Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Description of Business and Principles of Consolidation

–P.A.M. Transportation Services, Inc. (the “Company”), through its subsidiaries, operates as a truckload transportation and logistics company.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned operating subsidiaries: P.A.M. Transport, Inc., P.A.M. Cartage Carriers, LLC, Overdrive Leasing, LLC, Choctaw Express, LLC, Decker Transport Co., LLC, T.T.X., LLC, Transcend Logistics, Inc., and East Coast Transport and Logistics, LLC. The following subsidiaries were inactive during all periods presented: P.A.M. International, Inc., P.A.M. Logistics Services, Inc., Choctaw Brokerage, Inc., and S & L Logistics, Inc.

Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Use of Estimates

–The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of any contingent assets and liabilities at the financial statement date and reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. The Company periodically reviews these estimates and assumptions. The Company's estimates were based on its historical experience and various other assumptions that management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Cash and Cash Equivalents

–The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of

three

months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. At times cash held at banks

may

exceed FDIC insured limits.

Receivables, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

–Accounts receivable are presented in the Company’s consolidated financial statements net of an allowance for estimated uncollectible amounts. Management estimates this allowance based upon an evaluation of the aging of our customer receivables and historical write-offs, as well as other trends and factors surrounding the credit risk of specific customers. The Company continually updates the history it uses to make these estimates so as to reflect the most recent trends, factors and other information available. In order to gather information regarding these trends and factors, the Company also performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers. Customer receivables are considered to be past due when payment has

not

been received by the invoice due date. Write-offs occur when management determines an account to be uncollectible and could differ from the allowance estimate as a result of a number of factors, including unanticipated changes in the overall economic environment or factors and risks surrounding a particular customer. Management believes its methodology for estimating the allowance for doubtful accounts to be reliable. However, additional allowances

may

be required if the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, and could have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements in future periods.

Bank Overdrafts [Policy Text Block]

Bank Overdrafts

–The Company classifies bank overdrafts in current liabilities as accounts payable and does

not

offset other positive bank account balances located at the same or other financial institutions. Bank overdrafts generally represent checks written that have

not

yet cleared the Company’s bank accounts. The majority of the Company’s bank accounts are

zero

balance accounts that are funded at the time items clear against the account by drawings against a line of credit; therefore, the outstanding checks represent bank overdrafts. Because the recipients of these checks have generally

not

yet received payment, the Company continues to classify bank overdrafts as accounts payable. Bank overdrafts are classified as changes in accounts payable in the cash flows from operating activities section of the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. Bank overdrafts as of

December 31, 2018

and

2017

were approximately

$3,669,000

and

$4,377,000,

respectively.

Trade and Other Accounts Receivable, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Accounts Receivable Other

–The components of accounts receivable other consist primarily of amounts representing company driver advances, independent contractor advances, and equipment manufacturer warranties. Advances receivable from company drivers as of

December 31, 2018

and

2017,

were approximately

$220,000

and

$448,000,

respectively. Accounts receivable from independent contractors as of

December 31, 2018

and

2017,

were approximately

$1,724,000

and

$1,813,000,

respectively. Independent contractors are allowed to purchase items such as fuel, repairs and tolls on Company accounts in order to share in favorable pricing negotiated by the Company. Independent contractors and trip lease carriers are also allowed to receive advances for a portion of the revenue that they expect to receive for loads that they transport for the Company.

Marketable Securities, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Marketable Equity Securities

– The Company’s investment in marketable equity securities is accounted for in accordance with ASC Topic

321,

(“ASC Topic

321”

), Investments-Equity Securities. ASC Topic

321

requires companies to measure equity investments at fair value, with changes in fair value recognized in net income. The Company’s investments in marketable securities consist of equity securities with readily determinable fair values. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific identification method. Realized and unrealized gains and losses, interest and dividends on marketable equity securities are included in non-operating income (expense) in our consolidated statements of operations.

Prior to the adoption of ASU

2016

January 1, 2018,

marketable equity securities were classified by the Company as either available for sale or trading. Securities classified as available for sale were carried at market value with unrealized gains and losses recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income in the statements of stockholders’ equity. Securities classified as trading were carried at market value with unrealized gains and losses recognized in the consolidated statements of operations. Realized gains and losses were computed utilizing the specific identification method.

