Dependable Highway Express Newsletter - Volume 1, Issue 3 - July 2006

Truck Driver Application

DEPENDABLE HIGHWAY EXPRESS IS NOW HIRING TRUCK DRIVERS We are currently hiring company truck drivers and owner operators for all divisions. Let your friends know that now is the time to call us! As you know, DHE is a family-owned business since 1950 who cares about our drivers. We have year-round work, and drivers can get up to 3,000 miles per week. There are lots of benefits to driving for Dependable Highway Express: » Sign-on bonus up to $2000 » Excellent Pay » Paid within 24 hours » Flexible work week and at-home time » Bilingual dispatchers » Paid fuel surcharge » Paid delay time » Insurance programs » Drop and Hook / 99% No touch Freight » Safety and on-time bonuses » Truck parking » Tire purchase program » Diesel Fuel program » Lease purchase plans TRUCK DRIVERS: HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR GAS MILEAGE Gas prices will likely continue to rise. Improving fuel mileage is more critical than ever to both company truck drivers and owner-operators. Here are some simple ways to get the best possible gas mileage: » Progressive Shifting Progressive shifting keeps engine RPM’s lower because it puts less strain on the engine. Lower RPM’s mean less fuel used for the same mileage » Reduce Idling Every hour of idling burns roughly three quarters of a gallon of fuel. California law also limits idling to 5 minutes in most urban areas. Keep idling to a minimum whenever possible » Reduce Speed One of the easiest ways to improve fuel mileage is to slow down. Every mile per hour over 55 can reduce fuel mileage by as much as one tenth of a mile per gallon » Inspection & Maintenance Regular inspections and truck maintenance also improves gas mileage. Make sure your tires are properly inflated and tested with a gauge. Improper pressure reduces rolling resistance, decreases fuel mileage, causes excessive tire wear, and reduces tread life. Check for rolling resistance and air pressure. These are the two greatest factors in fuel mileage, next to driver actions. Look for problems with the hub components that might be increasing rolling resistance such as brakes dragging or low hub oil (these items are also part of the pre-trip inspection) Through a little extra attention to these few items, you can increase fuel mileage and therefore reduce costs. At $3/15 per gallon, each tenth of a mile per gallon improvement results in a 1 cent per mile savings. Think of it as a penny a mile pay increase. DID YOU KNOW? TRUCK DRIVER TOOLKIT California Laws about Idling Current California law prohibits engine idling for more than 5 minutes, with the following exceptions: » Resting in sleeper berth beyond 100 feet of residential units. » Queuing up or lining up beyond 100 feet of residential units. » Adverse weather conditions or mechanical difficulties. » Power take-off (such as lift-gate) involving cargo or work function. Fines start at $100.00, so be careful! Who Must Stop at a Railroad Crossing? » Any bus transporting passengers. » Any vehicle transporting hazardous materials that is require dot be marked or placarded, except divisions 1.5, 1.6, 4.2, 6,2, and Class 9. » Any cargo tank motor vehicle, loaded or empty, used to transport hazardous material. » Any cargo tank, loaded or empty, transporting a material under a hazardous materials exemption. » Any vehicle carrying any amount of chlorine gas. TRUCK DRIVER APPRECIATION WEEK: AUGUST 20-26, 2006 National Truck Driver Appreciation Week 2006 (August 20 – 26) is the day that America’s 3.24 million hard-working drivers get a nationwide pat on the back. This well-deserved recognition is a national “Thank you!” for moving the goods and products that make up our national economy. We will be honoring all DHE truck drivers, both company truck drivers and owner-operators during that week. Each Terminal (Los Angeles, Stockton, Phoenix, Sacramento, Hayward and Ventura terminals) will hold a ‘meal day’ and distribute gifts. Check with your local terminal for date and time. A MESSAGE FROM DHE SAFETY DEPARTMENT: DRIVER VEHICLE INSPECTION REPORTS (DVIR’s) When do I need to complete a Driver Vehicle Inspection Report (DVIR)? According to Section 396.11 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs), a written Driver Vehicle Inspection Report (DVIR) must be prepared and signed by the driver at the end of each work day for each vehicle operated. This written report must cover (at least) the following parts and accessories: » Service brakes including trailer brake connections » Parking (hand) brake » Steering mechanism » Lighting devices and reflectors » Tires » Horn » Windshield wipers » Rear vision mirrors » Coupling devices » Wheels and rims » Emergency equipment On the report, the driver must identify the vehicle and list any defect or deficiency with could affect its safe operation or cause a mechanical breakdown. If the driver does not find any defects or deficiencies he/she needs to report that as well. Before the vehicle operating the vehicle again, any items listed as defective or deficient that may affect the safety of the vehicle must be repaired. The motor carrier must certify (on the original report) that the defect or deficiency has been corrected or that correction is not necessary to safely operate the vehicle. For more information about becoming a DHE Truck Driver, call 1-888-4DHE-NOW, or 1-888-434-3669 Truck Driver Application