Company Policy

Hard Fork Transportation Inc. is committed to maintaining a professional, safe, and efficient working environment for all Independent Contractor Drivers (ICDs) operating under its authority. This company policy outlines the expectations, responsibilities, and procedures governing the relationship between the company and its ICDs. It serves as a comprehensive guide to operational standards, compliance requirements, compensation structure, equipment management, and termination procedures.

Hard Fork Transportation Inc. operates as an Interstate For-Hire Common Carrier under the authority granted by the Surface Transportation Board (STB). The company contracts Independent Contractor Drivers to transport freight using company-provided equipment. All ICDs must comply with federal, state, and local transportation regulations, including but not limited to those established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).

ICDs operate independently and have full discretion over the number of hours and loads they accept. Hard Fork Transportation Inc. does not guarantee a minimum number of loads, specific earnings, or required work hours. Compensation is based on a per-mile rate (CPM) with additional pay for detention, multiple stops, and fuel surcharges when applicable. ICDs are responsible for all personal expenses, including meals, phone usage, and regulatory fines. The company does not guarantee profitability and is not liable for financial losses due to operational issues or regulatory penalties.

ICDs must comply with FMCSA regulations, including driver qualification requirements, hours of service (HOS) limitations, and equipment safety rules. Failure to comply with these regulations may result in financial penalties, deductions, or termination. ICDs are responsible for conducting regular maintenance on assigned vehicles, including oil changes every 20,000 miles, and must submit proof of service.

All company-issued equipment, such as electronic logging devices (ELDs), fuel cards, and company signage, must be returned upon termination of the contractual relationship. Failure to return assigned equipment may result in financial penalties and potential legal action. If an ICD fails to return a truck or trailer as requested, the company may report the vehicle as missing and involve law enforcement.

ICDs must complete all shipments they accept. If an ICD fails to deliver a load, Hard Fork Transportation Inc. reserves the right to complete the shipment using alternate means and will hold the ICD responsible for any associated costs or damages. Abandonment of a shipment may result in legal action and financial liability.

ICDs must maintain an escrow fund to cover unpaid financial obligations. The company deducts $250 per week from the ICD’s revenue until the escrow balance reaches $1,000. These funds may be used for unpaid fines, damages, unreturned equipment, or other contractual obligations. Upon termination, any remaining balance will be returned within forty days, minus any outstanding deductions. If an ICD terminates their engagement within fourteen days of starting services, the escrow deposit will be non-refundable.

ICDs are required to maintain Occupational Accident Insurance (OAI) or provide proof of Workers’ Compensation Insurance if mandated by their state of residence. The company may facilitate OAI coverage, but it remains the ICD’s responsibility to ensure continuous insurance compliance.

ICDs must immediately report any accidents, claims, or violations in writing and confirm receipt. Full cooperation is required in any investigation or legal proceedings related to reported incidents.

The company reserves the right to deduct from an ICD’s earnings to cover damages or liabilities resulting from their actions. This includes cargo damage (up to $2,500 per occurrence), truck or trailer damage (up to $2,500 per occurrence), and penalties for regulatory violations as stated in Exhibit A of our Company Policy.

Hard Fork Transportation Inc. follows the laws of the State of Florida in governing contractual relationships. ICDs are responsible for any legal costs associated with disputes.

ICDs must use an Electronic Logging Device (ELD) to track hours of service and comply with FMCSA regulations. The ELD records driver’s activity, vehicle location, fuel usage, and regulatory compliance. This data is stored by a third-party vendor, and the company may access it as needed. ICDs consent to the collection and use of this data for compliance and operational purposes.

ICDs must return all company-issued equipment upon termination. Failure to return company-issued equipment, including but not limited to Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs), Samsara Video Recording System, tracking devices, base plates, PrePass, IFTA stickers, NY HUT sticker, and permits, will result in a $500 penalty for each missing item.

If an ICD fails to return the company’s truck or/and trailer upon request, the company reserves the right to report the vehicle as missing and involve law enforcement. Additionally, the ICD will be responsible for all costs incurred by Hard Fork Transportation Inc. in recovering the equipment, including but not limited to towing, storage, administrative fees, and legal expenses. If retrieval requires transportation of personnel or third-party services, the ICD will bear the full financial responsibility for these costs. The company may deduct these amounts from the ICD’s final settlement or escrow balance.  

