Source: https://www.jjkeller.com/learn/driver-qualification-compliance
Timestamp: 2018-04-19 15:22:45
Document Index: 28887704

Matched Legal Cases: ['arts 383', '§391', '§391', '§391', 'art 391', 'art 382']

Driver Qualification File, DOT Medical Card and Training Solutions
ComplianceTopics_TransportationSafety_DriverQualification
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Hiring the right drivers and ensuring they also comply with driver qualification regulations is critical for the successful—and safe—operation of any company.
Quality hires are the first step. Making sure they're qualified in accordance with Parts 383 and 391 of the FMCSRs is the second. (View the Driver Hiring Checklist.) Maintaining driver qualification then follows.
Requirements for DQ files
Dealing with rehires, owner-operators, temp drivers and others
Ensuring compliance with DQ requirements starts with good hiring practices and continues with ongoing maintenance of driver qualification files.
Six Steps to Qualifying New Drivers
Pre-Employment Screening — Under the Microscope
Your PSP Report Shows Future Employers How Safety-Conscious You Are
Free Whitepaper: Expert Answers for Common DQ File Questions
Webcast: DQ and the Power of Encompass
Shop Driver Qualification & Hiring Solutions
Stay compliant with the Safety Performance History recordkeeping requirements by using our wide assortment of driver qualification packets.
With J. J. Keller, setting up driver files is as easy as 1, 2, or 3.
As 1 File:
All DQ, alcohol and drug testing, and safety performance history are managed and filed in one area.
As 2 Files:
DQ is managed and filed in one area, while A & D testing and safety performance history are managed and filed by another area.
As 3 Files:
DQ, alcohol and drug testing, and safety performance history are all managed and filed in different areas.
Additional forms to properly document DQ information.
Ready-to-deliver training covers DQ and other important DOT info in multiple formats.
Driver Handbooks & Pocketbooks
DOT driver compliance references to help you better understand driver qualification requirements.
DQ File Management Service
Let our experienced staff manage your driver qualification so you can focus on your business.
Electronic Recordkeeping with Encompass®
An online system to store driver records and monitor regulatory requirements.
Section 391.51 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations details what a driver qualification file must contain.
The following documents are to be included for each regularly employed driver:
Motor vehicle record (MVR) from state(s), obtained at time of hire
Road test form and certificate, or license or certificate accepted in lieu of road test
Medical exam certificate or (for CDL/CLP drivers) MVR showing current medical certification status
Verification that the medical examiner was listed on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners
Annual motor vehicle record
The following documents are also required, but are not applicable to all drivers:
Documentation of any medical variance, exemption, or waiver
Longer Combination Vehicle (LCV) Driver-Training Certificate
Depending on the state you are operating in, additional items may be required.
Section 391.53 details additional information related to a driver’s three-year safety performance history, to be kept in a secure location with controlled access (these may be combined with the DQ file or kept separate):
Driver’s written authorization to seek information about drug/alcohol testing history
Response(s) received from previous employer(s) or documentation of efforts to obtain the information.
Other Basic DQ Requirements
Driver Qualification Issues
When a driver leaves a company and then returns, whether after one week or one year, there may be some items in his/her original Driver Qualification (DQ) or Driver Investigation History (DIH) file that can be reused, even though the DOT considers him/her to be a new hire.
The following items can be recycled from old files:
Road test/certificate - if completed less than three years ago (see §391.33(a)(2))
Medical certificate (DOT Medical Card) - if still valid
Information obtained from previous employers - if the information pertains to the three years that precede the rehire date and the inquiries sent to previous employers were in compliance with the current version of §391.23.
Items that need to be re-created:
A new truck driver application needs to be completed using the rehire date as the point of reference.
A motor vehicle report (MVR) needs to be requested to coincide with the rehire date.
Previous employer checks must be requested on any employment during the absence, and existing previous-employer investigations that were not done in compliance with the rules in §391.23 must be re-done for all DOT-regulated employers for the past 3 years from the rehire date.
Documents from the original files that are not reused must be retained in the same manner as if he/she never returned. Other items from first employment period are retained in the original file same as above, but can be purged three years from document execution dates.
