Post by VABEACHTRUCKER on Jul 7, 2010 16:01:43 GMT -5
Virginia Cuts State Inspections for Interstate Trucks
State hopes to draw more trucking business by accepting federal inspection results
Virginia is trying to attract interstate trucking business -- and registration revenue -- by eliminating what it calls duplicative state safety inspections.
Interstate trucks registered in Virginia and complying with annual federal inspection requirements will get a green light from the state, said Gov. Bob McDonnell.
The Republican governor, elected in 2009, authorized the elimination of the state inspection requirements for interstate trucks in a July 2 proclamation.
"By accepting the federally authorized safety inspection programs, Virginia affords trucking companies flexibility to keep fleets safely moving from state to state without stopping at a Virginia inspection station once a year," McDonnell said.
Many fleets will be able to check their own vehicles under a self-inspection program authorized by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, he noted.
The state hopes eliminating its annual safety checks will lead more interstate truckers to base and register vehicles -- and pay registration fees -- in Virginia.
Several major interstate trucking companies are based in Virginia, including UPS Freight and Estes Express Lines, both with headquarters in Richmond.
"To us, it's a fairly important step," UPS spokesman Norman Black told the Richmond Times-Dispatch. "It avoids a duplicative inspection that didn't make things very friendly for transportation companies in Virginia."
The Atlanta-based transportation giant plans to register 300 interstate trucks in Virginia this summer.
-- Contact William B. Cassidy at wcassidy@joc.com.