Before hiring any teenage employees this summer, it is important that you know the rules and regulations governing teen employment.  The Drive for Teen Employment Act of 1998 established on-the-job driving restrictions for all 17-year-old employees, including limited driving on public roads for employment purposes and driving during daylight hours only.  Before allowing any 17-year-old employee to drive while at work and for work purposes, the employer should verify the following:

 ·          The employee has a valid state drivers license.

·          The employee understands that a safety belt should be worn at all times.

·          The employee has completed a state-approved driver's education course.

·          The employee has no moving violations on their record at the time of hiring.

In addition to these employment restrictions, the federal law also prohibits towing of vehicles, route deliveries, and other types of driving. Minors under 17 years of age may not drive as part of their employment; however, restrictions do not apply to employees age 18 or older.

Maryland has additional restrictions that govern youth employment.  Please click here for further information on employment restrictions applying to minors aged 14 to 17.

Effective October 1, 2010, dealers are required to transmit vehicle and registration information electronically to the MVA on the same day they issue a 60-day temporary registration.  Dealers should also keep temporary registration plate records for a period of three (3) years instead of permanently. 

The MVA will be holding four seminars in August to explain the new law.  Dates and locations will be announced at a later date as they become available.  MADA will also be implementing a web-based temporary tag program, details of this new program to follow.

K. Neal International Trucks, Inc. Hosts President Obama

The Hyattsville, Maryland headquarters of K. Neal International Trucks, Inc., an International® commercial truck and bus dealership was the perfect backdrop for a recent visit from President Barack Obama and Vice President Joseph Biden to highlight the success of the administration's Recovery Act.

After a tour of the dealership with K. Neal International Trucks' chief executive officer, Stephen Neal, President Obama said, "We have to keep creating the conditions for companies like K. Neal International to succeed, to keep growing, to keep hiring."

The Recovery Act, executed and overseen by Vice President Biden, provided hope for many businesses that were substantially hurt during the recession. Obama explained how the Recovery Act helped businesses like K. Neal International saying, "The Recovery Act helped K. Neal during a bad winter, during a tough time, to keep that business, if not growing, then at least stable."

The President closed his speech with empowering and encouraging words. "We can keep building a stronger economy. We can keep pursuing the policies that have started to create jobs again; policies that invest in companies like K. Neal; policies that invest in companies like Navistar; policies that invest in our people and in our future."

"I am grateful that K. Neal International Trucks was selected to host President Obama and Vice President Biden," Stephen Neal said. "Meeting and hosting our national leaders was a wonderful experience for me, our staff and my family. I'm humbled that our employees had the opportunity to personally meet the President and Vice President. No question, it's the highlight of a lifetime for everyone at K. Neal."

MADA Member, Tammy Darvish, Featured on Nationally Televised Program

MADA Member, Tammy Darvish, , was recently featured on the television show, Ideas in Action with Jim Glassman.  The shows topic, "American Automakers: An Industry on the Rebound?" featured a panel of industry experts focusing on the bailout of Chrylser and General Motors and the future of the American auto industry. 

Ms. Darvish, Vice-President of Darvish Automotive Group, also serves as NADA Director for WANADA.  Ms. Darvish is also a member of the Toyota and Chrysler Dealer Councils, and is secretary and treasurer of the Toyota Dealer Advertising Association.  Also featured on the show were Paul Ingrassia and Anthony Yezer.   Mr. Ingrassia, a Pulitzer-prize winning journalist, previously served as Detroit bureau chief for the Wall Street Journal and authored the 2010 book "Crash Course: the American Automobile Industry's Road from Glory to Disaster".  Mr. Yezer, Director for the Center for Economic Research at George Washington University, testified before congress about the credit crisis and has consulted for Ford, GM and Chrysler about credit issues.