For additional information with respect to marketable equity securities, “Item

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note

to the Consolidated Financial Statements – Marketable Equity Securities.”

Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

–The Company reviews its long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of a long-lived asset

may

not

be recoverable. An impairment loss would be recognized if the carrying amount of the long-lived asset is

not

recoverable, and it exceeds its fair value. For long-lived assets classified as held and used, if the carrying value of the long-lived asset exceeds the sum of the future net undiscounted cash flows, it is

not

recoverable.

impairment losses were recorded during

2018

2017.

Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Property and Equipment

–Property and equipment is recorded at historical cost, less accumulated depreciation. For financial reporting purposes, the cost of such property is depreciated principally by the straight-line method. For tax reporting purposes, accelerated depreciation or applicable cost recovery methods are used. Depreciation is recognized over the estimated asset life, considering the estimated salvage value of the asset. Such salvage values are based on estimates using expected market values for used equipment and the estimated time of disposal which, in many cases include guaranteed residual values by the manufacturers. Gains and losses are reflected in the year of disposal. The following is a table reflecting estimated ranges of asset useful lives by major class of depreciable assets:

The Company’s management periodically evaluates whether changes to estimated useful lives and/or salvage values are necessary to ensure its estimates accurately reflect the economic use of the assets. During

2018

and

2017,

management determined that an adjustment to the estimated useful lives or salvage values of trucks or trailers was

not

necessary based on such an evaluation. During

2016,

management adjusted the estimated useful lives and salvage values of certain trucks based on such an evaluation. These changes resulted in an increase in depreciation expense of approximately

$1.0

million,

$2.7

million and

$1.3

million during

2018,

2017

and

2016,

respectively.

Inventory Supplies, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Inventory

–Inventories consist primarily of revenue equipment parts, tires, supplies, and fuel. Inventories are carried at the lower of cost or market with cost determined using the

first

in,

first

out method.

Prepaid Tires [Policy Text Block]

Prepaid Tires

–Tires purchased with revenue equipment are capitalized as a cost of the related equipment. Replacement tires are included in prepaid expenses and deposits and are amortized over a

-month period. Amounts paid for the recapping of tires are expensed when incurred.

Advertising Costs, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Advertising Expense

–Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and totaled approximately

$1,234,000,

$1,087,000

and

$1,019,000

for the years ended

December 31, 2018,

2017

and

2016,

respectively.

Maintenance Cost, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Repairs and Maintenance

–Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.

Self Insurance Liability [Policy Text Block]

Self

Insurance Liability

–A liability is recognized for known health, workers’ compensation, cargo damage, property damage, and auto liability damage claims. An estimate of the incurred but

not

reported claims for each type of liability is made based on historical claims made, estimated frequency of occurrence, and considering changing factors that contribute to the overall cost of insurance.

Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Income Taxes

–The Company applies the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes, under which deferred taxes are determined based on the temporary differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using tax rates expected to be in effect during the years in which the basis differences reverse. A valuation allowance is recorded when it is more likely than

not

that some or all of the deferred tax assets will

not

be realized.

The application of income tax law to multi-jurisdictional operations such as those performed by the Company, is inherently complex. Laws and regulations in this area are voluminous and often ambiguous. As such, we

may

be required to make subjective assumptions and judgments regarding our income tax exposures. Interpretations of and guidance surrounding income tax laws and regulations

may

change over time which could cause changes in our assumptions and judgments that could materially affect amounts recognized in the consolidated financial statements.

We recognize the impact of tax positions in our financial statements. These tax positions must meet a more-likely-than-

not

recognition threshold to be recognized and tax positions that previously failed to meet the more-likely-than-

not

threshold are recognized in the

first

subsequent financial reporting period in which that threshold is met. Previously recognized tax positions that

longer meet the more-likely-than-

not

threshold are derecognized in the

first

subsequent financial reporting period in which that threshold is

longer met. We recognize potential accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within the consolidated statements of income as income tax expense.

