Time to rev up your engines for our February newsletter! This is one of my favorite things to send out to members of our community.
When I first started writing these newsletters, I wanted to give something back to the DOT community. Something that you or your team could make use of and implement in your day-to-day routines. I made a promise to share insights into compliance, facing audits, managing DQ files, and things I wanted to read years ago when I first got my start in DOT.
I’m glad you’re here reading this. I want you to know that you’re a member of a tight-knit family and my mission is to make sure that you brush up and learn as much as you can and also to share what you’ve learned with your team or your colleagues. I’ve even received emails from members telling me that they look forward to reading the newsletter each month. So this is for you!
For this newsletter, I wanted to share my expert insights to keep you well-informed and educated on the landscape of drug testing and what it means to compliance. There could be some hidden risks when it comes to skipping drug testing programs for CMV drivers. Don’t worry though, I’ve laid it all out for you.
I also wanted to touch upon the difference between CDL and CMV drug testing because they are two separate things to be aware of!
Well, I hope what you find in this newsletter is insightful and helps you out in the future. Let me know if you have any other topics you’d like to see in the future. I’m always an email or phone call away!
Thanks again and want to say that we’re honored to have you on board for this edition of our newsletter! Until our next rendezvous, keep on truckin’!
Catch you on the flip side.
One thing our customers ask us about is how to stay compliant with drug testing. It’s something that is essential if you’re in our world because every one of your drivers must go through it at one point or another.
I wanted to share some information that’s critical to the success of your operations. After all, you should be aware of the potential risks surrounding not having a drug testing program in place and also should know the difference between CMV drug test and a CDL drug test.
Take this knowledge and share it with your team. It’s something that we worked on to clear the air on drug testing and its role within our industry.
Let’s dive right in!
In the DOT world, drug testing programs are not something you can put off or put on the back burner, they’re a vital piece of what goes into safety and legal compliance. I’ve heard many horror stories about companies having drivers out in the field with an expired drug test or drivers who needed to retake a drug test. The fines could mount up.
Skipping out on a drug testing program can lead to hefty fines, legal trouble, and increased risks for both drivers and companies. I wanted to break down the essential elements of a robust drug testing program and the severe consequences of non-compliance. Don’t jeopardize your company’s safety and reputation—take action now to ensure you’re following the rules and protecting everyone on the road. I want to make sure you’re well-protected and prepared to avoid these fines.
Some Key Highlights To Consider:
These are just a few things to consider when looking for a drug testing program. We compiled and wrote a useful guide to help get you started in the right direction. Click here to read up on how the risks and fines you could potentially face if you do not have a drug testing program in place.
Hey there, folks! Today, I’ve got a story about a manager of DOT who was having trouble trying to figure out how to manage their Driver Qualification (DQ) files.
Timothy was having a hard time trying to juggle HUNDREDs (yes, you read that right) of DQ files that were only being tracked by spreadsheets.
If you’ve ever worked with Microsoft Excel, you know how much it can be a pain in the butt! When I got my start in DOT, it’s what I used to use to manage my driver files and I HATED it. Even now I can’t be bothered to open a spreadsheet lol. But I digress.
Timothy came to us because he was notified of an audit because he didn’t know that two of his drivers had more than one document in their DQ file that was out-of-date. Uh-oh. Luckily for him, he connected with us and we were able to set him up with one of our dedicated Customer Care Professionals to help him manage ALL of his driver files.
Now, here’s why having an out-of-date file in a DQ file is a HUGE problem. The big thing to remember on DQ files is that most of the items are minor violations with minimum fines. They start at about $500 a document and go all the way up to $5729 per document missing, incomplete, or out-of-date. This is insane because these numbers can add up quickly. Two documents will be $1000, three documents could be a $1500 fine, and so on. Now multiple that by multiple drivers. You can see how Timothy could be in big trouble and potentially cost his company quite a bit in fines.
The good thing is that while working with us, we were able to help him understand why keeping these records organized and up-to-date saved him tons of cash! Our focus is helping YOU not only stay compliant but also to help you avoid headaches when dealing with DQ files and managing them.
“I was pretty scared that I had files that were outdated. I usually try to do a good job of managing my files but honestly, after working with Dan and his team, I realized that it was easier to let them do it for me. They have a rockstar team that is easy to work with and they always make sure I’m good to go with my compliance. When I saw the potential fines I was going to face I didn’t know what to do. It’s not something you can go tell your boss about without having that fear. Because nobody wants to face fines and I definitely did not want to face by boss and tell him that we owed regulators money. So I just have to give a big thanks to Dan and his team for really helping me out on this one.” – from Timothy.
Ready to take the leap and let go of the headaches you face while managing your DQ files? Let us do the dirty work and manage your DQ files. You never know what you might have that’s outdated and could cost your company potential fees and fines.
Get started with us and let us give you time back in your day and we’ll take care of the rest. I promise that my team and I ensure that you are taken care of and that your files are in good order and well-maintained.
Click here to get started and let us manage your DQ files.
I know that safety is the top priority in our industry. I know because it’s important for us when we train drivers and companies, safety is always at the forefront of what we do. Drug testing plays a vital role in maintaining it. I wanted to break down the distinctions between CDL and CMV drug testing and why it’s important for drivers and employers alike. While both are made to discourage substance abuse among drivers, they have different scopes, regulations, and consequences.
Read our comprehensive guide to ensure you’re equipped with the knowledge needed to navigate the complexities of drug testing in the commercial driving world.
Some Key Highlights To Consider:
In our article, we break down the difference between CDL and CMV drug testing because I believe everybody who is a driver or a company with many drivers in their fleet should know the difference. So I wrote this nifty guide to help you get caught up and be in the know.
Drivers, if you’re looking to enhance your driving skills or just brush up on your driving knowledge, then look no further. I have something just for you to get you started.
I often get emails from drivers about wanting to enhance their driving skills and learn the best ways to be safe. Safety is my top priority when teaching others, I was a driver for more than 10 years. In those 10 years, I’ve learned to hone my craft but also uncovered things here and there that I like to pass on to those whom I train.
If you’re looking to enhance your CDL skills and take your career further, then I’m here to help. One of my favorite types of training that I like to do is our in-person CDL training. I offer a comprehensive suite of courses designed to elevate your career and empower your team with the ultimate DOT credentials. It doesn’t matter if you’re a team of one or a team of 100, I can help you get where you want to be.
One question I always get asked is if our programs are certified. Guess what? They absolutely are! Our certification program is tailored to equip you with the knowledge and tools necessary to thrive in the dynamic world of DOT and fleet management. With our certification, you’ll gain the confidence to craft and execute impactful strategies, setting yourself apart in a competitive landscape while driving tangible results for your business.
Our customized on-site training is always tailored to your specific needs. So, if you’re looking for AAMVA-accredited CDL testing and comprehensive OSHA training, we cover it all. I train and specialize in various areas, including load securement, CDL training, HOS, and heavy-duty defensive driving, while building a culture of safety and responsibility.
With my guidance on driver and vehicle maintenance files, you can ensure full compliance and readiness for audits. Work with me to help drive tangible results and elevate your career.
Interested in beefing up your training or just enhancing your skills? Click here to get started with our in-depth driver training.
At Eclipse DOT we are committed to bringing you the most up-to-date news and insights month to month. So, we want to thank you for being valued readers. We are always encouraging our readers to reach out to us to let us know what other tips and tidbits of the DOT world you would like us to cover.
We are always available so do not hesitate to contact us and reach out with your ideas.
As always keep on truckin’! See you for next month’s edition of the Eclipse DOT Newsletter.
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