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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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Trucking Industry News – HOS and Hurricane Earl!
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
posted by 18 Wheeler 9:32 PM
Hello, Fellow Drivers, This blog is about the upcoming hurricane, Earl, making its way up the Eastern Seaboard. I found this information in the Land Line Magazine for today’s news. Please note the information in bold letters below regarding Hours of Service if you are ever driving in an area that is hit by bad weather or natural disaster that would prevent you from driving under normal circumstances. If you are traveling up I-95, please be safe or make arrangements to deliver your load after the Labor Day weekend through Tuesday, September 7th. Enjoy the read and remember to be safe out there!
Earl making move toward Carolinas, New England region
If you’re heading to the Mid-Atlantic region with a load, or happen to live there, you need to be keeping an eye on Hurricane Earl.
The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration – NOAA – issued an alert Tuesday morning warning residents and travelers in the mid-Atlantic region that the Category 4 storm could be moving that direction.
As of Tuesday morning, Aug.31, Earl was producing hurricane-force winds up to 70 miles from its center and tropical storm winds up to 200 miles out from the center. The storm is expected to stay a Category 4 hurricane for at least the next day or two, according to the agency’s latest public advisory.
Traveling in and out of areas bracing for Earl’s potential landfall can be tricky. Any state that initiates an evacuation order can reverse inbound lanes to assist with residents and travelers leaving the area.
The following are links to evacuation plans available for the coastal states in the Mid-Atlantic region under the most current threat of Earl:
As the path of Hurricane Earl becomes more evident and as information becomes available, Land Line will modify this list.
Many truckers faced a dilemma in past hurricane seasons – violate HOS and “get out of Dodge,” or comply with the regs and get stuck in the middle of a dangerous storm.
While it would seem that logic would kick in at some point and truckers would be allowed to save their hides, just like people living in the area, it hasn’t always worked out that way. The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association fielded a number of questions and took a few complaints on this very subject during Katrina and Rita.
According to a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, there is an automatic HOS exemption if an authorized government official issues a declaration of an emergency and the motor carrier is providing direct relief to the protection of human life or public welfare.
Specifically, federal regulations – CFR 49 Part 390.23 – allow the temporary lifting of certain safety regulations for any motor carrier or driver providing direct assistance in relief during a declared emergency. This includes easing the HOS regulations for drivers.
Truckers in an evacuation area wanting info on whether an HOS moratorium is in effect should contact an FMCSA regional service center.
The following list includes the location, phone number and territory included for each FMCSA regional service center. These numbers will be valuable in determining whether hours-of-service waivers have been issued for a region either threatened or hit by a hurricane or other disaster.
- Eastern Service Center
443-703-2240
CT, DC, DE, MA, MD, ME, NJ, NH, NY, PA, Puerto Rico, RI, VA, VT, WV - Southern Service Center
404-327-7400
AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, NM, OK, SC, TN, TX - Midwestern Service Center
708-283-3577
IA, IL, IN, KS, MI, MO, MN, NE, OH, WI - Western Service Center
303-407-2350
American Samoa, AK, AZ, CA, CO, Guam, HI, ID, Mariana Islands, MT, ND, NV, OR, SD, UT, WA, WY
Trucking Industry News – Shore Power Connections For The Comforts Of Home
Monday, August 30, 2010
posted by 18 Wheeler 1:33 PM
Hello, Fellow Drivers, I found an interesting bit of trucking industry news in the August/September issue of Land Line Magazine. It discusses how to wire your truck for shore power so you can enjoy more of the comforts of home. Enjoy the read and remember to be safe out there.
Plugged In
With the sudden interest in shore power, truckers can retrofit their trucks to enjoy plugged-in comfort
By Jeff Barker
contributing writer
With shore power connections at truck stops becoming more common, even tightwads can enjoy a comfortable night’s rest.
Truck stop electrification makes it possible to enjoy a comfortable night’s rest if you are supplementing your auxiliary power systems or even if you are without an APU or other power option.
Setting up a truck for comfort on shore power is easier than you might think. Depending on what you want, it can often be done right for less than $800.
