4-6 hours DOT Inspection?

More than likely its the audit. Hang on, I'll get my list. Just went through this over a year ago, I sill have the folder.

 

Guys, its all paperwork related, the truck wasn't even here when I went through the audit. It will take me a while to type this up, as it is 12 pages of questions. But I'll get it finished today for you. LOL Don't sweat it. Its more of a training thing, to show you what you need to keep on record, for compliance. Trust me.

 

Don't be so hard on the guy, we were just as nervous about this as anyone else just starting out. Its nerve wracking for new O/O's to deal with the government. Thank god we had our Licensing Agent to talk us through all this, or we would have been a mess. AND there were still things that we needed to do to keep records current and in compliance after the audit, but at least we had someone talking us through it and telling us what to expect. Flying solo through all the compliance regs is not a fun process and this is what the forum is for, to ask questions and get answers. We all need to stick together and help when we can.

 

Here is the extent of the audit: My explanation of what the guy told me is in red. Ours was done by a state P and you will call the DOT and schedule it.

General

1. Does the Carrier have the minimum level of financial responsibility in effect?
Insurance Policy will be reviewed.

2. Does the Carrier have required proof of financial responsibility?
Insurance Policy will be reviewed.

3. Can the carrier provide a complete accident register of recordable accidents.
Ours is marked N/A

4. Does the carrier have copies of all accident reports required by States or other government entities or insurers?
Ours is marked N/A

5. Is the carrier knowledgeable of the FMCSRs/HMRs?
Ours says: The carrier has access to the internet and the FMCSRs.

Driver

1. Does the carrier maintain complete driver qualification files?
These files include:
Driver application
Social Security Number
3 years driving record from state agency
Annual driving Record
Annual Drivers Certification of Violations
Copy of CDL
Dot Physical

2. Is the carrier using physically qualified drivers?
Long form of current physical

3. Does available evidence indicate the motor carrier has used a driver without a medical certificate or with an expired medical certificate?
Looks for no lapses in medical exams.

4. Is the carrier using disqualified drivers?
As long as you have everything needed in the driver file, you will pass this question.

5. Does the carrier maintain driving and employment history inquiry data in driver qualification files?
Pull employment history from previous employers (10 years).

6. Has the carrier implemented an alcohol and or controlled substances testing program?
You must join a consortium for the random testing.

7. Has the carrier used drivers who have used controlled substances.
Self explanatory.

8. Has the carrier used a driver who has tested positive for a controlled substance?
Self explanatory.

9. Has the carrier used a driver known to to have an alcohol concentration of .04 or greater.

10. Has the carrier used a driver found to have an alcohol concentration of .02 or greater but less than .04 within 24 hours of being tested?

11. Has the carrier ensured that drivers have undergone testing for controlled substances prior to performing a safety sensitive function?

12. Has the carrier conducted post accident testing on drivers for alcohol and/or controlled substances?

13. Has the carrier implemented random testing program?

14. Has the carrier conducted random alcohol testing at an annual rate of not less than the applicable annual rate fo the average number of driver positions?

15. Has the carrier conducted controlled substance testing at an annual rate of not less that the applicable annual rate of the average number of driver positions?

16. Has the carrier conducted the required return-to-duty tests on employees returning to safety-sensitive functions?

17. Is the carrier conducting follow-up testing as directed by the Substance Abuse Professional?

18. Has the carrier used a driver who has refused to submit to an alcohol or controlled substances test required under part 382?

19. Has the carrier used a Substance Abuse Professional as requred by 49 CFR part 40 subpart O?

20. Has a driver operated a commercial motor vehicle without a current operating license, or a license, which hasn't been properly classed and endorsed?

21. Has the motor carrier allowed its drivers who's CDL's have been suspended, revoked or canceled by a state, have lost the right to operate a CMV in a state, or have been diqualified from operating a CMV to operate a commercial motor vehicle?

22. Has the motor carrier knowingly allowed, required, permitted or authorized a driver to drive who is disqualified to drive a commercial motor vehicle?

