DOT Audit Checklist
A DOT Audit Checklist will help you prepare for an upcoming DOT audit. If you don’t have a DOT audit coming up, then using one will help make sure that you’re “audit ready”! What is a DOT Audit? A DOT audit is also known as a compliance review. This a thorough examination of your trucking…
What is a DVER?
What is a DVER? A DVER, or Driver/Vehicle Examination Report, is the driver/motor carrier’s copy of the results of a completed roadside inspection. Upon completing the roadside inspection, the officer will provide the driver with a DVER that summarizes the results of the inspection, regardless if it was a Level 3 DOT inspection, a level…
Five Ways To Boost Semi-Truck Fuel Economy
Want to boost your semi-truck fuel economy by 15 to 20% or more? You can easily do that with these 5 tips! With diesel fuel prices at or near all time highs, it’s never been more important to manage this critical business expense. Slowing Down One of the easiest ways to boost your semi-truck fuel…
What is the FMCSA Clearinghouse?
The FMCSA Clearinghouse is a database that provides information about whether a commercial driver has any DOT drug and alcohol program violations. These are typically failed DOT drug tests. All trucking companies must request (and receive) this violation information from the clearinghouse before a driver can operate a truck or bus for them. You also…
2022 International Roadcheck Focus: Wheel Ends
The 2022 International Roadcheck event will be held this year on May 17-19 with a focus on wheel ends. During this 72 hour DOT inspection blitz, commercial vehicle enforcement officers from all over North America will likely inspect over 40,000 commercial trucks and buses. Preparing for CVSA Roadcheck in advance should make it a “non-event”…
CSA Points Value Guide
CSA points are assessed for DOT violations that a truck driver receives during a roadside inspection. Use this guide to learn more about CSA points and find the point values associated with each violation. Each time a trucker is pulled over and inspected by a law enforcement officer, they run the risk of receiving violations…
Random Drug and Alcohol Testing Rates: 2022
Random Drug and Alcohol Testing Rates will remain the same from 2022! The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced two weeks ago that they are keeping the random drug testing rate for 2022 at 50% and alcohol testing will also remain at 10%. This is solely due to the number of positive random drug and…
What is a CVSA Sticker?
A CVSA sticker is issued to a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) after that vehicle successfully “passes” a Level 1 DOT inspection or Level 5 Inspection. To pass an inspection, the truck, bus, trailer, car etc. must have no “critical violations” discovered according to the North American Standard Out-of-Service criteria. What does a CVSA Sticker Mean?…
Failed DOT Drug Test, Now What?
Your driver just failed a DOT Drug or Alcohol Test. Now what do you do? Well, take a deep breath and don’t panic! Here’s what to do next: 1) Park The Driver Remove the driver from “a safety sensitive function”. Pull them off of the road immediately…wherever they are. Period. Full Stop. If they’re under…
Avoid Weigh Stations
Avoid Weigh Stations unless you are invited to pull in for a full Level 1 DOT inspection by the officers. I’m often asked “Why don’t I just make sure that my truck will pass inspection and send them through a weigh station to help improve my vehicle maintenance scores? “Purposeful inspections” are a very slippery slope. …