Preparing for DOT Week 2023

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's (CVSA) International Road Check event is scheduled to take place from May 16th to May 22nd, 2023. This event, commonly known as "DOT Week," is a 72-hour period where law enforcement officials across North America target commercial motor vehicles and their drivers for inspection and enforcement.

2023's focus area has been released to be on anti-lock braking systems (ABS) and cargo securement. Last year, 59,026 inspections were conducted and placed 12,456 commercial vehicles out of service. For full results, check out the 2022 press release.

DOT Week 2023

DOT Inspection Week 2023

As a shipper, it's important to be aware of DOT Week and its potential impact on your operations. In this blog post, we will discuss four key considerations for preparing for DOT Week.

Prepare for Delays

During DOT Week, you can expect increased inspection activity at weigh stations, inspection sites, and even on the side of the road. While these inspections are essential for maintaining road safety, they can also cause significant delays for drivers and dispatchers. On average, nearly 15 trucks and motor coaches are inspected every minute during this event. With so many inspections occurring, it's essential to prepare for potential delays and adjust your schedules accordingly.

One way to mitigate delays is by ensuring that you partner with carriers that have a record of being compliant. TLI monitor all of our carrier partnerships and flag carriers who aren't compliant.

Prepare for Tight Capacity

It's not uncommon for some drivers to take time off during DOT Week, as they may want to avoid the increased scrutiny and potential for violations. As a result, the available capacity for shipping may be reduced. This decrease in capacity can lead to higher rates and longer lead times.

To mitigate the impact of decreased capacity, plan ahead and speak with your logistics partner to ensure you have available capacity for the week. Perhaps work to be flexible that week and get hotter shipments scheduled the week prior.

Prepare for Higher Spot Market Rates

With the decreased capacity and potential for delays during DOT Week, spot market rates may also increase. Spot market rates are often used for loads that are not contracted or pre-booked, and are subject to market fluctuations. During DOT Week, the demand for available capacity may exceed supply, leading to higher spot market rates.

To mitigate the impact of higher spot market rates, it's essential to have strong relationships with your contracted carriers. By working closely with these carriers, you can potentially secure capacity at a lower rate than the spot market.

Understand this is Not Regionalized

DOT Week