For several weeks now we have been struggling to get our TERO permit. TERO is an integral part of living on the reservation. Our Life on the Bakken is found to be much more colorful because of the reservation.
TERO stands for - get this - Tribal Rights Employment Office (no...I did not say TREO and no I did not say Tribal Employment Rights Office.) YEP! That's what it stands for. AND this is part of the Three Affiliated Tribes (TAT) known as the MHA (Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara) Nation located on the largest reservation in the United States and North Dakota known as Fort Berthold.
The TAT TERO office issues annual permits allowing companies working on the reservation to continue operating their vehicles and their businesses here. The permit helps them guarantee their cut in the revenue pie here on the Bakken/Reservation and this year's fees indicate they are wanting a good chunk of pie (so-to-speak). With the inital filing fee at $100 - we all think that is reasonable. But then there's the Contractor's Permit Application - $1000, and you have to register your trucks you'll be driving on the reservation but not just with TAT TERO, but also with MHA DOT (Department of Transportation) at $1000 for every FIVE vehicles that's $200 per STICKER per truck and if your pickups have any form of a logo on them, they must have their sticker too. Say you have SIX vehicles to register? $2000!!! YEP! There's no prorating this.
But there are several different forms to fill out and they want copies of your vehicle registrations, unit numbers identified, along with your certificate of insurance. You can't get TAT TERO to talk to you until you have your form signed by MHA DOT. You can't get MHA DOT to talk to you until you have the TAT TERO receipt for your initial filing fee. You can't pickup your stickers until your TAT TERO application if formally approved and you have your TAT TERO Permit Number. Then you have to make sure you have duplicate copies of everything because TAT TERO and MHA DOT don't like to share and they BOTH need copies of everything you bring in. And make sure you give the check to the right place or you'll be tracking those down too!
Needless to say, our permit was up in March but we were unable to acquire our renewed permit until June 25. I had to go back in 5 times to get things finalized and get checks cut and brought to the right place, make duplicate copies of everything and STILL lost my initial application and vehicle application copies somewhere along the way! I spent over two weeks worth of man hours trying to get this figured out and about 400-600 miles in the car. And to add insult to injury - the day I got this all finalized we were pulled over by a TAT TERO officer and fined for not having our sticker in the window!!! I mean really?!?!
Do you know ifsales reps, driving their personal vehicle are required to have vehicle stickers? havent had any luck getting answers from MHA DOT or TERO
ReplyDeleteIf you don't want to work on Tribal Lands, then don't! It's comical when those complain about fees or paper work. It is obvious that you where already TERO Certified, which means that you are already aware of what is to be expected. It sounds to me that it was your oversight of not just the purpose of TERO but it appears that you had/have no respect for TERO.
ReplyDeleteHow about we treat Indian tribes as completely separate nations. Secured borders, very few roads between the nations, separate utilities etc. I GUARANTEE you that the tribes need the USA A LOT more than the USA needs the tribes!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSecuring trucking licenses are no easy feat, but can be easily acquired with the right people. Getting the proper help ensures that right forms are filled up and they are submitted on time. Getting help in cases such as this goes a long way in securing documentation faster and at less cost.
ReplyDeleteFrank Smith @ C2C Services
Back when this was initially written we were all dealing with the growing pains of the oil boom. I am happy to report that since then TERO has streamlined operations and I have become more familiar with the process and spend about 30-40 minutes tops licensing company vehicles. I will say that the MHA DOT office has done a great job! Stephanie is the bomb.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteTERO< does stand for 'Tribal Employment Rights Office' not Tribal Rights Employment office...
ReplyDeleteThe biggest problem with the process is that it seems to change depending on the day of the week and who you are talking to. Forms change overnight and without much explanation.
ReplyDeleteFix your process, keep your process, and it will be easier for both the TERO and its customers.
The biggest problem with the process is that it seems to change depending on the day of the week and who you are talking to. Forms change overnight and without much explanation.
ReplyDeleteFix your process, keep your process, and it will be easier for both the TERO and its customers.