Idaho’s New Trucking Web Site Delivers Loads of Convenience

Like an all-night interstate diner, Idaho’s new online trucking Web site http://trucking.idaho.gov features a full menu to keep truckers going, only without the indigestion.

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Three Idaho agencies collaborated with Access Idaho, the state’s official Web site, to develop a single Web site where motor carrier firms and companies with fleet vehicles can take care of state and industry-related business around the clock. Information and services from the Idaho Transportation Department, the Idaho State Tax Commission, and the Idaho State Police are seamlessly linked together for quick access and easy navigation.

The new site, or "vortal," is the first of its kind for the Gem State. A vortal (short for "Vertical Industry Portal") features information and resources targeted for a specific industry. Idaho plans to develop and introduce additional vortals in the near future.

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From trip preparation to final destination, trucking.idaho.gov encompasses virtually every aspect of trucking operations and helps streamline the way motor carriers conduct business with Idaho government. The trucking vortal features links to online transportation-related services and resources offered by the state, including:

* Temporary trip permits

* Paperless hazardous materials endorsements

* International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) filing & payments

* Overlegal permits

* Full-fee license renewals

* Commercial driver’s license record searches

* Road and weather reports

* Maps

* Food and rest stop information

* Idaho rules and regulations

* Safety issues.

The site’s scope even extends beyond Idaho state boundaries, linking to the transportation sites of neighboring states and the federal government.

One noteworthy aspect about the trucking vortal is the absence of an alphabet soup-like Web address, making it easier to type and remember. Users do not have to include "www." The simplified address represents a new and more logical style the state of Idaho is adopting for frequently used Web sites to avoid user confusion and frustration