So about this news; we’ve got a handful of truck recalls, Canadian ELDs, lots of driverless trucks being ordered, some useful tips for tax time, another reroute around a busted bridge, and yet another safety blitz (yes, really). But hey, all is not lost. We’ll also tell you what qualifies as an out-of-service violation when it comes to lights and hours-of-service. This one might surprise you. We’ll even discuss how some of these violations are actual crimes! Whaaaa?

We’ll address some myths around the COVID vaccine and if you’re still freaked out, how to clean your truck to reduce your chances of getting it. But hey, at least you won’t die from a truck rollover if this prototype fifth wheel makes it to market!

And once again, the powers that be are making truckers unhappy with talks of the new Vehicle Miles Traveled tax, the push for speed limiters and automatic emergency braking, and why DOT physicals still won’t go directly onto your CDL for years to come. Not to mention the courts ruling against lease operators and a survey showing not much faith in the Biden administration. But hey, at least a new FMCSA director has been nominated. So there’s that.

And to finish up, we’ll show you how to value your time more, how to extend the life of your DPF filter (yes, I realize that’s redundant), and I’ll tell you about a new addition to the Garmin dēzl™ OTR series of truck GPSs and a new feature they all have.

What? I told you there was a lot of news. Did you think I was lying?

Oh yeah, I nearly forgot. I’m also giving away this Trace tablet from FleetUp to the first person who emails me at TruckerDump@gmail.com

This episode of Trucker Dump is sponsored by:

• Volvo Trucks – Check out the new D13TC engine in the Volvo VNL series.

Links mentioned in the news segment:

Possible steering issue leads to recall of 18,000 Freightliner trucks from TruckersNews.com

Two recalls hit 11K Freightliner, Western Star trucks from OverdriveOnline.com

Thousands of International trucks recalled from OverdriveOnline.com

Recalls issued for certain International, Mack trucks from OverdriveOnline.com

Repairs to I-40 bridge over Mississippi could take ‘months, not weeks’ from TruckersNews.com

Operation Safe Driver Week to Focus on Speeding from TruckingInfo.com

With Roadcheck under way, here’s a refresher on the OOS violations for lights, hoursfrom OverdriveOnline.com

Trucking Law: Some safety violations can turn into misdemeanor or felony convictionsfrom OverdriveOnline.com

Paul O. Taylor is managing partner of Truckers Justice Center and has represented truck drivers for over 25 years. He can be reached at 855–943-3518 or at TruckersJusticeCenter.com.

IRS’ 100% meal deduction does not apply to owner-ops’ per-diem deductions from OverdriveOnline.com

Partners in Business tip: Have a fixed residence from OverdriveOnline.com

Fleet Complete’s BigRoad Officially Submitted for Canadian ELD Certification from FleetComplete.com

ATRI puts $20B price tag on vehicle-miles-traveled tax from FreightWaves.com

Can taxing trucks on miles traveled work? from FreightWaves.com

Speed limiters, automatic braking on NTSB Most Wanted List from FreightWaves.com

Smart anti-rollover coupling can jettison the trailer to save truckies from NewAtlas.com

Autonomous truck maker says it has nearly 7,000 driverless truck orders from OverdriveOnline.com

FMCSA petitions to delay implementation of electronic med cert rule until 2025 from OverdriveOnline.com

Debunking truckers’ four favorite myths about COVID-19 vaccines from OverdriveOnline.com

Dr. Alexander E. Underwood works at KT Health Clinic near Springfield, MO. He can be reached at 855–943-3518 or email him at mail@kthealthclinic.com.

Cleaning truck cabs in the age of COVID from FleetOwner.com

Know the value of your time to assess true profit from OverdriveOnline.com

Federal court rules California’s AB 5 applies to trucking, dealing blow to owner-operator model in state from OverdriveOnline.com

California AB 5: Likely next steps, wait-and-see mode, unanswered questions prevail among small fleets, leased operators from OverdriveOnline.com

Higher costs, reduced opportunity – worries dominate small fleets’ Biden administration outlook from OverdriveOnline.com

Biden announces nominee for FMCSA boss from OverdriveOnline.com

3 ways to extend DPF life and keep filters running cleaner from OverdriveOnline.com

Garmin adds dēzl OTR500, a compact addition to its line of truck navigators from OverdriveOnline.com

TD151: In-Depth Review Of The Garmin dēzl OTR1000 Truck GPS from AboutTruckDriving.com

Buy a Garmin dēzl OTR truck GPS using this handy dandy Amazon Affiliate link!

Links mentioned in the listener feedback segment:

TD74: Doing Dallas from AboutTruckDriving.com

TD75: Who’s A Trucker? from AboutTruckDriving.com

TD76: The Spitting “Christian” Zealot from AboutTruckDriving.com

TD80: ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas – Trucker Style from AboutTruckDriving.com

TD83: A Trucker Visits Carhenge from AboutTruckDriving.com

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