Checklists are great. Sure, they serve their purpose for remembering what to grab from the grocery store — but they also save you time and money by ensuring that you are meeting the standards and Federal Department of Transportation regulations.
We have nearly a half-decade of experience in the truck industry. Our fleet of the restroom and large vacuum trucks are first in class and we want to offer up some expertise to help out current or future drivers.
We’re going to go through the entire DOT checklist to ensure that your business is in compliance with all the necessary regulations and keeping everyone safe on the roads.
This includes both your CDL compliance and drug/alcohol checklists — just in case your drivers are traveling outside of your business’s state. While these checklists can be quite extensive, here’s a quick snapshot of the key points within each checklist.
CDL Compliance Checklist
— You will need to have a copy of the updated (FMCSA) rules where employees can see them in your office or business. Also, all of your drivers must receive a copy of the rules. They will then require both a receipt and agreement to comply with the regulations.
— All of your drivers must familiarize themselves with parts 40, 380, 382, 383, 387, 390-397, and part 399, subchapter B, chapter three, title 49 of the federal regulations code.
— Both pre- and post-trip inspections will need to be completed by you with of all your vehicles and you will need documentation that you have done.
— You are required to keep up-to-date safety performance histories and qualification records for all of your drivers.
— You must document each driver’s hours of service. CDL drivers may not need to complete a log grid if they never drive further than 100 miles from the terminal, but the company must keep records of their hours.
— You must design a regular vehicle maintenance program and make certain that it is followed by those that it adheres to.
— You are required to keep thorough records of the incident in a register in case of an accident involving one of your company trucks.
— All vehicles must be marked with their respective DOT numbers.
— You are required to comply with commercial motor vehicle (CMV) entry-level driver training
DOT FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Compliance Checklist
Over the years, the DOT has continuously increased its enforcement of regulations regarding drug and alcohol use of drivers. To ensure that you or your drivers are not at risk of being penalized, we have included another checklist for you to follow.
— All your drivers must have copies of the DOT policies.
— You will need to have documentation of pre-employment drug tests for every one of your drivers on file.
— Drivers are not allowed to perform safety-sensitive tasks such as delivering loads until their drug tests have been returned to you and are confirmed to be negative.
— During your pre-employment screening, you need to check with your driver’s former employers as to whether or not the driver has had any drug or alcohol problems while employed. If so, you need a record of this in your office.
— All of your drivers must be in a random drug/alcohol testing pool. Note: This pool must be separate from the random pool you maintain for non-driver employees.
— You must perform random drug testing of at least 50% of your drivers each year.
— Perform random checks of at least 10% of your drivers for alcohol abuse every year.
— Any and all tests must occur immediately after the drivers are notified that they will be tested.
— All supervisors need to complete the training program that is required by the DOT.
— Any driver in violation of DOT regulations from safety-sensitive duties must be removed immediately.
— If a driver is in violation of DOT drug and alcohol regulations, you must refer those them to approved substance abuse programs.
— All records relating to drug and alcohol regulations are required to be on file and are retrievable at any time.
It is your responsibility as an employer to follow these rules and regulations to ensure the safety of your drivers and others on the road. While there are a lot of laws to comply with, having a checklist nearby can help keep you on your toes and save you from any legal or civil penalties down the road.