Owner-Operator’s compliance with the federal safety regulations
With owner-operators, there are two potential situations that can be encountered:
An owner-operator is leased onto a motor carrier. The freight is hauled under the carrier’s authority, the truck displays the carrier’s U.S. DOT number, and the freight is covered by the carrier’s insurance. In this case, the carrier is responsible for the safe operation of that vehicle, including the owner-operator’s compliance with the federal safety regulations. This includes keeping a proper DQ file, ensuring hours of service compliance, drug and alcohol testing, vehicle maintenance, etc.
An owner-operator is a motor carrier. The freight is hauled under the owner-operator’s authority, the truck displays the owner-operator’s U.S. DOT number, and the freight is covered by the owner-operator’s insurance. In this case, the owner-operator is the motor carrier. The carrier/owner-operator must ensure that all the federal safety requirements are followed.
Remember, the motor carrier is always responsible for compliance with the federal safety regulations. The real question is: who is the motor carrier?
The occasional, seasonal or intermittent employee would be someone who is on your payroll to drive during those times when you need extra help.
Even though they are not permanent or full-time, they still need to be fully qualified in accordance to Part 391 before they can get behind the wheel of your CMV. If you are subject to Part 382, these employees need to be a part of your DOT random alcohol and drug testing program. This means the whole gamut: pre-employment drug screens, DOT drug and alcohol background requirements, issuance of educational materials and your company policy, and placement in your random testing pool.
Many carriers keep these employees "active" rather than consider it a termination of employments. They are considered to be on an extended leave of absence or layoff, and this avoids having to wait on a pre-employment drug screen or create new documents as a rehire in the file.
Hiring Bus or Truck Drivers
The hiring process is a key element in creating a successful fleet. Establishing hiring standards provides you with a baseline of what you find acceptable. Not having documented hiring standards implies to anyone reviewing your operation (insurance underwriters, investigators, auditors, attorneys, etc.) that you have no baseline; you will hire anyone.
Many carriers concentrate their hiring standards on the driving requirements. Typical standards include limits on the number of accidents, suspensions, and citations.
As well as the driving requirements, carriers also set hiring standards pertaining to previous employment. How many previous employers an applicant has had combined with the reasons for leaving the previous employers are employment issues typically considered when determining hiring standards.
View Driver Hiring Checklist and 10 Basic Rules of Driver Hiring for more information.
You must also keep in mind that in addition to the usual employment procedures required by federal and state laws, the Department of Transportation (DOT) has its own set of hiring requirements.
Documentation required by DOT
Bus or truck driver-specific application for employment
Motor vehicle (driving) records (MVRs)
Road test form and certificate or photocopy of a CDL accepted in lieu of roadtest, or Road test form and certificate less than 3 years old accepted in lieu of road test
Background investigation (Safety Performance History)
Medical exam certificate (DOT Medical Card) and documentation of any variance from the medical standards, or MVR showing that CDL/CLP driver is currently certified
Verification that medical examiner was listed on National Registry
Drug & Alcohol Documentation (if subject)
Pre-employment drug screen result or documentation of pre-employment exception received from former employer(s)
Educational materials and company policy issued to driver
Inquiry to driver about positive DOT pre-employment tests over the past 2 years
Other, Non-DOT Hiring Documentation
“Takes the guessing out!”
The snap out all-in-one driver qualification packet saved an enormous amount of time for me. Everything is right at your finger tips - and very easy for a new employee to understand.
TCMFG
“Great Folders”
I can always rely on JJ Keller to keep things up-to-date for me. I don’t have to worry about not being in compliance. I just order the driver folders, and they arrive quickly and have all the forms I need.
“Easy with 1 form!”
It is easy to verify driver employment, accident history, and drug & alcohol history from previous employers with just one form.
“All driver information at my fingertips …”
This [card] allows me to have all driver information at my fingertips so that I don't have to pull each file when needing information.
“Easy to read!”
I like how this form completes two functions, in an attractive format, that is easy to read!
“This training program is a lifesaver!”
This program is filled with good information that all new drivers need to hear.