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Archive for the ‘DOT Safety Audit’ Category
Trucking Resources – How To Write A Contract Agreement – Part One Of Three
Thursday, September 2, 2010
posted by 18 Wheeler 8:44 PM
Hello, Fellow Drivers, My commitment to my readers is to find good information that will assist you in being successful in the trucking business. I found this article recently on a blog page about entrepreneurial thinking. There is one critical difference between the business owner and the entrepreneur. That difference is replication. I will write about this concept in a future blog (get on my RSS feed to make sure you receive the article). One of the things that make a successful trucking business is a well written contract agreement. Most of us know them as “hauling contracts”. Whatever the name, this basic ingredient makes or breaks your relationship with your customers. Enjoy the read and remember to be safe out there!
Writing a Contract Agreement
2010 | Jul 14
One of the critical instruments in any transaction, whether between a vendor and a customer, an employer and employee or even two private parties, is the basic contract agreement. For some business owners however, the basic contract agreement isn’t so basic.
Some feel that using a contract is an unnecessary inconvenience. Some feel it could actually cause them to lose an account or agreement. Others fear committing themselves to a poorly written contract or one that is not legally accurate.
When you get down to the heart of it, a contract is simply “an agreement or understanding between two or more entities to perform services.” It provides, above all else, communication and clarity of accountabilities for the parties involved. It establishes a basis for trusting that each will carry out the terms of the agreement.
Until fairly recently it has been the domain of attorneys and legal departments to draft and write up contracts. However, with the advent of authoring software and legal forms websites, this task has been made simpler, less expensive and more readily available to the small business owner. Here are some pointers to help you write a clear, carefully-worded contract if you choose to create your own.
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DOT Physical, Medical, Drug Test FAQ – Blood Sugar/Blood Pressure Specifically – Part Two of Three
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
posted by 18 Wheeler 12:05 AM
Hello, Fellow Drivers, In part one of this blog on DOT physical, DOT medical card, and DOT drug testing FAQ’s, we covered the first six of eighteen questions on this subject. Below are questions 7 through 13. Enjoy the read and remember to be safe out there.
Here is a list of questions we often hear from drivers.
We hope this helps your search to understand what’s required to meet FMCSA DOT physical regulations and get your DOT medical card with as little hassle as possible.
Can the DOT medical card be laminated?
- Yes. We laminate your DOT medical card for you. Because you need to keep it with you at all times while you’re driving, lamination helps to reduce the wear and tear on the card.
How long is a DOT medical card good for?
- A DOT medical card is good for two years if you have no restrictions. A history of high blood pressure, taking high blood pressure medications, and/or taking oral medications for diabetes can restrict the medical card to one year.
How many 3-month DOT medical cards can you have?
- One only. You should have the condition, which caused the restriction, under control by the end of the 3-month window.
Is there a difference between a DOT medical and a DOT physical?
- No. These terms are used interchangeably. They are most often referred to as a DOT medical when referring to the DOT medical card, and DOT physical when referring to the DOT physical exam, and sometimes drivers refer to them as a CDL physical or CDL medical.
If I don’t have medical insurance can I still get a DOT physical?
- Yes. You do not need medical insurance to get a DOT Physical. Insurance is not a part of our DOT Physical exam service. Payment for the exam is your responsibility at time of service. Some insurance companies treat this exam as preventative health care and will not reimburse for it. If you have insurance and want to claim reimbursement we can give you a receipt to submit to your insurance company.
How much does a DOT physical cost without insurance?
- We’ve seen DOT physicals charged anywhere between $50 and $100. We charge the same price whether you have insurance or not. Payment for our DOT Physical service is $65.00 and payment optionsare cash, credit card, T-check, Com-check, or pre-authorized company account.
DOT Physical, Medical, Drug Test FAQ – Blood Sugar/Blood Pressure Specifically – Part One of Three
Monday, August 2, 2010
posted by 18 Wheeler 8:48 AM
Hello, Fellow Drivers, I have been noticing that many of you are searching for answered to blood sugar and blood pressure issues and how these affect getting your DOT medical card. I found a website that has some really good information and a place in Salt Lake City, Utah that helps truckers with DOT medical card and DOT physical questions. I have put their information below. After reading what they posted online, I found it to be quite helpful. If you can’t get to this truck stop for answers, find a chiropractor or a medical professional that has knowledge of a DOT physical, DOT medical card and DOT drug testing. I will include the first six questions on this blog. Enjoy the read and remember to be safe out there!
Here is a list of questions we often hear from drivers.
We hope this helps your search to understand what’s required to meet FMCSA DOT physical regulations and get your DOT medical card with as little hassle as possible.
At Chiro Stop we do
DOT Physical Exams and
DOT Drug Alcohol Testing.
Quick, Accurate, and Hassle Free
No appointment necessary. Walk-ins are welcome,
or call 801-972-2332 to book a time that works for you.
Parking for 135 trucks at Sapp Bros. I 80 Truck Stop, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
What are the DOT physical requirements?
- We’ve compiled a shortened version from FMCSA Rules and Regulations here. If you want to see the long, official legalese version here is a link to FMCSA Part 391.41.
Does a DOT physical include a drug test?
- Drug testing is not part of a DOT Physical exam but your Company may request to have drug alcohol testing done at the same time. DOT drug testing and breath alcohol testing are additional charges.
What drugs are tested for, if a DOT drug test is requested?
- The 5 Panel drug test analyzes urine for the following drugs:
- Marijuana (THC metabolite)
- Cocaine
- Amphetamines
- Opiates (including heroin)
- Phencyclidine (PCP)
What’s involved in a DOT physical?
- The process is pretty straight forward. We can complete your physical in 30 minutes. Here are our 3 easy steps to complete your DOT physical.
Why do I have to have a urine test?
- The urine test is just a kidney screen to test for sugar and protein. It’s done to determine that there is no early onset of conditions like high blood pressure breaking down the kidneys, or early signs of diabetes, or kidney infection.
Can I obtain a copy of my DOT physical form?
- Yes. We give you 2 copies of the long-form. One for the driver, one for the Company. If you need, we will fax the DOT form to your company. The examining doctor keeps a copy of the form for our office records.
DOT Safety Audit – Passing Your First Audit – Part Two
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
posted by 18 Wheeler 11:43 AM
Hello, Fellow Drivers, This is the sequel to 7/13/10 on passing your first DOT audit. I will start with a list of items the DOT will be wanting to see in your office records and expound on the ones that need further explanation. The key to passing your DOT safety audit is organization and preparation. Let’s start with what records the DOT will be looking through when they pay you a visit. If you would like help with putting your records together for a DOT Safety Audit, please email me at truckersandtravelers@gmail.com. I can also assist you with any trucking authority issues. Below is a list of those records. Enjoy the read and remember to be safe out there!
1. Driver Qualification Files ( includes 18 items that must be in each employee’s file, some of which are listed below)
2. DOT physical and medical card
3. Pre-employment drug testing results
4. Drug consortium membership
5. Logs for the months you have been in operation to the date of the DOT Safety Audit
6. Pro-rate book contents
7. DOT and MC authority granted
8. BOC-3 paperwork
9. Evidence of Insurance on all equipment
10. Leases or hauling contracts
11. HAZ-MAT certification
12. All permits, such as bridge and overweight
13. Registrations on all equipment
14. UCR
15. Additional permits from Kentucky, New Mexico, New York and Oregon if you run through those states with interstate trucking authority
16. IFTA registration
17. Maintenance records on all equipment both trucks and trailers
18. Yearly inspection sheet on all equipment both trucks and trailers