How to Avoid DOT Violations and Fines
The Department of Transportation (DOT) has a series of regulations that all drivers and companies are required to follow. When these regulations are not followed, you or your drivers could be fined. In certain situations, your driver may even have his or her license restricted or revoked.
The Risks of DOT Violations
DOT compliance is mandatory for all commercial motor vehicle drivers and the companies that employ them. These regulations are enforced by federal, state, and local law enforcement, as well as through DOT audits and reviews. When any of the regulations are violated, the penalties can vary. Depending on the severity of the violation, your company or your driver could face:
- A written warning
- Fines and penalties
- CSA (Compliance, Safety, Accountability) score hits
- Suspension of CMV license
- Suspension of your company’s ability to operate
- Jail-time or court proceedings
Understanding DOT Compliance
The best method of preventing DOT violations is to make sure that you and your drivers follow DOT compliance. This includes all the regulations outlined in CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) Title 49. You can find copies of these regulations through your library, online at the FMCSA website, or through purchase from the Superintendent of Documents or from Office Tenders.
Some of the commonly violated regulations include allowing a driver to operate a CMV before passing a pre-employment drug test, not setting up a DOT drug and alcohol testing program, and not properly recording a driver log.
Many of these regulations are the responsibility of the company that hires the drivers, such as polices regarding drug testing and road safety, while others are handled by both the driver and the company. For example, the driver log must be filled out by the driver, but it is your company’s responsibility to ensure they do so and that it is properly filled out.
By reviewing the regulations that are required for proper DOT compliance, you can avoid DOT violations and fines. Make sure that everyone in your company, including your drivers, is fully aware of all laws and regulations concerning the operation of a commercial motor vehicle.
CMV Driver Log Book Auditing
Further DOT compliance violations can be avoided by hiring service to handle CMV driver log auditing. Office Tenders is a company that is focused on helping companies in the trucking industry follow DOT compliance and successfully manage the massive amount of paperwork involved. This includes CMV driver log auditing.
With driver log auditing, you can remain a step ahead of DOT compliance, by avoiding simple mistakes and record-keeping errors. Office Tenders will review each driver log and ensure they are properly filled out, including on duty and driving hours and average speed.
DOT compliance is a major concern for any CMV drivers and companies that employ them. If you manage CMV drivers, you need to make it your responsibility to ensure everyone is aware of DOT and FMCSA compliance by reviewing the CFR Title 49 regulations.
Avoiding DOT violations and fines is not difficult, if you stick to the rules and regulations and educate your drivers and personnel.
If you need help with any aspect of DOT compliance, such as understanding how violations and audits work or setting up a drug and alcohol testing policy, contact the professionals at Office Tenders today.
