Regulations affecting the trucking sector can be complicated, but with the correct procedures and methods in place, compliance doesn’t have to be a constant source of worry. Your trucking operation may run like a well-oiled machine if you follow best practices and maintain constant oversight.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is in charge of most rules. Here are some helpful hints for maintaining and monitoring your regulatory compliance with interstate freight in order to avoid penalties and other enforcement actions that could harm your business.
- Become familiar with your HOS and other applicable regulations
States are in charge of establishing regulations governing intrastate commerce, and these regulations might differ from state to state, so it’s critical to be aware of both state and federal legislation and to know which requirements your fleets and vehicles are subject to at any given moment. Vehicles that generally engage in intrastate business, for example, may follow state norms, but if they cross a state line, they are subject to federal restrictions.
- Keep an eye on the status of your BASICs and your CSA score
For firms with safety compliance concerns, a warning icon appears while logging into SMS. You can also look at crash records and ask for a re-examination of any records that may be incorrect. The greatest strategy to maintaining a safe and effective trucking operation is to keep diligent about internal processes to oversee the BASICs, proactively ensure compliance, and eliminate safety issues.
- Recognize Patterns of Noncompliance
Companies can uncover non-compliance patterns among their drivers by monitoring compliance issues through the FMCSA’s SMS. Following that, the data can be used to support continuing compliance and safety training. Your drivers should be familiar with HOS rules and how to complete and accurate daily logs, as well as the ins and outs of Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports (DVIRs), which they will be accountable for on a daily basis in order to achieve their work obligations.
- Streamline logging and inspection with tools
The numerous documentation requirements can be confusing, and some drivers view the ever-increasing regulatory needs as a time-consuming headache. However, most drivers understand the need of maintaining clean and precise compliance documentation (violations can have a 24-month impact on a company’s SMS), and there are solutions that help make these obligations easier for your drivers.
To get visibility into performance and optimize operations, trucking companies and fleet managers should prioritize the development of technology and monitoring processes. Your trucking company will be well-positioned for success if you remain on top of regulatory changes, evaluate compliance scores on a regular basis, spot patterns and use those insights to create focused training, and use tools and technology to help drivers comply with regulations.