In determining whether a tax asset valuation allowance is necessary, management, in accordance with the provisions of ASC

740

30,

weighs all available evidence, both positive and negative to determine whether, based on the weight of that evidence, a valuation allowance is necessary. If negative conditions exist which indicate a valuation allowance might be necessary, consideration is then given to what effect the future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences and the availability of tax strategies might have on future taxable income to determine the amount, if any, of the required valuation allowance. As of

December 31, 2018

and

2017,

management determined that the future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences and available tax strategies would generate sufficient future taxable income to realize its tax assets and therefore a valuation allowance was

not

necessary.

Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Revenue Recognition

– Revenue is recognized over time as the freight progresses towards its destination and the transportation service obligation is fulfilled. For loads picked up during the reporting period, but delivered in a subsequent reporting period, revenue is allocated to each period based on the transit time in each period as a percentage of total transit time. There are

assets or liabilities recorded in conjunction with revenue recognized, other than Accounts Receivable and Allowance for doubtful accounts.

Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]

hare-

Based

Compensation

–The Company estimates the fair value of stock option awards on the option grant date using the Black-Scholes pricing model and recognizes compensation for stock option awards expected to vest on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award. Forfeitures are estimated at grant date based on historical experience. For additional information with respect to share-based compensation, see “Item

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note

to the Consolidated Financial Statements – Stock-based Compensation.”

Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Earnings Per Share

–The Company computes basic earnings per share (“EPS”) by dividing net income (loss) available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS includes the potential dilution that could occur from stock-based awards and other stock-based commitments using the treasury stock or the as if converted methods, as applicable. The difference between the Company's weighted-average shares outstanding and diluted shares outstanding is due to the dilutive effect of stock options for all periods presented. See “Item

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note

to the Consolidated Financial Statements – Earnings per Share” for more information regarding the computation of diluted EPS.

Fair Value Measurement, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Fair Value Measurements

–Certain financial assets and liabilities are measured at fair value within the financial statements on a recurring basis. Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The fair value hierarchy requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. For additional information with respect to fair value measurements, see “Item

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note

to the Consolidated Financial Statements – Fair Value of Financial Instruments.”

Segment Reporting, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Reporting

Segment

–The Company's operations are all in the motor carrier segment and are aggregated into a single reporting segment in accordance with the aggregation criteria under United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). The Company provides truckload transportation services as well as brokerage and logistics services to customers throughout the United States and portions of Canada and Mexico. Truckload transportation services revenues, excluding fuel surcharges, represented

80.0%,

86.3%

and

88.4%

of total revenues, excluding fuel surcharges, for the

twelve

months ended

December 31, 2018,

2017

and

2016,

respectively. Remaining revenues, excluding fuel surcharges, for each respective year were generated by brokerage and logistics services.

Concentration Risk, Credit Risk, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Concentrations of Credit Risk

–The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations and generally does

not

require collateral from its customers. The Company maintains reserves for potential credit losses. In view of the concentration of the Company’s revenues and accounts receivable among a limited number of customers within the automobile industry, the financial health of this industry is a factor in the Company’s overall evaluation of accounts receivable.

Subsequent Events, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Subsequent Events

– On

January 24, 2019,

P.A.M. Transportation Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and its subsidiary P.A.M. Transport, Inc., an Arkansas corporation (“P.A.M. Transport”), entered into a Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Loan Agreement (the “Amendment”) with First Tennessee Bank National Association (the “Bank”). The Amendment amends the Company’s Amended and Restated Loan Agreement dated

March 28, 2016 (

the “Agreement”), under which the Bank committed to lend P.A.M. Transport a principal amount of up to

$40.0

million under a line of credit (the “Loan”), the terms of which have been previously disclosed by the Company in its periodic reports and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company has guaranteed the payment and performance of the Loan.

The purposes of the Amendment are to extend the term of the Loan by

one

year to

July 1, 2021,

to increase the amount the Bank has committed to lend to P.A.M. Transport from

$40.0

million to

$60.0

million, to reduce the interest rate charged on outstanding borrowings from LIBOR plus

1.50%

to LIBOR plus

1.25%,

to establish an “unused fee” of

0.25%

if average monthly borrowings are less than

$18.0

million, and to restate and make other immaterial amendments and updates to the terms of the Agreement.

