Commercial Trucking Policy Change Makes Legal Insurance An Even Smarter Move

With the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) offering no reliable and consistent method to account for roadside inspection citations that culminate in not-guilty verdicts or dismissals, drivers and carriers have been left to deal with the consequences of inaccurate records. A significant new policy change, however, means that positive courtroom dispositions will soon become part of a carrier’s or driver’s record. And that means it’s more important than ever for drivers to have the kind of quality legal representation provided by CDL legal insurance plans.

More accurate records can keep drivers on the road.

Beginning August 23, 2014, violations can be removed from the FMCSA’s Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS) if they are dismissed without fines or result in a not-guilty verdict. Additionally, conviction of a lesser charge can be reflected. Because data from the MCMIS is used in a number of systems — including those at the center of the Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program and pre-employment screening program (PSP) — this new policy will result in a more accurate driver profile. In turn, a record that includes positive dispositions will help keep drivers on the road and protect carriers’ investments.

How U.S. Legal Services can help.

With adjudication results being added to the MCMIS database, the long-term value of a positive outcome to a driver’s livelihood is increased. To take advantage of this, drivers who have the protection of our CDL Defender™ have access to quality legal assistance that can help them reach those positive outcomes in the courtroom.

In addition, members of our CDL Defender™ legal insurance plan gain these benefits:

• U.S. Legal Services pays our network attorneys directly to represent drivers in local court for their citations.
• Our customer service team guides plan members through the process, reducing the confusion surrounding how to comply.
• Our customized reports provide motor carrier safety teams with accurate and up-to-date information about their fleet’s citations and where they are in the judicial process, including dispositions and MCMIS changes.

Our network attorneys are well-versed in FMCSA regulations and their effects on drivers and carriers. When our network attorney appears in court for a driver and obtains a positive courtroom disposition, either U.S. Legal Services or the carrier can submit an RDR with the required supporting documentation and have more accurate information displayed.

Learn more about CDL legal insurance plans.

For more information on how our legal benefits plan can help drivers and carriers take full advantage of this new policy, contact us or read more about our CDL Defender™.