Why this exists
AI assistants are everywhere in fleet operations now. Dispatchers ask ChatGPT about HOS rules. Safety managers paste DataQ disputes into Claude. Trucking-tech founders build apps on top of agents.
The problem: those agents have shallow mental models of motor-carrier regulation. They confuse Pre-Employment Full Queries with Annual Limited Queries. They hallucinate FCRA adverse-action timelines. They wave hands at things a competent safety manager answers in 30 seconds.
We run a DOT compliance SaaS. Every AI agent that gets compliance right makes our customers' lives easier and grows the AI-native trucking-tech category. So we publish.
Tier 1 — Foundational
Every motor carrier needs to handle these. Start here.
dot-compliance-fundamentals
Who's regulated, MC vs DOT numbers, BOC-3, MCS-150, operating authority, where to look up anything.
Cross-cutting
driver-qualification-file
DQF requirements, retention, common deficiencies auditors find.
49 CFR 391
hours-of-service
11/14/60-70 rule, sleeper berth math, short-haul exemption, adverse conditions, ELD malfunction.
49 CFR 395
drug-and-alcohol-testing
Six testing reasons, MRO process, SAP/return-to-duty, post-accident triggers.
49 CFR 382 + 40
mvr-and-monitoring
Annual MVR review, state fees, continuous monitoring vs annual pull.
49 CFR 391.25
fmcsa-clearinghouse-workflow
Pre-employment Full vs Annual Limited, consent forms, prohibited driver workflow.
49 CFR 382.701
csa-bsi-scoring
BASIC categories, severity weights, peer percentile math, intervention thresholds.
SMS v3.20
dot-audit-readiness
NESA vs compliance review vs investigation, what auditors actually ask for.
49 CFR 385
Tier 2 — Specialty
For specific operations or deeper compliance work.
medical-certification
DOT physical, NRCME registry, medical card lifecycle, exemption programs.
49 CFR 391.41-45
vehicle-inspection-dvir
DVIR rules, annual / periodic inspection, OOS criteria.
49 CFR 396
vehicle-maintenance-records
Systematic PM program, retention, audit findings.
49 CFR 396.3
eld-mandate-compliance
ELD vs AOBRD, exemptions, malfunction handling, PC vs YM.
49 CFR 395.20-38
ifta-quarterly-prep
Quarterly returns, jurisdiction reporting, fuel + miles reconciliation.
IFTA
operating-authority-and-registration
USDOT, MC, BOC-3, UCR, IRP, IFTA, insurance filings.
49 CFR 365 + 387 + 390
accident-register-and-reporting
DOT-recordable definition, accident register, post-accident testing trigger.
49 CFR 390.15
Tier 3 — Advanced + utility (new in v0.9.0)
Higher-leverage skills for ops teams + reference utilities.
dataq-disputes ⭐
How to challenge inspection violations via FMCSA's DataQ system. Win rates per dispute ground. The highest-ROI compliance activity a carrier can do.
FMCSA DataQs
hazmat-basics
Placards, shipping papers, employee training, security plans, hazmat permit.
49 CFR 171-180
cargo-securement
Working Load Limit math, tiedown counts, commodity-specific rules.
49 CFR 393 Subpart I
driver-onboarding-process
End-to-end pre-hire through 30-day workflow with checklist.
49 CFR 391 + 382
adverse-action-prep
FCRA pre-adverse + final adverse action timeline, state-specific add-ons.
15 USC § 1681
fleet-safety-scorecard-design
Internal scorecard signals, weights, coaching flow, gamification cautions.
Best practice
state-mvr-fee-lookup
State-by-state MVR pull fees ($0.12 MO to $25 OK).
Reference
Tier 4 — Advanced + specialty (new in v0.9.0)
Deeper coverage for less-common operations + reference utilities.
agricultural-exemption
State-declared planting/harvest seasons, 150-air-mile radius, ag commodity vs processed food distinction.
49 CFR 395.1(k)
passenger-carrier-specifics
10/15-hour HOS (no 34-restart), $5M insurance, BMC-32 filing, ADA accessibility, charter ops.
