Today, we recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day by honoring the cultures, histories, traditions, and contributions of Indigenous peoples.
May we continue to learn from the past, appreciate the communities and traditions that shape our nation, and recognize the importance of preserving those stories for generations to come.
#IndigenousPeoplesDay #LeeTrans
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Zombie Drivers: How ELDs Help Protect Rest
We all know a driver can be off-duty without actually being rested. Hours-of-Service regulations are designed to limit how long drivers can work and drive, with required periods away from duty intended to help drivers remain awake and alert. But there’s an important distinction between having a legally compliant rest period and actually getting restorative sleep. That’s where the conversation around Electronic Logging Devices gets interesting.
The ELD Knows When You’re Moving
An ELD is designed to record a driver’s Record of Duty Status and automatically capture driving activity. It provides a more objective record of when a vehicle is moving, helping carriers and enforcement officials identify potential Hours-of-Service violations. What it can’t do is tell you whether a driver spent their off-duty time sleeping.
A driver could be legally off-duty for 10 hours and still get poor-quality sleep, wake repeatedly, handle personal responsibilities, or simply struggle to sleep. The log may show a compliant rest period, but the driver’s level of fatigue isn’t something the ELD can measure. A clock can measure time. It can’t measure sleep.
Why Accurate Logs Still Matter
That doesn’t make ELDs less important. Accurate records help establish whether a driver had the opportunity to take the required time away from driving and whether the driver’s schedule complied with applicable HOS requirements. They also create a record that can be reviewed against other information when questions arise. If the ELD shows 10 consecutive hours off-duty, but other information suggests the vehicle moved during that period, that discrepancy deserves a closer look. FMCSA requires carriers to retain Records of Duty Status and supporting documents for six months, and those supporting documents can help verify the accuracy of a driver’s recorded duty status.
Paper Logs Aren’t a Free Pass
The ELD conversation has also resurfaced recently. In February 2026, the Federation of Professional Truckers requested an exemption that would have allowed covered drivers to choose paper RODS instead of using an ELD. The proposal argued that paper logs could provide an alternative for drivers who maintained accurate records and underwent additional internal oversight. On September 30, FMCSA denied the request.
FMCSA noted that the ELD requirement is grounded in federal law and concluded that the application did not establish that the proposed exemption would provide an equivalent level of safety. For carriers subject to the ELD requirement, the takeaway is simple: paper logs have not replaced ELDs.
Limited exceptions already exist, including certain short-haul operations, drivers using paper RODS no more than eight days in a 30-day period, and other specified circumstances.
Compliance Isn’t the Same as Fatigue Management
This brings us back to our “zombie driver.” A driver can have a perfectly clean log and still be tired. That’s why a strong safety program needs to look beyond whether the numbers add up. Scheduling, adequate opportunities for sleep, realistic dispatch expectations, communication practices, and recognizing the signs of fatigue all play a role in keeping drivers alert.
The ELD helps establish when a driver is working and when they’re not. It doesn’t establish how well they slept.
The Learn with Lee Trans Takeaway
Compliance with Hours-of-Service regulations is essential, but compliance should be viewed as a baseline – not the entire fatigue-management strategy. Use the ELD for what it is designed to do: create an accurate, reliable record of duty status and help identify potential HOS issues. Then look beyond the log.
Because a driver who is legally rested isn’t necessarily a driver who is well rested.
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At Lee Trans, our HOS services help carriers review records, identify potential compliance concerns, and better understand how their day-to-day operations align with regulatory requirements.
Every fleet is different, and so are its compliance responsibilities. That’s why each month, our Learn with Lee Trans series explores the regulations, programs, and best practices that help carriers operate with confidence. If there’s a topic you’d like us to cover in a future edition, we’d love to hear from you.
Please join us in celebrating some of our employee milestones this month! Thank you all for your dedication to service and commitment to excellence. We are proud to have you on the team!
Big thanks to our dear friends at the Texas Trucking Association and the Safety Management Council and Fleet Management Council for hosting another successful fall conference. We were honored to join in the conversation regarding the Montgomery verdict, celebrate our peers’ impacts on our industry, and of course share how we provide consistent compliance and real risk reduction!
Fire Prevention Week is October 4–10, and this year’s message is especially relevant to today’s fleets: safe charging matters.
As more businesses and fleets incorporate electric vehicles, battery-powered equipment, tools, and other rechargeable technology, understanding lithium-ion battery safety is becoming an important part of fire prevention.
For fleet operators, that means taking a closer look at where and how equipment is charged, how batteries are stored, and whether employees know what to do if a battery shows signs of damage, overheating, or failure.
