DOT Compliance Workshop-Boston

NATIONWIDE DOT COMPLIANCE SEMINARS

DOT 101 - DOT Compliance Overview
(DOT seminar integrates CSA information)
9:00am to 4:30pm Local Time - check in begins at 8:30

Part A: Introduction to DOT Compliance

This is an overview of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) and what you need to know to maintain compliance. We have condensed the most important performance measures you must make part of your companies safety systems in order to be minimally compliant with the DOT regulations. Covered topics include introduction to the USDOT, FMCSA, and PHMSA, and how they affect you. We will discuss the MCS-150A to illustrate and spell out your regulatory obligations. You will be trained on the MCS-90 and what you need to do to safeguard your company's safety record. We will provide answers to the following questions and more:

• Who needs to register with the FMCSA?
• What does the DOT (and anyone with an internet connection) know about your company?
• What do you need to do with AND what can you do about this data?
• Do you need to register with the PHMSA?
• Are you required to have Motor Carrier (MC) Authority?
• What are the MOST IMPORTANT things you need to understand about Driver Fitness and Qualification, Drug and Alcohol Testing, Hours of Service and Fatigued Driving, and Vehicle Maintenance?
• What training is mandated for both drivers and supervisors?
• What is an accident countermeasures program and are you required to have one?

We break the safety controls down into the separate systems so you can focus the necessary attention and resources on each area.

Part B: Surviving DOT Visits and Interventions

Most everyone is afraid of the DOT. But if you understand the process a bit better, you can prepare properly. With this new knowledge you can then put aside the fear and do the right things to prepare for Compliance Reviews and other interventions, minimize damage during the visit, and take the right steps after the fact.

A Compliance Review (aka DOT audit) is the current process for the DOT to measure your compliance status, but is changing dramatically with the Comprehensive Safety Analysis (CSA) program. Previously, the DOT only came around once each 15-20 years and when they did get arrive, they went through everything from 'A to Z'. With this new CSA enforcement protocol they might come for one day and focus on one area. It's still a Compliance Review, just not a comprehensive one. The FMCSA has a new term for a comprehensive compliance review. They call it a "Comprehensive Review of your Safety Management Systems" (how imaginative).

Part C: Understanding Violations and Minimizing Fines

There are thousands of things you are SUPPOSED to do. But there are certain things that YOU REALLY NEED TO FOCUS ON because they are critical and acute violations. Two or three of these can result in an Out of Service Order putting you out of business indefinitely. We will cover these AND the new hot-button topics the FMCSA has introduced with CSA. Here is how the new system works: Instead of going through everything, the DOT might only go through one of seven compliance areas or BASICs; a shorter, more focused intervention. Currently, you would need a failing grade in two or more areas to get a less-than-satisfactory safety rating. When CSA is fully implemented, they may only be looking at one BASIC at a time, but failure to improve in even one BASIC can result in an operational shutdown by the FMCSA. We'll help you prioritize your efforts during the coming 3-5 year period when you may have to be prepared for either type intervention.

Part D: State DOT Regulations

Each state has basically adopted the federal regulations but "tweaked" them slightly. What's the difference? When does one apply vs. the other? How do you know which to follow? And, finally, what are the particular rules in your state that MAY be beneficial to you? We answer these questions and more. If you have specific questions about a particular state, we try to be prepared for these as well, but we may have to get back to you on specifics.


This DOT compliance seminar is designed for management and supervisors of new DOT entrants, human resource professionals with safety responsibilities, or even experienced Safety and Operations professionals that just want to stay current with the changing landscape. All attendees will receive a Certificate of Completion to keep on file. Topics addressed in this workshop include, but are not limited to:

• Upcoming Comprehensive Safety Analysis (CSA) implementation
• FMCSA, DOT, PHMSA, and State agencies and how they interact
• Accident register and other documentation, as well as accident countermeasures
• Driver Qualification Process and Files
• DOT rules for drug and alcohol testing and all paperwork that is required
• Hours of Service rules, monitoring and auditing procedures
• Maintenance procedures and required documentation
• Required training for all employees

If you have any questions, please email us at info@dotcompliancehelp.com or call our office at (847) 836-6063.