As Head of Regulatory Affairs, I want to provide a response to COVID-19’s effect on our customers and Motive’s operations by sharing our immediate priorities.
Before we get into it, I wanted to thank every truck driver who is sacrificing time away from their family to provide the relief that is so desperately needed in these trying times.
These are Motive’s 3 priorities during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Staying on top of breaking news. We’ve compiled the most up-to-date information so you can stay informed and comfortable out on the road. This is not an exhaustive list, but we will do our best to include everything and keep it up to date.
- CVSA Roadcheck will no longer take place on May 5-7, 2020. It has been postponed to a later date. We will update this blog when the dates are announced.
- SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program: The SBA is providing low-interest loans of up to $2 million for small businesses and nonprofits affected by coronavirus. Read more about it here.
- Taxes & IRS: The federal tax return filing deadline is now July 15, 2020 for individuals and businesses. Check with your state tax agency for details.
- The FMCSA issued an Emergency HOS Exemption for drivers and carriers involved in coronavirus relief efforts.
- Restaurants across the country are either closing, limiting hours, or switching to take-out or delivery.
- Fast-food chains are limiting hours and restricting operations to the drive-thru.
- Truck stops encouraged to remain open 24 hours a day by the FMCSA.
- Convenience stores have stopped allowing self-serve food.
- Driver lounges at Pilot Flying J are closed.
- TA/Petro buffets and dine-in eating is closed or limited to 50% capacity as state law permits.
- Retail stores are closing and restricting hours—especially in areas with full lockdowns in a place like San Francisco and New York.
- Fuel supplies have not been affected yet. In order to make sure that doesn’t happen, fuel has been added to the list of exempt loads.
- City/county “shelter in place” rules. Employees supporting or enabling transportation functions, including truck drivers, are specifically included in the list of Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers developed by the US Department of Homeland Security. The FMCSA is committed to working with local authorities to ensure that deliveries can be made in areas restricted by state and local declarations. If you know of drivers being detained or prevented from entering a shutdown area, email the location and freight being hauled and any other pertinent details to compliance@gomotive.com so that we can escalate the issue to the FMCSA.
- 24-hour grocery stores/Walmarts are shutting down 24-hour operations and limiting hours—call them before you go or check online.
- The health of our truckers. Nothing matters more than your safety and well being. Without you, the country would come to a halt—so stay safe out there. Take a look at this article on how to reduce the risk of coronavirus in your vehicle. Make sure you continue to get rest even with lifted HOS restrictions for COVID-19-related relief efforts because we all need you in top form.
- Continuing to provide the highest quality customer support and service experience you expect. We are dedicated to supporting you so you can serve the rest of the country. While the majority of the Motive team has transitioned to work from home, our 24/7 customer support teams are ready so you can focus on keeping your business running.
In regards to our service, our engineering team has ensured 24-hour coverage with on-call staff to monitor systems and respond to alerts. The rest of our engineering team is continuing to work to build the features that will help you improve the safety and efficiency of your operations. We hope these measures will support you during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about compliance, our customer service, or anything else. You can reach us at 855-434-3564 or support@Motive.com.
Thank you and be safe.
Travis Baskin
Head of Regulatory Affairs
