Readiness check

Is your trade fleet ready for a DOT audit and safe on the road?

A trade fleet is rolling liability: the trucks carry your crews, tools, and reputation, and a single preventable crash or a failed audit costs far more than the program to prevent it. Many contractors do not realize where federal and state motor-carrier rules apply to them. This is general guidance, not legal advice; confirm your obligations with a qualified advisor. The score stays on your device; enter an email only if you want the fleet readiness checklist sent over.

1. Do you know which DOT/FMCSA rules apply to your vehicles (by weight, type, and what you haul)?Yes, we have determined our motor-carrier obligationsRoughly, never formally checkedNo, we have not looked at it

2. Do you qualify and check drivers (license/CDL where required, MVR/driving record, screening)?Yes, driver qualification files and periodic MVR checksWe check a license at hire onlyNo driver vetting

3. If hours-of-service or CDL rules apply, are you tracking and following them?Yes, HOS/CDL handled where they applyUnsure whether they apply to usNo, not tracked

4. Are drivers doing pre-trip inspections and reporting defects (DVIR where required)?Yes, documented pre-trip inspections and defect reportingInformal walk-aroundsNo inspections

5. Is fleet maintenance preventive and documented (not run-to-failure)?Yes, scheduled PM with service records per vehicleWe fix things when they breakNo maintenance records

6. Do you have a written fleet safety policy (distracted driving, seatbelts, speed, backing)?Yes, a written policy drivers sign and followVerbal expectations onlyNo policy

7. Do you secure loads, ladders, and equipment so nothing becomes a road hazard?Yes, load securement and rack standards enforcedMostly, not consistentNo, gear rides loose

8. Do you have a crash/incident procedure and the insurance and records to back it up?Yes, a crash kit, reporting process, and current coverageSome of it, not organizedNo process