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WHAT IS A MVR (MOTOR VEHICLE RECORD)?

December 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment

 

A MVR (motor vehicle record) is an important compliance tool for qualifying moving company drivers.  A MVR will help the moving company verify license type, current standings and any restrictions of an applicant or current driver.  It can also verify name and address information (helpful in criminal background checks).

A MVR is not only helpful, it’s a requirement for all drivers files for drivers operating company vehicles of 10,001 lbs or greater (this can be useful for employers in transportation, delivery, DOT compliance, or other positions utilizing company vehicles or looking for drivers).  Besides a pre-employment MVR, an annual MVR is required (with an annual review of driving record with portions filled out by the driver and company).  This illustrates that the drivers is still qualified as there are certain offenses (or certain number of offenses) such as driving without insurance, license suspension or revocation, DUI’s, DWI’s traffic violations, accidents,  failure to appear in court or unpaid fines that can cause disqualifications.

When it comes to MVR retrieval, each state has it’s own method of how records are kept and released.  Some states will not release the MVR to the employer, it is up to the applicant or driver to obtain the copy.  Some states charge a fee for a copy of a MVR and while most states can provide the information instantly, some states will have a delay of up to 7-10 days (like Wyoming, Pennsylvania, Hawaii, and Alaska).  Currently there is no national database for motor vehicle records so a MVR has to be obtained through each individual state.

The information provided on the MVR will usually provide at least 3 years of driving history and up to 10 years depending on the state. 

MVR information is not only important from a regulation requirement from a regulation standpoint, it’s also is of great interest to any moving companies insurance company.  Violations like reckless driving, DUI’s etc can affect insurance premiums and whether or not the insurance company will even cover a driver.

So stay on top of the MVR driver regulations.  They can help a moving company make intelligent decisions regarding driver qualifications.  Remember, if doing a criminal background check, this is one of the tools that should be looked up, but not the only!

Filed Under: Compliance Tagged With: , ,

UNSAFE DRIVING BASIC: CSA 2010 CALCULATION

November 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment

 

The CSA 2010 has updated the original calculation of the unsafe driving basic and it is important for movers (and other trucking companies) to understand the new system.  To arrive at a company’s Unsafe Driving Basic, the company is rated on applicable violations it has received during inspections in the past 24 months.  Anything older than 24 months is considered too old and irrelevant.

First, the number of power units (PU’s) needs to be determined.  This can be retrieved by using the company’s number of power units and vehicle miles traveled on the MCS-150 census.  Originally, the CSA 2010 was going to use PU averages during 3 time periods but this is no longer the case.

The “utilization factor” is calculated in 3 steps.

  1. Determine whether your company is considered combo (70% or more of your power units are combination) or straight trucks (30 % or more of your power units are straight trucks.)

  2. Vehicle miles travelled (VMT) per PU.  Using the information from the MCS-150, divide the total miles into PU’s to get the average.

  3. Calculate your company’s utilization factor based on the following tables:

COMBO

VMT PER AVERAGE PU                                                                                UTILIZATION FACTOR

< 80,000                                                                                                             1

80,000-160,000                                                                                            1+0.6 (vmt per PU-80,000)

160,000-200,000                                                                                               1.6

>200,000                                                                                                           1

no recent VMT info                                                                                           1

STRAIGHT TRUCKS

VMT PER AVERAGE PU                                                                      UTILIZATION FACTOR

<20,000                                                                                                           1

20,000-60,000                                                                                             VMT PER pu/20,000

60,000-200,000                                                                                                3

>200,000                                                                                                         1

no recent VTM information                                                                            1

Severity weights have been updated and violations have been trimmed from 900 to 650 violations.

The time weight of violations is as follows: 

Violations in the past 6 months are weighted at

Violaions in the past 6-12 months are 2

Violations in the past 12-24 months are 1

To get the time weighted score, take the severity score from the table of violations in the CSA 2010 and mulitply it by the time weight (either 3,2, or 1 depending on the violations page)

The basic formula has been reused to:

Basic Measure:  Total of time and severity weighted applicable violations/Average PU’s X Utilization factor.

For Example:

One violation with a severity of 10 within the last six months for a carrier with 2 trucks and a utilization of 1 would be:

ViolationWeight x  TimeWeight/Power Units X Utilization Factor=Total Score

10×3/2×1=15 score

The safety Event Group Category method has replace the original “Peer Group” method of categorization carriers are grouped combo or straight and then depending on the number of unsafe inspections (related to the Unsafe Driving Basic), the categories break out as follows:

CATEGORY          COMBO # OF INSPECTIONS WITH UNSAFE DRIVING VIOLATIONS

 1                                                                             3-8

  2                                                                            9-21

  3                                                                            22-57

  4                                                                            58-149

  5                                                                            150 +

CATEGORY                   STRAIGHT # OF INSPECTIONS WITH UNSAFE DRIVING VIOLATIONS

1                                                                            3-4

2                                                                            5-8

3                                                                            9-18

4                                                                           19-49

5                                                                            50+               

Within the category the carrier is ranked in a percentile 0-100 depending on the severity of the violations.  Any carrier with less then 3 violations is removed from the carrier list, carriers whose vilations are older than 12 months are also removed.

