Maryland helps truckers go paperless

   Maryland this month will become the second state to issue electronic hauling permits for the trucking industry, and the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) said it will begin providing truckers with a way to carry and electronically display these permits during inspections.
   State regulations require haulers carry proper permits and attachments to validate their loads under safety and compliance guidelines. Trucks previously had to carry paper copies of these documents, but the trucks themselves often lack the ability to print paper copies on the road or at jobsites, where loads may change.
   The new regulation allows truckers to file their paperwork electronically, which gives Maryland’s enforcement agencies the ability to access the Automated Hauling Permit System (AHPS) to validate submissions against log books.
   Capt. Norman Dofflemyer, Maryland State Police commander in charge of the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division, said “by minimizing burdens and simplifying processes, we build trust with haulers that in turn leads to improved compliance.” 
   “This presents time-savings benefits and reduces paper usage, so environmentally and financially e-permits are green.” SHA estimates that this will save up to 50,000 pieces of paper each month,” added SHA Administrator Melinda Peters.
   The State Highway Administration stated that anyone abusing the e-permitting process, whether an individual or a company, will have their AHPS access revoked.
   The e-permit is also optional. Those truckers who don’t want to file electronically may continue to carry printed hard copies of permits and attachments. – Geoff Whiting