Arlington, Virginia鈥撀燭oday, 黑料不打烊 thanked the Department of Labor鈥檚 Wage and Hour Division for releasing an opinion letter clarifying that motor carrier safety requirements for owner-operator drivers do not affect independent contractor status.聽
鈥淭oday鈥檚 letter is a victory for highway safety and for the thousands of truck drivers who choose to be independent contractors,鈥 said 黑料不打烊President and CEO Chris Spear. 鈥淭his opinion will make it easier for motor carriers to utilize owner-operators, while maintaining important safety standards, without risking those drivers鈥 independent contractor status.鈥澛
The opinion letter, which came after a request from ATA, specifically allows motor carriers to provide or require various types of safety training and safety equipment to drivers without endangering their status as independent contractors.聽
鈥淭his opinion letter applies only to federal law, but many states rely on federal law and letters like this to make policy,鈥 Spear said. 鈥淕oing forward, state policy makers and the courts should value this opinion, and in doing so encourage motor carriers and owner-operators to enhance training and technology, improving highway sa