Supply Chain Fitness
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What I will discuss in this article are three things I pay close attention to when reviewing the application of a new driver: convictions, CVSA performance, and PSP report information. While these are not the only items I consider when hiring, they are all related to each other and make for good topics for those hiring drivers and for drivers to see what carriers may be looking at when hiring.
Convictions are traffic offences where a driver has been found guilty. These are different from charges. For example, if you are pulled over for speeding by a police officer and the officer writes you a ticket, the officer has charged you by writing the ticket. However, you are not convicted of that charge until you plead guilty.
Paying the fine means you have accepted and pleaded guilty to the charge, and at this point the charge becomes a conviction and appears on your abstract. If you choose to dispute the charge in court and it is dropped then you are not convicted of the charge.
A driver’s abstract shows convictions, not charges. Since a charge is a peace officer alleging that a driver has broken the law and the driver has the right to a fair trial, their abstract can’t show the incident until guilt has been proven. So if, when reviewing a driver’s abstract, you see convictions for a traffic violation, that means that the fine has been paid and the charge accepted.
While on its surface this implies that the driver has accepted guilt, we should not be so quick to judge. Many people do not understand the court system and their rights, and paying a ticket often seems simpler and easier than going through the process of disputing it – even if they believe they aren’t guilty.
There is always more to a story than what is written in the few lines dedicated to describing the event, so if you’re reviewing the abstract of a potential new hire and you see a traffic conviction, I believe it is best to dig a bit deeper and review the incident with the driver to get a fuller picture.
I am not saying that you should brush off convictions nor violate your policy or insurance company’s requirements for maximum numbers of demerits or convictions of a certain type. What I am saying is that a driver’s abstract is a starting point for a conversation with the individual about their safety and professionalism, and such a conversation is a good way to learn about the people you are considering hiring.
Besides convictions, a commercial driver’s abstract may also contain additional information about safety performance. In Alberta, for example, there is a section in a commercial abstract for roadside inspection information. This is provided by the CVSA (Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance), an inter-jurisdictional organisation that sets standards for commercial vehicle enforcement officers in North America.
If a commercial driver has been subject to a roadside inspection by a commercial vehicle enforcement officer, this information can be reviewed on their commercial abstract. For each inspection event there will be information about what type of inspection was done (for example, it may say “Level 1 – Full” meaning a full inspection of the vehicle and driver documents was done).
After listing the type of inspection, results will be shown. If something like “No Violations” or “Passed” is recorded then the roadside inspection officer found nothing wrong. This is good: it means the driver has a demonstrated history of safety and compliance. So if you review an experienced driver’s abstract and there are multiple pages of clean inspections, this is a good indicator that this driver is a professional operator.
What if there are no CVSA inspections? Instead of brushing the driver off as inexperienced, you should look at their previous places of operation. For example, a truck driver who operates in the oil patch may go years without passing over a government scale or being selected for a CVSA roadside inspection, so a lack of inspection information does not equal an unsafe or inexperienced driver. Long-distance highway drivers typically have more interaction with CVSA officers as scales are most often located along highways, and so the abstracts of these drivers will usually show more inspection information than local or off-road drivers.
What about inspections that show violations? Like the conviction section above, dig deeper and look for patterns. Did all the failed inspections occur while the driver was employed with a certain carrier? Perhaps the driver was new and unaware of many regulations and a previous carrier did a poor job of getting appropriate permits or maintaining equipment. The driver is responsible for safe and legal compliance, but drivers at companies which provide adequate training and support have an advantage over drivers at companies with a poor attitude to safety.
Hiring a new driver means judging another human being; a decision should only be made after a thorough review of available information while adhering to internal safety policies, industry best practices, and – of course – legal requirements.
In the USA, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has an optional program called the Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP). The PSP provides 5 years of crash and 3 years of CVSA inspection information for all commercial drivers with a history of driving in the USA, and a carrier can request a PSP report for $10 USD for a prospective hire after obtaining written consent from the driver (see the FMCSA’s PSP website for more information about the program and record-keeping requirements).
A PSP report offers more insight into a driver’s history. Data transfer between Canada and the USA isn’t perfect, so a conviction or inspection in one country will not necessarily be detected in another. If you’re hiring a driver with a history of US commercial driving, pulling their PSP report can reveal additional information about their safety and professionalism. Even if you are hiring them for a Canadian-only position, it is always good to have more information about a possible future driver. Additionally, if they claim to never have driven commercially in the US, a PSP report can support that claim or, if it shows US driving information, show dishonesty.