If an Independent Contractor Driver (ICD) abandons company-issued equipment, including but not limited to the truck, trailer, or any assigned accessories, they will be fully liable for any loss, theft, or damage that occurs as a result. Abandonment includes leaving the equipment unattended in an unauthorized or unsecured location, failing to return it to a designated yard or drop-off point as instructed by Hard Fork Transportation Inc., or failing to notify the company of any issues preventing its proper return. If the abandoned equipment is stolen, vandalized, or damaged in any way, including but not limited to theft of the truck, trailer, cargo, or individual parts such as tires, electronics, or fuel, the ICD shall bear full financial responsibility for all resulting losses. The ICD shall be liable for the full cost of replacement or repair of the equipment, cargo, or stolen parts, in addition to any administrative, legal, towing, or recovery fees incurred by the company in retrieving or replacing the equipment. The ICD acknowledges that abandoning the equipment does not absolve them of financial or legal responsibility. If the equipment is stolen, damaged, or otherwise compromised after being abandoned, the ICD remains fully liable for all resulting losses. The ICD may not use the trucking industry term “abandoned” as a defense to avoid liability, and any attempt to do so will not be considered a valid excuse. Hard Fork Transportation Inc. reserves the right to deduct all associated costs from the ICD’s final settlement or escrow balance. If these funds are insufficient to cover the damages, the ICD agrees to reimburse the company for the outstanding balance. Additionally, the company reserves the right to pursue legal action against the ICD for negligence, abandonment, and any resulting financial losses.

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Passengers and unauthorized co-drivers are strictly prohibited in company vehicles. Violations will result in a $2,000 fine and potential termination.

The company enforces strict safety policies. ICDs found guilty of reckless driving, seatbelt violations, exceeding HOS limits, or other unsafe behaviors may be subject to penalties, deductions, or termination. Additional fines apply for moving violations, unauthorized use of radar detectors, improper cargo securement, and overweight infractions. See Exhibit A for details.

The following fines and penalties apply to specific violations:

A hit-and-run involving property damage, equipment, vehicles, or informational signs will result in a $3,000 fine and immediate termination.

Moving violations, including improper lane changes, failure to obey traffic signs, reckless driving, and speeding, will result in a $1,500 fine for the first offense and a $2,500 fine and termination for the second offense.

Driving without a valid driver’s license will result in a $1,000 fine for the first offense and a $2,500 fine and termination for the second offense.

Out-of-service violations will result in a $750 fine for the first offense, a $1,000 fine for the second offense, and a $2,500 fine and termination for the third offense.

A cell phone policy violation, including the use of a handheld phone while driving, will result in a $2,500 fine and termination.

Failure to wear a seatbelt will result in a $1,000 fine for the first offense and a $2,500 fine and termination for the second offense.

Unauthorized cargo loads will result in a $1,500 fine and termination.

Hours of Service (HOS) violations will result in a $1,500 fine for the first offense and a $2,500 fine and termination for the second offense.

Legal weight violations will result in a $750 fine, and the ICD will be responsible for paying all fines imposed by law enforcement.

Improper cargo securement will result in a $750 fine per occurrence.

Unauthorized use of radar detectors will result in a $750 fine for the first offense and a $1,000 fine and termination for the second offense.

Failure to perform pre-trip inspections properly, as determined by inspection points received, will result in a $250 fine per point.

Having unauthorized passengers in the truck will result in a $2000 fine and potential termination.

Removing/Disconnecting an Electronic Logging Device (ELD) will result in a $500 fine and termination.

Failure to submit or losing a Bill of Lading (BOL) or Proof of Delivery (POD) will result in a $500 fine per document.

Failure to comply with operational requirements, including maintaining in-cab documentation, on-time pickup and delivery, accurate load count, compliance with broker and dispatcher instructions, failure to send required arrival messages, and missing required tracking documentation, will result in a $250 fine per occurrence. If an ICD fails three times in a row, every additional violation will be subject to an additional $250 fine.

Failure to submit roadside inspections to the dispatcher will result in a $500 fine per occurrence.

Failure to fill out an accident report will result in a $1,000 fine.

Losing or failing to return the fuel card will result in a $150 fine.

Losing or failing to return the driver’s binder with carrier information will result in a $150 fine.

Independent Contractor Drivers (ICDs) are required to provide a minimum of two weeks’ written notice prior to terminating their contract with Hard Fork Transportation Inc. A flat fee of $500 will be deducted from the ICD’s final settlement or escrow account to cover administrative and operational costs associated with the abrupt termination. Additionally, such action may render the ICD ineligible for future contracts with the company.

ICDs must submit all trip-related documents, including fuel receipts, trip expense reports, and bills of lading, within seven days of delivery to ensure timely payment processing.

