When done correctly, the truck driver job application completed by your commercial drivers can help kickstart the DOT driver qualification file creation process.
Your CDL drivers are one of your most valuable assets. They help keep your business running, successful, and thriving.
Still, it’s a common complaint that reliable and hardworking people can be hard to find.
So, when you do go through the process of finding and hiring a new driver — and you find someone that you’re excited to bring on board with your company — it’s important that you get the process right. Not only will this ensure that you’re able to get the relationship started on a positive note, but also that you’re hiring compliantly.
Remember, as a business operating under the Department of Transportation’s (DOT’s) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there are hiring processes you MUST have in place to comply with 49 CFR Part 391 – Qualifications of Drivers and Longer Combination Vehicle (LCV) Driver Instructors. There are also best practices you SHOULD follow — including running criminal background screens — to ensure you recruit and retain the best possible drivers for your business.
What is Regulation Part 391?
Regulation Part 391 helps ensure that all federally-regulated motor carriers are qualified to be on our nation’s roadways — in terms of their physical health, professional experience, and motor vehicle record.
These regulations apply to any carrier, no matter how many drivers they employ, that operates a vehicle involved in interstate commerce that:
- Weighs at least 10,001 pounds
- Carries more than nine or more passengers
- Transports materials deemed hazardous under the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act
Intrastate carriers that operate in a state that adheres to the federal regulations must also comply. If you are an intrastate carrier, it’s important to understand the requirements in the state where your trucks operate.
It All Starts With the Truck Driver Job Application
There are specific rules for how you collect information from candidates. To comply with DOT regulations, the application must be signed and dated by the applicant and include very specific information. Upon hire, this application kicks off the required background check process and becomes part of the Driver Qualification File.
But what specific candidate information do you need to get in the job application to begin the driver qualification file creation process? This Foley article explains exactly what a DOT-compliant job application asks for: 10 Steps to a DOT-Compliant Job Application.
Drivers must also get a Summary of Rights because the information in this application will be used for background screening. This summary informs drivers that they have the right to review the information provided by previous employers and dispute any findings. This could require a previous employer to resend the correct information, or, if an agreement can’t be made, allow the driver to include a rebuttal statement with the information. Drivers can submit a written request immediately upon applying or up to 30 days after being employed or denied employment. Prospective employers must provide information within five business days of the request.
Make the switch to digital driver files now!
How to Get Commercial Drivers on the Road Faster
The DOT driver job application is a critical part of the driver file process, as it contains all of the information needed to compile the files from the start of their employment.
To streamline the hiring process and get drivers on the road more quickly, you should have all prospective drivers fill out a full DOT-compliant application if they’re interested in a position with your company. This will ensure you have all the information required to both complete the required background checks and create the driver qualification file once you’ve made a hiring decision.
To further streamline the process, consider working with a DOT compliance partner who can set you up with a mobile-friendly, digital application. Not only are these applications easy for drivers to fill out and submit while they’re on the road, but all of the information collected in the application will be uploaded to a secure digital file where you can review their qualifications.
Foley's Apply By License feature in our Dash Platform allows candidates to take a picture of their driver's license to start the job application process and quickly provide basic information regarding their qualifications.
The Right Platform for Quick Hiring & Easy DOT Driver File Creation
If you’re working with a partner like Foley, your driver's application information can be used to automatically begin the process of completing the driver’s required DOT background checks and compiling their driver qualification file with our exclusive Dash Platform.
For Foley customers, this file is saved securely in their Dash Platform account where it can be easily downloaded for an offsite audit. We’ll also send alerts and notifications during the entirety of the driver’s employment to help you stay on top of upcoming due dates (for CDL and medical card renewals, for example).
To learn more about our DOT driver qualification file creation and management program, or get a free demo of the Dash Platform, click here!
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