DOT Audit, FMCSA
A motor carrier’s DOT safety rating indicates whether a company has adequate and functioning safety management controls to meet the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) safety fitness standard based on the results of a compliance review (CR).
Safety Rating Levels
Safety rating are broken down into 3 basic levels and will be assigned to a carrier:
Satisfactory. Functioning and adequate safety management controls are in place to meet the safety fitness standard.
Conditional. Inadequate safety management controls are in place. You cannot ensure compliance with the safety fitness standard. You have deficient areas that FMCSA expects the carrier to resolve. However, you can continue to operate.
Unsatisfactory. Inadequate safety management controls are in place. You cannot ensure compliance with the safety fitness standard. Your safety program has too many deficiencies to allow your fleet to continue operating.
If your organization has never had a CR, your fleet will be unrated on the SAFER site.
Factors that Impact Ratings
The safety fitness standard is determined through the results of a CR. The areas of compliance for the standard are outlined in §385.5. They are based on previous audits and are updated monthly after reviewing accident data and violation status.
The key factors in ratings include:
- Hours of Service (HOS)
- Unsafe Driving
- Controlled Substances and Alcohol
- Driver Fitness
- Accident History
- Maintenance of Vehicles
- Hazardous Materials Compliance
Where Can I Find My DOT Safety Rating?
Your companies DOT safety rating is available to you — and the general public — at FMCSA’s SAFER website.
Since anyone can look at your safety record, a poor safety rating can affect your insurance rates and hurt your company’s reputation, hinder your driver recruiting efforts and result in a loss of customers.
To help avoid a less-than-favorable safety rating, you need to understand what the agency will examine during an audit.
How Can I Improve My Safety Rating?
If your company has received a conditional or unsatisfactory rating, you may request a rating change at any time. The FMCSA would expect to see a safety management plan to address the violations discovered during the CR. Based on the contents of the plan, the FMCSA may issue an improved safety rating.
Maintaining a solid DOT safety rating is critical to your reputation as a motor carrier and can save your company a lot of time and money!
VLC will be expanding our core features to include a safety tracking module to ensure good driver behavior and improve and encourage good CSA scores. Contact us to learn more.
DOT Compliance, Driver Safety
“Don’t get caught with an expired registration because of an unresolved owner citation.”
Registration renewals cannot be completed when the owner or lessee has unpaid Owner Responsibility Citations (ORC) on record.
Here are the steps to resolve your citation before your registration expires:
- Obtain court and citation information
- Reach out to the courthouse to pay citation
- Receive a DL-106R in the mail
- DO NOT OPEN THE ENVELOPE
- Mail the Closed envelope to VLC to process with your renewal
- Receive your renewed registration
Proof of clearance and proper filing procedures must be followed. If you are unsure, contact us… our team can help.
Electronic Logging
HOS violations can be costly to your organization. Your driver is placed out of service causing a ripple effect through your driver team and delays with your deliveries. Not to mention the fines, which can be significant.
Let’s take a look at the top 6 violations and see how Geotab can reduce or eliminate them from your fleet:
Wrong Class License
Ensure your divers have the proper license for their vehicle and trailer. Keep medical updates current and set reminders around licenses.
Vehicle Out of Service
Keep brakes, tires, and lights in proper working order to avoid road check violations. Cargo securement is another common violation that can put your vehicle OOS. Preventative maintenance is an excellent way to avoid these issues, replacing or repairing before problems occur. It’s also a great way to keep your drivers and equipment safe.
Driving Beyond Time
The 14-Hour and 11-Hour Rules are in place for everyone’s safety. Be sure that your drivers are informed about the HOS requirements.
Outdated Logs
Your Geotab ELD can avoid the risk of receiving this violation. Make sure your drivers actively update their change in duty status so that your logs are current and accurate at all times.
Compliance Review Violations
These violations typically occur when you are unable to present your ELD logs or are missing log data. If you are using an ELD and the data transfer fails, the Geotab Drive App can be a lifesaver. It will automatically retain the previous 14 days of logs to present during a roadside inspection.
Roadside Inspection Violations
These violations can easily be avoided when using the Geotab ELD. Geotab data can help the fleet manager see what drivers are reporting and can help spot any signs of tampering or falsification of records.
We Can Help
VLC has been assisting Fleet Managers and HR with tools and information to keep HOS violations reduced and eliminated. The Geotab device, when used correctly, will help you and your drivers stay on the road and avoid penalties. Call us for more information.
Vehicle Licensing Consultants
A Virtual Projects, LLC Company
Fleet & Driver Compliance…Fleet Tracking Software
530-384-3884
Driver Safety, Team Building
This year’s Driver Appreciation week is September 12 – 18. There are approximately 3.5 million men and women that are dedicated to keeping the American economy moving forward. These individuals affect our daily lives in countless ways. From keeping groceries on the shelves to delivering toys for Christmas and vital medical supplies to hospitals, their importance cannot be underestimated. Having quick and easy access to almost everything we want and need is something we often take for granted.
National Truck Driver Appreciation Week highlights how critical trucking is to our nation’s economy. Whether it’s business as usual or navigating extraordinary challenges — from natural disasters to a global pandemic — truck drivers are on the front lines, delivering essential freight safely, securely and on time.
Here’s a great fun fact… Most drivers cover 2,500 miles per week. 125,000 per year. That’s a lot of driving. Thank a driver.
VLC can set your drivers up for success with the following tools to ensure safe travels:
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- Surfsight – protect your drivers. No fear of being accused of false accidents. Help your drivers be the best drivers they can be with safety notifications.
- DQM – help your drivers remain compliant ad ensure smooth travels
- Drivewyze – Bypass. Cut down on frustration at the scales for your drivers
- Gateway Connect – never have a missing registration
Thank You
VLC would like to thank all the men and women drivers around the country for delivering our goods on time and safely. Thanks very much!
Vehicle Licensing Consultants
A Virtual Projects, LLC Company
Fleet & Driver Compliance…Fleet Tracking Software
530-384-3884
Driver Safety
As an employer, it is important to be aware and steer clear of disqualified drivers. The disqualification period is determined by a combination the severity of the offense and prior convictions. There are major offenses, serious traffic violations, and railroad-highway grade crossing offenses as well as violating out-of-service orders that can lead to disqualification. Here is a look at what to be aware of and how to avoid drivers who are repeat offenders.
Major Offenses
• Under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance
• Refusing a drug or alcohol test
• Leaving the scene of an accident
• Using a vehicle to commit a felony
• Driving with revoked or suspended CLP or CDL
• Driving during disqualification
• Causing a fatality due to negligence
Serious Traffic Violations
• Excessive speeding (15 mph over the limit)
• Reckless driving
• Improper or erratic lane changes
• Tailgating
• Traffic violations resulting in a fatal accident
• Driving without obtaining a CLP or CDL
• Driving without the proper CLP or CDL for the vehicle operated
• Driving without a CLP or CDL in the driver’s possession
• Texting or using a hand-held mobile phone while driving
Protect Your Business – Know your Drivers
These disqualifications can be costly and disruptive. Having all the information about your drivers in one easy-to-use dashboard can be a huge advantage. Check out our new Driver Qualification Software. One demo will change the way you manage your drivers!
Vehicle Licensing Consultants
A Virtual Projects, LLC Company
Fleet & Driver Compliance…Fleet Tracking Software
530-384-3884
