USDOT NUMBER: STEPS TO STAY IN COMPLIANCE WITH DOT

There are some rules applied to trucking-related operations, and DOT Compliance is one of them. DOT Compliance refers to meeting the requirements of the Department of Transportation, the federal agency that enforces DOT regulations governing the operation of commercial motor vehicles in the United States.  Commercial motor vehicles are monitored to ensure they remain in compliance. And violation of any one of these regulations can lead to severe consequences. These include financial penalties, suspension of a company’s permission to operate commercially, jail time, and many more.

The Department of Transportation is responsible for giving trucking companies USDOT Numbers and staying in compliance with federal regulations is a component of your trucking business that deserves time and effort. Just as filing your taxes with the IRS is necessary, so is staying in compliance with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Below, Global Multi Services explains the steps to comply with the DOT regulations. 

KNOW THE FMCSA REGULATIONS

The Department of Transportation requires all trucking companies to keep an up-to-date copy of the latest US Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rules in their office. In addition, all drivers must sign documentation that they have received the list of FMCSA rules and will abide by all the regulations. It is also essential for all truck drivers to familiarize themselves with the FMCSA rules that concern them. Educating your drivers on the guidelines can also help ensure that your drivers are ready for inspections.

STAY ORGANIZED WITH MANDATORY DOCUMENTS

Staying compliant requires keeping track of the FMCSA regulatory paperwork. Tucking companies need to know when to renew their permits, license, and other mandatory documents to travel across state lines. They should also record drug and alcohol testing, roadside inspection, and other important recordings. To make it easier, they can create a filing system specifically for keeping records.

Not good with paperwork? Then think about outsourcing to a company, such as Global Multi Services. Paying us to keep track of regulatory paperwork will cost a lot less in money, time, and stress than trying to iron out a problematic audit with the FMCSA.

APPLY FOR USDOT NUMBER

USDOT Number is a unique identifier assigned to commercial motor vehicles by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to evaluate safety practices during compliance reviews and inspections. Commercial vehicles participating in interstate and intrastate commerce must register with the Department of Motor Vehicles and obtain their DOT Registration Numbers to stay in compliance. Failure to do so can lead to costly fines and penalties.

HOUR OF SERVICE COMPLIANCE

All truck drivers must keep up-to-date with their records. These include hours of service, safety inspections passed, vehicle maintenance records, and any certifications maintained by the driver. All trucks must have an electronic logging device. These help to accurately track, manage, and share the records of duty status data. The ELD is synchronized with the truck engine to automatically record driving time for more accurate hours of service recording.