Why A Legitimate DOT Compliance Service Group Is Much Needed in Transportation Sector

Are you in the transport and logistics sector? Do you need a DOT compliance service group? Do you think that a third-party consortium can help you stay compliant and become more efficient? The answer should be a big YES because even the US Department Of Transportation suggests you go for a DOT compliance company that understands your business operations whether you belong to the shipping industry, the container industry, concrete piping, or trucking. You must remember that a compliance inspection can happen at any time. When you are looking to keep your employees, drivers, and safety-sensitive position holders 100% compliant, the only individual or entity that can help you out is a DOT compliance consortium. A third-party administrator can do a lot for your company, probably more than you have ever imagined.

What Does DOT Compliance Mean For You In The Trucking/Transport Industry?

The federal government agency that is responsible for developing and maintaining the transport system is the United States Department Of Transportation. The DOT has created and implemented several federal laws and enacted numerous regulations and protocols that govern the use of roads and highways by the trucking sector or the transport and logistics industry as a whole. The Department Of Transportation offers funding to advance transportation initiatives as well. As a trucker/owner/operator, it is your prerogative to understand what those regulations are. You must maintain proper documentation and also follow every rule that has been laid down by the department. If you fail to maintain DOT compliance, you may be subject to several fines and penalties.

A Few Examples Of DOT Compliance

• Fulfilling all the driver qualification-related requirements 
• Following every safety requirement, rule, and protocol laid down by the authority 
• Preventing your employees and safety-sensitive position holders from using any kinds of drug and alcohol at work 
• Meeting all the critical inspection and maintenance standards laid down by the DOT and FMCSA 
• Complying with all the DOT hazmat rules and regulations when carrying hazardous materials from one state to another

The Following 5 Reasons Necessitate You Having A DOT Compliance Service Group On Your Speed Dial 

• Financial Penalties That You Do Not Wish To Bear

This is one of the biggest reasons that the FMCSA and the US Department Of Transportation would encourage you to associate with a third-party administrator. Financial penalties are not going to look good on your balance sheet. The amount of these fines can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars which is definitely going to create a big hole in your finances. Some of the most common violations that can lead to very heavy fines for your company include:

• Non-record-keeping violations by the company 
• Non-record-keeping violations by the driver 
• Alcohol prohibition violations, which could be the first offense by the driver or the company 
• Alcohol prohibition violations, a second offense can cost you more than double the previous amount 
• Out-of-service order violation is also a very common incident

• Injury Or Death Of Your Employees
  

This is going to give you a very bad reputation. You can never risk the well-being or the life of any of your drivers, employees, associates, or safety-sensitive position holders. However, you must also remember that these incidents are very rare but when they occur, they can lead to a severely damaged reputation for your business. They also have the most severe consequences because they might lead to the revocation of your license and permissions as well. These incidents happen due to a lack of proper driver training and also the overall disregard for safety regulations at the workplace. This is one of the biggest reasons that you should choose a dependable and qualified third-party administrator, especially if you are working in the transport sector.

• Revocation Of Your License And Permission
  

We talked about the revocation of licenses and permissions. The FMCSA grants you several permissions and numbers such as your MC number, FF number, or your MX number. But remember that this federal body is also going to exercise the authority to cancel, revoke, or suspend your operating authorities as well. For example, if a motor carrier or a broker is engaged in some kind of activity that results in a complete and willful disregard or violation of any applicable requirement laid down by the authorities, their operating authority will be get revoked almost immediately. It is all a matter of time before the authorities find out about these violations. But you need to remember that inadvertent or sporadic violations might not lead to the suspension or revocation of your licenses. However, why do you want to take the risk?

• Damaged Company Reputation
  

All of this can lead to your reputation getting damaged as we mentioned above. If you have been guilty of serious non-compliance violations, your authorities will get revoked eventually. You will not be able to operate as a business in any capacity. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the US Department Of Transportation take these violations especially in the transport sector extremely seriously. The same can also have immediate and long-term financial consequences for your business. The result is long-term damage to the reputation of your company and a major glitch in your compliance record with the authorities. Additionally, your clients would become a lot more hesitant in doing any business with your company further. Some of your existing clients might want to reconsider their association with you. This is something that you do not want under any circumstances

• Ensuring Safety For Everyone

When it comes to maintaining the safety and well-being of all your employees and keeping them active and compliant throughout the year, the one entity that can help you out is your third-party compliance facilitator. It is just a lot more sensible and responsible to make sure that everyone in your company is safe and away from any potential accidents and mishaps. Also, picking a legit DOT compliance service group keeps you away from any DOT Compliance-related scams as well, making your company even safer for everyone.

Final Thoughts

By emphasizing DOT compliance among all your employees, partners, associates, drivers, managers, and all safety-sensitive position holders, you can make sure that everyone working in your organization is happy and safe. It improves the reputation of your company tremendously. It impacts your business positively and allows you to focus on your core competencies so that you can grow your enterprise further.