Getting wired
To wire your truck, you will need to figure out where and how many 120-volt outlets you will need. You will need to limit the total power consumption of all of your stuff to the 30-amp connection that’s available at most shore power locations including truck stops and RV parks.
For reference, 30 amps is usually enough power to run a 13,000 Btu air conditioner or electric heater, a laptop computer, a flat-panel television and a cell phone charger simultaneously. Anything more will require you to budget your power so you don’t trip the circuit breaker. In other words, you may need to turn off the air conditioner or heater while you use your coffee pot, microwave oven, hair dryer or other high-current items.
Once you have decided where you will need your outlets to be, you can neatly route a few 30-amp heavy-duty extension cords. I have three 120-volt receptacles on either side of my sleeper to power up everything I need without a spaghetti bowl of cords running across the floor. Also, you need to determine where you will need a plug to power up your heater or air conditioner.
While this is done “on the cheap,” do not cut corners on the quality of cords. You need heavy-duty cords. You are not putting lights on a Christmas tree. Electrical barbecues are never fun.
Once you have the extension cords laid out, it’s easy enough to hide them under the rubber floor mats, cabinets, or carpet in such a way they won’t be visible or stepped on whenever you move about in your cab and sleeper.
Also, once the wires are connected to the outlet, be sure to secure the outlets and box them as you would in a wall – even if you are not permanently installing into the walls of the sleeper – to avoid any unintentional contact with bare wires.
They can all be routed and connected to a junction point like a 3-into-1 power splitter with a circuit breaker that can be placed in the side box of your sleeper.
To avoid pinch points that can collect heat or rub through the cord’s insulation, drill a hole into the side box and use a rubber grommet to help protect the cord.
Get at least a 50-foot extension cord to connect the splitter to the shore power outlet where you’re parked. Be sure to put a sign on the steering wheel to remind yourself to unplug before you move on out.
Depending on how long you are parked and how much current is drawn by the 12-volt accessories you use, you may want to connect a 12-volt 2-amp battery charger to your shore power system to keep your starting batteries ready to go.
Creature comfort
Obviously, you need to have heat or air conditioning to be comfortable in temperature extremes when parked. With shore power setups it’s pretty easy to do within the $800 budget. Most free-standing 13,000-Btu portable air conditioners with a built-in heater can be had for around $500 at most hardware stores nationwide. The only drawback is that they will take up some floor space and need to be secured while the truck is in motion.
If you are alone in your truck most of the time, you could remove the passenger seat and keep the unit there. You will need to set up a vent hose for these units. If you have an IdleAire adapter or a window screen lying around, you may be able to adapt it to work with a hot glue gun, a Dremel tool, and a plastic plate.
Window air conditioners are another option, but their weight is a consideration. They will need to be lifted and set into place in a fabricated window frame whenever you want to use them, and the weight can put a lot of stress on your window mechanism. Cutting a hole in the sleeper for them isn’t a good idea as you will likely be dealing with water leaks and reduced truck resale value.
Able to spend a little more?
If you have a bit more money, you can mount gang boxes and run conduit tubing to keep your wiring hidden and out of harm’s way instead of running extension cords.
It’s easier to use surface-mount gang boxes, but you can also go with flush-mounted units. Just choose a mounting location to where the plugs to your appliances and other stuff will be out of the way when you’re moving about in your cab and sleeper. Then mount a junction box with a 30-amp circuit breaker in your sleeper side box and wire it up to the 50-foot 30-amp heavy-duty extension cord to plug into the shore power connection.
If you have a flat-top or mid-roof sleeper on your truck, you may have better results with an RV-style roof-mount air conditioner. If your truck has an 86-inch or smaller sleeper, you should do just fine with a 12,000 Btu air conditioner with heat strips.
With a larger sleeper, you should look into at least a 13,000 Btu unit. Also, consider a unit with a controller that can be mounted close to the bed so you can control it easier without getting up during the night to adjust the settings. Make sure you find a reputable truck body shop to install this unit so that they can be sure it’s braced and secured properly and can seal it up to avoid possible water leaks.
