Fleet Archives - ABS Tag and Title

June 12, 2023June 12, 2023

Addressing These THREE Risks May Help Maintain the Life of Your Fleet!

Risk management is key to getting the most out of your fleet. Let’s explore three risks that affect the performance of your fleet.

Theft.
It’s quite possible to put significant time and money into protecting your cargo and overlooking the potential greatest loss to your business…the vehicle itself! Auto theft remains a tremendous problem in the United States. An analysis of data from the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) shows almost two vehicles being stolen every minute in 2022.It’s critical to ensure that vital auto parts are protected as well. From 2019 to 2021 catalytic converter theft jumped over 1,200 percent!Research and invest in the best safeguards to protect your fleet.
Distracted driving.
Distracted driving accounts for over 3,000 deaths on the road each year! Driving can be impaired by alcohol, drugs, sleep aids, lack of sleep, texting, or anything else that diverts the driver’s attention from the road.Do you see signs of aggression when any of your drivers are behind the wheel? Be careful to vet your drivers thoroughly and implement an ongoing training program. Addressing these issues through appropriate monitoring and training will save not only your property, but the lives of those entrusted with it.

Improper vehicle maintenance.
The safety of your drivers is largely dependent on the safety of your fleet vehicles. Every breakdown affects the bottom line. Improper vehicle maintenance can result in accidents and may result in fines and lawsuits. Invest in fleet management programs to keep track of maintenance needs and reporting requirements.

Technology is one of the best tools available to mitigate risks to your fleet. Technology has transformed fleet management. Strengthen your overall business operations with fleet management programs and services designed to keep your fleet compliant and on the road.

April 3, 2023April 3, 2023

Three Fleet Management Challenges

The fleet manager’s job is integral to the profitability of any company. The job is complex, multi-faceted and requires a seamless set of processes and tools to manage the fleet efficiently and safely. Effective use of technology and strategic partnerships with fleet management vendors is integral to the success of any fleet management program.

Every step of the fleet management process presents a unique set of issues – from purchasing to compliance. Once a vehicle is purchased, many challenges await the fleet manager. Here are three:

FUEL COSTS: Managing fuel costs is essential to maintaining profitability. Most fleets allocate about 35% of their ongoing operating costs to fuel. Increased gas prices have forced drivers and fleet managers to work toward finding the lowest rates and most economical driving options. These options include various purchasing protocols (i.e., purchasing wholesale, using fuel cards, etc.) and developing driving routes that efficiently utilize every drop of fuel.

SAFETY: Even under the most excellent supervised training, accidents do happen. The fleet manager must have a safety program in place that encompasses many factors from training to maintaining accurate driver files. This not only helps with safety, it ensures that a company meets the next challenge of compliance.

COMPLIANCE: Compliance is key. Non-compliant assets cannot be on the road. Lost time equals lost profits. The challenges keep growing as local, state, and federal authorities enact legislation and impose additional requirements to keep the company’s assets compliant. This is where strategic partnerships with fleet management vendors can help. They focus on keeping track of all the changes while the fleet manager focuses on the day-to-day operation of the fleet.

Fuel costs, safety, and compliance cover just a fraction of the challenges a fleet manager faces every day. Explore how the ABS Fleet Division can help. Contact us today.

March 16, 2023

Women are Making their Mark in Fleet Management

Women In Fleet Management (WIFM) gets much of the credit for the achievements of women in the fleet management industry. Through the development resources it offers and networking and mentoring opportunities, WIFM members have seen a world of change in the last two or three decades. Sue Miller remembers her first days in fleet management this way: “It was definitely the good old boys club. A lot of cigars, martini lunches, and that type of thing.” Miller went on to direct a 3,500-vehicle fleet for McDonald’s and currently serves as senior fleet account manager of a telematics company, Geotab. She served as one of the founders of WIFM, whose mission is “To provide a resource for women fleet leaders that encourages personal and career fulfillment through mentoring, fleet expertise sharing, fleet and business community involvement and networking.” (Explore WIFM and the many resources it provides here.)

WIFM will be one of the many representatives in this year’s WBENC Conference (Women’s Business Enterprise National Council), scheduled for March 20-23, 2023, in Nashville, TN. This conference offers a premier opportunity for women to network with other business owners, receive tools and resources to develop as business-owners, and pitch their businesses to professional and government representatives. (To find out more about the WBENC and to register for the conference, click here.)

The fight for equality of opportunities and pay among women entrepreneurs is not over. Bernadette Milito, co-chair of this year’s WBENC Conference, puts it very directly, “The answers are simple. It’s the work that’s hard.” Milito sees the conference as a unique opportunity to connect business owners and corporate executives. She is also dedicated to sharing her vast expertise in all aspects of the hard work it has taken for her to become CEO of CSS Building Services.

