Author: ABS Tag and Title

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Rest Easy with ABS Secure Title Storage

Check one item off your to-do list: safe storage of your company’s titles

As fleet managers, we’ve all been there; the case of the lost file. Lost and/or ruined titles need to be replaced and that’s a situation you don’t want happening over and over. Hopefully your business hasn’t dealt with a flood or fire, but if you have, you know first-hand how stressful it is to have to build from ground zero. At ABS Tag and Title, we see this time and time again.

Far too often our customers are in need of replacing titles that have been lost or ruined. To alleviate this recurring problem, we provide safe title storage services in our securely constructed facility. When you are ready to sell the vehicle and need your title, we can have it to you in 24 hours. That fast turnaround time is what we pride ourselves on and how we provide superior services to fleet managers across the USA.

What makes our storage facility secure:

  • Halon Protected Title Room: According to fireprotection.org, Halon is a liquefied, compressed gas that stops the spread of fire by chemically disrupting combustion. It adds an extra layer of fire protection to titles and tags – breaking the chain reaction and protecting them from any damage.
  • Limited Secure Access: Not just anyone can have access to our facility, only approved and cleared staff will be able to get in and out to retrieve information for our clients! We always have the facility under security.
  • Fire Resistant Safes: Your documents, titles and tags will be locked away safely in our secure, fire-resistant safes until you need them.
  • 24/7 Access to ABS Customer Portal: Need some quick information? Can’t remember the last 4-digits of the tag? View your titles, tags and documents immediately by using your customer portal online! You’ll have access to your portal anytime you need it.
  • 24-Hour Turnaround Guarantee: Team members are dedicated to ensuring you receive a title within 24 hours of any request, so your business keeps moving without delay and without hassle.

Our #1 priority is to fully remove the burden from fleet managers and operators and save you valuable time and numerous headaches. We want you to focus on running your business, keeping your fleets on the road, and the money coming in. With a complete line of fleet management solutions, we oversee all the details from vehicle title and registration, renewals, duplicate titles, out of stock vehicle locating and so much more. Request a quote here to get started with us and learn how we can partner with you.

Learn more about of complete line of fleet and title registration services here.

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Grow in Your Career with ABS

ABS Tag & Title is looking for qualified candidates to help us as we continue to grow.

ABS has had a solid reputation for 30 years, and we look expectantly toward the future, as our business continues to grow! As nationwide Tag and Title experts:

  • We partner with small, medium, and Fortune 500 companies. No matter the scale or complexity, we provide the staff and expertise to improve productivity and optimize performance of any fleet. When businesses are moving, the money is coming in. That’s ABS.
  • We pride ourselves in providing exceptional customer service. Our 125+ team members supply highly accurate vehicle license and title services….motor carrier services….out of stock vehicle locating services….and so much more….nationwide….every time.
  • We diligently uphold our WBENC certification (Women’s Business Enterprise National Council). Its members represent the nation’s largest and most successful corporations, dedicated to creating an environment of opportunity for women-owned businesses. ABS Owner, Sherry Shields, sets the bar high for women who achieve great success in business.

Our top-notch executive team ensures that ABS not only meets the demands of its customers, but also offers its employees the opportunity to thrive in a positive, innovative and exciting working environment. Click here to find current ABS job openings on our Facebook page:

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ABS Temporary Fuel and Trip Permits

Let us Handle Your Permits to Keep Your Fleet Compliant & On the Road

You’re on a tight deadline, and every mile is an investment. We won’t let you waste time or pay unnecessary fines along the way! Knowing the facts about required permits is essential, and our mission is to help your fleet stay compliant and on the road.  Obtaining temporary fuel and temporary trip permits for our clients means faster turnaround, no hassles and accuracy from start to finish.

The International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) covers 48 U.S. states and Canadian provinces. Essentially, when your vehicle is IFTA-registered, you record the distance traveled in each state or province and pay the appropriate fuel taxes.

Temporary Fuel Permit

This permit is required for freight motor vehicles operated on an occasional or infrequent basis. It may be issued for a maximum of seven consecutive days and is valid only for the vehicle for which it has been issued.

