There are compliance standards that must be followed each time a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) runs on the road. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) have set up these rules, making it mandatory for commercial fleet managers to follow them. Failure to comply with DOT standards can result in significant repercussions, such as penalties, fines, and the immobilization of cars. DOT trucking compliance software lets commercial vehicles simplify and streamline fleet operations to stay compliant, efficient, and cost-effective.
What is DOT Compliance Software?
Many fleets use DOT compliance management software to stay in compliance with DOT standards like Hours of Service (HOS) restrictions, fleet maintenance standards, and more. This compliance system, which is also known as ELD compliance software, includes an electronic logging device (ELD) that transmits data on the vehicle’s speed, location, and diagnostic data. DOT compliance software often comes with real-time GPS tracking, asset management, dashboard cams, and auto repair features. The benefits of DOT Compliance Software are as follows:
Elimination of Complications
Federal regulations are complicated, puzzling, and mostly boring. This is legal jargon. Software for DOT compliance can be configured to simply get automatic updates of what is required and when. Businesses can also pay a little bit extra for full-time auditing services if they need assistance or a second opinion with compliance paperwork.
Streamlining Process
Even the most careful safety managers sometimes write a date wrong or make mistakes in a spreadsheet. All critical data can be tracked by the software. Most DOT compliance solutions will send alerts when records are missing, mistaken, or expired, eliminating the need to go through every single driver’s records to see what’s needed.
Cut Costs and Reduce Carbon Footprint
Managers won’t need to waste paper and ink generating copies of each and every piece of paper in a driver’s record if the company invests in an online compliance system. This is positive for the environment and the light on the wallet. Some trucking compliance software also includes Applicant Tracking Systems, which turn the paper-based application process into an efficient digital process.
Saves Time
DOT compliance software, above all else, saves managers time by reducing the amount of time they need to spend going over paperwork. It takes significantly less time to perform a search on a computer when they need to double-check something than it does to take a file out of the filing cabinet or to pore through endless spreadsheets. Time is money, as they say, and management can use that time better spent on things like safety programs or improving driver retention.
Conclusion
Working with trucking compliance software, legal operations teams can improve collaboration, efficiency, and flexibility while putting together separate sections of the business (such as treasury, finance, accounting, legal compliance administration, and risk management) to ensure better data and communication. Better insights and analysis result from this, which can help the organization operate better and grow (or rationalize, if that’s its ultimate goal).