DOT Trucking Audits are on the Rise and so are the Fines.

FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ADMINISTRATION – FMCSA

DOT audits are still on the rise and the fines have been increasing. The average federal DOT fine after settlement for 2023 was over $7,000 and the government collected about $25 million in fines in 2023. Some audits are done without any notice. Be sure to keep up all your driver and vehicle records in the event of an audit.

 

• Allowing or requiring someone to drive without a current, valid CDL or permit – $3,410

• Using a driver before receiving a negative pre-employment drug test result – $5,329

• Failing to implement a random drug and/or alcohol testing program -$6,231

• Using a driver known to have tested positive for drugs – $7,543

• Out-of-service order: Requiring or permitting operation of CMV by a driver – $23,048

• Failing to keep drivers’ records of duty status or supporting docs for 6 months – $4,403

• Recordkeeping: Maximum penalty per day is $1,544

• Knowing falsification of records – $15,445

• Violations of Hazardous Materials Regulations and Safety Permitting Regulations (transportation or shipment of hazmat) – $99,756

• Out-of-service order: Failure to return written certification of correction – $1,152

Driver medical certificates will be transferred to the state that issued the driver’s CDL electronically by the medical examiner. Carriers will not have to check the medical examiners on the National Registry anymore. Driving records (MVRs) will be the only thing required to prove the driver is certified.

 

Carriers have to obtain the driver’s MVR after the medical exam is completed to verify the medical certificate is on the MVR or the driver will not be qualified to drive. Non-CDL drivers must still have paper medical cards. Note there may be another extension on this medical card change.

All companies that transport motor vehicles or equipment with oil and/or fuel in them will need to be reclassified as hazardous material carriers with the USDOT. These carriers must have their minimum insurance requirement raised to $1,000,000 and for-hire carriers must have their insurance filed with the FMCSA at that level. Motor vehicles contain gas, oil, fluids, and antifreeze which are classified as hazardous by the federal government. The reclassification for this type of operation does not require a CDL hazmat endorsement for the driver. For additional details contact our office.

 

The Motor Carrier Identification Report (MCS-150) must be filed by all carriers every two years. The USDOT will be sending out the forms under the following formula: If the carrier’s USDOT number’s second to the last digit is odd, the form is to be filed on the odd number of years. The last digit will define what month the form is to be filed in. The filings are due the first 10 months, 1 being January and 0 being October.

A carrier with a USDOT number ending in 10 will be required to have their report filed by October 31, 2021.  Carriers from the states that are in the PRISM program will be required to update the USDOT annually. CSA information must be kept current for your monthly CSA scores to be accurate. MCS-150 should be updated if there are any changes in your number of drivers or trucks, we recommend that it be updated annually. 

 

The federal hazmat registration fee for transporting hazardous materials will remain the same for the 2024-2025 year starting July 1st for all carriers, brokers, and producers. The registration fee is $275 for “small” businesses for each type of registration. Any business deemed “large” will pay $2,600. “Small” long haul carriers (defined by the SBA – Small Business Administration) are those with annual revenues of less than $30 million (NAICS Codes 484110 to 484230).

 

All companies must supply their North American Industry Classifications System code that represents their significant business activity. Companies that transport hazardous freight, arrange for the transportation of hazardous freight brokers, or shippers of hazardous freight that requires placarding are required to register. Contact our office to apply for or renew your federal hazmat license. Renewal and new registration forms are not being mailed out any longer.

The IRS is no longer mailing out HVUT (Form 2290) Heavy Vehicle Use Tax forms to taxpayers. The IRS took this step due to continued growth in electronic filing and to reduce costs. Carriers should be aware that they still must file, even though they no longer receive the form in the mail.

 

The HVUT must be paid by the owner of any vehicles that are purchased during the year. Payment is due for the remaining part of the tax year ending June 30th. You may no longer use a stamped copy of the tax return from the previous owner as proof of payment. Each vehicle owner must pay their tax.

 

Upon selling a unit, the previous owner may apply for a credit for the unused portion of the tax and apply it to any new vehicle or apply for a refund after the tax year ends. The tax return for July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024, must be filed and paid by August 31, 2023. We are filing all HVUT 2290 returns electronically.

Carriers with Ohio Intrastate Authority may have to renew their authority annually depending on their UCR filing. The state of Ohio still issues intrastate authority and requires that the proper insurance remains on file. The authority expires on June 30th of each year. There is a grace period until July 15th of each year.

PUCO Tax Receipts are issued for all vehicles regardless of the type of vehicle, the number of axles, or the weight of the vehicle that operates intrastate. The PUCO Tax Receipts are $30 for tractors, buses, and tow trucks and $20 for any two-axle vehicles, straight trucks, cars, vans, or pickups. Carriers that paid for their intrastate vehicles under the UCR will not be required to file and pay for the 2023-2024 PUCO receipts.

 

All carriers that operate Ohio intrastate only or transport household goods must renew their Ohio intrastate authority. Every carrier with PUCO authority should check their standing with the state to ensure their authority is not canceled.

 

 

For help with your Trucking Insurance, contact Beck Insurance Agency in Archbold or Whitehouse, Ohio.  Call Beck Insurance Agency at 419-446-2777, email us at help@beckinsurance.com, or click here to submit your request.