If your truck has a condo sleeper or you’re not comfortable with the thought of cutting a hole in the roof of your sleeper, a few under-bunk all-electric heat and air systems are available. Products like the ones mentioned in Paul Abelson’s article on Page 53 can be paired up with shorepower to get the job done. Be sure to check with the manufacturer to see if there are special installation concerns. LL
Editor’s note: This article is for information purposes only. If you’re not sure about performing the work yourself, it’s advisable to seek the help of a competent professional.
Jeff Barker is an OOIDA member and a former certified diesel mechanic. He can be reached at truckmaintenancestuff@yahoo.com.
Trucking Industry News – Driver Fatigue And How To Prevent It!
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
posted by 18 Wheeler 10:14 AM
Hello, Fellow Drivers, I was talking to a friend today that hauls cars and he was talking about his shoulders aching and was in need of a visit to a massage therapist. That got me to thinking about all of the drivers on the road that may experience the same or similar symptoms while driving long distances without a break. Tiredness and fatigue can often affect your driving ability long before you even notice you’re getting tired. Fatigue related crashes are often more severe than others because driver’s reaction times are delayed or they have failed to make any maneuvers to avoid a crash. Symptoms of driver fatigue include heavy eyelids, frequent yawning, a drifting vehicle that wanders over road lines, varying vehicle speed for no reason, misjudging traffic situations, and seeing things “jump out” in the road, feeling fidgety or irritable and daydreaming. Studies show that driving for just 80 minutes without a break can make motorists a danger on the roads. Drivers who do not take frequent rest stops have slower reactions than those who break up long journeys. Here are some additional symptoms of driver fatigue below and what you can do to prevent them to be safer on the road. I did some research and found some helpful suggestions that will help keep you more alert while behind the wheel. They are below as well. Enjoy the read and remember to be safe out there!
You should look out for these signs when you are driving (long and short trips):
- you keep yawning ,day-dreaming, wandering in lane
- your reactions unintentionally speeding up or slowing down. Anxiety, mood states, personality and temperament as factors that may possibly affect driver fatigue.
- you feel stiff your eyes feel heavy
- you find you are day dreaming
- you wander over the centre line or
- on to the edge of the road
- you don’t remember driving the last few miles or cannot remember the last few minutes or seconds.
Additional symptoms include the following:
1. Achey muscles in the back, shoulders, neck or legs
2. Feeling drowsy or falling asleep at the wheel.
3. Eating when not hungry and usually something sweet or full of starch because of boredom and feeling the need to “push” yourself to get a little further down the road.
4. Needing to drink caffeine in the form of energy drinks or coffee to stay alert.
5. Rubbernecking
6. Looking at scenery instead of the road.
Key Messages for prevention:
- Avoiding driver fatigue on long trips. The biggest mistake people make is not stopping when they are tired, thinking they can make it. Drivers should give themselves plenty of time to get to their destinations and schedule in regular breaks.
- For long trips plan in advance so you know where you are going to take a break. Don’t work a full day and then driving for hours before leaving a good night’s sleep to avoid the cumulative effect of not getting enough sleep.
- Take a break at least every 2 hours.
- Plan to stay somewhere overnight if you are going on a long journey and avoid heavy foods.
- Share the driving – and make sure to take rest when you are not driving.
- Try not to drive when you would normally be asleep (early mornings and late nights.
- Don’t drink and drive. Not only does alcohol severely impair your driving ability, but it also acts as a depressant. Just one drink can induce fatigue. Also, avoid smoking when you drive. Smoke’s nicotine and carbon monoxide hamper night vision. If there is any doubt, have your headlights properly aimed. Misaimed headlights blind other drivers and reduce your ability to see the road. Being seen is as important as seeing.
- Caffeine (coffee, cola drinks) provides a quick, but short-lived improvement in alertness. So, to capitalize on its benefits, one should use it only when a boost is needed. Drink water, eat fruit and healthy snacks rather than fatty and sugary food.
- If you are taking any medication, check whether it causes drowsiness.
- Use air conditioning to keep you more alert and will help avoid frustration and stress.
