DOT Compliance Services
Federal and State Compliance for Commercial Vehicle Operators
DOT compliance includes everything required to operate commercial vehicles legally: USDOT registration, driver qualification files, drug and alcohol testing, vehicle maintenance records, hours of service documentation, and state-specific permits.
Requirements vary based on your vehicle type, whether you cross state lines, and whether you're for-hire or private.
TIPS manages compliance for standard trucking companies, but also for construction companies, dump truck operators, landscapers, and any other business running commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) that fall under DOT jurisdiction.
What We Help With
Total Insight Professional Services offers complete and comprehensive compliance management services for any type of company, including:
USDOT Registration & Authority Filings
USDOT number filing, MC authority applications, BOC-3 process agent designation, and application amendments. Whether you're starting a new operation or fixing an existing issue, we handle the paperwork.
Ongoing Compliance
Driver Qualification Files, Drug and Alcohol Consortium enrollment, FMCSA clearinghouse accounts, supervisor training course, and biennial updates. We manage all of your compliance requirements to protect your safety rating and keep your company audit-ready.
Driver Screening
Motor vehicle records (MVRs), CDLIS reports for cdl-holders, PSP reports, and criminal background checks. Screen drivers before you put them behind the wheel and keep your operations running smoothly with confidence.
Fuel Tax & Apportioned Registration
IFTA account registration, IFTA quarterly reports, and IRP registration. Required for vehicles over 26,000 lbs crossing state lines. 2290 filings for heavy vehicles at 55,000 lbs or more. This is where a lot of new carriers get stuck - we make it easy.
State Permits & Authorities
California CA number and MCP, Texas TxDMV number, Ohio PUCO, Kentucky KYU, Oregon weight-mile tax, New York HUT, New Mexico weight-distance, Connecticut highway use fee, and quarterly state permit reporting required to keep your permits active.
Audit Preparation & Recovery
New Entrant Safety Audit preparation & review, corrective action plans, out-of-service DOT number reinstatements, and authority reinstatements. We help you pass your audit the first time or get you back on the road if you didn't.
Business Formation
LLC Filings & Employer Identification Number (EIN) applications for those still at square-one. We handle the filings directly with your State and the IRS to launch your new company in as little time as possible.
Resources & Templates
40+ Forms, Templates, and Company Documents to help you manage all of your compliance & business requirements from the start. Get the Trucker’s Toolbox by itself, or, get a customized package that has your company name & logo for a polished and branded look.
Start-Up Packages
New DOT & MC Number, BOC-3, and all of the compliance filings you need to pass your Safety Audit in one package. We prepared the start-up packages based on what vehicles you’re using so you don’t have to put the pieces together yourself.
What Our Clients Say
We’ve helped thousands of owner-operators and small fleets get started and stay compliant. Here’s what our clients have to say about working with TIPS.
Rated 5.0/5.0 ★ on Google Reviews
Who Needs to Comply with Federal & State DOT Rules?
You need to comply with DOT regulations if you operate commercial vehicles. This includes:
For-hire trucking companies (OTR, regional, local)
Freight brokers and freight forwarders
Private fleets hauling their own goods
Construction companies
Dump truck operators
Landscaping companies
Well drilling operations
Concrete and aggregate haulers
Farm operations with commercial vehicles
Passenger carriers
Tow truck companies
Requirements depend on your vehicle weight, what you haul, whether you cross state lines, and whether you're for-hire or private. Not sure what applies to you? Contact us and we'll walk you through it.
Federal vs. State Compliance
Federal Compliance
If you cross state lines with commercial motor vehicles (CMVs), that means you’re under DOT & FMCSA jurisdiction. You’ll be required to complete a New Entrant Safety Audit and need to show full compliance with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) within your first year of operating.
State Compliance
Almost every state has adopted the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) for intrastate-only companies that use Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMVs). Even if you don’t cross state lines, your company is likely subject to many, or all, of the same regulations that interstate companies have to comply with.
Not sure what your State’s requirements are? We can tell you.
How Compliance Works
Compliance looks slightly different for companies just starting out and those already one the road:
New Operations If you're just starting, you need to establish your USDOT number, determine whether you need MC authority, set up required compliance programs (drug testing, driver files, etc.), and prepare for your New Entrant Safety Audit within the first 12 months.
Existing Operations If you're already operating, you need to maintain biennial updates, keep driver qualification files current, run annual Clearinghouse queries, renew state permits, and file quarterly fuel tax reports. Missing any of these can result in fines, out-of-service orders, or loss of authority.
Complying with DOT, FMCSA, and State regulations isn’t optional, but trying to figure it out by yourself is.
Frequently Asked Questions
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DOT compliance means meeting all federal and state requirements to operate commercial vehicles legally. This includes having proper registration, maintaining driver files, running drug tests, tracking hours of service, keeping vehicle maintenance records, and holding any required permits.
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You can face fines, failed audits, out-of-service orders, and revocation of your operating authority. Roadside inspections can also result in violations that affect your CSA scores, making it harder to get loads from brokers and shippers.
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It depends on your operation. A single owner-operator has different requirements than a 10-truck fleet. At TIPS, we provide a free consultation to identify what applies to you and give you clear pricing.
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Yes. Private carriers hauling their own goods still need a USDOT number if their vehicles meet weight or passenger thresholds. They may also need driver qualification files, drug testing programs, and state permits depending on their operation.
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The FMCSA conducts a safety audit within your first 12 months of operation if you’re an interstate carrier. Auditors review your driver files, drug testing records, hours of service logs, vehicle maintenance, insurance, and more. Failing the audit can result in being placed out-of-service for a minimum of 30 days, forcing you to shut your operations down and correct the violations.
Not Sure What You Need?
Contact us for a free consultation. We'll identify what compliance requirements apply to your operation and give you a clear path forward.