Under the terms of the Agreement, as amended by the Amendment, the Company

may

borrow up to a maximum of

$60.0

million, and amounts outstanding under the Loan bear interest at LIBOR (determined as of the

first

day of each month) plus

1.25%.

The Loan continues to be secured by the Company’s accounts receivable and will mature on

July 1, 2021.

Monthly payments of interest are required under the Agreement. The Agreement contains customary events of default that would permit the Bank to accelerate the amounts due under the Loan if

not

cured within applicable grace periods.

Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy [Policy Text Block]

Foreign Currency Transactions

–The functional currency of the Company’s foreign branch office in Mexico is the U.S. dollar. The Company remeasures the monetary assets and liabilities of this branch office, which are maintained in the local currency ledgers, at the rates of exchange in effect at the end of the reporting period. Revenues and expenses recorded in the local currency during the period are remeasured using average exchange rates for each period. Non-monetary assets and liabilities are remeasured using historical rates. Any resulting exchange gain or loss from the remeasurement process are included in non-operating income (loss) in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Recent Accounting Pronouncements–

July 2018,

the Financial Accounting Standards Board, (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update, (“ASU”)

No.

2018

09,

(“ASU

2018

09”

), Codification Improvements. ASU

2018

was issued to update codification on multiple topics, and includes updates for technical corrections, clarifications and other minor improvements. ASU

2018

is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after

December 15, 2018,

with early adoption permitted. The Company has evaluated the new guidance and does

not

expect it to have a material impact on its financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

July 2018,

the FASB issued ASU

No.

2018

10,

(“ASU

2018

10”

Codification Improvements to Topic

842,

Leases

. ASU

2018

was issued to update codification specific to Topic

842,

and includes updates for technical corrections, clarifications and other minor improvements. ASU

2018

is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after

December 15, 2018,

with early adoption permitted. The Company has evaluated the new guidance and does

not

expect it to have a material impact on its financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

May 2017,

the FASB issued ASU

No.

2017

09,

(“ASU

2017

09”

Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic

718

)

which provides guidance about which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting in Topic

718.

ASU

2017

is effective for fiscal years beginning after

December 15, 2017

and interim periods within those fiscal years, and early adoption was permitted, including in an interim period. ASU

2017

is to be applied on a prospective basis to an award modified on or after the adoption date. The adoption of this guidance on

January 1, 2018

did

not

have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

November 2016,

the FASB issued ASU

No.

2016

18,

(“ASU

2016

18”

Statement of Cash Flows (Topic

230

)

. ASU

2016

requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. This standard is intended to reduce diversity in practice in how restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. ASU

No.

2016

is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after

December 15, 2017,

with early adoption permitted. The standard requires application using a retrospective transition method. The adoption of this guidance on

January 1, 2018

changed the presentation and classification of restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in our consolidated statements of cash flows but did

not

have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

August 2016,

the FASB issued ASU

No.

2016

15,

(“ASU

2016

15”

Statement of Cash Flows (Topic

230

): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments

. ASU

2016

amends the guidance in ASC

230,

Statement of Cash Flows, and clarifies how entities should classify certain cash receipts and cash payments on the statement of cash flows with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice related to

eight

specific cash flow issues. The amendments in this update are effective for annual periods beginning after

December

15,

2017,

and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption was permitted. The adoption of this guidance on

January 1, 2018

did

not

have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

June 2016,

the FASB issued ASU

No.

2016

13,

(“ASU

2016

13”

Accounting for Credit Losses (Topic

326

)

. ASU

2016

requires the use of an “expected loss” model on certain types of financial instruments. The standard also amends the impairment model for available-for-sale debt securities and requires estimated credit losses to be recorded as allowances instead of reductions to amortized cost of the securities. ASU

2016

is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after

December 15, 2019,

with early adoption permitted. The Company is evaluating the new guidance, but does

not

expect it to have a material impact on its financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

March 2016,

the FASB issued ASU

No.

