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Whether you're designing a new driver training program or fine-tuning one that’s already established, there’s always room to make meaningful improvements.

This eight-step model provides a structured approach to help you build a program from scratch or enhance the one you already have in place.

1. Identify training needs. Identify the specific challenges, concerns, or misconceptions your drivers are facing. Then assess whether training is the most effective solution.

Problems that are best addressed through training include a lack of knowledge on a subject or practice, and improper or unsafe performance of a skill or task.

2. Get management and supervisory support. Training programs can take drivers off the road, potentially costing both the driver and company money. Justify the training program with management by:

• Outlining the reasons for conducting the training,
• Identifying the individuals who need the training,
• Providing a time frame and cost estimate for the training program,
• Explaining the program’s objectives and expected benefits, and
• Describing how you will document the effectiveness of the training.

3. Set goals. Instructional goals help you define what you want to accomplish and measure the effectiveness of your training.

4. Prepare. Planning ahead allows you to focus on the session. It also sets an example as to the preparation and organization that is expected of your drivers.

5. Deliver the training. Start by explaining the goals and objectives of the training and providing an overview of the topic.

Explain the material in sufficient detail, making sure the presentation relates to your drivers’ goals, interests, and experience.

At the conclusion of the session, make sure you summarize the session’s objectives and key points.

6. Document. Documentation provides evidence that you provided training on a topic to specific individuals within your organization. It provides evidence that you are striving for safe and compliant drivers.

7. Evaluate effectiveness. Evaluation helps you determine if your training program is meeting its goals and objectives. Ways to evaluate training include:

• Reviewing post-training quizzes,
• Observing your drivers as they work,
• Reviewing accident and incident reports,
• Asking your drivers follow-up questions, and
• Asking supervisors if training-based performance has improved.

8. Make improvements to the program. There’s always room for making your training program even better. Use your evaluations to make changes and improvements when necessary.

Key to remember: Creating a training program isn’t a one and done task. A successful program thrives on continuous feedback and evolution.

An alarming trend in the transportation industry is nefarious players using a carrier’s credentials.

Some carriers have seen other parties using their Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued DOT numbers on the road, and to secure and bill customers. Others have had their DOT number taken over and changes made to their contact information (address, phone numbers, etc.) and the carrier's principal parties.

These corrupt players then use carrier’s DOT number or credentials to secure freight, haul cargo they are not authorized to haul, avoid the consequences of bad roadside inspections, and send out bills for service either not performed or performed illegally. The question becomes; how do you prevent it and/or deal with it?

Preventing it

As a carrier, take these steps to protect your credentials:

1. Avoid sharing private information related to your DOT number (carrier PIN or FMCSA portal user and password information, DataQs user information, etc.) with anyone you do not know and trust.
2. Take security measures to protect the information, such as not having user information and passwords on notes next to the computer or on electronic devices prone to hacking, and using strong passphrases.
3. Limit access to the areas specific employees need (as an example, not all employees need access to your FMCSA portal).
4. Be diligent about checking the information FMCSA has on you and you need to pay attention to “odd” complaints (either directly or online).

Roadside data

If you are checking your data (either in the Safety Measurement System or the FMCSA portal) and see a crash or roadside inspection that appears to not be yours, immediately investigate it. Did the incident involve a new driver, new vehicle, or a driver and/or vehicle that has just been leased to your company? If it was, the problem would be solved. If it was not, move to the next step.

The next step is contacting the officer or agency involved and trying to determine why your credentials are on a crash or roadside inspection you were not involved in. It could be a simple error by the officer (the officer recorded the DOT number incorrectly) or it could be someone using your credentials. If it was someone using your credentials without your permission, immediately file a police report. This will create a record of the event and can be referenced by law enforcement later if a fraud investigation is initiated.

Also, when filing a DataQs in such cases, many agencies will require a police report if the carrier is claiming fraud. They will not remove a roadside inspection or crash that the carrier is claiming involved fraud, unless there is a police report on file documenting the misuse of the carrier’s credentials (fraud).

Customers complaints that are not yours

If you receive a complaint about a shipment that you did not haul, investigate by contacting the shipper and receiver, using known contact information. (To avoid scams, don’t just call back the number provided.) If someone is using your credentials to secure freight and/or bill people, immediately contact the police and file a police report. This way, if there was fraud involved, you have started a documentation trail showing that you were a victim, and not the perpetrator.

Key to remember: The way to avoid having your credentials misused is to secure them.Track your data, pay attention to your data and any complaints you are receiving, and take action (working with law enforcement) when something happens.

To make it through the rest of 2025 and beyond, trucking companies need to cut waste. If they don’t, they might have to shrink or shut down.

In the trucking industry, load securement is more than a best practice. It’s a regulatory requirement that directly affects safety, liability, and operational efficiency.

Despite this, improper cargo securement remains one of the most frequently cited violations during roadside inspections. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association (FMCSA), cargo securement issues continue to rank among the top out-of-service violations.

As we roll into the latter half of 2025, it’s a good time to take stock of how roadside inspections are shaping up for hazardous materials transportation. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s mid-year data gives us a clear snapshot of the most common hazmat violations, and where carriers and drivers might want to focus their attention.

Here’s a look at the top five hazmat violations so far this year, based on inspection counts and violation frequency.