USDOT Number: Safety Compliance For Trucking Companies

 One of the essential things for trucking companies is adhering to the rules and regulations laid down by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. These include obtaining a USDOT Number. Driver’s License, and many more. These guidelines are put in place to ensure truck drivers and other drivers on the road are safe. The FMCSA focuses on verifying operating trucks to ensure they are fully maintained. They also protect roadways by making sure trucks do not haul overweight loads that can damage the road. For trucking companies, remaining compliant with the DOT Number is more than legalities. It is a way to ensure your drivers are safe and your fleet is well maintained and in top shape. Read on as Global Multi Services take us through how trucking companies can stay in compliance.

 What is USDOT Number?

 

The USDOT Number is a unique number assigned by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to identify and track motor carrier safety information. This information comes from different sources such as audits, compliance reviews, investigations of accidents, and inspections. Every trucking company operating across state lines and transport people, or goods is required to have one. Trucking companies need to register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to obtain their DOT number.

How To Stay in Compliance 

 

Test All Truck Driver for Alcohol and Drugs

 

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the Department of Transportation require commercial vehicles drivers to adhere to specific drug and alcohol regulations. Drivers with CDL must be tested for alcohol and drugs regularly. These include part-time, intermittent, backup, international drivers, and other full-time workers in the company. Drug and alcohol tests should be administered in the following scenario: 

·         After an accident occur

·         Randomly throughout the year

·         Before employing a truck driver and it must be negative 

·         Drivers returning to duty after a failed drug and alcohol test 

·         When a driver is suspected to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol

 

Maintain A Clean Record 

 

Maintaining a clean record boosts your company’s safety ratings hence, increasing your revenue. The following documents are essential for maintaining a clean record. 

·         Driver’s logbook 

·         Insurance documents

·         Drivers record such as proof of CDL. 

·         USDOT Number and proof of inspection 

 

Focus On Truck Maintenance 

 

Trucking companies complain about the hefty paperwork and regulations. But most of these guidelines are put in place by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for the safety of the truck drivers and other people on the road. The following regulations can be put in place to ensure proper truck maintenance. 

 

Tire Inspection: Drivers should inspect their tires before and after every trip. They should check for damages such as cuts, foreign objects, cracking, uneven tire wear, and other damages. 

Avoid Overweight: Drivers must not overweight their trucks. Overloading the trailer can cause tire failure while driving, which can lead to severe accidents.

Avoid Overspeeding: Drivers must adhere to the speed rating. Exceeding the recommended limit can lead to tire failure, which can cause accidents.