Thursday, 23 May 2013

DOT Trucking Guidelines Of The Department

By Jennie Sandoval


The Department of Transportation, or DOT trucking, is a network created for transporting products across the country. Products are monitored as they travel from one place to another. Commercial drivers are also expected to follow a guideline of rules and are responsible for their vehicle. Any vehicle transporting goods across the nation is considered a commercial vehicle, and needs to follow these rules and regulations.

When a product is shipped, it travels from one location to another on the back of a truck. This truck is monitored and supervised throughout its journey. The driver must adhere to the regulations set by the Department of Transportation, and the rules of the road. This can include the number of hours driven daily, the weight of the combined goods, and the amount of goods transported by one truck. These rules may vary according to state, but general guidelines are set by DOT.

Local and Federal police officers enforce these laws, as well as DOT employees. Weigh stations monitor truck weight as it travels the country, and search for inconsistencies. Differences in weight can lead to a physical search of the truck. Weigh stations and physical searches are run by DOT.

Weigh stations and regulations set upon commercial vehicles prevent the movement of illegal products, such as drugs. These rules and regulations also ensure that all local and federal laws are being followed. DOT has a certain set of rules for commercial vehicles and a separate set for commuter vehicles. All road worthy vehicles are required to follow these.

Trucks found to be avoiding weigh stations or not following regulations face penalties. The commercial driver may first face fines and a license suspension. Should the activity continue, the hiring company may face disciplinary action by local or federal government agencies. Companies not following guidelines can face serious legal trouble.

All commercial vehicles are given a unique ID number after registering with the Department of Transportation. This allows the vehicle to be traced to any location within the country and it's movement monitored. This number also prevents a commercial vehicle from being stolen, as it can only be registered one time. Vehicles involved in crime are also more easily identified.

As shipping across the nation became more common, DOT was created. This happened halfway through the twentieth century. To this day, the department provides safety and ensures local and federal laws are being followed. These regulations prevent the shipping of illegal products, the movement of illegal substances, and protects drivers from being taken advantage of. Without a system such as this in place, there would be no way to monitor the movement of products across the nation.

More information about DOT trucking can be found directly from the Department of Transportation website. Understanding these rules and regulations is vital if someone desires a career in this field. Not following these guidelines can result in termination of a commercial driver's license and legal consequences.




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