The Department of Transportation (DOT) oversees the regulation of trucking companies. They set rules that motor carriers must follow and failing to stay compliant can have serious consequences. Some of these situations affect individual drivers or vehicles and others affect the company as a whole. Depending on the DOT violation that occurred, your team will … Continue reading “What Happens After a DOT Violation”
The Department of Transportation (DOT) and its subagency the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulate trucking companies. One of their many objectives is to ensure drivers do not use drugs or alcohol while operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). Understanding truck driver drug testing is essential to staying compliant and avoiding costly fines, as well … Continue reading “FAQs About Truck Driver Drug Testing”
Highway safety is important and with so many semi-trucks in operation, motor carriers play a significant role in keeping our nation’s roads safe. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates this industry. One of the ways they track metrics for trucking companies is with their Compliance, Safety, and Accountability (CSA) program. Carriers are assigned … Continue reading “Understanding CSA Scores”
The Department of Transportation (DOT) conducts millions of roadside inspections each year. This is to make sure that commercial motor vehicles and their drivers are following safety regulations. There are six different DOT inspection levels and each one covers different parts of the vehicle and/or aspects of the driver’s credentials. Knowing the differences between these … Continue reading “The Six DOT Inspection Levels”
In July 2020, the Department of Transportation (DOT)/Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) released a Final Rule regarding their hours of service regulations. The goal was to increase flexibility for commercial drivers without negatively affecting highway safety. These changes took effect starting on September 29, 2020. It’s important for motor carriers to understand the most … Continue reading “What to Know About the DOT Hours of Service Updates”
Safe trucking starts before a driver even gets behind the wheel. If a semi-truck is not working properly, it puts the driver, their cargo, and anyone else on the road in danger. Because of this, the Department of Transportation (DOT) conducts periodic roadside checks of commercial motor vehicles. A truck inspection can happen at any … Continue reading “The Steps of a Truck Inspection”
Staying compliant with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations is an ongoing process. It is important to be aware of the requirements for hiring drivers as well as what you need to keep on record throughout their employment. Driver qualification files, also called DQFs, include information about safety-sensitive employees. These files must be properly … Continue reading “An Overview of Driver Qualification Files”
Ensuring that safety-sensitive employees are drug-free is an essential component of Department of Transportation (DOT) compliance. Motor carriers must test their drivers for drug use at specific times. These include before employment as well as randomly for as long as they hold their position. The standard screening method for DOT-regulated companies is a 5-panel drug … Continue reading “What Does a 5-Panel Drug Test Include?”
In order to ensure safety and compliance, the Department of Transportation (DOT) reviews companies that are subject to its regulations. If your trucking company is undergoing a DOT audit, it can be stressful and confusing. Luckily, HDS Safety Services can help you navigate this process. What is a DOT Audit? There are multiple types of … Continue reading “What to Expect From a DOT Audit”
The Department of Transportation (DOT) requires that all motor carriers have a drug testing program in place for their safety-sensitive employees. This is to ensure that drivers are able to operate their vehicles without putting themselves or others in danger. If you operate a trucking company, you may be wondering whether or not you can … Continue reading “Can Trucking Companies Perform Hair Testing for Drugs?”
Maintaining a drug-free workplace is essential to remain compliant with Department of Transportation (DOT) and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations. There are specific times when companies must complete drug and/or alcohol testing. One instance is if a supervisor has reasonable suspicion that a safety-sensitive worker is under the influence. Ensuring that your supervisors … Continue reading “The Importance of Reasonable Suspicion Training”
With recent changes to federal and state regulations regarding cannabis, it can be confusing for employers who perform drug screening for employees. The Department of Transportation (DOT) has already issued a notice regarding “medical marijuana” use. This clarified that for safety-sensitive employees, a positive drug test result cannot be verified as negative based on a … Continue reading “DOT Guidelines for CBD and Drug Tests”
From drug testing to pre-audits to driver background checks, HDS is here to help your transportation company meet key safety standards. We strive to keep your employees safe and to protect you from potential liability. Contact us today to learn more about our safety solutions. We look forward to working with you.
5650 E Travel Plaza Way Tucson, Arizona 85756
| Monday | 8AM–5PM | Friday | 8AM–5PM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | 8AM–5PM | Saturday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 8AM–5PM | Sunday | Closed |
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