Clearinghouse, EPN Service
Clearinghouse
All employers who operate interstate and intrastate commercial vehicles must query the Clearinghouse for any current or prospective employee who is planning to operate a CMV on public roads. Employers are also required to query the Clearinghouse annually for each driver currently employed.
EPN Program
In addition, the California DMV requires all employers of CMV drivers to participate in the EPN (Employer Pull Notice) Program. Carriers must have an up-to-date EPN report in each of their driver’s file.
What is Employer Pull Notice?
Companies based in California or have terminals in California and employ drivers that are operating with a CDL are REQUIRED to acquire an EPN Account through the CA DMV. An owner operator who is running under his/her own name (not as an LLC or Corporation) is exempt from registering an account.
Our Services Can Save You Time & Money
At VLC, we help our clients navigate the ever-changing requirements and complexities of compliance. We are an experienced Agency who will help you with all licensing, permits, driver, and fleet reporting requirements. We help you focus on your business, and can take the headache out of the compliance and reporting aspect.
VLC and the FMCSA Clearinghouse
As a third-party administrator for FMCSA means that VLC can run queries on your drivers and new prospects (as required by the FMCSA) through the Clearinghouse.
We know that navigating through Federal Websites is not always the most user-friendly experience. VLC has set up many accounts for both Companies and Drivers. We can navigate through out the application process with ease on your behalf.
VLC and the EPN Program
Companies are required to keep the most updated Driver Record in their employee’s driver files.
A Driver Record will reflect:
- DL#
- Individual characteristics (height, weight, eye color, hair color, etc.)
- DL Expiration date
- Potential Safety Red Flags: Convictions, Accidents, Suspension. Revocations, Failures to Appear
Drivers will be enrolled under their employer’s company Account number. A new driver record is generated when:
- There is a change to a driver’s record
- Convictions
- Failures to appear
- Accidents
- Driver license suspensions or revocations
- Any other actions taken against the driving privilege
- Add a new driver to employer’s account
- 12-month annual driver record
The benefits of an EPN account (other than it being a requirement):
- Improves public safety.
- Determines if each driver has a valid DL
- Reveals problem drivers or driving behavior
- Helps to minimize a company’s liability
Why VLC should be your EPN agent:
- We have a direct communication with the DMV electronically
- Overall management of account (driver’s and invoices)
- No chance of mail being missorted or lost in transit to appropriate terminal
- 48-hour turnaround time compared to DMV standard 10-15 business days
- Reduce the use of paper and postage
- Ability to add and delete drivers from account with just an email to VLC
- Stored as Secure Electronic copies of all driver records
- Direct agent contacts with EPN department at DMV that is not available to the general public
- Invoice Auditing
Put our 50+ years of experience to work for you. We have many happy clients who are eternally grateful for the time and money we have saved them! Contact us for details.
Vehicle Licensing Consultants
A Virtual Projects, LLC Company
Fleet & Driver Compliance…Fleet Tracking Software
530-384-3884
Electronic Logging
Custom Reports
Since all fleets must become ELD compliant, it makes sense to leverage your investment across all your fleet operations. With electronic logging, you have access to a wealth of data, from duty status and location, engine hours, vehicles miles, driver ID, and more. A telematics solution can even capture other critical data like odometer, fuel usage, speed, hard braking, and emissions.
So, why not benefit from your ELD investment and put this great data to work for you? Custom reports can help you:
- Improve driver safety
- Manage your driver’s time better; take on more work
- Improve accuracy; reduce violations and fines
- Save time and money; office staff can be more efficient
- Improve driver coaching; minimize wear and tear on your fleet
- Automate IFTA reporting
- And much more!!!
Protection Through Proof
Surfsight dashcam captures the drive and the driver behavior in real-time. Powered by artificial intelligence and machine vision, Surfsight automatically detects, and alerts distracted driver behavior and harsh driving incidents, addressing the leading causes of preventable accidents.
When an accident does occur, on-demand video retrievals allow you to review the details leading up to and during the accident. This easily accessible video footage ensures your company is protected through visual proof, reducing claims and insurance costs.
Predictive Maintenance
Electronic logs make it possible to manage your defects in real-time, which can reduce your downtime due to maintenance. In addition, PdM, or predictive maintenance will help avoid breakdowns and expensive repairs.
Predictive maintenance offers huge cost savings and a big boost to customer satisfaction. A well-maintained vehicle is overall all more cost effective and meets a higher safety standard. Operating conditions can be seen in the diagnostic trouble codes that are transmitted along a vehicle’s common area network (CAN lines). Your vehicle’s health is reported in order to predict emerging problems BEFORE they occur. Predictive maintenance has been shown to save companies on average 10-20 percent (and more) of maintenance costs per year.
