FMCSA Clearinghouse II
Beginning November 18th, 2024, state licensing agencies are required to remove commercial driving privileges to drivers in a “Prohibited” status in the Clearinghouse. The license will continue to be downgraded until the driver completes the Return to Duty process. State licensing agencies will check the Clearinghouse for this status when renewing, issuing, upgrading, or transferring a commercial driver’s license or permit. Johnson DOT Services can help manage your FMCSA Clearinghouse account to avoid any unforeseen issues with your employee’s ability to drive.
2024 UCR Unified Carrier Registration
2024 UCR Registration is almost here! Filing for the 2024 UCR registration will open on 10/01/2023, registration should be completed by 12/31/2023. UCR registration is required for all carriers and brokers involved in interstate operations. Fee structure for this depends on the number of units involved in interstate operation.
Fees from the UCR help fund highway safety programs and initiatives, this money is distributed to the participating states used to help enforce laws, maintain roads, and make driving in these states safer.
Completing this filing with Johnson DOT Services can save you a lot of money, you can complete your filing here.
Johnson DOT Services vs the competition.
Driver Qualification Road Tests
Part of having someone drive a commercial vehicle for you is to make sure that they are actually qualified to operate the vehicle they intend to drive. Part of this qualification is having them perform a road test per § 391.33. Per the FMCSA “Drivers must not drive a CMV until they have completed a road test and are issued a certificate (49 CFR 391.31).” To cover this requirement the employer may
receive a copy of the driver’s CDL and retain a copy of the CDL in the driver’s file**
receive a copy of the driver’s road test from the past 3 years
Perform a skills evaluation of the driver and add a copy of this Certificate of Skills Evaluation, and a copy of the driver’s test form to the driver’s file
Skills test cannot be performed on oneself
At minimum the skills tests should consist of:
Pre Trip Inspection
Coupling and uncoupling of combination units if the driver may operate combination units
Placing the unit in operation
Use of the units controls and emergency equipment
Operation of the unit in traffic and while passing other vehicles
Turning of the unit
Braking, and slowing of the unit by means other than braking
Backing and parking the unit
Driver shall be given a copy of the of the Certificate of Skills Evaluation upon completion of the skills evaluation
**Drivers without CDLs, operating doubles or triples, or tankers MUST be road tested.
**Longer Combination Vehicles (LCV) require special training
Positive DOT Drug Tests
DOT Drug Use
What happens when a driver has a positive DOT drug test?
Results are reported to the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse by the Medical Review Officer
Results are sent to the Employer/Company
The driver is IMMEDIATELY removed from safety sensitive functions, including driving. The driver is to remain not driving until step 11.
The Employer provides the driver a list of nearby Substance Abuse Professionals. The driver contacts a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) and enrolls in Substance Abuse Program.
The Employer decides whether or not to retain the driver.
The SAP evaluates the driver and recommends treatment and education
Driver completes the treatment and education plan created by the SAP and will be reevaluated by the SAP.
SAP finds the driver fit to return to duty
Driver completes a Return to Duty screening under direct observation
Results are reported to the FMCSA Clearinghouse by consortium
The driver can return to driving
The driver must meet the Follow Up Test Plan created by the SAP. These tests are unannounced and under direct observation. Driver must complete at minimum 6 follow up tests within 12 months, test plan may be up to 5 years. Failure of any tests will result in the Return to Duty restarting.
Driver still remains in the random DOT Drug Test Pool and available for these tests.
Follow-up test plan must be supplied to prospective employer if they leave your employment for another job prior to completing the follow-up test plan, the next employer will pick up on the follow up test plan.
All records for DOT Drug and Alcohol violations MUST be retained for five years.
Common Mistakes Carriers Make
The trucking industry has not shortage of rules and regulations to follow, they can be confusing and overwhelming even for the experienced trucker. Below are some of the biggest mistakes we see carriers make.
Signing up with the first third party that calls you upon filing for your USDOT number. Companies will contact you within minutes of completing your USDOT application and before you know it they have charged you $565.00 for you don’t know what. Don’t be fooled, it is not the Federal Motor Carrier. Take your time and do your research and fine a reputable company that has fair fees for the services you need.
Not completing a commercial vehicle inspection for each unit they will be operating. These should be completed on trucks and trailers and these inspections will need to be provided in your new entrance DOT audit.
Companies still not compliant with the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse website. This is a federal requirement for all companies as of 01/06/2020. Enrollment in a DOT Drug Program in itself DOES NOT cover the Clearinghouse requirement.
