Dispatch My Load - Owners Circle

Every trucking company needs a dispatching service even the single owner-operators with just one truck.  I find that a lot of owners opts will claim they don't need a dispatching service and call us just as soon as their business is going under. We cant save everyone but we can help a lot of new carriers who now see the important reason to join a dispatching service. 

I had a great conversation today with a New Owner-Operator, and he had a few questions on how to keep a profit. I explain to him and I hope you take the same information I said to him and use it to know and learn your cost and what it will take to keep every load profitable. 

I met the coolest driver in Phoenix, AZ. He wanted to know about making more money for each load. Always ask for a fuel surcharge, and always keep your eyes on the clock for your detention pay.

This segment is for passing your DOT Audits, Courtney will be interviewing Johnny 3000 from MMM-Express in helping your pass your first DOT Audit. Feels like you drew the shortest straw. You must go through a DOT (U.S. Department of Transportation) audit process. Don't panic! Yes, DOT audits cause stress, anxiety, and a lot of data retrieval. Also, they take time. They can sap resources, hurt your relationships, and even put you out of business. But there are things you can do to make an audit less painful.   The Complete DOT Audit Checklist  The following DOT audit checklist will help make sure you pass any DOT audit, especially the all-encompassing NESA. Auditors will request information organized into three general categories. Make sure you address each item, as any noncompliance can trigger an audit failure. The future solvency of your business depends on it. In fact, you should also review the official audit requirements, resources, and sample forms on the FMCSA website.  Drivers Vehicles Carrier- or Programmatic-Related Documents Now that you know the three general categories, let's examine each one in detail. Drivers What does the auditor need to know about your drivers?  Have this information ready:  Drivers List:  For each driver, you must provide the name, date of birth, license number, license state, and date of hire.  Driver's Licenses:  All drivers of commercial motor vehicle (CMVs) must have an active and compliant commercial driver's license (CDL) or operator’s license (with all proper endorsements). Any driver exemptions also must be noted. Records of Duty (ROD) and Supporting Documentation: This encompasses your hours of service (HOS) tracking. It also ties in directly to the electronic logging device (ELD) requirement. Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) for Each Driver: You must request each driver’s MVR every 12 months and keep the record for three years. Certificate of Violations: This document must list all moving violations accrued for each driver in the previous 12 months. Driver's Safety Performance History: You must either produce records for the previous three years or show a good-faith effort if a driver was at another employer. Medical Certificate: Carriers must provide documentation that every driver passed a physical given by a certified medical examiner. Drivers need to pass a physical at least every two years. Any waivers a driver has been granted (such as for diabetes or a limb prosthetic) must also be included in their file. Application for Employment: This document speaks to the background and character of a driver. It includes accident history, work history, and reasons for leaving past employers. Make note of the required information. Road Test and Entry Level Driver Training Documents: This document proves a driver passed a driving skills evaluation. Let's move on to what your auditor needs to know about your vehicles. Vehicles

This week interview, Courtney, our GM is speaking with Johnny 3000 the safety director at MMM-EXPRESS. He is going to give you heads up on getting the necessary information together for your DOT Audits. So please keep your ears open and stay with us for the next podcast this week.