A Fuel Permit is required if your vehicle is traveling out of state and any of these apply:

  • Your vehicle does not have a current IFTA decal assigned and displayed as part of the International Fuel Tax Agreement
  • Your power unit has 3 or more axles regardless of weight if you cross state lines
  • Your tow vehicle and trailer have a combined gross vehicle or registered weight over 26,000 lbs

Temporary Trip Permit

This permit allows interstate travel for commercial motor vehicles that are not registered under the International Registration Plan (IRP). It allows for the movement of a laden truck, truck-tractor, trailer, semitrailer, or a motor bus on the state’s highways.  These permits are available in increments of 72- or 144-hours, One-trip, or 30-days.

Every day ABS is entrusted with the job of transporting other people’s property. We consider it a privilege to help our customers do that as efficiently as possible! Learn more about our services, and how we can save your company valuable time and money.

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New Fleet Management Details to Consider

New administration means new fleet management details.

A New Administration in Washington Means a Change for the Fleet Industry

With a new Administration in the White House, cutting-edge trucking regulations are on the horizon. To have an efficient fleet management service can mean the difference between the life and death of your trucking company.  Some things to consider:

  • United States Secretary of Transportation, Pete Buttigieg, indicates he wants “net-zero” emissions from your fleet by 2040.
  • Put on hold since 2017, 18-wheeler speed limits are once again back on the discussion table in Washington.
  • The FMCSA is currently reviewing vision-impaired truck driving exemptions. Having set March 15 as a comment deadline, it will soon reveal whether a change will be made.  If the new legislation passes, affected drivers will no longer be restricted to in-state hauls.
  • Many expect that the new Administration will mandate an increase in the current $750,000 requirement of insurance liability. This move could mean a drastic dent on earnings and cost the industry millions.

These potential changes to trucking regulation are just a few concerns that will need to be addressed within your fleet, and they don’t touch on the ever-changing regulations that vary from state to state! It is more essential than ever before that a trucking company has dependable and professional fleet management to handle every detail personally and expertly. The result will ensure maximum profit within this industry.

The average highway driver has no idea what you have to consider to keep your fleet of trucks driving safely and legally across our nation. What is a simple (albeit sometimes annoying) wait in line to obtain a vehicle license and title can be a virtual nightmare for those in the trucking industry! Plus, if your truck isn’t where it should be when it should be, you’re out of business! We at ABS understand that your fleet needs to keep rolling and assure you that you can leave every single one of the details to us!

With a complete line of fleet management solutions, we oversee all the details from vehicle title and registration, renewals, duplicate titles, out of stock vehicle locating and so much more. We pride ourselves on fast turn-around times, our expertise and our accurate & reliable processes. Request a free quote to get started with us today so you can unburden yourself with the administrative work and focus on running your business!

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Avoid Motor Carrier Fines and Delays

ABS can save you time and money with our Motor Carrier Services

Let ABS Save You Time and Money with Motor Carrier Services

The most successful companies know how essential it is to use the majority of their time on tasks that grow their business and show their strengths – not waste precious time on administrative tasks that can be complicated and distracting. But in the commercial fleet industry, these administrative tasks are not only necessary, they can also result in unexpected fines and negatively affect productively if not done properly.

Our ABS Tag & Title Motor Carrier Services experts will allow you to be confident that your administrative responsibilities are being completed on time and accurately allowing you and your team to focus on growing your business and servicing your customers. Simple mistakes in name changes, state transfers, title storage services, and title corrections will not only cost you money in fines, but a loss of productivity and decline in reputation with your clients.

We are dedicated to improving efficiency and operating processes for fleet owners, your managers and operators. We leverage our expertise and infrastructure to reduce and streamline your administrative work. Regardless of the size of your commercial fleet, we will use our intellectual capital and proprietary technical tools to manage your assets effectively.

Our Motor Carrier Services include:

  • IRP Maintenance, Additions, Renewals & Changes
  • IFTA Quarterly Reporting
  • Special State Reporting
  • Driver Qualification File Management
  • Oversize/Overweight Annual & Trip
  • Secure Account Website With 24/7 Access
  • Complete Nationwide Registration & Titling Services
  • Title Storage Services

Regardless of the fleet’s scale or complexity, ABS has the knowledge, experience and the staff to optimize performance and make your organization more profitable. At ABS Tag & Title, we’re your partner in success by keeping your fleet compliant and on the road! Learn more about our Motor Carrier Services can offer your company and contact us if you have any questions. We would love the opportunity to speak with you about how we can help you and your team be more successful!

