An Open Letter from the CEO of DOT Compliance Group

Content Sponsored By DOT Compliance Group

If you have a USDOT number, you know that the amount of calls, letters, and emails about compliance can be truly overwhelming, and it can sometimes be especially difficult to discern what is real from what is not. 

I wanted to personally acknowledge that in December 2020, CDLLife reported on a warning issued by New York officials about a potential phishing scam targeting truck drivers. The warning mentioned a letter from DOT Compliance Group urging trucking entities to complete their Biennial Update, and the concerns raised about their communication tactics.

Back then, DOT Compliance Group was using an assertive approach in their marketing communications, which at the time, some perceived as a scam. The letter mentioned was a legitimate communication, but it raised some eyebrows due to its tone, and persuasive communication approach.

In the letter, we stated the facts and possible consequences for non-compliance in a manner that we believed would elicit a response, and it’s important to understand that we obtain our information from the FMCSA’s database monthly. So the details we provided in our materials were accurate at the time of distribution. However, there are instances where carriers update their information after our data extraction, creating a difference between our correspondence and their updated status. 

This might inadvertently give the impression that we are trying to scam the carrier. One way to look at these letters is as a proactive reminder from DOT Compliance Group, displaying our commitment to their regulatory compliance and operational efficiency. Even if they choose not to use our  services, the information supplied benefits them by keeping them informed and aids in managing their compliance requirements effectively. 

In hindsight, we realized we were missing an important component – connection. 

We understand the need for clarity and have taken significant steps to refine our messaging. Our focus now is on transparent and genuine communication to ensure that our intent is accurately conveyed as our desire is to build strong and long-lasting relationships anchored in a consultative approach. – The elephant in the room in terms of why some people assume that we’re a scam, is because we charge for something that can be done for free.

Sure, someone can file their own paperwork with the government. People can wash their own cars, do their own taxes, and make their own food, but just because we charge for something that can be done for free does not mean it is a scam. 

Large trucking companies have their own departments who handle and understand all aspects of compliance. But for small businesses, resources can be limited, which is why we offer total compliance services for over 100,000 customers.

We are a technology-based company that specializes in the transportation compliance space. We have moved away from an assertive style of communication to one that is consultative, recognizing the importance of fostering positive relationships within the trucking community. Our customers are not the large trucking companies of the world but the small businesses that are the heartbeat of our country. We want to keep those businesses on the road so they can drive with the peace of mind they are compliant. 

Our goal is to build trust within the trucking community, emphasizing our commitment to providing reliable and valuable services. We have a 4.8-star rating on Google with 1,333 reviews and an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau^®. 

As we continually invest in technology and processes, we have built an AI chatbot that has saved hundreds of hours of time and answers, on average, 1000 chats a month. But we get it… people sometimes just want to talk to someone, so below is the email address of our National Vice President of Sales.

You can connect with him at kevin.howard@dotcompliancegroup.com or 972.893-6389. 

If you’d like to connect with us in person, we’d love to see you at the following shows:

• Florida Truck Show #111
• Mid-America Trucking Show #62016
• Texas Trucking Show #76

I can’t tell you how many times my team or I have been approached at a show where someone comes up and says “You’re those mailer people!… I am in compliance?” – then we offer a brief complimentary review, and you’d be surprised at the results! 

If you want to take a look at your compliance status anytime, DOT Compliance Group can do a full compliance review for you, our door is always open.

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about us, and drive safely.

Sincerely,
Luke Tolson
Chief Executive Officer
DOT Compliance Group

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