Transportation (DOT)
Question: What is the definition of a commercial motor vehicle (CMV)?
Answer: DOT defines a CMV as a vehicle used on highways in interstate commerce, that;
Has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 10,001 pounds or more,
or Is transporting hazardous material in quantities requiring the vehicle to be placarded
Question: When must I mark my pickup with a DOT number?
Answer: You must display your DOT number on a pickup if you are operating in interstate or intrastate commerce and the vehicle meets the definition of a "commercial motor vehicle."
Question: When do I need to inspect my vehicles?
Answer: 49 CFR Part 396.11 states that a documented vehicle inspection must be performed at the completion of each day's work on which the vehicle operated.
396.13 states that before driving a vehicle, the driver shall be satisfied the vehicle is in safe operating condition and that they have reviewed the last DVIR.
The regulations also require all CMVs to pass an annual inspection performed by a qualified inspector.
Question: How long do I keep vehicle inspection reports?
Answer: Daily Vehicle Inspection Reports (DVIRs) and the certification of repairs noted on the DVIR shall be retained for at least 3 months.
The annual inspection of a CMV must be retained for at least 14 months.
Question: When does my driver need a commercial driver license (CDL)?
Answer: A driver needs a CDL if they are operating a commercial motor vehicle with a gross combined weight rating of 26001 pounds or more, or are operating any size vehicle transporting hazardous material in a quantity requiring placards.
Question:What needs to be in a "driver qualification file"?
Answer: 49 CFR Part 391.51 lists the documents that must be in a Driver's Qualification File. These documents include:
Driver's application for employment
Copy of the motor vehicle report from each state where the driver has held a license in the past 3 years
Copy of the road test, or a copy of the license accepted by the motor carrier
The annual motor vehicle report received from each state licensing agency
An annual review of the driver's driving record
Driver's annual certification of violations of motor vehicle laws
Medical examiner's certificate or a legible copy of the certificate.
Question: How long do I keep a DQ file after the driver has been terminated?
Answer: Driver's Qualification Files are required to be retained for the duration of the driver's employment and three years thereafter.
Question:Does my driver need a DOT physical?
Answer: Every driver shall have a valid medical card on their person whenever they are operating a commercial motor vehicle. Note: A driver may not have a CDL, but is still required to have a medical card because the vehicle they are operating has a gross combined weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more.
Question: How long must I keep drug and alcohol testing records?
Answer: Negative tests must be retained for one year and positive test must be retained for five years.
Question: Who must I include in my drug and alcohol testing program?
Answer: Every driver operating a commercial motor vehicle requiring a commercial driver license must be included in the drug and alcohol testing program prior to operating a CMV.
Question: I have a positive drug test, what must I do now?
Answer: You must inform the driver that the test was positive, inform the driver which controlled substance or substances were verified positive, and give the driver contact information for a substance abuse professional.
Question: Can I run my own drug testing program?
Answer: Yes.
Question: When must my driver fill out a log book?
Answer: When a driver operating a CMV travels more than 100 air miles from their work-reporting location, or when they are on duty more than 12 hours without returning to their work-reporting location, then they must maintain a log book.
Question: How long must I keep log book and time records?
Answer: The retention period for log books and time records is 6 months.
Quesiton: What triggers post-accident drug testing?
Answer: A driver must undergo post-accident drug testing if:
There was a fatality
The driver receives a citation and one or more of the vehicles has to be towed from the scene of the accident
The driver receives a citation and there was an injury that required treatment away from the scene of the accident