DQ Issues Rehires 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 the old file: 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 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 driver’s original DQ or DIH file 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 DQ 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.
Definitions What is the definition of a commercial motor vehicle? There are two different definitions of a commercial motor vehicle ( CMV) in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. Which definition applies depends on which regulations are being referenced. The general definition of a CMV is found in §390.5 and refers to a vehicle used in interstate commerce. According to this definition, a CMV is a vehicle that: has a gross vehicle weight rating, gross combination weight rating, gross vehicle weight, or gross combination weight of 10,001 pounds or more; is designed to transport more than 8 passengers (including the driver) for compensation; is designed to transport more than 16 passengers (including the driver) and is not used to transport passengers for compensation; or is transporting hazardous materials in a quantity requiring the vehicle to be placarded. The regulations in Parts 390 through 396 apply to drivers of vehicles meeting this definition. These regulations include driver qualification, hours of service, and inspection and maintenance requirements. A different definition of a CMV is used in Parts 382 and 383, the regulations dealing with the commercial driver’s license and drug and alcohol testing. This CMV definition refers to vehicles used in interstate or intrastate commerce. According to this definition, a CMV is a vehicle that: has a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more inclusive of a towed unit with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds. has a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more; is designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver; or is transporting hazardous materials in a quantity requiring the vehicle to be placarded. Drivers must have a CDL and undergo drug and alcohol testing if they drive vehicles meeting the definition stated above. This same definition.
Driver safety performance is as important as vehicle performance. A driver performance test can help determine safe driver performance. The road test should start with a pre-trip inspection. A pre-trip inspection is required under §391.31(c 1). The driver-applicant should explain what he or she is observing and what specific vehicle or component checks (s)he is conducting. The applicant should explain what defects/faults he or she is looking for during the pre-trip. This portion of the test may take up to 30 to 45 minutes or longer, depending on the type and configuration of the vehicle. Range Portion Before the road portion, the applicant should demonstrate the following skills: steering, stopping, shifting and backing (straight and 90 degree angle) and, if the equipment he/she will drive includes a combination unit – coupling and uncoupling of the combo-unit (per §391.31(c 2). Allow at least 20 minutes for a “range” portion. A vehicle control test area of at least 200 feet by 300 feet in size is required, the bigger the better. Driver candidates can be tested with the following maneuvers: (1) Forward Stop: Pull the vehicle forward through a straight alley and then stop the vehicle so that the front bumper is within 2 feet of the forward stop line. (2) Straight Line Backing. Back the vehicle through a straight alley and then stop the vehicle so that the front bumper is within 2 feet of the stop line. (3) Right Turn. Drive the vehicle forward approximately 30–50 feet, and then turn the vehicle right around a cone or other point. Bring the rear of the vehicle within 6–12 inches from the cone without touching it. (4) Alley Dock. Pull the vehicle forward past the alley, keeping the alley entrance on the left. Back in a 45 degree curve into the alley without touching the sides, and stop the rear of the vehicle within 2 feet of the stop line at the rear of the alley.
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