2016

09,

(“ASU

2016

09”

Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic

718

)

. ASU

2016

identifies areas for simplification involving several aspects of accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liability, an option to recognize gross stock compensation expense with actual forfeitures recognized as they occur, as well as certain classifications on the statement of cash flows. ASU

2016

is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after

December

15,

2016,

with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this guidance on

January 1, 2017,

did

not

have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

February

2016,

the FASB issued ASU

No.

2016

02,

(“ASU

2016

02”

Leases (Topic

842

)

. This update seeks to increase the transparency and comparability among entities by requiring public entities to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclose key information about leasing arrangements. To satisfy the standard’s objective, a lessee will recognize a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term and a lease liability for the obligation to make lease payments. Both the right-of-use asset and lease liability will initially be measured at the present value of the lease payments, with subsequent measurement dependent on the classification of the lease as either a finance or an operating lease. For leases with a term of

months or less, a lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election by class of underlying asset to

not

recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. If a lessee makes this election, it should recognize lease expense for such leases generally on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Accounting by lessors will remain mostly unchanged from current U.S. GAAP.

In transition, lessees and lessors will be required to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach. The modified retrospective approach includes a number of optional practical expedients that companies

may

elect to apply. These practical expedients relate to the identification and classification of leases that commenced before the effective date, initial direct costs for leases that commenced before the effective date, and the ability to use hindsight in evaluating lessee options to extend or terminate a lease or to purchase the underlying asset. The transition guidance also provides specific guidance for sale and leaseback transactions, build-to-suit leases, leveraged leases, and amounts previously recognized in accordance with the business combinations guidance for leases. The new standard is effective for public companies for annual periods beginning after

December

15,

2018,

and interim periods within those years, with early adoption permitted.

The Company has evaluated the leases in which it participates as lessee and determined them to be operating leases, the majority of which have lease terms of

one

year or less. Leases with terms longer than a year have early cancellation provisions, which might be exercised. Leases in which the Company participates as lessor, including our lease to own program, are operating leases. The Company has evaluated the new guidance and does

not

expect it to have a material impact on its financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

January 2016,

the FASB issued ASU

No.

2016

01,

(“ASU

2016

01”

Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic

825

): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities

. The updated guidance enhances the reporting model for financial instruments, which includes amendments to address aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure.

The provisions of ASU

2016

require, among other things, that the Company:

•

Categorize securities as equity securities or debt securities;

•

Eliminate the classification of equity securities as trading or available for sale;

•

Determine which securities have readily determinable fair values;

•

Use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes;

•

Consider the need for a valuation allowance related to a deferred tax asset on available-for-sale securities in combination with the Company’s other deferred tax assets; and

•

Recognize changes in the fair market value of equity securities in net income.

ASU

2016

is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after

December

15,

2017.

With certain exceptions, early adoption was

not

permitted. The adoption of this guidance on

January 1, 2018,

did

not

have a significant impact on the Company’s financial condition or cash flows, but did impact the Company’s results of operations, as the current guidance requires changes in market value related to equity securities to be recognized in net income, rather than being recognized as other comprehensive income. Upon adoption, approximately

$7.4

million in accumulated changes in the fair market value of the Company’s equity securities, net of deferred tax, that were presented at

December 31, 2017

as Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income were reclassified to Retained Earnings.

May 2014,

the FASB issued ASU

No.

2014

09,

(“ASU

2014

09”

Revenue from Contracts with Customers

. The objective of ASU

2014

and subsequent amendments is to establish a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and to supersede most of the existing revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The core principle of ASU

2014

is that an entity recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In applying the new guidance, an entity will (

) identify the contract(s) with a customer; (

) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (

) determine the transaction price; (

) allocate the transaction price to the contract’s performance obligations; and (

) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. ASU

2014

applies to all contracts with customers except those that are within the scope of other topics in the FASB Accounting Standards Codification, (“ASC”).

The adoption of this guidance on

January 1, 2018

did

not

have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or internal controls. See “Item

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note

to the Consolidated Financial Statements – Revenue Recognition,” for additional information.

Asset Class

Estimated Asset Life (in years)

Service vehicles

Office furniture and equipment

Revenue equipment

Structures and improvements