49 CFR 395.5 + 387.33
new-entrant-safety-audit-prep
NESA-specific (different from compliance review). 10 auto-fail conditions, 60-day remediation.
49 CFR 385 Subpart D
intrastate-vs-interstate-decoder
The "continuation of journey" rule, why intrastate-only trucks may still be federal, state-by-state quirks.
49 CFR 390.5
dot-physical-exam-decoder
Every restriction code (B, C, E, F, G, H, K...), BP stages, vision/hearing thresholds, sleep apnea, diabetes exemption.
49 CFR 391.41-49
roadside-inspection-levels
CVSA Levels I-VIII, what each covers, CVSA decal eligibility, driver coaching for roadside.
CVSA NAS
cdl-classes-and-endorsements
Classes A/B/C, endorsements H/N/P/S/T/X, TSA STA for hazmat, ELDT (entry-level training) requirements.
49 CFR 383
Tier 5 — Operations & business (new in v0.9.0)
The business of running a fleet — taxes, insurance, dispatch tools, crash strategy.
crash-preventability-determination
FMCSA CPDP. 16 eligible crash types, evidence requirements, exclude non-preventable from Crash Indicator BASIC.
FMCSA CPDP
state-trucking-taxes
NY HUT, KY KIT, OR Weight-Mile, NM Weight-Distance, CT Highway Use Fee. Beyond IFTA.
State-specific
emergency-equipment-on-cmv
Reflective triangles, fire extinguisher, fuses, triangle placement after a breakdown.
49 CFR 393.95
bobtail-deadhead-loaded-distinctions
Trucking terminology, NTL bobtail insurance, tax + pay implications of each state.
Industry standard
weigh-station-bypass-services
Drivewyze, PrePass, BestPass, NORPASS. Costs, eligibility, ROI math.
Operational
dispatch-software-and-load-boards
DAT vs Truckstop vs Convoy. McLeod vs TMW vs Tailwind vs Truckbase. Right stack for your fleet size.
Operational
trucking-insurance-101
8 layers of coverage, federal minimums, premium-reduction tactics, how to read a COI.
49 CFR 387
Tier 6 — Cross-border, people & finance (new in v0.9.0)
The deepest layer: international ops, driver pay, accident investigation, financing, wellness.
mexico-cross-border-operations
Commercial Zone vs long-haul, OP-1(MX), B-1 visas, C-TPAT, FAST, Mexican insurance specifics.
USMCA
canada-cross-border-operations
CVOR (Ontario), NSC (Federal), CBSA eManifest, Canadian HOS (13/14 hours), TDG hazmat.
Transport Canada NSC
driver-pay-models
CPM, percentage, hourly, salary, hybrid. FLSA Motor Carrier Exemption. California-specific wage law.
FLSA
preventive-maintenance-program-design
ATA A/B/C/D intervals, scheduling, in-house vs outsourced, cost benchmarks.
ATA EMC
accident-investigation-playbook
Scene response through 30-day investigation. Evidence preservation, insurance + attorney coordination.
49 CFR 392.7
truck-financing-and-leasing
Conventional loan, TRAC, lease-purchase, factoring. Section 179, Bonus Depreciation. Fuel surcharge math.
Business operations
driver-wellness-and-retention
Why drivers leave, wellness programs (3 tiers), home-time policies, detention pay, mental health support.
Industry best practice
Tier 7 — Specialty ops + FMCSA navigation (new in v0.9.0)
Niche operations + reference: oilfield, HHG, reefer, oversize, logging, towing, broker distinctions.
oilfield-operations
24-hour restart (49 CFR 395.1(d)), waiting time off-duty, hot oil, frac sand, water hauling.
49 CFR 395.1(d)
household-goods-mover-rules
Binding vs non-binding estimates, weight tickets, valuation coverage, dispute resolution.
49 CFR 375
refrigerated-cargo-specifics
FDA Sanitary Transportation Rule, temperature recording, cold chain claims, commodity ranges.
21 CFR Part 1
oversize-overweight-permits
Federal limits, state permits, pilot car requirements, route surveys, holiday restrictions.
