The Regulation Rundown : 4th QTR

Your Source for Compliance and Regulatory Updates : October 2026

Entering the Fourth Quarter: What To Do

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 With the fourth quarter underway, now is a good time to review your compliance responsibilities before the end of the year. Reviewing your records now can help you find expired credentials, missing documents, and other requirements that still need attention.

Take time this month to review:

• Driver qualification files for missing or outdated documents

• CDL and medical certificate expiration dates

• Motor vehicle records and required driver reviews

• Training requirements that still need to be completed

• Company policies and procedures that may need updates

• Recordkeeping and document retention practices

Taking care of these items now can help you stay on track and avoid a last-minute rush at the end of the year.

Questions? Contact Us. 

800.244.9319

Fourth Quarter Drug and Alcohol Testing Reminder

The fourth quarter is a good time to check your DOT drug and alcohol testing program. You should make sure required random testing is on schedule and that selected employees complete their tests on time.

Now is a good time to:

• Review random testing selections and completed tests

• Follow up on any tests that still need to be completed

• Make sure testing records are complete and up to date

• Review testing procedures with supervisors and employees involved in the process

Keeping up with testing throughout the quarter can help prevent a last-minute rush in December.

Fall Driving Safety Reminder

Shorter days and changing fall conditions can create new risks on the road, even on familiar routes. Drivers should stay alert and adjust their driving to match road and weather conditions.

Remind drivers to:

• Leave more space between vehicles in poor weather

• Watch for wet leaves and slippery roads

• Keep windshields, mirrors, headlights, and taillights clean

• Watch for sun glare during morning and evening drives

• Stay alert for deer and other wildlife, especially at dawn and dusk

• Slow down in areas with heavy pedestrian or school traffic

Share these reminders with your professional drivers. A few extra precautions can help everyone stay safer on the road this fall.

Compliance Questions? We Can Help.

DOT compliance can involve a lot of moving pieces. Compliance Systems provides practical guidance, training, and program support to help employers understand their responsibilities and keep their programs on track.

Our services include:

• Drug and alcohol testing program support

• DOT compliance and regulatory guidance

• Driver qualification file assistance

• Reasonable Suspicion Supervisor Training

• Designated Employer Representative (DER) training

• Collector training

• Policy and procedure reviews

• Recordkeeping and documentation support

Have a compliance question or training need? Contact us to talk with our team about how we can help.

800.244.9319

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