Hope this helps explain the Unsafe Driving Basic and it’s scoring.                                                                   

 

Filed Under: Compliance, For Movers Tagged With: ,

DIFFERENT TYPES OF STORAGE UNITS AND THE PROS AND CONS OF EACH

October 13, 2009 By 1 Comment

When trying to look for a storage unit, here is a description of the different types of storage options for you along with the pros and cons of each.

movers warehouse

MOVING COMPANY:

Moving Companies generally store in their own facilities that are climate controlled and have security systems.  This option is for people who aren’t as concerned about cost as they are about having a professional job done.  People who have large or fine furniture, need packing services or those who aren’t physically capable or willing to spend the time to handle the job are usually the type who will contract and use a mover’s storage.

 PROS:

  • CONVENIENCE, ONE STOP SHOP:  The mover can come pick up the items to be stored, issue an inventory of the items to go to storage (and their condition) and provide all necessary furniture protection.

CONS:

  • COST:  This is the most expensive option
  • ACCESS:  Most movers can’t let you waltz in whenever you like and go through your items as they are stored in stacked wooden vaults (usually 7’x7’x5’) or in steel racks.  Usually an appointment is needed and additional charges are incurred.

storage unit

SELF STORAGE:

Self storage companies generally have different size rooms with variable options like climate control, or outside units to fit the customers’ needs.

PROS:

  • ACCESS AND SETUP:  Many facilities can be entered earlier and later than a typical moving company.  Since you are purchasing a room or area, you can place the items in the storage area however you would like.  If you want an isle down the middle you can set it up that way.
  • FLEXIBILITY:  In both size of storage area proximity to your residence, whether you need climate control, whether you want storage inside a facility or a “garage door” ground level access, there are different ways to fit your needs and budget.

CONS:

  • TRUCK REQUIREMENTS:  You still have to get a truck and move the items to the storage facility or contract a moving company to handle the transfer.  Either way it’s more work or an additional scheduling step.
  • FREQUENT ACCESS:  This option is best for people who want frequent access to their goods, and can come and go as they please.

pod1

  

MOBILE STORAGE:

These are dropped off at your location for loading and unloading.  They can be wooden vaults, trailers, or 12’to 16’ pod like containers carried on a flat bed vehicle and placed in a drive way or loading zone.

PROS:

  • NO TRUCK NECESSARY:  Whether a rental or from a moving company.  The storage comes to you.
  • DO IT YOURSELF:  This method is popular to do it yourselfers who don’t need frequent access.

CONS:

  • CONDITION AND EFFICIENCY:  If you don’t have proper furniture protection or the expertise to load properly, damages can occur or just an inefficient use of the mobile storage container.  Because of this, you may still need to contract a mover to load the storage container for you.
  • ACCESS:  Like a moving company, access to get into the mobile storage container is only when you contract them for redelivery.

 

 

Filed Under: Options, Storage Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

MOVING TIPS FOR WINTER WEATHER

October 1, 2009 By 2 Comments

Moving during the winter season can have its pros and cons.  If you are using a furniture mover, this is usually the best time to save money when hiring a professional moving company, or if you are doing it yourself these helpful tips can help you be safe or your mover safe when the weather is against you.

FLOOR PROTECTION:

It is important to have floor protection laid down if you are moving yourself, this will protect your floors from getting dirty and wet, and also help from anyone slipping.  A lot of times your mover will offer it to you, there is usually an additional charge for using it.

SHOVELED AND SALTED:

Make sure you have a clear path for where the truck will be and to where the door is.  This will add time to your move if it is not easy to get from the truck to your door, also you want to make sure you, or your furniture movers do not slip due to unsafe conditions.  Also it’s a good to have extra bags of salt and shovels in case your new home is not prepared already.

DRESS PROPERLY:

Make sure you dress in layers.  Have gloves, hats, scarves, extra layers prepared and nearby in case it is snowing or colder than you expected.  Having items on hand will make it less stressful in case you need an extra layer and don’t have to figure out what container extra clothing is in.  Also while working sometimes removing a layer helps from getting too warm

winter picture

If you are taking your plants, remember your plants will not survive in bitter temperatures, so it’s a good idea to transport them to a warmer area right away, or leave them behind or give them away.  Also if your movers allow you to move them on their vehicle remember they will most likely not survive on the truck, and most moving companies won’t take them anyway.

WINE:

Wine should be transported in a warm enough vehicle, and kept out of freezing temperatures.  Remember wine should be kept at about 55 degrees while transporting.  Outside of this range can affect the taste, appearance, and value of the wine.

WARM FLUIDS:

During freezing temperatures, it’s a good idea to keep some warm liquids nearby.  Hot Cocoa, Tea, coffee.  Having these on hand, your friends or movers will appreciate this, and keep everyone nice and toasty during the move.

VEHICLES SERVICED:

If traveling long distance, make sure to have your vehicle serviced, oil change, tires, full tank of gas, especially during freezing weather.  Also make sure you keep salt in your vehicle along with an extra shovel, in case of blizzard weather.

FURNITURE:

Don’t leave your furniture outside too long, especially when it comes to wood if temperatures are below freezing, freezing temperatures can change the color of the wood, if left outside unwrapped too long, if you are not using professional movers.

UTILITIES:

Make sure to call and set up your electric and gas with the gas and electric company so you don’t walk into a home without power and heat.

FURNACE /HEATER:

Make sure the furnace and heat works at your new home prior to moving in, you don’t want to be dealing with this after a long day of moving.

EXTRA BLANKETS/QUILTS:

Have extra blankets, quilts, on hand in case of emergency during blizzard, or freezing conditions, in case there is a power outage or heater isn’t working at your new location.

All these tips will help you ensure you have a safe, move during the winter season.

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