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Need an Out-of-Stock Vehicle?

ABS Tag & Title can help with out-of-stock vehicle locating nationwide.

Nationwide Vehicle Locating

ABS Tag & Title specializes in nationwide out-of-stock vehicle locating. We pride ourselves on accuracy, consistency and speed of our service. No matter the vehicle, truck or piece of equipment you need to support your commercial vehicle fleets, ABS Tag & Title can help you with all of your out-of-stock new vehicle locating needs with excellence. ABS Tag & Title utilizes our resources, contacts and expertise to save you time and money. Let us do the heavy lifting and legwork for you while you get back to work.

Here’s how we do it:

  • Coordinate with our ABS Dealer Network throughout the United States
  • Negotiate competitive pricing on your purchase
  • Ensure you get quick turnaround and processing with clear, consistent communication from start to finish
  • Include ALL foreign and domestic makes and models – we make sure you get what you want!
  • 50 state filing service for your convenience
  • Complete nationwide registration and titling services
  • Transportation and delivery available – we are here for you

Interested in our Out-of-Stock Vehicle Locating services? Fill out the form here and our Out-of-Stock Locating specialist will be in contact to finalize your request.

At ABS Tag and Title, we understand that your fleet has to keep rolling. That’s why we provide a hands-on approach to customer service. No detail is too small, no problem too large for our customer success team. No more burdens for you, no more wait times for your drivers. We keep your business moving and the money coming in.

Experience for yourself the ABS Tag and Title Difference: Outstanding Customer Service!

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Is Your Fleet Ready for Roadside Inspections?

Is your fleet ready for the 2021 International Roadcheck?

Be Roadcheck Ready

The next annual Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) International Roadcheck is scheduled for May 4-6, 2021. February is the perfect time to connect with us and let us help you get your fleet prepared for this upcoming inspection. Our fleet management experts will handle all the details that keep your vehicles compliant and their wheels in motion.

According to CVSA, the International Roadcheck is the largest targeted enforcement program on commercial motor vehicles in the world, with nearly 15 trucks or buses inspected, on average, every minute across North America during a 72-hour period.

Here are a few tips to help you prepare for a roadside inspection:

Understand Level-1 Inspections

This is the most thorough of all roadside inspections. Our ABS Tag & Title fleet management experts can help guide you through everything you need to know to remain complaint during this type of inspection.

Examine Your Cargo

Be sure to check out your safe load assessment, tail board, and end gate security, cargo shifting/falling safeguards, blocking and bracing for visible cargo, and tie-town anchor points.

Check Tires Closely

Tread depth and pressure will be measured. Be sure to check for any items lodged between dual tires and deep cuts or bulges in sidewalls.

Prepare Your Drivers

All drivers must be able to provide valid licenses, medical cards and current hours-of-service records upon inspection.

Inspect Your Vehicles

Check out your brakes, fuel, exhaust, coupling, frames and safety items such as windshield wipers and lights to ensure everything is in working order.

We have time to prepare for the upcoming 2021 CVSA International Roadcheck together. Save yourself the time and hassle by filling out a request today for a free quote to keep your fleet of vehicles compliant and on the road. A member of our team will be in touch with you promptly to see how we can help you get CVSA International Roadcheck ready this year!

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Reduce Fleet Costs

3 Ways to Reduce Your Fleet Costs

How to Reduce Your Overall Fleet Costs

The total cost of ownership of your fleet is made up of the purchase price of your assets plus the costs of operations. This is an especially important figure when you’re looking to understand your operational costs and reduce them. Fleet managers should always be seeking ways to reduce their total cost of ownership, both short-term and long-term. A fleet’s total cost of ownership is a fluid figure and will be different for every commercial fleet. Here are three key ways to reduce fleet costs:

Evaluate Leasing Arrangements | Do you own or lease your vehicles? What type of lease arrangement do you have, could it be improved?

Optimize Your Fleet Size | You may have too many vehicles or not enough. Analyzing the scale of your fleet can help you determine the optimal number and vehicles needed.

Outsource Operations | Make sure your operations such as titling, registration and everything needed to keep your fleet compliant is running efficiently and not costing you additionally in fees.