Fire prevention isn’t just about what happens after a fire starts. It’s about recognizing potential hazards before they become an emergency.
This Fire Prevention Week, take a few minutes to look at the equipment and charging practices throughout your operation. A small safety check today can help prevent a much bigger problem tomorrow.
#FirePreventionWeek #FleetSafety #FireSafety #EVSafety #TransportationSafety #LeeTrans
From our President; Jackie Polk, CTP:
Small improvements, made consistently, can have a tremendous impact on our clients, our coworkers, and our company. And speaking of people who make a difference, I can’t think of a better transition into recognizing our September Employee of the Month, Desiree Lucas! Since returning to Lee Trans, Desiree’s experience, knowledge and dedication have allowed her to quickly make an impact. She willingly takes ownership of whatever is placed before her, whether that means digging deeper to understand a difficult issue, thinking outside the box to find a solution, taking care of a challenging client situation or stepping in to support a coworker. Her nomination specifically noted that Desiree’s willingness and ability to handle whatever comes her way has reduced stress across the entire department and strengthened the team as a whole. In fact, her coworker shared that “her addition to the team actually makes it feel like a team.” I can’t think of a better compliment. Desiree is a great example of how one person’s commitment to doing their best can positively impact our clients, coworkers and company. Congratulations, Desiree, and thank you for everything you do!
Hidden Fleet Spotlight
Forestry, Timber & Logging Fleets
As summer gives way to fall and the leaves begin to change, we’re reminded of the forests that provide more than beautiful scenery. The forestry and timber industry supports a vast network of products and businesses – from timber harvesting and logging to lumber, paper, construction materials and more. But behind the finished product is another important part of the operation: transportation. For businesses whose primary focus is forestry or timber, trucks and trailers may simply be viewed as another piece of equipment needed to get the job done. That can make the transportation side of the operation easy to overlook when considering regulatory requirements.
When Forestry Meets Transportation
Forestry and timber operations can involve some unique transportation considerations. The type of vehicle, its weight and configuration, the commodity being transported, where the vehicle operates and how the trip is conducted can all affect the requirements that apply. For Texas operators, even vehicle registration may look different. Forestry license plates, commonly referred to as Forestry Tags, are available for qualifying vehicles used in the production and harvesting of timber. But a specialized registration classification doesn’t automatically mean the vehicle or operation is exempt from other applicable motor carrier requirements. That’s an important distinction: How a vehicle is registered and how a vehicle is regulated are not always the same thing.
What About Forestry Exemptions?
This is where things can get a little more complicated. Certain forestry and timber operations may qualify for specific regulatory exemptions or exceptions based on the nature of the operation, the commodity being transported, the vehicle being used or where the transportation occurs. But exemptions are rarely as broad as simply saying, “It’s a forestry operation, so we’re exempt.” A carrier should understand which requirement the exemption applies to, the conditions that must be met, and whether other federal or state requirements still apply. For example, an exemption that affects hours-of-service requirements doesn’t necessarily eliminate requirements related to vehicle maintenance, driver qualification, drug and alcohol testing, registration or other areas of compliance. Knowing that an exemption exists is only the first step. Understanding its boundaries is where compliance gets more complicated.
Don’t Let the Season Catch You Off Guard
Forestry and timber operations can also be highly seasonal. As demand changes throughout the year, operations may add equipment, change routes, expand into new areas or take on different types of work. Each change is an opportunity to ask a simple question: Did anything about our operation change that could change our regulatory requirements? A new vehicle, a different trailer, a new state of operation or a change in the type of freight being hauled can all warrant another look at the compliance picture.
Look Beyond the Industry Label
Forestry is a great example of why we call these businesses Hidden Fleets. The company may identify itself as a logging company, timber producer or forest products business – not a motor carrier. But once commercial vehicles become part of the operation, transportation regulations can become part of the business, too. And there isn’t always a single answer.
The most appropriate requirements depend on the specific operation, not simply the industry it serves.
Know Your Fleet
If your business involves forestry, timber or forest products, fall may be a good time to take a fresh look at the vehicles moving your operation forward.
The answers may be different from what you expect.
At Lee Trans, we help carriers take a closer look at their specific operations, identify potential regulatory exposure and determine where additional guidance may be needed. Because sometimes, the regulations hiding in your fleet are the ones you don’t know to look for.
