Part of running a trucking company is making sure that you have covered all the points in the DOT compliance checklist. We can’t tell you how many times we have seen companies that turn a blind eye to the regulations and then it bites them in the butt and they get shut down. Don’t be that company.
We’ve got a free sheet you can download of things you need in your truck, things you should have on the side of the truck, and the safety and emergency equipment you need to have on hand.
But that’s not everything you have to keep in mind when being compliant with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). If your business conducts state-to-state commerce, then it’s important to remember that the government requires you to comply with both your driver’s qualifications and drug and alcohol checklists.
Here’s a look at the major portions of each. Keep in mind, you may or may not need to cover everything listed here, depending on:
If you have any questions about what your trucking company does or doesn’t need, get in touch with our coaches to get a custom game plan for your business.
Not only do you have to have certain things in your truck, you have to fill out the appropriate paperwork to make sure your company is allowed to operate. Some things to consider:
Not only that, but you are also required to have certain policies in place to keep your drivers safe on the road. These include drug and alcohol policies, like registering your drivers to be part of a random drug testing pool or regularly checking your equipment.
It’s important to make sure you’re following the FMCSA’s requirements for drug and alcohol policies. Serious civil and criminal penalties may be applied to you or to any of your drivers who violate these rules and could put your company out of business. Here are just some of the things you have to do:
Your drivers have to be qualified to drive a commercial motor vehicle, too. Some of the paperwork you have to have on hand and take care of when running your own trucking company are:
As part of a DOT New Entrant Safety Audit, you’re expected to have much of what’s listed above. By keeping accurate records, it’s possible to pass a new entrant safety audit in no time!
But, if you want to make all the paperwork easy, we’ve got templates and resources you can use as part of our DIY DOT Audit Assistance package! Getting it now can make sure you have everything you need, as our folders include templates to have on hand:
Plus, as part of our package, it comes with a guide on how to fill everything out.
This sounds like a lot to remember, mostly because it is. These regulations are only a small part of what you must stay on top of when you run a trucking company. What we haven’t covered here is having certain things in your truck and on your truck, which you can download for free on our website.
If you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to the coaches at Motor Carrier HQ. We’ll do whatever we can to set your trucking company up for success!
You can also listen to our podcast Haulin Assets, where we walk through the process of starting a trucking company from start to finish. Of course, you don’t have to navigate the confusing parts of running a business alone. Get the help of the coaches at Motor Carrier HQ.
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