According to Simplex Group, DOT compliance is not just another hoop you can jump through but a crucial preventative measure to ensure the safety of all motor vehicle drivers. If your trucking company is not compliant, you may face serious fines and severe safety hazards.
What Is DOT Compliance?
The Department of Transportation (DOT) has established rules that commercial drivers must follow. These regulations exist to ensure drivers’ qualifications and keep them and other drivers safe. Moreover, all vehicles that have a USDOT number must follow DOT compliance. This includes vehicles that:
- Transport 15 or more people simultaneously, driver included
- Handle hazardous materials
- Transport eight or more passengers simultaneously for compensation
- Have a gross vehicle weight of at least 10,001 pounds or heavier
DOT Compliance Requirements
The purpose of DOT compliance rules is to enforce safety measures, so driving accidents are reduced. The most common compliance requirements include the following:
- Following inspection requirements
- Refraining from alcohol and drugs
- Following FMCSA guidelines
- Following general safety requirements
- Adhering to hazardous material regulations
- Trucks are properly insured
Moreover, DOT compliance regulations restrict the number of hours truck drivers can drive without taking a break, requiring the driver to log the hours they drive electronically. Then, before and after every trip, a CDL driver must complete an inspection report on the truck’s condition (lights, steering system, air systems, brakes, windshield operation, side and rear mirrors, emergency equipment operation, tire, and wheel condition).
DOT compliance rules also require you to register for relevant permits and licenses. If you own a trucking business and want to hire a new driver, you must first implement an employment background check to get driving records. That will let you assess the driver’s drug history and safety records. Beyond the initial employment background check and drug screening, DOT requires you to run random tests throughout employment. These will ensure drivers are responsive anWhy Is Dot Compliance Important?
d alert on the road.
If there is a slight suspicion, screen your drivers for cocaine, marijuana, opioids, amphetamines, and PCP.
Most Common DOT Violations
Even the most minor violations of DOT compliance can lead to harsh financial and legal penalties. Some of the most common DOT compliance violations include the following:
- Failure to maintain trucking equipment
- Not running inspections before and after trips
- Drivers driving too many consecutive hours
- Failure to renew commercial driving license
- Failure to keep documentation and required logs
- Failing to secure hazardous material properly
DOT compliance is vital to keep yourself and other drivers safe on the road. Violating this regulation can interrupt your business operations, incur considerable penalties, or, even worse, lead to catastrophic accidents. To avoid DOT violation penalties, following a DOT compliance program is best to ensure you meet the safety and DOT training requirements. Ultimately, DOT compliance translates into peace of mind and safer roadways.
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