If you’re in the trucking business, you must comply with the regulations set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Department of Transportation (DOT). These laws are in place to ensure you’re upholding proper standards while keeping everyone safe.
Failing to obey means you’ll face increased fines and may even be forced to close down operations. Here are some of the most important trucking regulations to know to stay in compliance.
DOT Registration
If you’re just starting your trucking business, you may wonder if you need a DOT registration, Motor Carrier number, or even both. The first step is to determine what your operations require. The second step is filling out the application. Many applications are rejected due to simple mistakes, which you can avoid by double-checking the forms.
Motor Carrier Operating Authority
Federal laws require you to submit a Motor Carrier application if you are a for-hire carrier for compensation, a broker of household goods, or a property broker or if you transport interstate commerce or transport passengers. A variety of other categories fall under this requirement. You should check to see if you need this application as it will authorize your interstate travel. It needs to be in place before your drivers can go across the state lines when on the job.
Unified Carrier Registration
Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) is required of any motor carrier that needs a DOT number. You must pay an annual fee for it if you operate commercial vehicles that deal with interstate or international commerce.
There are yearly state taxes associated with UCR as well if you send your truck drivers over state lines for work. Fees are calculated based on the size of your fleet. If you fail to pay the yearly fees, you will be subject to fines and penalties, and your truck won’t be released until you make these payments.
Driver Qualifications
Federal laws also dictate that any truck driver involved in either intrastate or interstate commerce from certain states must have verification of both legal and physical ability to operate the truck. Each trucker must have the right qualifications and have them on file. These qualifications will include a certificate of violations, previous employment history, driving history, road test certificate, and a three-year inquiry to state agencies.
All truck drivers must adhere to the general credentials required as well. These include being at least 21 years old and having a completed road test. All truck drivers must be able to meet the physical requirements of operating a commercial truck. They must also be able to read and speak English, have a valid CDL, and be able to safely operate a motor vehicle. These files must be updated every year. You can expect fines if these updates are not made.
Drug and Alcohol Pre-Test
Participating in a drug and alcohol pre-test is required for new hires in the industry or for anyone applying for a truck driver job who hasn’t had random DOT testing within the previous 30 days. This pre-test is required to be completed before any other safety performances are conducted.
Trucking companies can join a DOT random drug testing program that can help with this since it operates like an agent. However, you will be responsible for compliance. Trucking companies must adhere to these testing requirements for drugs and alcohol if they operate a CDL vehicle, the vehicle weighs over 26,0001 lbs., or the vehicle transports either hazardous materials or more than eight passengers.
Blanket of Coverage
Federal law states that any company that crosses state lines with their for-hire vehicles must have an agent who can process the Blanket of Coverage on their behalf. The exception is for a freight forwarder or broker, who can apply for it on their own. If this applies to you, then the agent needs to include every state that you are designated to operate.
Supervisor Training
Supervisor training is for owner-operators who are self-employed and all supervisors who oversee CDL truck drivers. In these circumstances, you must undergo a minimum of two hours of training that covers 60 minutes of alcohol abuse and 60 minutes of drug abuse. You will only need to complete this training once in your career. It is required as a measure to keep everyone on the roadways safer.
DOT Physicals
All truck drivers who operate a certain class of commercial vehicles must submit to physical examinations. These physical exams must be completed by a certified medical professional who is listed on the FMCSA’s National Registry. This physical is required before you are permitted to operate any vehicle. It must also be completed every 24 months. However, you may be required to go more often if there is a condition the examiner wants to monitor. The certification supplied by the medical examiner is also required to be kept in the truck at all times.
DOT Numbers
Trucking companies will need DOT numbers to operate if they meet certain conditions. Any truck that transports hazardous materials and requires commercial intrastate safety permits needs a DOT number. Additionally, vehicles that transport interstate passengers or cargo, have a gross vehicle weight over 10,001 lbs., or transport more than eight passengers for compensation or more than 15 passengers for no commission are required to register for a DOT number.
The DOT number serves as a way to identify your safety details during compliance reviews, inspections, crash investigations, and audits. This number must be displayed on the left and right sides of the truck in a visible and contrasting color from the truck. It should also be legible from a distance of at least 50 feet.
It is important to have a full understanding of DOT numbers and all trucking regulations. Operating in the trucking industry requires you to follow these rules. The best way to avoid incurring fees and to keep operating is to make sure you are obeying all requirements.