Every transportation company knows that qualified drivers are essential to operations. When a...
Anyone in the trucking or transportation industry knows the importance of maintaining DOT compliance. Unfortunately, keeping up with all these rules and ensuring every document is in place can be tedious and time-consuming.
To help with this process, many companies turn to DOT compliance services to handle these tasks.
Key Takeaways
|
If your organization operates vehicles that require registration with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), you must follow all relevant rules and regulations.
Some of these regulations are straightforward, such as marking all fleet vehicles with their DOT registration number. Others, such as maintaining driver records, can be more difficult and time-consuming.
Failure to comply with DOT regulations can have serious consequences, including fines, suspensions, and, in severe cases, loss of vehicle registrations. These consequences could delay the delivery of goods or services or even shut your business down.
For many organizations, the risk of noncompliance is too great. To alleviate this stress and ensure continuous compliance, many businesses use third-party DOT compliance service companies to handle this process for them.
The trucking compliance landscape continues to evolve. Several recent regulatory developments are affecting carriers:
Not all DOT compliance service companies are the same. Take the time to explore your options. When evaluating companies that offer DOT compliance services, here are the factors you should consider.
When searching for a DOT compliance services company, determine which services your company requires.
Some agencies offer comprehensive DOT compliance services, which often come with a contract and monthly fees. Other agencies offer individual services that you can pick and choose from.
For example, some companies may offer complete, managed solutions, while others may provide individual background checks and motor vehicle record (MVR) reports. Before entering into a contract, find out what services the company offers and what solutions are covered under each available service plan.
Once you start searching for the right provider, you may quickly find out which companies offer specialized services.
An agency might only work with companies hauling hazardous materials, for example, or only those with passenger vehicles.
Partner with a DOT compliance services provider that has experience in your industry. Otherwise, you risk working with an agency that doesn't fully understand how DOT rules and regulations affect your business.
It might be tempting to work with a newer third-party vendor. They might offer lower fees than more seasoned service providers. But don’t select solely on price.
Make sure any DOT compliance provider you're considering has a strong reputation for providing excellent services and years of experience. After all, your business is too important to risk hefty fines or suspensions.
Check to see what previous clients have to say about the company's services. Also, ask detailed questions to ensure the agency has the right expertise for your specific needs.
Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars; 111 reviews
Comprehensive criminal and employment background checks
MVRs with continuous monitoring
Education and military records verification
Current employee retention program
Eligibility for rehire notifications
Cisive Driver iQ has decades of experience providing DOT compliance services to employers in the transportation industry. The platform offers affordable services to ensure compliance with all DOT driver and vehicle requirements.
Driver iQ provides background screenings, obtains updated MVRs, and verifies driver school records. These services help you select candidates who already meet DOT standards.
Driver screening services include criminal and employment background checks, education and military records verifications, and previous employment records. The platform achieves an industry-leading accuracy rate of 99.9994% and has demonstrated a 31.8% reduction in time to hire. Driver iQ also provides notifications for rehire eligibility so you can quickly recruit former employees.
The current-employee retention program alerts clients when driving records are pulled for any existing employees. This notification gives you time to make a counteroffer before you lose a good worker. The platform also includes continuous driver monitoring capabilities and roster management features.

Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars; 5 reviews
Free trials available
70+ years of experience in the trucking industry
DOT compliance consulting services
Safety Management Suite for comprehensive recordkeeping
Online training and support services
Mobile-friendly interface
Unlimited compliance questions with expert responses
J.J. Keller & Associates has been helping clients in the trucking industry navigate governmental rules and regulations for over 70 years. The company offers DOT compliance advisory and solutions management services, as well as numerous online solutions, including training modules, fleet management software, and a safety management platform.
Consulting services consist of DOT compliance assessments and pre-audit services to help you prepare for your upcoming DOT audit or receive recommendations for improving fleet management efficiency. Managed services at J.J. Keller & Associates can handle the tasks of document tracking and ensure ongoing compliance with all DOT regulations.
The Safety Management Suite allows companies to create custom, written safety plans, manage incident tracking and OSHA recordkeeping, conduct audits and inspections with pre-built checklists, and access hundreds of training programs. The platform also manages chemical safety with safety data sheets (SDSs) and provides a repository for regulations. The mobile-friendly interface allows you to ask unlimited compliance questions with responses from subject-matter experts.
Driver compliance solutions track drug and alcohol testing, hours-of-service logs, driver qualification file management, and more. Vehicle DOT compliance services are also available.

Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars; 98 reviews
Comprehensive DOT background checks
Drug and alcohol testing at 6,000+ collection sites
FMCSA Clearinghouse third-party administrator services
MVR monitoring
Occupational health screenings and physicals
Driver qualification file management
Mock audits and compliance training
Consolidated platform for all screening needs
DISA Global Solutions provides a comprehensive platform for workplace safety and DOT compliance, serving over 55,000 clients, including almost 33% of Fortune 500 companies. With almost 40 years of experience, DISA has been consistently voted one of the top third-party administrator brands.
The platform offers complete background screening services, including criminal history checks, employment verifications, MVR reports, and all DOT-required screenings. DISA acts as a Clearinghouse third-party administrator, managing company registration, driver consent, required queries, and record filing to streamline drug and alcohol compliance.
Drug and alcohol testing services include pre-employment, random, post-accident, return-to-duty, and reasonable suspicion testing at over 6,000 collection sites nationwide. DISA provides mock audits, policy development, compliance training, and medical review officer services to help carriers prepare for DOT audits and maintain continuous compliance.

Rating: 3.7 out of 5 stars; 3 reviews
Three service plan options
Dedicated account manager
Audit and pre-audit support
MVRs with real-time monitoring
DOT clearinghouse checks
CSA monitoring
Audit Risk Monitor with real-time alerts
For over 30 years, Foley Services has partnered with large and small motor carriers to ensure USDOT and FMCSA compliance through its Dash platform.
The company offers a tiered service plan that allows clients to determine the specific level of support they require. All clients receive a dedicated account manager and audit support, as needed.
Foley’s basic plan supports mobile DOT application filing and provides recruitment tools and initial motor vehicle reports. Advanced services include document management, annual or continuous motor vehicle report tracking, and pre-employment screening options.
Clients employing commercially licensed drivers can request drug and alcohol testing services and DOT clearinghouse checks. The platform also serves the candidate selection process by conducting employment, criminal, and social media background checks.
The Dash platform features an Audit Risk Monitor that tracks safety data and highlights risks with real-time alerts. The platform comes with mobile access.

Two service plan options (DOT-Shield and DOT-Shield Premium)
Free interstate permit checklist
Brokerage supportive services
DOT clearinghouse checks
Online training options
Monthly safety measurement system (SMS) reporting
MC number and insurance filing monitoring
Evilsizor & Associates has served over 150,000 trucking companies and brokerage firms since its inception in 1990. The company offers a full range of services to help clients remain in compliance with USDOT and FMCSA rules and regulations.
Through its two service offerings, DOT-Shield and DOT-Shield Premium, clients can select the package that best meets their needs and budgets.
The basic DOT-Shield service costs $49 per month and monitors MC number status, insurance filings, and biennial MCS-150 updates. It emails monthly SMS reports and provides checklists for audits and permits.
DOT-Shield Premium offers more in-depth DOT compliance assistance, including such as quarterly International Fuel Tax Agreement filings, driver and vehicle maintenance file management, and International Registration Plan renewal.
Additional services include fleet management, online training, and assistance with USDOT application filing. Evilsizor also performs authority filings (new motor carrier and broker applications), BOC-3 filings, address changes, reinstatements, and Unified Carrier Registration filings.

When searching for a DOT compliance services provider, start by assessing your current needs. For instance, are you looking for a provider to handle the entire DOT compliance process for you? Or are you just looking for specific services, such as MVR checks?
Next, set your company’s budget for these services. Evaluate the five service providers mentioned above to determine which option best matches your needs and budget.
Most importantly, read the fine print before entering into a contract. You want to fully understand exactly what services you’re getting and which ones aren’t included.
For companies like yours that understand that DOT compliance starts by hiring the right drivers, working with Driver iQ may be your best option. The combination of comprehensive background checks and up-to-date motor vehicle records can help your organization identify which candidates are a good match for your company.
DOT compliance managers are responsible for making sure the company remains in compliance with all DOT rules and regulations. These managers are tasked with maintaining required reports and documents, including safety records and hours-of-service reports.
Truck drivers are required to keep certain documents inside their trucks and provide them upon request.
Here's a look at some of the most important documents that drivers should have on hand:
Accident packet
Certificate of insurance
Commercial driver's license (CDL)
Company information
Hazmat paperwork, if necessary
Hours-of-service logs
Lease agreement for vehicle
Letter of authority
Medical certificate
State permits
Vehicle inspection reports
Many truck drivers keep most of these documents in a binder so they're easy to find.
DOT compliance is mandatory in the trucking and transportation industries. Therefore, have a plan to ensure continuous compliance with these regulations.
Some companies use checklists and notification systems to keep track. Other organizations rely on a DOT compliance service company, which can help them with some or all of these tasks.
Whatever method you choose, compliance requires teamwork between management and drivers. Include drivers in your process rather than simply telling them what they need to do to be compliant.
Author: Michael Kapuschinsky
Bio: Product Manager with more than a decade of experience in the transportation industry.
Let's Connect on LinkedIn
Every transportation company knows that qualified drivers are essential to operations. When a...
Owning and operating a new trailer can be an exciting experience. However, it’s important to...
Let’s say you’re ready to hire several truck drivers in advance of your busy season. Several great...