Five Ways To Boost Semi-Truck Fuel Economy
Want to boost your semi-truck fuel economy by 15 to 20% or more? You can easily do that with these 5 tips! With diesel fuel prices at or near all time highs, it’s never been more important to manage this critical business expense. Slowing Down One of the easiest ways to boost your semi-truck fuel…
What is the FMCSA Clearinghouse?
The FMCSA Clearinghouse is a database that provides information about whether a commercial driver has any DOT drug and alcohol program violations. These are typically failed DOT drug tests. Post Updated: All trucking companies must request (and receive) this violation information from the DOT clearinghouse before a driver can operate a truck or bus for…
2022 International Roadcheck Focus: Wheel Ends
The 2022 International Roadcheck event will be held this year on May 17-19 with a focus on wheel ends. During this 72 hour DOT inspection blitz, commercial vehicle enforcement officers from all over North America will likely inspect over 40,000 commercial trucks and buses. Preparing for CVSA Roadcheck in advance should make it a “non-event”…
CSA Points Value Guide
CSA points are assessed for DOT violations that a truck driver receives during a roadside inspection. Use this guide to learn more about CSA points and find the point values associated with each violation. Each time a trucker is pulled over and inspected by a law enforcement officer, they run the risk of receiving violations…
What is a CVSA Sticker?
A CVSA sticker is issued to a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) after that vehicle successfully “passes” a Level 1 DOT inspection or Level 5 Inspection. To pass an inspection, the truck, bus, trailer, car etc. must have no “critical violations” discovered according to the North American Standard Out-of-Service criteria. What does a CVSA Sticker Mean?…
What is Reefer Breakdown?
Reefer breakdown is a trucking industry term that describes an event when the refrigerated unit on a “reefer trailer” (refrigerated trailer) breaks down. What causes that breakdown can be a number of different things including lack of fuel, electrical issues, low oil, a mechanical issue with the unit, etc. Reefer breakdown represents one of the…
DQF Management: How to Stay DOT Compliant Year-Round
A DQF (Driver Qualification File) is more than a hiring formality—it’s your fleet’s first line of defense in audits, claims, and insurance reviews. Learn what every DQF must include, how to stay compliant, and how a strong driver qualification process protects your safety scores and bottom line.
How To Prepare for a DOT Audit
Prepare for a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) audit with our step-by-step guide. Learn how to gather critical driver records, maintenance logs, and compliance documentation — plus audit day tips to stay calm and confident. Your complete DOT-audit prep resource is just a click away.
Failed DOT Drug Test, Now What?
Your driver just failed a DOT Drug or Alcohol Test. Now what do you do? Well, take a deep breath and don’t panic! Here’s what to do next: 1) Park The Driver Remove the driver from “a safety sensitive function”. Pull them off of the road immediately…wherever they are. Period. Full Stop. If they’re under…
Avoid Weigh Stations
Avoid Weigh Stations unless you are invited to pull in for a full Level 1 DOT inspection by the officers. I’m often asked “Why don’t I just make sure that my truck will pass inspection and send them through a weigh station to help improve my vehicle maintenance scores? “Purposeful inspections” are a very slippery slope. …
CVSA RoadCheck 2021
CVSA Roadcheck 2021 has been set for May 4-6, 2021. The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has set May 4-6 as the dates for this year’s International Roadcheck. During the 72-hour enforcement blitz, commercial motor vehicle inspectors in jurisdictions throughout Canada, Mexico and the U.S. will conduct thousands of Level 1 DOT inspections on both…
DOT Clearinghouse: 5 Important Keys
Are you worried about DOT Clearinghouse compliance? If not, you should be! The FMCSA just listed the new civil penalty for a Drug and Alcohol (DACH) clearinghouse violation at $5,833! If you’re concerned about the DOT Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse and what you have to do to comply with the DOT drug and alcohol program requirements,…
Cargo Theft Prevention: Ultimate Guide
Cargo Theft Prevention is critical for trucking companies facing rising theft risks. By combining secure parking, high-security locks, GPS tracking, and driver awareness, fleets can reduce losses and protect reputations. Learn proven strategies to prevent cargo theft, improve compliance, and keep your drivers and shipments safe on the road.
New Hours of Service Rules
New Hours of Service rules became effective on the 29th of September, 2020. These changes were introduced by the FMCSA to help provide commercial drivers with additional hours of service flexibility as they struggled with the adoption of ELDs. Two of the most important are changes to the adverse driving conditions exception and additional options…
Hours of Service Changes Coming Soon
New Hours of service rules are going to take effect on September the 29th, 2020. Are you prepared to take advantage of these new HOS regulations? Keep reading to find out! Generally speaking, these changes appear to be pretty positive from a safety perspective as they should provide drivers additional flexibility in complying with the…
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