If you work in the trucking industry, you know that there are many rules and regulations with which you have to comply. Keeping all the records the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration wants you to keep can seem overwhelming.
We handle the compliance needs of small trucking companies across the nation. We have been helping new truckers set up their business and stay compliant for over 20 years. There is no other company quite like us in the trucking business. In addition to helping you with compliance, we have many other services to offer. We help new trucking companies with:
- Trucking Insurance
- Freight planning
- Truck factoring
- Taxes and Permits
- Drug testing
This Is What You Need for DOT Safety Compliance
The first thing any trucking company will need for compliance is a number from the Department of Transportation. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is the agency within the DOT that regulates the trucking industry. The FMCSA is in charge of issuing DOT numbers.
Trucking companies in the United States need a DOT number if they operate vehicles that are 10,001 pounds or more and cross state lines. You will also have to get a USDOT number If you carry hazardous materials that require placarding. The state of New Jersey requires intrastate trucks to have USDOT numbers as well.
There are a few things you must do before applying for a DOT number. You will have to register your company as a business with the state of New Jersey. You will register yourself as either an LLC, corporation, or partnership. If you are an owner-operator, you can register yourself as a sole proprietorship, but it is not recommended.
You will register with the Unified Registration System. The application fee is free. However, the forms can be a bit complicated. If you make a mistake on the form, you may have to start all over again. We have filled out thousands of these forms. When you hire us, we will fill out the form right away and you will have your DOT number in four to six weeks.
We will need certain information about your company, such as the name, address, and phone number as well as the number of trucks you have in your fleet and the number of drivers you have on staff. We will also need the name of an agent for service who can accept legal paperwork on your company’s behalf in the states in which you do business.
Driver Background Checks
Not just anybody can drive a semi-truck. It requires exceptional hand-to-eye coordination and eyesight. A person must pass a special physical with an FMCSA doctor to become a professional truck driver and there are certain medications that drivers cannot take. A driver must pass a drug test before they can start taking hauls for you.
A trucking company is legally required to scrutinize a driver’s background. You must check all of their references and verify the dates. You must also check the driving records of all applicants and make sure they do not have a suspended license in any state in which they have ever lived.
You must keep an electronic record of reference checks, driver’s records, and drug tests. You will have a New Entrant Audit sometime during your first year of operations. They will check to make sure that all of your records are stored properly. If they are not, you may face fines and even a shutdown.
Drug Screenings
It is very important for drivers to be sober when they hit the road. In addition to giving drivers drug tests before you hire them, you must do a certain number of random tests during the course of a calendar year. You must also arrange for drug tests to be given to drivers who are returning to work after failing a previous test.
A driver must be tested for cocaine, opioids, marijuana, amphetamine, and methamphetamine. Our team at Simplex Group will make sure that your drivers are clean and sober. We will arrange for drug testing to be done for you. We know that the tests are often needed in a hurry. When you work with us we can arrange for your drivers to have a urine test done in an approved facility.
Hours of Service
The FMCSA imposes strict regulations on the number of hours a driver can work. The driver is only allowed to work a total of 14 hours a day. This includes inspections, gassing up the car, and loading and unloading the truck. They are only allowed to spend 11 consecutive hours on the road.
The driver will record their hours of service on an electronic logging device. The device attaches to the car’s engine to give it a perfectly accurate reading of the number of hours that the driver spends on the road.
We will provide you with a state-of-the-art electronic logging device. It will not only record drivers’ hours, but it will also record the number of miles they have traveled, the amount of gas they have used, and even the speed at which they normally travel. You will even be able to tell if a driver is keeping the proper distance behind the vehicle in front of them. If they go off course at all, you will know right away and be able to correct them.
You can use our phenomenal ELDs to record daily inspections. You can also send messages to your drivers through the device.
Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports
Safety is something that the FMCSA takes very seriously. They require truck drivers to inspect their vehicles before and after every trip. You must keep a record of these inspections in your electronic file. If a truck fails any part of its inspection, it must be repaired before it can be taken on the road. You must also keep a record of the repairs that are done to the vehicle. We will make sure records of every inspection and repair are stored properly.
Here at Simplex Group, we are committed to the success of our clients. We want your business to thrive for many years to come. Call us today.