As the owner of a moving and storage company, you know it is important to keep a close eye on your employees and drivers. If not, you may find yourself in trouble with the law, especially if unqualified individuals are driving your moving trucks.

Seems obvious, right? Well sometimes things are not so apparent. Take the case of the driver who was prescribed pain medication by a doctor while out on leave. Three months later he returned to work. One of his first assignments was a two day run down the coast. The driver packed his personal belongings including his toiletry bag. When stopped by the DOT this driver was immediately disqualified as a driver for transporting or possessing a drug or controlled substance. Why? Inside his toiletry bag was the bottle of prescription medication. The driver argued that he had not taken the drugs in over a month but the DOT won out.

Any driver who is disqualified should NEVER drive a CMV and a motor carrier shall not require or permit a disqualified driver to do so. There are also a few scenarios in which a qualified driver can be automatically disqualified. This includes being convicted for:

•    Driving a CMV while under the influence of alcohol

•    Driving a CMV while under the influence of drugs or controlled substances

•    Transporting or possessing a drug or controlled substance

•    Leaving the scene of an accident that involves a CMV

•    Using a CMV to commit a felony

•    Using a CMV to violate an Out-of-Service Order

•    Using a CMV to violate the railroad-highway grade crossing rule

To ensure that your drivers remain qualified and stay out of trouble, it important to pass this information along and make sure all your employees are aware of the consequences. Be sure to come back next week; we will be discussing the penalties that will arise if a driver is accused of drug and alcohol use.

For more information on coverage, you can turn to our experts at Wolpert Insurance. We would be more than happy to discuss movers insurance policies with you.

*