A seemingly endless number of Department of Transportation (DOT) rules and regulations govern the daily lives of truckers. But safety and security are top concerns in this business, and as such, federal laws must be followed. Non-compliance can be costly; you could not only lose your job or business, but also face stiff penalties for not observing DOT laws and guidelines. With this in mind, some of the top compliance-related issues you need to stay on top of include:

Driver Qualifications - Truck drivers, of course, must have a CDL to operate a commercial motor vehicle. Driver testing includes a skills test and knowledge test, and drivers must be in adequate physical condition to perform the job. Motor carriers are also required to maintain a driver qualification file for each of its driver employees, so your history will be documented. Changes to the CDL program can occur, so it’s important to keep track of the latest “thinking” on this by the federal government.

Drug and Alcohol Testing - If you have a CDL, you will be subject by law to drug and alcohol testing. Rules govern when drivers are tested (post-accident, reasonable suspicion, random, and return-to-duty follow-up), the types of tests administered (breathe, urine, and salvia), what drugs are tested for, who does the testing, and more. Click here for on overview.

Safety Audit and a Compliance Review - The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) provides a comprehensive discussion of what to expect during an audit here. This is good to know in advance! You’ll learn not only about the compliance review process, but also what happens if you receive either a satisfactory, unsatisfactory, or conditional rating.

This is really just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to DOT compliance. There are companies dedicated to training drivers in all areas of DOT compliance if you want to pay for this kind of service, or, you can browse free information on the web. You can start with the FMCSA’s driver-related regulations, which covers important topics related to DOT rules and regulations including hours-of-service, maintenance, insurance, safety and health, and transportation of hazardous materials. Resources are also available for all new truckers wanting to improve their safety compliance program.  And the following additional links should be permanently bookmarked on your computer, so you know where to turn for more information:

Ÿ         U.S. Department of Transportation

Ÿ         U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

Ÿ         Transportation Security Administration

It’s also a good idea to keep tabs on the latest compliance-related news from your state trucking association (click on the drop-down menu at the left under “state associations”) so you are always within bounds of the law.

Most can agree that getting and staying up to speed on DOT compliance can be a daunting process, but it can be done. One strategy for staying updated is to set aside an hour or so each week to check in with these websites and with your employer to make sure you know the latest proposed laws or changes to laws that may impact your compliance with DOT.