OOIDA helps members spot fake notices

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association is no stranger to companies preying on drivers and carriers. The Association hears from its members about these practices on a regular basis. Over the summer, OOIDA experienced this firsthand regarding its biennial update.

While completing a biennial update isn’t difficult, there are plenty of companies willing to take this task off your plate for a fee. That’s where some nefarious tactics can often come into play.

The letter – which often appears very official – alerts carriers that their biennial update is past due and in need of immediate attention. Furthermore, if action isn’t taken, large fines or deactivation of your U.S. DOT number could be in order. Numerous drivers report getting these unwanted solicitation attempts frequently.

OOIDA, which had already completed its update, received a similar letter over the summer.

According to Dale Watkins, manager of OOIDA’s Business Services Department, the FMCSA says that as long as there is a disclaimer somewhere in the body of the letter there is nothing they can do about it.

These filing services – some costing more than $200 – can seem helpful on the surface. However, the majority of services offered can be completed by the carrier themselves free of charge via FMCSA’s website.

The first step is knowing when to complete your biennial update. Finding that out is as simple as knowing your U.S. DOT number.

The second-to-last number of your U.S. DOT number will indicate which year the update must be completed. If that number is odd, the biennial update will need to be completed in odd years. If the number is even, then you will need to complete the update in even years.

The month to complete your biennial update is determined by the final number in your U.S. DOT number. The schedule begins with January as “1” and ends with October as “0.”

Completing biennial updates does require a personal identification number. This can be requested on the FMCSA website and will be mailed or emailed to you. If a PIN cannot be obtained, alternatives for filing offline are available.

OOIDA can assist members with filing biennial updates for a small fee. LL