All American trucking companies that operate fleets regulated by the DOT must abide by strict standards set out by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). DOT compliance is a complex and costly venture, from background checks and drug tests to vehicle maintenance, service hours, and more.
That’s why DOT background checks are so important for any company that uses commercial drivers. These industry-specific checks cover all the bases and ensure safe hires.
Employment Verification
As a motor carrier, you must perform DOT background checks on all drivers who will operate your commercial vehicles. These thorough investigations help you avoid hiring employees with a bad driving record, substance abuse issues or other disqualifying conditions that may keep them from legally operating your trucks and potentially endangering the safety of your customers.
Unlike general employment verification, the DOT verification process goes beyond simply asking candidates to verify their work history with previous employers. This extended search also involves requesting copies of the driver’s motor vehicle report from each state they’ve held a license in during the past three years, along with hand-signed forms from former employers stating their safe driving history and certifying that they haven’t refused drug and alcohol tests.
A DOT verification can be lengthy, but ensuring you’re making informed hiring decisions and complying with federal regulations is essential. Using a reputable background check company that specializes in DOT compliance will expedite the process and ensure your investigation follows all applicable laws and fair hiring standards.
The DOT requires that your new hires pass a physical exam to make sure they can safely handle your semi trucks. You’ll also need to verify a candidate has medical clearance from an approved examiner. Suppose the medical examination or physical exam reveals any issues that could affect their ability to operate a commercial vehicle. In that case, you’ll have to return them for re-testing and delay your hiring decision.
Drug & Alcohol Testing
Drug and alcohol testing may seem annoying to trucking companies, but it’s vital to the industry. To maintain a safe fleet and comply with FMCSA regulations, all drivers must undergo regular DOT-compliant drug and alcohol tests. These tests can help to spot potential health and safety risks for drivers and others on the road, such as impaired vision, slower reaction time and increased drowsiness.
A DOT background check must verify previous employment history when hiring new employees. This requires contacting past employers following DOT guidelines to verify information, including dates of employment, reasons for leaving the company, any felony or misdemeanor convictions and results of any drug or alcohol screenings. This process is best left to a trusted DOT-compliant background check service or Consumer Reporting Agency with experience and resources in obtaining these records.
It’s also important to note that if a driver is found to be on drugs or alcohol, they must leave any safety-sensitive job functions and complete a DOT-approved return to work program, which often includes counseling with a substance abuse specialist. This can not only protect the safety of other drivers and passengers, but it also helps to improve a carrier’s CSA score.
Physical Exam
DOT medical exams are required for anyone who professionally drives commercial vehicles. This includes truck drivers and those who operate buses and other vehicles designed to carry 15 or more passengers, vehicles weighing over 10,000 pounds, or vehicles transporting hazardous materials. Driver must receive a medical exam every two years from a certified examiner. Fortunately, there are over 40,000 DOT-certified examiners throughout the country.
To determine if a driver has any medical conditions that could interfere with their driving, the DOT physical includes a variety of tests. In addition to a complete eye examination, the examiner will check a driver’s hearing and ability to focus on the road. This is done by asking the driver to hear a forced whisper from no less than five feet away. The examiner will also take blood pressure readings to assess a driver’s heart health and to determine if they are at risk of heart-related accidents while driving.
Drivers with any medical condition should bring supporting documentation from their doctor and a list of their prescription medications to their DOT physical appointment. In addition, those who are missing limbs or have other physical impairments should bring a valid FMCSA Skill Performance Evaluation Certificate or letter of exemption to their DOT physical. A consulting firm can help complete these documents and other important DOT compliance paperwork.
Driving Record
A DOT background check is an essential step in the hiring process for trucking companies and other businesses that require drivers to travel long distances. It is a way to prevent unsafe hires that can lead to costly accidents and injuries that devastate a company’s reputation and finances.
The DOT background check gathers more information than a typical employment screening, including a driver’s accident and violation history, a medical certification, and a motor vehicle record. It also requires a drug test to screen for cocaine, amphetamines, marijuana, PCP, and other dangerous drugs prohibited by the DOT. The medical exam checks for health issues that could interfere with driving, such as vision, hearing, blood pressure and pulse rate, urinalysis, and the physical examination results.
Conducting a DOT background check is time-consuming and complicated, especially when determining what information the DOT requires on employment verification and how to access that information. Hiring a professional service can make the process much faster and easier.
The DOT background check can help protect your business from legal problems that can cost millions in fines and settlements. High accident rates are not only a drain on your bottom line; they can hurt your business’s reputation and deter potential customers.