State-specific
log-hauling-operations
Log securement (49 CFR 393.116-118), state forestry permits, short-haul exemption applicability.
49 CFR 393.116-118
towing-and-recovery
Equipment classes, consensual vs non-consensual tows, state PUC rate caps.
State PUC
fmcsa-portal-navigation
Directory of every FMCSA portal: SAFER, CSA, PSP, Clearinghouse, DataQs, MCS-150.
FMCSA
broker-and-freight-forwarder-distinctions
Authority, bonds (BMC-84, BMC-85), double brokering, broker-carrier agreements.
49 CFR 371 + 373
Tier 8 — Business operations & people (new in v0.9.0)
The corporate / strategic side of trucking: investigations, M&A, accommodation, recruiting.
driver-leasing-arrangements
IC vs Employee, DOL 2024 6-factor test, CA AB5 + FAAAA, lease-purchase pitfalls.
DOL + state
dot-investigation-types
NESA, CR, Focused, Off-Site, Comprehensive Review. Triggers, scope, civil penalties.
49 CFR 385
ehs-emergency-environmental
Fuel + hazmat spill response, NRC reporting, CHEMTREC, environmental impairment liability.
40 CFR + 49 CFR 174.6
fmcsa-grants-and-funding
MCSAP, CMV-DAP apprenticeships, High Priority Grants, WIOA, GI Bill, SBA.
FMCSA Grants
carrier-mergers-and-acquisitions
Valuation, asset vs stock purchase, FMCSA authority transfer, due diligence.
49 CFR 365.401
ada-employment-for-drivers
ADA + DOT medical interaction, essential functions, reasonable accommodation.
ADA + 49 CFR 391.41
recruiting-and-driver-acquisition
Sourcing channels, application screening, signing + retention bonuses, ambassador programs.
Industry best practice
Tier 9 — Safety culture + people management (new in v0.9.0)
Culture maturity, claims, workers comp, discipline, fatigue, fitness, ergonomics.
safety-culture-and-management
5 maturity levels, leading vs lagging indicators, near-miss reporting, blame-free culture.
ATA SMP
accident-claims-handling
FNOL, claim tiers, subrogation, defense counsel, EMR + premium impact.
Insurance practice
workers-comp-for-trucking
NCCI codes (7228-7238), Experience Modifier Rating, return-to-work programs.
State WC laws
driver-discipline-and-progressive-correction
Coaching → written → final → suspension → termination. Willful vs human error.
At-will + state law
fatigue-management-and-night-driving
Circadian rhythm, microsleeps, drowsiness detection, Fatigue Risk Management Systems.
FMCSA research
driver-fitness-for-duty
4 sources of unfitness, supervisor observation framework, reasonable suspicion triggers.
49 CFR 382.307
ergonomics-of-cmv-operation
Cab setup, 3-point rule for ingress/egress, lifting, vibration mitigation, stretching protocol.
OSHA + ATA
Tier 10 — Commercial & cyber (new in v0.9.0)
The commercial side: shipper relationships, pricing, marketing, cybersecurity, reputation.
shipper-relationship-management
Moving from spot to dedicated, customer credit assessment, KPI reporting, when to fire a customer.
Customer practice
pricing-and-rate-negotiation
Cost-plus pricing, DAT rate analytics, fuel surcharge math, walking-away leverage.
Industry practice
broker-vs-direct-shipper-economics
Margin math (broker takes 15-25%), going-direct operational cost, hybrid model, customer concentration risk.
Business practice
carrier-marketing-and-customer-acquisition
Sales channels, brand assets, content marketing, referral programs, ROI per channel.
Marketing practice
carrier-cybersecurity
BEC, ransomware, ELD security, vendor risk, incident response, cyber insurance.
NIST + CISA
carrier-pr-and-reputation-management
Crisis communication, social media + Glassdoor management, regulator + insurance perception.
