People tend to tune out when they hear the word “compliance”, but understanding DOT compliance demands the attention of people looking to have their freight shipped by truck, as well as the owners of the trucking companies doing the shipping. DOT compliance isn’t just another government hoop to jump through: it is an important preventative measure to ensure safety on our nation’s highways. If your company isn’t compliant, it could mean serious fines and serious safety hazards!
What Is DOT Compliance, Anyway?
DOT regulations are the guidelines that ensure truckers (and other related professions) aren’t using drugs or alcohol on the job. This is the clear reason why they’re so important: can you imagine a 40-ton semi being driven down a busy highway by a drunk person? It’s not a pleasant thought. To ensure that stuff like that doesn’t happen, DOT regulations were created.
What does DOT compliance involve? Although different types of carriers have to abide by different types of regulations, they share some common guidelines like:
- Maintaining current drug and alcohol testing programs
- Keeping track of how long drivers are on the road
- Driver physicals
- Following HAZMAT regulations, if applicable
- Proper vehicle maintenance and inspection
- And of course, making sure your trucks are properly insured
That’s a lot of stuff to keep track of, and not having one of those things taken care of can result in pretty hefty fines. Over $33 million in penalties have been collected in 2015, and the year’s not even over yet. Individual penalties can range from hundreds of dollars to tens of thousands.
Find Out Where You Stand
If you’re not sure where you stand when it comes to your company’s DOT compliance, HDS Safety and Compliance is the company to call. We do DOT compliance for a living, so we know what to focus on so your company can stay compliant and focus on what you do best: running your business. Our auditing and complete DOT compliance consulting services can help turn you into a safer and more efficient company in no time. Don’t wait for a disaster to happen: call us at 1-800-800-7801 or contact us on the web today.
