J. J. Keller & Associates
Neenah, WI
Long-running compliance publisher and service provider offering DOT driver qualification, drug and alcohol program management, permits, fuel tax, ELDs, training and audit consulting for fleets.
DOT and FMCSA Compliance Services
Freight compliance combines registrations, safety practices and records that must stay current as a business changes. Decide which responsibilities to handle internally and which require software, a managed service or professional advice.
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Foley
Hartford, CT
Compliance software and services for regulated drivers and fleets, covering DQ files, DOT drug and alcohol consortium, Clearinghouse queries, MVR monitoring, background checks and audit support.
Fleetworthy
Madison, WI
Fleet compliance and operations platform combining DQ file management, IFTA and IRP support, audit help and managed compliance with toll management (Bestpass) and weigh station bypass (Drivewyze).
Compliance Navigation Specialists (CNS)
Lititz, PA
Pennsylvania DOT compliance and licensing firm offering audits, DQ files, drug and alcohol consortium, IFTA and IRP, authority and permits, and managed safety programs for carriers and brokers.
DOT Compliance Group
Bedford, TX
Private filing and compliance service for trucking companies handling USDOT numbers, MC and broker authority, MCS-150, UCR, Clearinghouse enrollment, a drug and alcohol consortium and training.
SambaSafety
Denver, CO
Driver risk management company offering instant MVRs from all 50 states, continuous MVR, license and CSA monitoring, driver training and risk scoring for commercial and DOT-regulated fleets.
DISA Global Solutions
Houston, TX
Houston employee screening and compliance company offering DOT drug and alcohol testing, MVR and PSP checks, DQ files, DOT physicals, driver monitoring, IFTA and IRP services for carriers.
Simplex Group
Miami, FL
Trucking back office with offices in Florida, California and Texas offering authority packages, DOT compliance programs, permits, IFTA and 2290 filing, plus insurance and factoring through sister companies.
National Drug Screening
Melbourne, FL
Florida consortium/third party administrator offering DOT drug and alcohol testing, owner-operator random pools, Clearinghouse reporting and queries, policies, training and audit assistance.
DOT compliance consulting and training firm started by trucking attorneys, offering mock audits, safety program reviews, DataQs help, manager and driver training and a Compliance+ subscription.
FreightPicks is owned by the founder of LaneRunner. Listings with a disclosure note are affiliated with FreightPicks.
Compliance: Buyer’s Guide
Getting and keeping operating authority
A USDOT number identifies a motor carrier in the federal safety system, while an MC number relates to operating authority for applicable activities. The requirements depend on what the business does, where it operates and how freight is moved. Do not assume that obtaining an identifier means every necessary approval is complete. Confirm the registrations applicable to your business and check the current status before beginning work that requires authority. Keep your legal name, business address and contact information consistent across filings and commercial documents.
BOC-3 relates to process agent designation, and UCR is a separate registration program for applicable businesses. Ask which filings must be renewed or updated and who is responsible for monitoring them. Keep a calendar based on the actual rules and notices that apply to your operation, not a provider's sales reminders alone. Retain confirmation records and access to your own accounts. When buying a service, make sure you can distinguish an official requirement from an optional product and verify that filings have been completed under the correct entity.
Fuel tax and vehicle registration
IFTA concerns fuel tax reporting for eligible interstate operations, while IRP concerns apportioned vehicle registration for eligible travel. Determine whether your equipment and operating pattern bring the business into either program. Keep mileage, jurisdiction and fuel records in a form that supports the required reporting. The fact that a provider prepares a return does not remove the need for accurate source information. Ask what records drivers and dispatch staff must collect and how missing or inconsistent entries will be resolved before a filing is submitted.
Review who controls registration accounts, who receives official correspondence and who approves information before it is filed. If a fleet changes equipment or operating areas, ask whether that creates an update requirement. Software may help organize data, but inaccurate trip records remain inaccurate when entered into a system. A managed service should explain its review process and the information it needs from you. Keep copies of filings and supporting records so your business can answer questions and transition to another provider without losing access to essential compliance history.
Driver qualification files and testing programs
Driver qualification files organize the records needed to support a driver's eligibility under the applicable rules. Ask which documents must be collected, checked, renewed and retained for the drivers your business uses. Set a process for expiring documents and changes in driver status. An electronic folder alone is not a compliance program if nobody checks whether its contents are complete and current. Make clear who reviews new hires before they begin work and how missing information is escalated to the person responsible for the operation.
Drug and alcohol testing requirements and the Clearinghouse involve separate responsibilities that should be understood together. Determine the program applicable to your drivers and business role, including any consortium or third-party administrator arrangement. Ask who performs required queries, obtains consent, maintains records and handles results that affect eligibility. Protect sensitive driver information and restrict access to those who need it. A provider may support the process, but your business should know what has been completed and what action is required when a driver cannot perform safety-sensitive work.
Hours of service and ELD responsibilities
Hours of service rules govern driving and on-duty activity for covered operations, with details depending on the work and any applicable exceptions. An electronic logging device records required information, but it does not decide whether your dispatch plan is practical or lawful. Train staff to understand the rules relevant to the fleet and to recognize when a proposed load creates a problem. Ask how drivers report malfunctions, correct records through permitted processes and provide supporting documents. Do not rely on a dashboard indicator without understanding what it represents.
Check whether a particular operation requires an ELD and what documentation is needed when an exception applies. Review device administration, driver accounts, data retention and access during an inspection. The compliance team and dispatch team should share a consistent process for handling log questions. If a software or managed service monitors records, ask which issues it flags and which remain your responsibility. Equipment and subscriptions can assist with recordkeeping, but training, supervision and a workable operating plan still matter to the day-to-day compliance effort.
New entrant audits and broker carrier vetting
A new entrant safety audit reviews whether a covered carrier has the required safety management practices and records. Prepare by organizing the actual documents and reviewing how the business operates, not by assembling a folder that does not reflect real practices. Ask a compliance provider what preparation includes and whether it helps respond to identified issues. Preserve official notices and confirm deadlines directly from them. If the audit raises legal questions or enforcement concerns, consider whether legal counsel is needed in addition to administrative compliance assistance.
Brokers must vet carriers in a way that fits their legal duties, contracts and operations. Review authority, identity, insurance and the information relevant to the shipment rather than relying on a single badge or database result. Watch for inconsistent names, contact details or payment instructions and have a process for resolving them. Keep records of the checks performed and the source used. Vetting is not finished forever after onboarding: establish when information is reviewed again and how changes affect the decision to tender a load.
Internal work, software and managed services
Doing compliance internally gives the business direct control, but requires people who understand the obligations and have time to maintain records. Software can organize documents, reminders and workflows without taking over every decision. A managed service may carry out defined tasks or monitor records, but the contract should state exactly what it does. Choose based on the responsibilities you need help with and the staff you have, rather than assuming that a larger package is automatically necessary. Identify the tasks that cannot be delegated completely.
Ask a provider which registrations and safety processes it covers, what is excluded and how it confirms completion. Find out who handles official notices, how urgent questions are escalated and how you can export records. Ask about training, account ownership, renewal terms and the process for ending service. Require clear boundaries between advice, document preparation and actual filing. Keep a responsible person inside the business who reviews the work and maintains access to important accounts. This guide is general information, not legal, financial or insurance advice.
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