Operation

1. Does the carrier require drivers to make a record of duty status?
Log books will be reviewed for this section

2. Does the carrier require drivers to submit records of duty status within 13 days?

3. Can the carrier produce records of duty status and supporting documents for selected drivers?

4. Has the carrier allowed driver(s) to exceed the 11-hour-rule? (property)

5. Has the carrier allowed driver(s) to exceed the 14-hour-rule? (property)

6. Has the carrier allowed driver(s) to driver after having been on duty more than 60 hours in 7 consecutive days? (property)

7. Has the carrier allowed driver(s) to drive after having been on duty more than 70 hours in 8 consecutive days? (property)

8. Has the carrier allowed driver(s) to exceed the 10 hour rule? (passenger)

9. Has the carrier allowed driver(s) to exceed the 15 hour rule? (passenger)

10. Has the carrier allowed driver(s) to drive after having been on duty more than 60 hours in 7 consecutive days? (passenger)

11. Has the carrier allowed driver(s) to drive after having been on duty more than 70 hours in 8 consecutive days? (passenger)

12. Does available evidence indicate a selected driver has prepared a false record of duty status?

13. Does the carrier adhere to a disciplinary policy for noncompliance with part 395?

14. Does the carrier have a system for recording hours of duty status on 100-mile radius drivers, and are they properly utilizing the 100 air-mile radius exemption?

15. Does the motor carrier ensure that drivers operate commercial motor vehicles in accordance with the laws, ordnances, and regulations of the jurisdictions in which they are operating?

16. Does the carrier ensure that drivers are not permitted to drive a vehicle without the cargo properly distributed and adequately secured?

17. Have any drivers operated a commercial motor vehicle while under the influence of, or in possession of, narcotic drugs, amphetamines, or any other substances capable of rendering the drivers incapable of safely operating motor vehicles?

18. Have any drivers operated a commercial motor vehicle while under the influence of, or in possession of, intoxicating beverages?

19. Have any drivers operated a commercial motor vehicle within 4 hours of having consumed intoxicating beverages?

Maintenance

1. Can the carrier produce maintenance files for requested vehicles?
You keep a log of all work done on truck, including replacing a winsheild wiper and the receipts for the parts, or the bill for the mechanic with the log.

2. Can the motor carrier produce evidence of periodic (annual) inspections for selected vehicles?
Long form of the annual inspection will be requested. We had our mechanic do the inspection, I have been told that you can do it yourself, but we prefer to have our mechanic do it. Feel its more credible that way.

3. Does the motor carrier require drivers to complete vehicle inspection reports daily?

4. Does the carrier ensure that out-of-service defects listed by the driver in the driver vehicle inspection reports are corrected before the vehicle is operated again?

5. Does the Carrier ensure vehicles that have been declared "out-of-service" do not operate before repairs have been made?

6. Is the carrier using qualified inspectors (mechanic) and maintaining evidence of the inspectors qualifications?

7. Can the carrier explain its systematic, periodic maintenance program?

8. Does the carrier participate in an Arbitration Program?

Other

1. Does the carrier participate in an Arbitration Program?
Ours says N/A

2. Does the carrier assess shipper freight charges based upon published tariffs?
Ours says N/A

3. Does the carrier provide reasonably accurate estimates of moving charges?
Ours says N/A

4. Has the carrier avoided "hostage freight" or other predatory practices?
Ours says N/A

5. Does the HHG Carrier have sufficient levels of public liability and cargo insurance?
Ours says N/A

6. Is the motor carrier authorized to conduct interstate operations in the United States?
Ours says Yes


This is the end of the questions that he printed out after the interview. I do not remember it taking that long, maybe 2 hours tops, but I was ready with all paper work because our Licensing Agent prepared me.

There is a note at the end of the print out that states:

No Hazardous Materials questions were asked because the carrier does not carry Hazardous Materials in Interstate Commerce.

We had one fail on the driver - the drug screen consortium, other than that we passed.

Again, this is more of an educational audit than a heavy hand audit, to help you get your ducks in a row for compliance. The guy that did ours was really nice. He gave us a packet, with all the forms that were necessary to keep in the files, and also a CD rom of some educational material.

Hope this helps you guys.