- Adjust driving seat to an upright position is to ensure the base of your wrists can make contact with the top of the steering wheel.
- Additionally recently New Zealand’s Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) Programme Manager of road safety advised for busting fatigue are: “A power nap of only twenty minutes (A brief power-nap) can boost energy levels as well as improve your driving skills and alertness“. The National Sleep Foundation also recommends taking a nap for 15-45 minutes.
Trucking Industry News – Smart Spending – Part Two Of Two
Saturday, August 21, 2010
posted by 18 Wheeler 12:05 AM
Hello, Fellow Drivers, Yesterday I started a blog on smart spending. Today is Part Two of that blog and it will cover topics about curbing splurges and setting up automatic payments. Enjoy the read and remember to be safe out there!
Curb The Splurge
Positive, definitive goals make it easier to prioritize every time you’re in a checkout line. Smart spending is often just a matter of conscious spending. if you’re making an impulse purchase, stop and question your motives. Is that trip to the mall a misguided attempt to fend off the midweek blahs? If so, envisioning your long-term goals at the moment may stop you from shopping. Taking a moment to examine your motives not only saves you money, but also prevents buyer’s remorse that often kicks in once you realize you’ve spent unwisely. To paraphrase a shrewd old saying, giving up something of lesser importance for something of greater importance is not a sacrifice, it’s a bargain.
Even more gratifying than curbing your luzuries is cutting your family’s existing expenses by 10 percent. You can often reduce your cell phone or cable bill with just a few quick phone calls or mouse clicks. Switch to more energy-efficient appliances or a programmable thermostat to lower your utility bill. A little creative thinking can help you reach your goals even faster.
Put It On Autopilot
Make it as easy as possible to follow through on your good intentions by setting up automatic payments. Boost your retirement savings by signing up for a higher contribution rate on your 401(k). This year you can invest a maximum of $16,500 if you’re under 50 years old and $22,000 if you’re at least 50.
You can also set up automatic montlhy deposits into your Individual Retirement Arrangement (IRA). The 2010 annual limit is $5,000 if you’re under 50 ($6,000 if you’re older). If your goal is to plump your emergency savings, arrange a monthly transfer from your checking account into your savings. Want to pare down a high credit card balance? Set up an automatic monthly payment so you can keep chipping away at it without work or worry. Automatic bill payments will also save you money wasted on late fees and interest rates. It’s just one more way that a little time spent planning now can pay off quickly in savings without much effort or stress at all.
While saving money, your state of mind should be as balanced as the state of your bank account. Embracing the fact that you’re in charge of your financial destiny can make saving feel more like an adventure than a burden.
Trucking Industry News – Smart Spending – Part One Of Two
Friday, August 20, 2010
posted by admin 4:18 PM
Hello, Fellow Drivers, It’s been a couple of weeks since I blogged because of some technical issues. Got the bugs worked out and we’re back on track, or in this case, online! I found a great article about budgeting, in the Geico Direct magazine, Spring/Summer 2010 issue. It will give you some ideas on how to stay in the black whether you’re starting a trucking business or keeping a trucking business solvent. Enjoy the read and remember to be safe out there.
Smart Spending – by Carla Fried
On the road to your financial goals, you can always adjust the route. Here are some budget tweaks that may just get you to your destination faster. If you think budgeting means denying yourself and living without, think again. Smart spending is about making the money you have work harder to get more out of life, not less. It’s much easier to push your financial plan that few extra yards if you view it as an opportunity rather than a chore. Every dollar you save is another dollar you can put toward your child’s college education, your retirement or that dream anniversary vacation.
Revisit Your Goals
Maybe you already have a plan and can see your financial goals on the horizon. That doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to reach them faster. Start by reviewing your plan and tweaking where you can. Once additional payment a year can knock five years off a 30-year mortgage, saving you a ton in interest. Putting just $100 per month into a savings account with 2-percent interest becomes $6,300 in just five years (savings accounts are a reliable choice in any economy).