For decades women have been fighting for equal job opportunities, and it looks like that incredibly hard work is paying off. The WBENC Conference will be an exciting celebration of the achievements of women business owners while providing resources for continued success for years to come!

The WBENC conference will be held March 20-23, 2023, at the Gaylord Opryland in Nashville. Onsite registration will remain available throughout the conference.

September 28, 2022September 28, 2022

Managing Your Fleet Through Rising Fuel Costs

Over thirty percent of your fleet costs go directly into the gas pump, so your fuel investment needs to be managed very intentionally! Although we’ve seen a recent dip in gas prices, they are expected to fluctuate for some time, due to record high inflation. In order to manage fleets well, it’s imperative to not only cut back as much as is feasible, but wisely plan for how increased prices will affect businesses long term:

The obvious place to start (albeit the most severe expenditure) is to consider the fuel economy of your fleet and start transitioning if there is at all a possibility. It’s time to explore electric or hybrid as you replace your vehicles. 82% of all fleet owners are on their way to completely electronic vehicles, and it is proving to be the wiser economic option.
Go as LOW as you can go! Research the lowest prices for the recommended fuel grade for your fleet according to the OEM (Original Equipment Manager) and require all drivers to stick to them. Resources like GasBuddy allow you to find the lowest prices for gas in your driving area. You can’t control the increase of gas prices, but you can control unnecessary spending.
Beware of theft! As fuel prices increase, so does fuel theft! Be on the lookout for fraud (irregular fill-ups, a card being used when the vehicle is not present, etc.). Fluctuating gas prices make this harder to detect, so it’s more essential than ever that you know your fleet and watch carefully.
Believe it or not, driving on smooth roads can have an impact on fuel efficiency. It’s not always feasible to drive on the best roads, but your drivers can avoid uneven roads as much as possible.
Set speed restrictions for your drivers. Excessive speeds wastes fuel, not to mention it can be potentially dangerous. According to a study by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, driving at high speeds can reduce fuel efficiency by up to 30%.

Rising gas prices do not need to mean a loss of profits. ABS is committed to providing resources for optimum business success and our staff is eager to support businesses through this challenging time!

August 29, 2022

Innovative Ways to Muddle Through a Vehicle Shortage

Vehicles are in very short supply and fleet managers nationwide are agreeing on one thing: work with what you’ve got for as long as you can! Experts are suggesting it’s time for fleet managers to get very creative, because this shortage is anticipated to potentially stick around through 2024.

In 2021, there were between 1.5 million and 5 million fewer vehicles produced than the industry anticipated. Steady increase in inflation and continued supply chain issues hit the industry very hard, and fleet managers now must consider a completely new mentality in the way they do business. Advisors in the industry are suggesting the following:

If there’s any way to do it, cut back on your fleet now and save.
This seems counterintuitive to #1, but before you downsize, make certain that you will never need the vehicle in the future. The climate is not expected to improve for some time. If it will not cause sure and immediate savings, hang on.
As you are deciding fleet needs, transition to electric vehicles more quickly. EV’s are holding up very well in the industry, and they’re here to stay. Investing in diesel will be a quick economic loss from this point on.
Preventive maintenance has never been more essential as fleet managers are needing to extend the life of their vehicles. The cost of parts has increased considerably, so stay ahead of those repairs by caring meticulously for your cars and trucks!
Think outside the box. Meeting the needs of your customers comes first and foremost. Suggest alternate vehicles if your typical fleet is in short supply, consider the benefits of buying used vehicles, and some managers are even buying new and using the parts to service their entire existent fleet!

The vehicle shortage has brought obvious challenges to this industry. But ABS Tag & Title’s Out of Stock Vehicle Locating Services can still be a great way to source new or used vehicles when you find yourself in need. Working together we can make the most of these challenges.

August 1, 2022July 21, 2022

Preparing Your Fleet for Summer Heat

Prepare your fleet vehicles for the heat of summer.

You would never think of running five miles in 100-degree heat without taking a water bottle and extra precautions to fight the summer temps. Your fleet is no different!

From top to bottom, front to back, it needs extra care to beat the heat.

In order to prevent overheating, it’s essential that all fluids are topped off before you start off on these long driving days. Radiator, antifreeze, transmission, brakes, even windshield wiper fluid will need special attention in order to keep your fleet healthy in this heat. As you’re driving, keep an eye on the water temperature or coolant temperature gauge. If it goes above a safe temp, you’re at risk of engine failure and need to get off the road immediately.

Summer heat is brutal to the life of batteries. They run excessively to maintain HVAC systems and other hot weather accessories, causing an increase in corrosion. Unfortunately, this quick aging may not be noticed until the cooler months arrive and your fleet doesn’t start up. Steven Keuss of Associated Equipment Corp says that for every 10 degree increase in temperature, the battery’s life is reduced by 50%.