Problem? We Have a Solution for You!
Time to scrap your paper records and go electronic. Whatever your fleet size, whatever your biggest pain point, we have a solution for you. AND…the best part, your solution can grow as your business and fleet grows!
Vehicle Licensing Consultants
A Virtual Projects, LLC Company
Fleet & Driver Compliance…Fleet Tracking Software
Weigh Station Bypass
Weigh station bypass programs have become an important part of the trucking industry. Nothing is more frustrating than delays due to long scale lines and unexpected inspections.
While fleets are certainly benefiting from bypass solutions, there are some common misconceptions about how the bypass programs work. By sharing this information and helping fleets understand the program and the technology, we hope to provide efficiency, safety, and employee satisfaction as well as increasing your opportunity for increased bypass opportunities.
Here are the Top 4 Bypass Misconceptions
- Bypass programs result in more inspections
Bypass programs reward carriers with good safety ratings. Their goal is to focus on unsafe vehicles while allowing safer fleets with good ISS (Inspection Selection System) scores to bypass inspection.
- Bypass programs are used to track drivers
Secure mobile technology is used to ensure no sensitive information is delivered to law enforcement. Bypass technology is designed to only screen for vehicle-specific criteria such as ISS score, license plate, VIN, USDOT number and the time a truck passes a weigh station. This information is highly regulated and does not leave the station.
- Bypass programs require a transponder
Some bypass programs do utilize transponder-based technology. However, more advanced solutions, like Drivewyze, are completely transponder-free and integrated with the Geotab Drive App. This technology is GPS-based and provides drivers notifications 2 miles and 1 mile ahead of the weigh station, allowing vehicles to stay on the mainline without slowing down if they qualify.
- Bypass programs use CSA scores for screening
The only safety score screened by the bypass program is the carrier’s ISS score. The ISS score is an aggregate of a fleet’s Compliance, Accountability, and Safety (CSA) scores providing law enforcement with a more comprehensive profile of a fleet’s safety. A great ISS score will typically result in more bypasses and a software-based bypass service such as Drivewyze can help improve that score over time, offering additional opportunities for bypass.
Vehicle Licensing Consultants
A Virtual Projects, LLC Company
Fleet & Driver Compliance…Fleet Tracking Software
Data Security
Security management and cybersecurity are major buzz words today. But what do they really mean to you, your fleet, and your operations?
Your information is your most valuable asset. While every company is different based on size and systems, there are 3 main pillars and best practices to keep in mind to ensure your data is protected.
Process
The first of these is process and process review. Create simple and easy to read guidelines that clearly state the objectives and the best practices you expect each employee to follow to reduce the chance of cyber-attacks or data breaches.
Keep the document updated as new systems are introduced or new concerns arise. Be sure to notify employees each time a document is revised. Use the document in company training sessions to keep everyone on track.
Technology
The technology that every company uses will vary, again based on size and systems in place. When choosing new or updated software or hardware to protect your data, be sure you have identified your goals and all the information that needs to be protected.
Perform thorough research on each technology to best identify all the options, as well as the costs. Once you have put your chosen technology to work for you, be sure to revisit the goals and the list of protected information to be sure that it continues to meet all your needs.
People
Keeping your data safe is not only the responsibility of your security team and the technology chosen, but every employee in the company. You have documented your best practices, put technology to work for you, now it is up to your employees to understand the importance of their participation in the processes and in using the technology successfully. The more knowledgeable your employees are, the less exposure your data will have to cybersecurity threats.
Vehicle Licensing Consultants
A Virtual Projects, LLC Company
Fleet & Driver Compliance…Fleet Tracking Software
Telematics
As the major wireless carriers are working to phase our 3G networks, your vehicle and driving data could be compromised. The phase out of 3G has begun as of December 2020 and is expected to continue through 2021 and end officially in 2022.
What Does it Mean for My Telematics and Driver Data?
As network providers phase out 3G support in favor of 4G/5G technology, you could begin to experience a loss of connection to your vehicle and driving data for your commercial vehicles that have not upgraded their telematics devices.
We Have a Solution with a Lifetime Warranty
VLC will help you prepare for the 3G/4G transition. We will work with you to inventory the number of installed devices still relying on 3G services and build an installation plan for the new 4G supported devices. In addition, our upgrade will be the very last that you must pay for. We will guaranty as technology advances, so too will your telematics device.
This limited lifetime warranty will cover your fleet for all future upgrades and provides replacements for failed devices. As your fleet grows, this is an important step to take in protecting your telematics investments.
Contact VLC for details on their telematics solution and guarantee.
Vehicle Licensing Consultants
A Virtual Projects, LLC Company
Fleet & Driver Compliance…Fleet Tracking Software
