A Regulation That Measures Operational Performance

This Week's Topic

A Regulation That Measures Operational Performance

At least once every 12 months, management of motor carriers who employ commercial motor vehicle drivers (as defined in §390.5T) are required to conduct a formal review of each driver's motor vehicle record (MVR) for the preceding year. This annual review is a requirement stated in §391.25 for the purpose of determining whether the driver meets minimum safe driving requirements or is disqualified to drive a CMV under the provisions of §391.15.

Rather than simply satisfying another regulation that takes away management's attention from the day-to-day running of the company, the annual review should be looked upon as an indicator not only of individual job performance, but also as a trending direction of operational performance.

Motor carriers need to establish standards as a means to measure company expectations and performance. These standards will identify what is acceptable or unacceptable in terms of a driver's safety record, job performance, and violations of motor vehicle laws and regulations. Usually, a scoring system is put in place to effectively measure all drivers, including driver-applicants. Management must determine what it considers to be the most severe traffic offenses, somewhat severe traffic offenses, and, finally, least severe. Point values are then assigned to each level to assist in determining a driver's score.

Once the scoring system is established, a determination must be made on the maximum accumulation of points within a set time frame that will be held against a driver. What is the threshold? At what number will the driver earn an "unsatisfactory" score and what will the result be?

This system is also a good tool for evaluating a driver-applicant during the screening process. After a review of the applicant's MVR, the scoring process can begin and then be measured against company standards.

For existing drivers, it may show trends that will require a refresher course in defensive driving, discipline, or potentially the removal from operating company CMVs. It is very important to keep in mind that a motor carrier cannot disqualify a driver. Only state or federal officials are permitted to do this. A carrier can remove a driver based on failure to meet company standards, but the driver is free to work for another carrier who may not share the same standards.

When the reviewer's evaluation is completed, a written record that includes the name and the date of the person who reviewed the driving record must be placed in the driver's qualification (DQ) file.

Finally, company standards must be communicated through policies and procedures to ensure all drivers, company and leased, know what is expected of them.