Anthony LaFaziaCEO, Atlantic Training · CEO at Atlantic Training | EdTech & Safety Compliance Leader

DOT Compliance for Every Fleet: What Your Work Vehicles Actually Require

30 Jul 2026 · 2 min

Watch on YouTube

2:03

In this instructional video, Anthony LaFazia explains that DOT compliance isn’t limited to 18‑wheelers; any company‑owned vehicle—vans, service trucks, sales cars, shuttles—must meet safety requirements because vehicle incidents are the leading cause of work‑related deaths in the United States. He outlines a practical mid‑year compliance audit covering five critical areas: (1) drivers – confirming valid licenses and regularly reviewing motor‑vehicle records; (2) vehicles – ensuring scheduled inspections are performed and documented; (3) training – providing and recording safety training on topics such as distracted driving, defensive driving, and hazardous weather; (4) distracted‑driving policy – having a written policy and actively enforcing it; and (5) records – keeping incident reports and required DOT/FMSCA filings up‑to‑date and easily accessible. LaFazia stresses that documentation is essential for auditors, encourages frequent discussion of policies to reinforce compliance, and offers a free “Work Vehicle Safety Audit Checklist” (linked in the description) to guide viewers through the process in under 20 minutes. The overarching goal is to ensure every employee returns home safely.

Chapters

When people hear DOT compliance, they picture 18-wheelers. But here's what a lot of organizations miss: if your employees drive a company vehicle—a utility van, a service truck, a sales car, a shuttle—vehicle safety requirements apply to you, too. And it matters more than almost anything else you track, because transportation incidents are the leading cause of work-related deaths in America. So for most companies with people behind the wheel, that makes the vehicle the highest-risk part of the whole operation. The good news? A mid-year compliance check is more manageable than it sounds. Here's what to actually look at. Start with your drivers. Are their licenses valid? And are motor vehicle records current and reviewed on a regular schedule? An expired or overlooked record is one of the most common and most avoidable gaps. Next, your vehicles. Are inspections happening on schedule? And almost as important, are they being documented? If it isn't written down, it didn't happen. At least, not as far as an auditor is concerned. Then, Training. Can you show that every driver has completed documented safety training? Distracted driving, defensive driving, hazardous weather— coverage matters, and so does the paper trail. Speaking of distracted driving, do you have an actual written policy, and do your people follow it? It's one of the biggest risk factors on the road and one of the easiest to address on paper but hardest to enforce in practice. So once you've got a solid plan, be sure to discuss it frequently. Check for understanding and confirm it's being followed consistently. And finally, your records. Are incident reports and any required DOT or FMCSA filings current and where you can find them? The right time to catch this is now, not during an audit. Run through those 5 areas and you'll know exactly where you stand and where your training gaps are. You don't have to do it from memory. Download our free Work Vehicle Safety Audit Checklist linked in the description. It walks through every one of these areas in less than 20 minutes. Because the goal never changes: everybody gets home safe.