In a few simple steps you can greatly improve your commercial fleet’s cost assessment and reduce your overhead cost thus increasing your total cost of ownership. It just takes being aware of your assets and where your costs are going.

If you’re looking for fleet management solutions, we oversee all the details from vehicle title and registration, renewals, duplicate titles, out of stock vehicle locating and so much more. We pride ourselves on fast turn-around times, our expertise and our accurate & reliable processes. Learn more: https://abstagtitle.com/about-us/services/

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Required Paperwork for All Truck Drivers

Paperwork all truck drivers should have with them in the cab.

Don’t Be Caught Without Your Required Paperwork!

Have you had an inspection turn south because of missing paperwork? Whether you call it a permit book, a paperwork binder or a document folder you need to keep one in your truck. Here is a list of 8 important pieces of paperwork a truck driver should always have in their permit folder.

  1. MC Authority – MC Authority shows your company’s registration with the DOT and authorizes you to transport freight. It lists your company name and motor carrier number.
  2. Certificate of Insurance – The title says it all; it lists your insurance company and policy numbers along with contacts for your agent. Keep in mind there are several policies on the same sheet. They may have different expiration dates, so be sure to check them all.
  3. Truck Registration – This paperwork lists your rig’s VIN, license plate, make and model as well as info on the registered owner. States issues IRP registrations annually, and they can be valid for single or multiple states. Just like with insurance, expiration dates are critical.
  4. Annual Inspection – Certified mechanics fill out these checklists and confirm your equipment is operational and defect free. Annual means dates are important, be sure to check for expiration dates. Yearly inspection stickers go on the side of your truck, but you also need the paper inside your binder.
  5. Lease Agreement – If you are an owner operator or drive a truck not registered under your company’s name, you need a lease agreement. These vary between a single page or multipage contracts, this document lists equipment ownership and lease terms.
  6. IFTA – You need both stickers and a cab card. Both need annual updates and show company information and expiration dates, IFTA stickers change colors annually making it easy to spot outdated ones.
  7. ELD Instructions –Paperwork that explains how to operate your electronic logging device. The DOT mandates that these must be kept inside your truck and presented during an inspection.
  8. Backup Paper Logs – Again, mandated by the DOT in case of ELD failure, you need at least one week’s worth of driver logs or minimum of seven sheets.

While truck drivers need trailer registration and annual inspections during DOT inspections, we advise against keeping this paperwork inside the cab. These go inside a box mounted on the nose of the trailer. Drivers tend to keep them inside the cab for easy access, but this can lead to problems. If you swap trailers, this paperwork stays with you and hence leaves the other driver without the documents. An excellent tip to keep your papers organized is a ringed binder with clear plastic sleeves, protecting your paperwork against rips and spills and keeping everything within reach.

As always, we’re here to keep your fleet compliant and on the road with all your registration and titling needs. Head over to the contact form to get started today.

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Understanding Commercial Fleet Terminology

Understanding the differences between apportioned license plates and other terms.

Why Apportioned Plates Are Important

Does your organization currently utilize commercial trucks as part of its fleet management strategy? Do your trucks have apportioned license plates? If you’re not familiar with the term “apportioned license plates,” “apportioned registration” or “International Registration Plan” (IRP), then we hope this brief overview helps explain what they are and why they’re important for your fleet.

License Plate Differences

Apportioned license plates, apportioned registration, and International Registration Plan (IRP) are closely related. These designations allow commercial vehicles to operate in two or more jurisdictions. Each state receives a “portion” of the vehicle’s registration fees based on the miles traveled in that particular state. Apportioned plates are license plates issued to commercial vehicles and are affixed to the vehicle. Apportioned registration is the official registration within the state that the fleet is based. The International Registration Plan (IRP) is a federal program and vehicle registration agreement between the states within the United States and the provinces within Canada.

Worry Free Travel with Apportioned Plates

Having apportioned plates is important because it allows your fleet to travel interstate without having to worry about registering in each state or receiving fines for not having appropriate registration.

Worry Free Fleet Management

At ABS Tag and Title, we have all the expertise to keep your fleet appropriately registered, titled and licensed without worry. We stay on top of all your fleet management needs so you can get back to business.