New York Law Takes Effect over Driver Misclassification
A new law takes effect Tuesday in New York state that some describe as the most stringent of any state when it comes to truck drivers and other transportation workers who have been wrongly classified as independent contractors rather than employees.
by Staff
March 10, 2014
1 min to read
A new law takes effect Tuesday in New York state that some describe as the most stringent of any state when it comes to truck drivers and other transportation workers who have been wrongly classified as independent contractors rather than employees.
The first, known as the "ABC Test" after the three subsections of the law, has three requirements which all must be satisfied, according to DC Velocity. The second, known as a "separate business entity" test, contains 11 requirements that must be met to prove a worker is deemed a separate business and can be classified as a independent contractors.
The act contains harsh penalties for penalties for companies that intentionally violate the law.
The legislation received backing from both organized labor and the New York State Motor Truck Association, which represents fleets. Supporters say it addresses a long-running problem in the state, including the loss of tax dollars.
Authorities say an Illinois trucker avoided paying tolls for two years, and now faces felony charges, possible prison time, and forfeiture of his Freightliner tractor.
Cargo theft rings plant operatives as drivers inside legitimate, fully vetted carriers, then execute coordinated thefts that look like a traditional straight theft from the outside.
ATA’s Women In Motion Council and Trucker Path highlight three truck stops that meet all seven safety-focused criteria and rank highest among female drivers.
Western Star is expanding its Star Nation Experience in 2026, adding new competitions and dealer participation to highlight operator skills and promote careers in trucking.
CarriersEdge announced the 2026 Best Fleets to Drive For overall winners, with Crawford Trucking, Fortigo Freight Services, and FTC Transportation receiving top awards.
The Department of Labor plans to expand Pell Grant eligibility to some shorter workforce training programs, a move the American Trucking Associations said will help strengthen commercial driver training schools and diesel technician training programs.
For an industry that has watched this issue go back and forth for years, the independent contractor proposal marks the latest swing in the regulatory pendulum.
