any change in regulation can spell challenges for the unprepared or an opportunity for the smart operators. Staying globally aware is vital, that's why changes to the hauling industry across the pond in the US are still relevant for companies in the UK.

Here are some of the more important issues being considered by the US House and Senate that UK companies should be aware of.

Lowered Minimum Driver Age – One of the most controversial issues being raised is lowering the minimum age of interstate truck drivers from 21 to 18. Proponents of the measure say this move will address the shortage of drivers the country is facing (a problem that the UK shares), while critics say that 18-year old drivers are much too young to be responsible for cargo and equipment in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. There is also the argument that some US trucking companies may simply be looking for cheap and inexperienced labour. Expanded Random Drug Testing – There’s also a motion to call for expanded measures for randomly testing drug use among hauliers. Proponents want to test hair samples, since those tests are more reliable and harder to dupe, while critics argue that drug use among US truckers is at an all-time low. Additionally, the question of who would carry the costs of this expanded testing regimen is a legitimate concern that could affect its passage in US Congress.

Regulatory Reform – Haulage companies in the US have a lot of issues with the agency regulating truckers – the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Chief among those concerns is questioning the accuracy of FMCSA scores when it comes to predicting crash risks and whether the resulting system works to enforce small and medium-sized companies. There are also motions to remove safety scores from public view as they "make the companies look bad", while rewarding carriers that voluntarily invest in technology or established programs to improve safety.

Rebuilt Trucks – Glider kits are basically trucks designed to take in the engine, transmission and rear-axle of a ‘donor’ truck (aka old or wrecked trucks.) There is a call to make these types of trucks exempt from greenhouse gas emissions regulations - arguing that they're going to be covered in the next round of greenhouse gas emission rules.

Haulier Payment – This is probably a very significant issue for haulage companies in the UK, as some parties in the US are proposing to pay hauliers not by the mile, but by the hour. This will also affect the companies in another significant way by increasing minimum liability insurance, which is also tied to the nation’s inflation rate.

Whether these measures pass or fail in their journey through US Congress will have no visible impact on haulage companies in the UK immediately. However, their success or failure will give UK hauliers a clearer idea as to whether those measures will help or hinder their efforts at home.

Norman Dulwich is a Correspondent for Haulage Exchange, the leading online trade network for the road transport industry in the UK and Europe. It provides services for matching haulage companies with jobs in road transport and haulage work in the domestic and international markets. Over 4,000 transport exchange businesses are networked together through their website, trading jobs and capacity in a safe 'wholesale' environment.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.