Perhaps you can pushc yourself and resolve to add 10 percent more cash to each of the goals on your list over the next year, putting 10 percent more into your 401(k) or credit card payemtns. Make sure it’s a figure you can stick with. The goal is to pare your spending, not put your current life on hold.
Search For Savings
Cant’ imagine how it’s possible to spend and still save? Here are some ways to wring even more out of what you already have. Collect at least six months’ worth of bank and credit card statements (12 months is ideal) and identify every essential transaction, such as gas for the drive to work and the utility bill. Then, evaluate what’s left; those are purchases you chose to make. That doesn’t make them bad purchases, but here’s where you can learn to spend–and yes, indulge–but more strategically.
Pick one nonessential expense that you really love–your season tickets, for example–and keep it. That’s your luxury to enjoy. Now look at the other nonessentials and challenge yourself to either cut them entirely or scale them back. Is your family going out to the movies and dinner every Saturday? Resolve to stay in two Saturdays a month and have a family movie night at home. you can still have fun, just less expensively. If your kids balk at scaling back, maybe it’s a good time to suggest they get a part-time job. You can save more by setting limits on how much of your children’s fun you will bankroll.
Some Tips: 1. Giving up something of lesser importance for something of greater importance is not a sacrifice, it’s a bargain.
2. Unexpected expenses: Life is full of surprises and not all of them are welcome. Maybe it’s a major car repair or an urgent trip to help a friend or relative in need. You can’t avoid every financial setback but you can prepare for them. Aim to set aside at least three to six months of living costs in savings, just in case.
Tomorrow’s blog will conclude with Part Two of today’s article.
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
DOT Safety Audit – Passing Your First Audit – Part One
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
posted by 18 Wheeler 2:38 PM
Hello, Fellow Drivers, I have been looking at your searches recently and many of you have been needing information about DOT Compliance and the first DOT safety audit. I wanted to pass along some helpful information that will give you success in preparing for and passing the DOT Safety Audit. The “new name” for a trucking company that has just received their letter granting them operating authority is called a “New Entrant”. After doing some research, I found these FAQ’s on the FMCSA website. In researching this article, I could not find any “down-to-earth” information that would actually help a “New Entrant” understand what they had to have in place to confidently face this important aspect of your trucking business. In Part Two, I will go into more detail as to what your records should contain to pass the safety audit successfully. Enjoy the read and remember to be safe out there!
- Where will these safety audits be conducted?
The safety audits will primarily be conducted on-site at the carrier’s principle place of business; however, some safety audits may be conducted at other locations. A uniformed DOT officer will show up at your home office (whether in your home or elsewhere) in his blue and white DOT patrol car and conduct an audit of your records. This audit will be conducted after you have received your letter from the FMCSA granting you operating authority. Once you receive your MC number, you must wait for this letter to arrive in the mail before you can legally drive the roads. However, your audit will be conducted AFTER you have received this letter. - When will safety audits be conducted?
New entrant motor carriers can expect to start receiving safety audits 3-6 months after they are granted new entrant registration. My safety audit occurred about three months after I was granted my own operating authority. - Why were these rules created?
Congress required the FMCSA to establish minimum requirements for new motor carriers seeking federal interstate operating authority. These minimum requirements include having the carrier certify that it has systems in place to ensure compliance with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, and a safety audit conducted within the first 18 months of the carrier’s interstate operation. - How will the safety audits be conducted?
The safety audit will be conducted by a Safety Auditor and will consist of a review of the carrier’s management system. The areas of review include, but are not limited to, the following: - Driver Qualifications
- Driver Duty Status
- Vehicle Maintenance
- Accident Register, and
- Controlled Substances and Alcohol use and testing requirements.
- Will a safety audit result in a safety fitness determination by the FMCSA?
No. Carriers will either pass or fail the safety audit, depending on their level of compliance and whether they have basic safety management controls in place. Safety fitness determinations of satisfactory, conditional, or unsatisfactory will only result from the completion of a compliance review. - If a new entrant has a compliance review conducted, are they also subject to a safety audit?
No. If the FMCSA conducts a compliance review, the new entrant will not also be subject to a safety audit. However, they are still subject to the 18-month safety- monitoring period.