Hidden Fleet Spotlight
At Lee Trans, we work with forestry, timber, and forest products operations that may not realize how their transportation activities can impact their regulatory responsibilities. Through Licensing and Permitting, Asset Management with FleetKeep, Driver Qualification support, Consulting, and compliance guidance, we help organizations better understand their regulatory exposure while keeping their focus where it belongs — keeping their operations moving.
Please join us in celebrating some of our employee milestones this month! Thank you all for your dedication to service and commitment to excellence. We are proud to have you on the team!
Local roots. Nationwide reach.
Strong partnerships help us provide better service to carriers wherever the road takes them.
We’re proud to work alongside East Texas Drug Testing, a trusted local resource that helps us serve our clients here in East Texas while supporting the needs of carriers operating across the country.
For Lee Trans, being locally rooted doesn’t mean thinking locally. Our relationships throughout the transportation industry allow us to connect carriers with the resources they need, whether they’re operating in our own backyard or across the nation.
We’re grateful to East Texas Drug Testing for being a valued part of that network and for continuing to help us serve carriers with the responsiveness and personal service our clients have come to expect.
From East Texas to coast to coast, we’re here to help keep your operation moving.
#PartnerSpotlight #EastTexas #DrugTesting #Transportation #LeeTrans
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Fuel Cards: The Discount at the Pump Isn’t the Only Bonus
When most people think about a fuel card, the first thing that comes to mind is probably the price at the pump. Fuel discounts can certainly add up, especially for fleets that put significant miles on the road, but the value of a well-managed fuel card program can go much further than saving a few cents per gallon. For carriers, fuel purchases can provide a valuable source of operational data; information that can support everything from fuel tax reporting to audit preparation and loss prevention.
Fuel Purchases Tell a Story
Every fuel purchase creates a record.
When that information is captured consistently, fuel transactions become more than receipts. They become historical data that can help a carrier understand how its fleet is operating and provide documentation when questions arise later.
Fuel Data and IFTA
For carriers subject to the International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA), fuel purchase records are an important part of maintaining the information needed for fuel tax reporting. IFTA requires qualified motor carriers to track fuel purchased and miles traveled by jurisdiction. Centralizing fuel transaction data can make that process considerably easier than trying to reconstruct purchases from individual receipts. A fuel card program can help organize that information, but carriers still need to ensure their records capture and retain the information required for their IFTA reporting. The goal isn’t simply to have a fuel card. It’s to have reliable data behind every gallon.
Digital Audit Preparation
When an audit, review or reconciliation requires historical fuel records, having that information available electronically can save significant time. Instead of searching through individual receipts or attempting to reconstruct past transactions, a centralized digital record can provide a historical view of fuel purchases. That information can also be reviewed alongside other operational records when questions arise about mileage, vehicles, routes or fuel usage. Good recordkeeping doesn’t just help a carrier meet a requirement – it makes the information easier to find when it matters.
Another Tool for Loss Prevention
Fuel is a significant operating expense for many fleets, which makes it an area where small discrepancies can add up quickly. Fuel card controls and transaction data can help fleet managers identify unusual purchasing patterns, such as transactions that don’t align with a vehicle’s location, fuel capacity, expected frequency or other established parameters.
That doesn’t necessarily mean every unusual transaction represents misuse. It may identify an error, an operational issue or simply something worth a closer look. The value is in having enough information to see the exception and investigate it.
Put Your Fuel Data to Work
A fuel card can provide more visibility into an operation than many fleet managers realize. Consider whether your current fuel program allows you to easily answer questions such as:
If those answers aren’t readily available, the issue may not be the amount of data you’re collecting; it may be how you’re using it.
The Learn with Lee Trans Takeaway
The discount may be what gets your attention, but the data may be what saves you time, money and headaches down the road. A well-managed fuel card program can provide more than savings at the pump. It can create a reliable source of information that supports IFTA reporting, historical recordkeeping, digital audit preparation, operational oversight and loss prevention. At Lee Trans, we believe compliance works best when it is integrated into the way a carrier already operates. When the information you’re already collecting can help you better understand your fleet and prepare for what comes next, you’re not just keeping records—you’re putting them to work. Because good data isn’t just something you keep. It’s something you use.
Learn with Lee Trans
At Lee Trans, we help carriers make the most of the information already being generated within their operation. From fuel card data and IFTA reporting to historical recordkeeping, audit preparation, and loss prevention, our team can help clients understand how these resources support both compliance and day-to-day fleet management.
Every fleet is different, and so are its compliance responsibilities. That’s why each month, our Learn with Lee Trans series explores the regulations, programs, and best practices that help carriers operate with confidence. If there’s a topic you’d like us to cover in a future edition, we’d love to hear from you.
