SD13 - Virginia Trucking Task Force Findings and Recommendations


Executive Summary:
In 1994, Congress deregulated intrastate trucking. This action followed the deregulation of interstate trucking, which had occurred several years earlier. In light of these changes, the Allen Administration and the General Assembly chose to revisit the manner in which trucking operated in Virginia. Perhaps the single most significant change that occurred was enactment of the Administration's initiative in 1995 for one-stop shopping for the motor carrier industry; whose chief patron was the Honorable V. Earl Dickinson and which passed the Assembly unanimously.

However, despite the progress made through that legislation and other changes, information provided by DMV and the VTA led to the inescapable conclusion that Virginia remained at a competitive disadvantage as compared with other states. Due to our taxing structure and registration procedures, trucking companies that conduct a large portion of their business in Virginia, are increasingly: (1) basing their operations out-of-state; (2) plating their fleet out-of-state; and (3) buying vehicles in Virginia and crossing the border to title and register them.

In light of this situation, and with the request by the General Assembly for review of a number of issues via the SJR 24 resolution, Secretary of Transportation Robert E. Martinez convened a Virginia Trucking Task Force, which began its efforts in March 1996.

The overall desired result of the proposals outlined in this report is that trucking company officials will choose Virginia as the base state for their operations and terminals once they understand the simplicity and savings associated with making the Commonwealth their business partner.

These recommendations will not result in more trucks on Virginia highways. That is driven by demand for the services truckers provide. Rather, the intent is that more of the trucks that already travel our roads will in fact be registered in Virginia and the commonwealth will garner greater benefits from the trucking activity it already experiences. At the same time, we seek clarification and improvements in safety requirements in the industry to the benefit of all motorists, truckers included. We believe the Task Force proposals will have a positive economic impact for the Commonwealth.