We are proud to announce new driver and fleet legal services for ICSA members through a new partnership with U.S. Legal Services (USL). USL is well known throughout the trucking industry for the safety and business tools they provide for the single-truck professional driver and small fleets.
USL understands the individual needs of both single-truck operators and small fleets, including the regulations they face, and has developed the CDL Defender specifically for this segment of the trucking industry. This includes the Professional Driver Business Advantage at no additional cost to the driver. USL’s success in assisting drivers and small fleets has resulted in an average 88% reduction in violation severity points and therefore lower SMS scores of drivers USL has represented. USL also has achieved a 95% success rate in winning DataQ challenges challenge, helping keep both driver and fleet CSA scores down.
What this means for ICSA members is that USL will represent members who sign up for USL services and their drivers for all moving, non-moving, and DOT violations, all the way up to and including potential trials, using properly licensed and credentialed, local attorneys. USL’s data shows local attorneys who are familiar with the local jurisdiction, prosecutors, and judges obtain better results. Its nationwide network of attorneys is experienced in working with professional drivers and go the extra mile to find supporting evidence to better represent the driver’s side of the case.
The Professional Driver Business Advantage provides coverage for the formation of a business entity (S-Corp, LLC, etc.) to protect drivers’ personal assets while running their businesses and maintaining compliance with state and federal regulations. Network attorneys will review and prepare usual and customary legal documents, papers, forms, and contracts.
This service helps drivers understand how to operate their businesses effectively and efficiently. USL’s Business Advisors will set up and review the small business plan to ensure drivers’ goals and strategies are determined and met. This financial and tax advice helps drivers operate their businesses more efficiently.
The Professional Driver Business Advantage provides access to unlimited consultations with a tax professional who can file members’ taxes, personal and professional, including all schedules and forms.
These legal services will be available to every ICSA member and driver through a low-cost subscription administered by USL. Be watching for a special bulletin containing a link to explore and sign up for the ICSA-USL partnership.
Every year, TAT (formerly called Truckers Against Trafficking) honors a member of the trucking, bus or energy industry, whose direct actions help save or improve the lives of those exploited or prevent human trafficking from taking place, with the Harriet Tubman Award
Bob Costello has indicated that the freight market has improved – but very slowly – since January. It must be said that ATA’s indices are dominated by contract freight as opposed to spot rates.
Now, however, with Republican control of both houses of Congress and the White House (and, some say, the Supreme Court) I am optimistic that trucking will get a fairer shake than it has during Biden’s term in office.