ICDs are paid on a per-load basis. Payment for each specific load will be processed 14 days after the ICD submits all required documentation, including but not limited to the Bill of Lading (BOL)/Proof of Delivery (POD), lumper fee receipts, and weight scale tickets. Payments are issued weekly on Mondays, with each load being paid exactly 14 days after its complete documentation has been provided.

This policy establishes the operational standards for all Independent Contractor Drivers under contract with Hard Fork Transportation Inc. Compliance with these policies is mandatory, and violations may result in fines, deductions, or termination.

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Exhibit A
COMPENSATION, BONUSES, PENALTIES, AND INSURANCE DEDUCTIONS

Effective January 1, 2021

This Exhibit A outlines the compensation for non-violation inspections, the return policy for company-provided equipment, penalties for violations, and insurance claim deductions applicable under this Agreement.

1. COMPENSATION/BONUSES (For Non-Violation Inspections)
Drivers are eligible for bonuses for passing roadside inspections without violations:
Level I Inspection – $300
Level II Inspection – $250
Level III Inspection – $200
Note: Payments are made only if the inspection results in no violations.

2. COMPANY EQUIPMENT / DEVICES / ACCESSORIES RETURN POLICY
All company-provided equipment, devices, and accessories must be returned upon termination of the Agreement in good working condition. Failure to return any of the following will result in a $500 charge:

• Samsara ELD and Dash Camera with Wires
• PrePass
• Tablet with Charger
• ELD Device
• Fuel Card

3. PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS
Failure to Comply with Carrier’s Operational Requirements – $50 per occurrence. This includes, but is not limited to:

• On-time pickup and delivery;
• Accurate load count;
• Compliance with broker and dispatcher instructions;
• Sending arrival messages when reaching shipper/receiver;
• Sending BOL with time in and out recorded;
• Sending freight and seal photos before departing from the shipper;
• Sending signed POD with time in and out recorded after departing from the receiver;
• Using the required tracking app and keeping “Always Track” enabled.

Penalty Escalation:

• If the driver fails three (3) times consecutively on different loads, the fourth and subsequent occurrences will each be subject to a $250 charge.

Major Violations & Fines

Violation	1st Offense	2nd Offense
Hit and Run (property damage, equipment, vehicles, signs, etc.)	$3,000 fine & termination	–
Failure to Perform Pre-Trip Inspection (PTI) Properly (based on points received during inspection)	$250 per point	–
Unauthorized Use of Radar Detector	$500 fine	$1,000 fine & termination
Moving Violations (improper lane change, stop signs, reckless driving, speeding, etc.)	$1,500 fine	$2,500 fine & termination
Driving Without a Valid Driver’s License	$1,000 fine	$2,500 fine & termination
Improper Cargo Securement	$500 per occurrence	–
Reckless Driving	$1,500 fine	$2,500 fine & termination
Overweight Violation (ICD pays all fines imposed by law enforcement in addition to the penalty)	$250 fine	–
Unauthorized Cargo Load	$1,500 fine & termination	–
Failure to Submit Roadside Inspections (not sending a copy to dispatcher & not submitting the original copy)	$500 per occurrence	–
Hours of Service (HOS) Violation	$1,500 fine	$2,500 fine & termination
Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Removal	$500 fine & termination	–
Cell Phone Policy Violation (using handheld phone while driving)	$2,500 fine & termination	–
Unauthorized Riders/Passengers	$2,000 fine & Immediate termination	–
Not Wearing a Seat Belt	$1,000 fine	$2,500 fine & termination
Out-of-Service Inspection Violation	$1,000 fine	$2,500 fine & termination
Failure to Fill Out Accident Report	$1,000 fine	–
Missing, Losing, or Failure to Turn in BOL/POD	$500 per document	–
Missing, Losing, or Failure to Return Fuel Card	$150 fine	–
Missing, Losing, or Failure to Return Driver’s Binder with Carrier’s Info	$150 fine	–

4. INSURANCE CLAIM DEDUCTIONS

In the event of an incident or accident caused by the ICD’s negligence, the CARRIER shall deduct the amounts listed below from the ICD’s last paycheck fund or, if insufficient, from the ICD’s settlements:

Insurance Type / Deductible Amount (Per Occurrence):

• Cargo Insurance Deductible – Up to $2,500
• Auto Liability Deductible – Up to $2,500
• Trailer Interchange Deductible – Up to $2,500
• Truck Physical Damage Deductible¹ – Up to $2,500
• Trailer Physical Damage Deductible² – Up to $2,500

¹ Not applied to contractors who provide their own Physical Damage coverage.

² Not applied to contractors who provide their own trailer.

In cases where multiple losses or different coverages are involved, the deductible amounts may be aggregated.