Like I have mentioned in the sections on convictions and CVSA performance, use information in the PSP report to paint a better picture of your prospective hire. During your assessment, keep judgements in check before hearing what the driver has to say. Their explanation of events can speak to their levels of humility, acceptance of fault, and professionalism.
In conclusion, I hope that this article has been either illuminating or a good refresher for those hiring drivers, as well as being useful to drivers to see what sorts of information are considered by a carrier making a hiring decision. If I have given the impression that I am overly-dismissive of recorded safety violations or skeptical of government-provided commercial driver safety records, that was not at all my intention. These sources of information are extremely valuable and robust, and no violation is worth overlooking. But, it is a person being evaluated, and we owe our fellow citizens the respect and dignity of a full review and consideration and at a certain point in the hiring process, an opportunity to speak for themselves.
Dave Elniski is a Transportation Safety Professional you can reach him via email at dave.elniski@gmail.com or connect with him on LinkedIn
Syndicate Transport is an asset based, full truck load carrier providing service throughout Western Canada. Strategically headquartered just outside of Calgary in Rocky View County, operations including dispatch and customer service are maintained 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
At Syndicate, we pride ourselves on reliable and dependable on-time deliveries at competitive rates and with a comprehensive health and safety program.
A culture of teamwork, professional drivers, honest commitments, and customer communication are the cornerstones of our transport business.
https://www.syndicatetransport.com/
Stryder’s origins go back to 1989 when we opened as a boutique JIT (Just-in-Time) delivery service in Greater Vancouver for our sole customer with six trucks and eighteen trailers.
By 2005, we had formed a solid vision of a consolidated service platform for our growing group of customers, in addition to achieving consistent on-time performance, year after year. Over the next decade, this vision was refined by bringing together the Transportation, Warehousing and Distribution of production materials for a number of Canadian beverage clients.
With proof of execution that streamlines procurement and production planning to never-before-seen levels, Stryder has grown to become one of the largest asset-based logistics providers in Western Canada and the Pacific Northwestern USA. Today, we are the vital link between suppliers and every major bottler in the region.
In our eyes, you are more than just a customer. With competitive rates, safety first, and reliable on time service, we ensure that your freight is our top priority from start to finish.
Karin is the owner of Trailways Transportation Group
Karin joined the transportation industry just a few years ago, and the impact it has had on her life has sparked an unrelenting passion for everything it stands for.
Stumbling upon an opportunity for a weekend yard controller accidentally, from the very beginning, Karin became strongly attached to the people who worked in the industry, and felt that their stories and experiences were so raw and down to earth.
After gaining some entry level experience working with drivers and dispatchers, Karin decided to make transportation her full-time passion. With the support of her husband, who she met working at her first entry level logistics position, she exited her career in the federal government and accepted a role as a Logistics Coordinator for a transportation company in Brampton Ontario.
Karin spent several years working her way up the ladder within the company, growing from a Logistics Coordinator to an Operations Manager, and meeting many fantastic drivers, coordinators, shippers and carriers along the way. She accepted an opportunity during this time to shift over to Windsor Ontario, where her and her family moved and continued to work in the Transportation Industry. While there were some challenges initially that she experienced as a female in the Transportation Industry, Karin took them as positive opportunities to educate herself on self-growth and where changes needed to be made, so she could take action.
At this time, Karin decided that she wanted to pursue her passion and take it one step further, and with her husband on board, Trailways Transportation Group was formed. The doors officially opened on November 18th 2020, and Karin has not looked back since!
Karin says “To me, it’s the opportunity of a lifetime. I have found my passion, I am pursuing my dream. The people in this industry have lifted my spirit and warmed my heart, and I want to be a bigger part of the industry. I want to make positive changes to the way we operate in the industry. I want to stand with the carriers, drivers, and logistics teams and make a change. I love what I do, and for me it isn’t work, it’s a new fun learning experience every single day, and a great opportunity to meet the most amazing people! I wouldn’t it any other way.”
Trailways Transportation Group is a growing logistics services provider that works with partner carriers to service freight all across North America. The vision of the company is to team with partner carriers looking to grow, and create tailored solutions for each customer based on their individual business needs. As a female-owned Canadian company, Karin also hopes that she will be able to use her platform to make positive changes in the industry for minorities, specifically for women.