Tires are especially at risk in hot weather, as there is always a risk of a tire blowing up or even catching on fire. Switch out your winter tires and check summer ones closely and regularly, making sure that they maintain proper tread and wear evenly. The pressure in your tires will increase with the temperature, and it’s recommended that you check them every two hours or 100 miles to maintain safety on the road.

Manually check your engine belts by pressing on them to make sure they are tight. If not, the water pump and fan will not run properly and result in overheating. Visually check for signs of wear and replace at the first sign of aging.

If your engine does overheat, immediately pull over, set your vehicle or rig in neutral and set the brakes, but do NOT shut down your engine. Keep the engine revved to 1500 RPMs to allow the fan to cool your engine. This will take at least 15 minutes, so be patient! Never open the radiator cap or any other pressurized system, as steam can cause severe burns. Once your engine has cooled, head to the service station.

Extra time and care of your fleet now will help to limit these service stops and get you back on the road quickly. We at ABS Tag & Title wish you a safe and healthy summer!

January 4, 2022

What is a Toll Management System?

And why would you need one?

For companies with fleets, the need to manage the cost liability of unpaid tolls and violations, as well as increase their fleet driver’s mobility, toll management services may be something to investigate.

There are 6,200+ miles of U.S. tollways, 50+ toll authorities requiring individual account management, and toll coverage and toll device confusion. All of this can impact fleets due to overspending with little visibility of real costs.

Toll management acts kind of like a fuel card. It consolidates all toll spend under one account and there are no prefunding requirements. Fleet owners gain detailed visibility into all tolling activity, while administrative duties are reduced significantly.

When looking for a toll management program, here are some key elements to look for:

Account and payment consolidation
Fine and penalty avoidance
Eliminates payment by mail / web
Transponder device fulfillment direct to drivers
Vehicle Level Reporting
Customer Service with Dispute Resolution

Considerations

Fleet management companies that operate in multiple tolling regions should consider a managed toll system. Why? When you consider your current toll volume, the number of admin hours spent managing tolls, the number of toll accounts, and the operation area of your fleet vehicles, the benefits to the bottom line can be considerable. Even though all-electronic toll roads and cashless lanes have enabled speed and convenience, there is still a lack of interoperability among toll authorities. The result is a complicated and arduous task for fleet companies.

Value Add

Toll management can offer fleet companies real value too. A comprehensive program can provide:

New source of revenue from existing fleet customers
Valuable program to attract new fleet customers
No capital expenditures required
Aligns with current selling practice

For the fleet customer and driver the value includes:

Consolidation of toll accounts into one centralized, national program
Reduction of toll violation risk for covered vehicles
Elimination of ballooning costs of late payment penalties
Ability to track toll activity and proactively manage toll spend
Increase mobility by enabling drivers to use cashless toll lanes and all-electronic toll roads

If you’re looking for comprehensive toll management services, ABS Tag & Title provides ABS Shield Toll Management services that meet your fleet’s needs with tailor made solutions. Learn more.

November 9, 2021November 9, 2021

Complete Fleet Compliance Management

ABS has three divisions to meet all your tag & title needs.

Fleet Management

No business can afford to ever take a loss. Sloppy management of your fleet titles, registration, and licenses can cost your company hefty financial penalties and serious delays. It’s essential for you to rely on your Tag & Title company to handle every detail flawlessly. Our team of Fleet Compliance Managers is committed to your success.

Dealership Management

Obtaining titles and registrations can significantly slow down the purchase of a new vehicle. Repo titles and lien perfections are OUR business, so they don’t need to be a business manager’s nightmare. We have a Dealership Division devoted specifically to YOU, so that our contacts and our expertise will be a quick solution to your business needs.

Leasing Management

Tags and titles, registration and liens, renewals and state transfers can cause unnecessary delays, and you need to get your fleet on the road. Obtaining and maintaining is our specialty. Our Leasing Division team is committed to providing clear communication and is always accessible to you with helpful resources and contacts.

Need a title transfer, correction, name change, fuel and trip permits? Selling a rig and need the lien and title in your hands in the next 24 hours? Rest assured, your documents are safe, and your fleet is covered.
Have a small fleet and need a more efficient office with fewer administrative bodies? Have a large fleet and need more efficient technical tools to manage it? Rest assured, your rigs will be compliant, and your fleet is covered.

Covering all 50 states and 1400 jurisdictions, you can leave the details to us. Rest assured…with ABS, your fleet, your dealership, and your leasing needs are covered.

May 25, 2021May 25, 2021

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.

April 30, 2021April 30, 2021

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!