The reason for sending them to you is to make testing easier.  These forms are to be handled as follows:

• Keep one form in each vehicle
• Keep a couple of forms in your office
• Re-order forms by calling Office Tenders at 1-800-954-3414 or (906) 482-3172.

This applies to ALL INTERSTATE Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMVs).  Each state has three years to adopt these rules for INSTATE drivers.

The following are new definitions:

• Using at least one hand to hold a mobile telephone to conduct a voice communication;
• Dialing or answering a mobile telephone by pressing  more than a single button, or
• Reaching for a mobile telephone in a manner that requires a driver to maneuver so that he/she is no longer in a seated position, restrained by a seat belt that is installed in accordance with 49 CFR 393.3.

“Mobile telephone” means a mobile communication device that falls under or uses any commercial mobile radio service.  It does not include two-way or Citizens Band Radio services.

“Driving” means operating a CMV on a highway, including while temporarily stationary because of traffic, traffic control device, or other momentary delays.

WHEN A CMV DRIVER CAN USE A MOBILE PHONE

A mobile telephone may be used when the driver of a CMV has moved the vehicle to the side of, or off, a highway and has halted in a location where the vehicle can safely remain stationary.

A mobile telephone may be used “when necessary to communicate with law enforcement officials or other emergency services.”

Push-to-talk may be used as long as the CMV driver does not reach for, dial, or hold the actual mobile phone in his/her hand while driving and the driver is able to touch the button needed to operate the push-to-talk feature from the normal seated driving position.  For example, a phone mounted in a cradle or similar device near the driver.

CONSEQUENCES

This is considered a “serious traffic violation”.

• A second conviction of ANY serious traffic violation in 3 years results in disqualification for 60 days.
• Fines and/or disqualification for CDL and Non-CDL drivers:
  • Civil penalties up to $2,750 for each offense
  • Disqualification for multiple offenses
  • Fines for companies allowing drivers to violate the law (up to $11,000/violation).

TEXTING

Texting while driving is prohibited by federal regulations.  Most states have adopted these rules.

After January 30, 2014 a Medical Examiner’s Certificate may only be used for 15 days – while waiting to receive your updated CDL.

According to Part §383.73, the State may suspend, cancel revoke the CDL if a current DOT physical is not on file.  This is not a “disqualification” but a “withdrawal” of the commercial driving privileges.

If a CDL has been declared invalid because of a lapse in the driver’s physical, they may not drive a commercial motor vehicle.

What is the MCS-150?

The “Motor Carrier Identification Report”, better known as the MCS-150 requests a U.S. DOT number for carriers. This form is filed initially when first requesting a U.S. DOT number.

Based on information provided in the MCS-150 is vital to the placement of your business in the proper grouping for Compliance, Safety Accountability (CSA) scoring purposes. (See About CSA 2010- What is it?)

You are strongly advised to keep your MCS-150 information current by updating it whenever your business changes anything pertaining to the MCS-150. Errors in this form, or failure to keep it updated could result in the wrong designation for your company. This could result in incorrect CSA ratings.

Review Your MCS-150

A MCS-150, and instructions, can be found at fmsca.dot.gov under “Registration & Licensing”. If you currently have a MCS-150 on file, you can find it on-line by going to the FMCSA website. Select “Find A Company’s Status” using your USDOT number and business name or your operating authority number.

Then select “Company Snapshot” under FMCSA Searches about half-way down the page.

Being a new trucking business means that you will be the subject of a “Safety Audit” sometime within the first 18 months of being in business. The audit is likely to be after about three months. Companies are given enough time to record some operating history so that your safety management controls are established.

Audits help carriers identify safety risks. You will be given a 60-day corrective action period. During that time, you will need to correct all deficiencies found during the audit. Passenger transportation and hazardous materials that require placarding are given 45 days to correct deficiencies.

