Kristi Mauldin spent 31 years with the Texas Department of Public Safety conducting comprehensive safety audits and roadside inspections. A certified FMCSA instructor and training officer who has mentored investigators nationwide, she specializes in DOT compliance, audit preparation, and driver qualification.
What it really takes to haul hazmat — H endorsement, TSA check, HMR compliance, placarding, PHMSA registration — and an honest cost-benefit for carriers
Class A, B, or C — plus which CDL endorsements actually pay off. A clear breakdown of every license class, what it lets you haul, and the ELDT rules.
Learn all six CVSA roadside inspection levels, what puts drivers and vehicles Out of Service, and how to prepare from a 31-year enforcement veteran.
Missed UCR registration or an overdue MCS-150 update can deactivate your DOT authority. Learn the deadlines, fee tiers, and how to keep your carrier status
How to set up a compliant DOT drug and alcohol testing program — required test types, random rates, joining a C/TPA, and Clearinghouse integration explained.
Small carriers and owner-operators: understand FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse registration, pre-employment queries, the Jan 5 annual deadline
Everything CDL drivers need to know about the DOT physical — what gets checked, how long the med card lasts, common disqualifiers, and how to keep
Learn how IFTA quarterly filing works for owner-operators — deadlines, recordkeeping, calculations, decals, and audit triggers explained by a compliance expert.
ELP is now an out-of-service criterion for CDL drivers. Learn what the FMCSA English language proficiency rule requires and how to build ELP verification
Former Texas DPS officer and certified FMCSA instructor explains what triggers a DOT audit, what records are reviewed, and how to prepare before the notice
A practical 2026 FMCSA compliance checklist for owner-operators and small fleets — MCS-150, UCR, DQ files, ELD, Clearinghouse, ELP, and more. Don't miss
Step-by-step guide to getting your USDOT number and FMCSA operating authority in 2026, including new physical address, Login.gov, BOC-3, and new-entrant