Karin believes in the power of guidance and supporting each other and is optimistic that more women will feel compelled to join the Transportation industry and achieve senior roles. She hopes to share her stories and experiences in effort to support anyone who wants to pursue a career in the industry, and to let women joining the industry know that there are so many great people extending their welcoming hand to have you join our team!
2021
Blog – WTFC with Shelley Uvanile-Hesch – to be released March 2021
Freight Path – Podcast/interview for March 2021
Crazy Canucks – Interview /podcast completed, to be released March 1st 2021
2020
Freight Path – Interview
President. We are a membership based Trucking Association. My role is to consult and lobby governments to ensure our members views and best interests are met, and to promote road safety and best practices. Also keep our members up to date on regulatory changes and act as a liaison between our members and government when needed.
Mike grew up on a beef farm in rural Southwestern Ontario in Huron County and began his career in the Trucking Industry in 1990 at the age of 18.
Mike spent three years working for a local carrier Hauling Livestock and bulk agriculture products.
At the age of 21 Mike went to work for a long Haul Refrigerated and general freight carrier and spent 5 years hauling freight in all 48 US Mainland States and 6 Canadian Provinces.
The Carrier then opened a Certified Driver Training School in 1998 and Mike came off the road to become one of the Schools First Certified Driver Trainers.
In 2000 Mike Transitioned into Safety and Compliance for the Fleet, while still working part time as a Trainer for the School.
In 2002 Mike moved over to a Private Fleet and became the Safety, Compliance, Maintenance and Training manager for the Hensall District Co-operative’s Commercial Trucking Fleet. Mike spent the next 12.5 years with Hensall and oversaw the Fleets as it grew from 40 Trucks in 2002 to over 160 in 2015.
In January of 2015 Mike moved into the Trucking Association business and was named the President of the Private Motor Truck Council of Canada, where he remains in his current role.
Mike is also a member of numerous board:
2020
Omnitracs Outlook conference, Las Vegas, spoke as a en expert speaker on the Canadian ELd Mandate
2019
TTSAO Annual Conference, was on a panel on Entry Level training and an association panel.
Ontario Agri Business Association Conference, on top regulatory issues affecting carriers.
2018
TTSAO Annual Conference, as a panelist.
Ontario Agri Business Association Conference
2016
Ontario Agri Business Association Conference
Bell Canada, spoke at over 20 events for their Customers right across Canada from 2016-2018 on the Canadian ELD Mandate
Speakers Bio
Nicole is currently a truck driver who was raised in a small town in Eastern Ontario where her drive for hard work and breaking barriers grew. Nicole participated in the Northern Outdoor Studies program where she earned many licences and certifications including Chainsaw, trapping, hunting, firearms, and GPS and Mapping certifications. They also assisted the Ministry of Natural Resources with many projects such as deer surveys, and stocking lakes. She graduated with honours, Ontario scholars, and an English Award with a Scholarship. She attended Sir Sanford Fleming College For Community Justice Services where she sat on the Student Advisory Council. Nicole had a love for rocks and minerals and found the confidence to go back to college for Natural Resources Drilling and Blasting, It was in this industry where she found her true passion with a career in the trucking industry.
She went north to New Liskeard in the dead of winter 2018 to attend 5th Wheel Training Institute. She successfully got her AZ on the first try as well as her heavy equipment tickets. She has since done FTL, LTL, and Heavy Permit Dry Bulk Tank.
She says being a female in the industry was daunting to start out. She had no history or much knowledge Of the industry, just a dream, a headstrong attitude, and most importantly a willingness to learn. She Will tell you she doesn’t see this as just a job but as a lifestyle that she is truly passionate about.
Nicole strongly believes in the power of mentor-ship. She said she wouldn’t have been able to be successful in this career if it wasn’t for the constant support in the industry. It’s important to understand that you’re always learning and adapting. Going forward she hopes that sharing her passion and experiences (good and the bad) on her journey helps to motivate and support more young women to join the trucking industry.
Speaking Experience
2020
WTFC Bridging Barriers Panellist
Interview What The Truck? Podcast
Live Interview in What The Truck? Radio on COVID-19 support for Truck Drivers
2018
Keynote Speaker on the importance of Mentor-ship at The Rotary Club of Haliburton
2014-16
Keynote Speaker Student Advisory Council
