WHERE CAN I GET LOW-COST OR FREE DOT COMPLIANCE MATERIALS?
Motor carriers can take advantage of the FREE resources available at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Motor Carrier Safety Planner website. This website provides excellent downloadable resources to meet regulatory compliance requirements and customizable tools most relevant to you. One section that can be an invaluable help to motor carriers is the Forms Library. Here, motor carriers can find all the required forms to meet DOT-required compliance documents. Below is an overview of some of the free resources.
ACCIDENT REGISTER
Maintaining an accident register is required; the register serves as a great tool to identify loss trends. A basic accident register is available on the FMCSA’s Motor Carrier Safety Planner website. On the portal, Great West insureds can also download a free Accident Register that tracks even more data.
CARRIER COMPLIANCE QUESTIONNAIRE
Use this form to conduct an internal mock audit of your company’s compliance efforts. The Carrier Compliance Questionnaire is not all-inclusive, but it can help you identify areas to improve.
CERTIFICATE OF DRIVER’S ROAD TEST
Road testing all drivers, including applicants and tenured drivers, is one risk management technique used by motor carriers. An examiner will sign this form verifying the driver successfully completed a road test. One example of a comprehensive road test evaluation form is Great West’s Road Test Evaluation form, which insureds can download on the portal (https://www.gwccnet.com).
DRIVER EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION
Motor carriers can use their own employment applications, but this generic form is available as an alternate option. A signed and completed application is required per 49 CFR Part 291.21.
DRIVER QUALIFICATION FILE CHECKLIST
Use this checklist to ensure your driver qualification (DQ) files are current and complete. This checklist also includes the retention period requirements for the required records.
CALL TO ACTION
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Road test all drivers.
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Use the Carrier Compliance Questionnaire form to conduct a mock DOT compliance audit.
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Download the Driver Qualification File Checklist form and audit all DQ files for completion.
Note: These lists are not intended to be all-inclusive
This material is intended to be a broad overview of the subject matter and is provided for informational purposes only. Joe Morten & Son, Inc. does not provide legal advice to its insureds or other parties, nor does it advise insureds or other parties on employment-related issues, therefore the subject matter is not intended to serve as legal or employment advice for any issue(s) that may arise in the operations of its insureds or other parties. Legal advice should always be sought from legal counsel. Joe Morten & Son, Inc. shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss, action, or inaction alleged to be caused directly or indirectly as a result of the information contained herein. Reprinted with permission from Great West Casualty Company.