Not following up with previous employers when hiring a driver.
Carriers not adding updated DOT medical cards and CDLs to their drivers files. The new copy should be updated each time these are renewed.
Companies allowing a driver to operate prior to a negative DOT Drug screening being on file.
Companies allowing a driver to operate without a FMCSA Clearinghouse Pre Employment query result on file.
Not having an MVR on file that reflects the most recent federal DOT medical card.
Carriers who fill their UCR and do not take advantage of their exempt units which results in significantly higher fees.
Not filing their MCS150 Biennial Updates on time. This can result in fines up $1,000 per day and cause deactivation of your USDOT number.
Enrolling with a Consortium C/TPA that requires your drivers to get dot drug tested at a specific clinic. This means extra downtime and further costs.
Paying outrageous fees for simple filings. A USDOT update should not cost you hundreds of dollars, your third party is not worth $2400.00 an hour.
Johnson DOT Services Carrier Portal Launch
Our long awaited Carrier Portal has now launched! This service is available to existing and new customers. The Carrier Portal will be used to securely access, store, and share documents between the Customer and Johnson DOT Services. Johnson DOT Services will send each customer a signup link to access their individual account. From your account you will be able to see open drug screenings, view drug screen results, Clearinghouse results, and access your drivers files. Johnson DOT Services will add files to your drivers files as needed, many of the forms will come to you and driver to esign and will automatically be added to the file, no longer requiring the need to maintain paper driver files that frequently end up messy and incomplete. The Carrier Portal is available from any location by visiting our homepage and clicking the Carrier Portal.
Updating Your USDOT Number
USDOT numbers must be updated at minimum every two years to meet the Biennial update requirement, regardless of whether you conduct interstate or intrastate travel, even if you have not had changes to your operations.
If the second to last digit in your USDOT number is even your USDOT number needs to be updated in even numbered years. If the second to last digit in your USDOT number is an odd number your USDOT number needs to updated on odd numbered years.
The last number in your USDOT number calls out the month in which your USDOT number should be updated.
1= Update due in January
2= Update due in February
3= Update due in March
4= Update due in April
5= Update due in May
6= Update due in June
7= Update due in July
8= Update due in August
9= Update due in September
0= Update due in October
In addition to the Biennial Update requirement your USDOT number should be updated any time the following occur;
Change in the number of CDL drivers in your fleet
Change in the number of NON CDL drivers in your fleet
You begin interstate operations and were previously an intrastate carrier
You begin conducting operations solely in your state and need to remove the interstate classification
Your business mailing address has changed
Your business physical address has changed
The type of product you are transporting has changed
Your operation classification has changed (adding/ removing Authorized For Hire/Exempt For Hire/Private Property)
You are closing your business and need to deactivate your USDOT number.
If any of these conditions apply contact Johnson DOT Services to bring your USDOT number up to date.
***Failure to update your MCS150 can result in your USDOT number being deactivated and fines of $1,000 per day, up to $10,000 being imposed.***
Post Accident Drug Testing
The attachment will guide you through when/ and if a driver can tested for drugs and alcohol following an accident while operating a commercial vehicle.
6 Steps To Starting A Trucking Company:
The DOT compliance specialists at Johnson DOT Services can guide you through the process of starting your own trucking company, and help with the paperwork/ filings every step of the way. If you’re interested in starting a trucking company, you need to follow these 6 steps:
Decide what type of legal entity your trucking company will operate as and consider writing a business plan.
File your “Doing Business As” for your new business name and apply for your Federal ID # (Employer Identification Number, EIN).
Acquire a DOT # and Motor Carrier #, and file for the Unified Carrier Registration (UCR).
File BOC-3 Form (Designation of Process Agent) with the FMCSA.
Obtain your new trucking company’s International Registration Plan (IRP) tag and International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) decals. (Take advantage of Johnson DOT Services’ IFTA reporting services to stay compliant.)
Lease or buy the necessary equipment, and obtain insurance to meet the requirements for your business plan.
New Website Launch
As part of our rebranding from Office Tenders to Johnson DOT Services we are launching a new website. We will continue to provide the same service as in the past 30 years, but in more streamline methods. Customers can add new products directly from our website and have immediate support rather than waiting on the back in forth of the mail and waiting on papers to be signed. Simply complete the forms the process generates along the way. Once onboarded customers will have access to our Customer Portal where they can access all work performed by Johnson DOT Services. Drivers files are maintained here as well, customers have real-time access to the documents they need for their drivers.