Whether you own a trucking company or drive for one, you must comply with the regulations outlined by various trucking authorities. Maintaining compliance typically involves meeting numerous deadlines, keeping up with internal changes, and maintaining your fleet. Receive a compliance check and protect your compliance scores.
Trucking company compliance requires that a company's supervisors and drivers comply with the regulations outlined by various trucking authorities. The central authorities include the United States Department of Transportation and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Their requirements involve:
Compliance requirements may vary based on how and where your trucks operate and the type of freight you transport.
Your company's USDOT compliance depends on how well you follow the USDOT's trucking regulations. The USDOT oversees all American transportation elements and includes various associations handling different transportation aspects. For example, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is a branch of the USDOT that manages commercial trucking safety.
The minimum USDOT compliance involves acquiring a USDOT number for your company. You must also obtain all other identification numbers and permits to legally transport goods into certain locations. The FMCSA, the DOT branch overseeing commercial trucking, has more in-depth compliance requirements.
FMCSA compliance begins with an FMCSA registration. You must register with this administration if you:
You must also submit to and pass occasional DOT safety audits. A DOT officer will inspect vehicles and review paperwork to ensure you have all elements in order.
The officer will then give you a score that determines your level of safety commitment. Your overall score determines whether you can continue operating your trucking company and can affect your business reputation.
The Unified Carrier Registration is a federal program designed to streamline how trucking companies register to operate within participating states. If your drivers need to cross state lines at any point, they must comply with your state of operation and the states in which they travel. UCR compliance allows you to handle all individual state requirements with one permit. Truckers who travel to two or more states or engage in international shipping must comply with UCR regulations.
Among the most essential aspects of maintaining your operating authority is the occasional compliance check. The following FMCSA compliance checklist will assist you in complying with myriad regulations:
Federal Motor Carrier Authority Files can assist you with a compliance check. Items reviewed include:
Failure to update your permits or comply with safety audits could result in various penalties, such as:
The severity of these outcomes depends on the number of times a company fails to comply.
Simplify your company's compliance with a compliance check report from Federal Motor Carrier Authority Filings. You can streamline other permit applications and renewals through FMCA Filings' DOT portal and other resources.