A “Safety Audit” is based on elements critical to basic safety management involving operation in interstate (across state lines) commerce. Motor carriers fail the audit if regulation compliance is found to be lacking.

If this happens, your US DOT registration is revoked until the DOT is satisfied with your corrective actions.

 SAFETY ELEMENTS

Overall the various elements (there are 16) that are reviewed during an audit include:

• Drug and Alcohol Program
• Financial Responsibility (Insurance)
• Driver and Commercial Driver License (CDL) Requirements
• Driver records of duty status (Hours of Service compliance)
• Motor Vehicle out-of-service status
• CMV periodic inspections

All of the safety element regulations can be reviewed in detail in the “Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations” manual that we supply when setting up a new company.

Office Tenders offers all the services you need to stay up to date and have what you need in order to operate legally. We can take care of log book
auditing for you. We do a comprehensive review of the drivers’ logs to ensure they are completing the forms properly and check to be sure they are
not violating the hours of service regulations.

We also specialize in other things such as:

*Fuel Tax Reporting

*DOT random drug and alcohol testing

*Establishing and maintaining Driver Qualification Files

We make sure you are aware and up to date with all DOT regulations as well
as your own state regulations.

Our service is quick and individualized. If you are considering using a service such as ours feel free to give us a call.  References supplied upon
request. We want to make things easier so you can drive away knowing you are on the right road with DOT.

Another service offered by our company is that we supply the required driver training for DOT Drug & Alcohol testing. Although your drivers are no doubt aware that random drug and/or alcohol tests are performed – as a busy company you may struggle with the resources to accomplish the required training and testing on schedule. Not only can we provide the training materials fordrivers, we can also provide the required supervisor training.  This is accomplished with DVD’s and a training book rental. We set your company up at a test location and supply them with the required chain of custody forms.  In addition, we can supply you directly with the required Chain of Custody supplies so a driver can be tested anywhere.  We can also assist with the drug and alcohol testing appointments.  We all know that the DOT is a stickler for details – so making sure you provide the DOT drug testing paperwork correctly will save you a lot of time and trouble.

Fuel tax reporting is an important aspect of your interstate trucking business.  No matter how large or small your business – keeping accurate records will keep you out of trouble. Our reasonably priced service will complete the fuel tax documentation based on the data you provide. Fuel tax reporting requires a supporting breakdown of your fuel purchases by gallon and miles per state per truck.  If you already use a format to keep track of this information – our service will make sure the data is transferred reliably into a summary report and onto your state’s fuel tax report forms.  Once you begin using our service you will find you are able to concentrate more on running your business and making money and less on completing the tedious yet required paperwork.

Another service offered by our company is that we supply the required driver training for DOT Drug & Alcohol testing. Although your drivers are no doubt aware that random drug and/or alcohol tests are performed – as a busy company you may struggle with the resources to accomplish the required training and testing on schedule. Not only can we provide the training materials fordrivers, we can also provide the required supervisor training.  This is accomplished with DVD’s and a training book rental.

We set your company up at a test location and supply them with the required chain of custody forms.  In addition, we can supply you directly with the required Chain of Custody supplies so a driver can be tested anywhere.  We can also assist with the drug and alcohol testing appointments.  We all know that the DOT is a stickler for details – so making sure you provide the DOTdrug testing paperwork correctly will save you a lot of time and trouble.

Finally, creating a system to keep track of driver qualifications could take hours. Our service includes a comprehensive system that includes the driver’s application, previous employer checks, the state motor vehicle record and the other required documents for each driver. Our system also provides a reminder for drivers who need to renew their licenses or update their DOT physicals.
Supervisors who are worried about the ever changing laws will feel confident using our service which is updated any time laws are changed. If saving time and making more money is important to you – consider using our easy, friendly and inexpensive services.

For more information on how this will impact your business, feel free to drop us a call… we don’t charge for good conversation!  (906) 482-3172

http://csa2010.fmcsa.dot.gov/