Straight answers about the rules you actually get stopped for
No jargon walls, no regulation quotes without a translation. Every guide here answers one question a CDL driver or owner-operator actually asks — the DOT physical, the 34-hour restart, a Clearinghouse query, an out-of-service violation, or a settlement sheet that doesn't add up.
Start here
Are Paper Medical Cards Still Valid? Yes — Until October 11, 2026
FMCSA extended the paper medical certificate exemption a third time. It runs April 11 to October 11, 2026 — most articles still say it expired in January.
Truth in Leasing (49 CFR 376.12) Explained in Plain English
49 CFR 376.12 in plain English: what your lease must say about pay, the 15-day rule, charge-backs and escrow — and how to spot a lease that is shorting you.
DOT Physical & Medical
Passing the exam, what disqualifies you, and keeping your medical card current.
Pay & Settlements
Reading a settlement sheet, percentage vs mileage, escrow, and lease deductions.
-
Can a Carrier Hold My Final Settlement? What the Rules Actually Say
Can a carrier hold your final settlement? What 49 CFR 376.12 requires on the 15-day pay rule, escrow returns, lawful deductions, and how to escalate a hold.
8 min read -
What Deductions Can a Carrier Take From Your Settlement?
Which deductions a carrier can legally take from an owner-operator settlement, which ones fail 49 CFR 376.12(h), and how to audit your own pay line by line.
9 min read -
How Long Does a Carrier Have to Return Escrow? 45 Days
A carrier must return an owner-operator's escrow within 45 days of lease termination under 49 CFR 376.12(k). Here's the trucking escrow rule, explained.
8 min read -
Percentage Pay vs Cents Per Mile: Which Is Actually Better?
Percentage pay vs cents per mile, run as real math: one month modelled both ways in weak and strong markets, plus your right to see the rated freight bill.
8 min read -
Truth in Leasing (49 CFR 376.12) Explained in Plain English
49 CFR 376.12 in plain English: what your lease must say about pay, the 15-day rule, charge-backs and escrow — and how to spot a lease that is shorting you.
9 min read -
How Long Does a Carrier Have to Pay an Owner-Operator? 15 Days
Under 49 CFR 376.12(f), a carrier must pay a leased owner-operator within 15 days of receiving the necessary delivery documents — not 15 days after delivery.
8 min read
Your paperwork, on your phone
If your carrier runs Fleetive, you get a free driver account: upload your CDL, medical card, and MVR straight from your phone, get reminded before anything expires, and see every settlement broken down line by line.
Running under your own authority? Fleetive keeps your own DQ file and settlements audit-ready from $29/month.
- Is Fleetive free for drivers?
- Yes. If your carrier runs Fleetive, your driver account is included at no cost to you. You can upload your CDL, medical card, and other documents from your phone and see your settlements.
- Can I use Fleetive if I own my own truck and authority?
- Yes. Owner-operators running under their own authority can use Fleetive directly from $29/month to keep their DQ file, medical card, inspections, and settlements organized.
- Does Fleetive replace my ELD?
- No. Fleetive is back-office software for compliance records, driver files, and settlements. It is not an ELD and does not record hours of service. You still need an FMCSA-registered ELD.