DOT Compliance Blog & Trucking Guides

Doctor holding a card stamped REJECTED - paper med cards stop counting October 11, 2026

Paper Med Cards Stop Counting on October 11, 2026

FMCSA's last nationwide exemption ends this month. After it does, the MVR is the only proof your CDL driver is medically certified.

2027 UCR fee increase by fleet size - $46 to $55, $276 to $333, $963 to $1,163

New!

UCR Fees Are Going Up 20% for 2027 — Here Is What You Will Pay

FMCSA made it official September 1. Registration opens October 1, and every fleet-size bracket costs more. The full fee table.

FMCSA legacy systems URS, MCMIS and ICC Licensing and Insurance consolidating into Motus

New!

Motus Replaced FMCSA's Registration System — What Carriers Need to Know

The rules did not change, but how you file did. Claim your account before a deadline forces you to.

Military service members in uniform - Freedom Haulers veteran trucking program

Freedom Haulers: What the New Veteran Trucking Program Actually Means for You

The CDL skills test waiver doubled to 24 months, Even Exchange hit 34 states, and the GI Bill covers tuition. Here is what changed — and the step nobody is talking about.

Semi truck on highway - DOT safety audit preparation

How to Pass a DOT New Entrant Safety Audit

Every new carrier faces an FMCSA safety audit within 18 months. Here's what auditors look for and why most carriers aren't ready.

Owner-operator truck driver - DOT compliance checklist

Owner-Operator DOT Compliance Checklist

Being an owner-operator means you're the driver and the compliance department. Here's everything you're responsible for.

Trucking fleet - consequences of failing a DOT audit

What Happens If You Fail a DOT Audit?

A failed DOT audit can shut down your operation. Understand the ratings, consequences, and what to do about it.

Do I Need a DOT Consortium?

If you hold a CDL and a USDOT number, the answer is almost certainly yes. Here's why and what happens if you don't.

Semi truck on highway - UCR registration deadline

UCR Registration Deadline: Fees, Penalties, and What You Need to Know

UCR registration is required every year — and the fines for missing it add up fast at weigh stations.

Tax documents and calculator - DOT compliance costs

How Much Does DOT Compliance Really Cost?

A real breakdown of compliance expenses for trucking companies — and why the real cost is non-compliance.

Laptop with data dashboard - FMCSA Clearinghouse compliance

FMCSA Clearinghouse: What Carriers Need to Know

Clearinghouse queries are required for every CDL driver. Miss them and you're looking at $16,000 fines.

Truck driver by semi truck - driver qualification file requirements

Driver Qualification File Requirements: What FMCSA Expects

Missing DQ file documents are the #1 violation found in DOT audits. Here's what you need and what goes wrong.

Calendar with deadlines - MCS-150 biennial update

MCS-150 Biennial Update: When It's Due and Why It Matters

Miss your MCS-150 and your USDOT number gets deactivated. Find your due date and what it costs to miss it.

Tax forms and documents - HVUT 2290 and IFTA filing

HVUT Form 2290 & IFTA Filing: Deadlines, Penalties, and What's at Stake

Two of the most commonly missed deadlines in trucking. Late penalties add up faster than you think.