PR practice
Tier 11 — Driver lifecycle & operations (new in v0.10.0)
Driver economics, equipment specs, fuel and tire programs, seasonal ops, telematics platforms, mental health, and customer RFP response.
owner-operator-vs-company-driver-economics
Gross, net, take-home math for both paths.
Industry practice
team-driving-operations
Productivity math, equipment, pay structure for team drivers.
Industry practice
dedicated-vs-otr-vs-regional-comparisons
Which lane fits which driver / carrier profile.
Industry practice
owner-operator-tax-and-deductions
Per diem, depreciation, S-corp election, retirement plans.
IRS + industry
fmcsa-driver-disqualification-and-reinstatement
DQ triggers, SAP process, return-to-duty pathway.
49 CFR 383.51 + 40
fuel-management-and-mpg-optimization
MPG levers, FSC math, idle reduction, equipment ROI.
Industry practice
tire-management-program
CPM, retreading, blowout prevention, position management.
49 CFR 393.75
fleet-fuel-card-programs
Comdata vs EFS vs WEX, fraud control, IFTA data capture.
Industry practice
seasonal-operations-winter-summer
Chain laws, anti-gel, frost laws, hurricane season.
State practice
tractor-spec-options
Engine, AMT, axle ratio, sleeper, fuel tanks, resale value.
Industry practice
trailer-types-and-specifications
Dry van, reefer, flatbed, step-deck, tanker, lowboy.
Industry practice
samsara-vs-motive-vs-geotab-comparison
ELD / telematics vendor selection.
Industry practice
driver-mobile-apps-comparison
Load boards, navigation, parking, per diem apps.
Industry practice
trucker-mental-health-resources
Crisis lines, EAP design, sleep apnea, isolation.
Industry + 988
customer-rfp-response-process
Bid workflow, lane analysis, pricing strategy, EDI.
Industry practice
Tier 12 — Master operations (new in v1.0.0 — 100-skill milestone)
The operating layer that separates great carriers from average ones — financial modeling, CPM mastery, coaching culture, replacement cycles, regulatory deep-dives, and forward-looking tech.
fleet-financial-modeling-and-budgeting
Annual budget, scenario plan, P&L model, cash flow forecast.
Finance practice
carrier-cost-per-mile-modeling
CPM calculation, lane profitability, driver-level rollup.
Finance practice
lease-vs-buy-tractor-decision
Cash vs loan vs TRAC vs full-service lease analysis.
Capital planning
operational-kpis-and-dashboards
Daily / weekly / monthly / quarterly KPIs and targets.
Operations practice
driver-coaching-conversations
4-step coaching framework, tone, documentation, escalation.
Safety practice
post-crash-driver-care-and-return-to-work
Trauma response, phased return, retraining, retention.
Safety practice
load-planning-and-deadhead-minimization
Loaded ratio, dedicated loops, lane balance, dispatcher discipline.
Dispatch practice
fleet-vehicle-replacement-cycle-planning
TCO curves, optimal trade cycle, residual timing.
Capital planning
fmcsa-pre-employment-investigation-deep-dive
Complete pre-employment file build + audit checklist.
49 CFR 391.23
dispatcher-training-and-certification
6-week dispatcher curriculum, certification, retention.
Operations practice
safety-meeting-agenda-templates
Weekly / monthly / quarterly templates + 52-week topic library.
Safety practice
electric-truck-readiness
Tesla Semi, eCascadia, charging, subsidies, TCO, ACT / ACF.
EPA + CARB
autonomous-truck-implications
Aurora / Kodiak / Daimler, hub-to-hub, workforce, 10-year playbook.
FMCSA + NHTSA
carrier-disaster-recovery-and-bcp
Cyber, terminal loss, key-person, customer / financial continuity.
Risk practice
Install in 10 seconds
Drop the skills into your AI agent's skills folder. Next conversation, your agent answers DOT questions like a fleet safety pro.
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Who maintains this
X3 Fleet Safety — DOT compliance SaaS for small-to-mid US motor carriers (1-100 power units). Reviewed by Mike Perry, our senior safety advisor (20-year NY State Police CMV inspector, 10,000+ roadside inspections).
Open issues for outdated rules. PRs welcome.