Safety is not a checkbox.
It's how we operate.
At ESSE Inc, every driver qualification, every drug test, and every hour of service record exists for one reason: keeping every vehicle on the road as safe as possible — for our drivers, other motorists, and the communities we serve.
Safety at a Glance
Key safety credentials and compliance status for ESSE Inc operations.
FMCSA Public Record
Our federal motor carrier record is publicly verifiable. We operate with full transparency.
Verify Our FMCSA Record
The FMCSA SAFER system (Safety and Fitness Electronic Records) is the federal government's public database for motor carrier safety information. It shows carrier authority status, inspection history, crash data, and safety ratings for any registered carrier in the United States.
You can look up ESSE Inc at any time using our USDOT number (4323811) or MC number (1687368). The record is public, free, and updated regularly by FMCSA.
View ESSE on FMCSA SAFER ↗- Carrier legal name and authority status
- Operating authority type (property, broker)
- USDOT and MC numbers
- Carrier safety rating
- Inspection and crash history
- Insurance on file (BIPD, cargo)
- Out-of-service order history
Driver Qualification Process
Every ESSE driver completes a rigorous 8-step qualification process in accordance with 49 CFR Part 391 before operating any commercial motor vehicle.
Application Review
Digital application with all required FMCSA fields including employment history (10 years), accident history, and traffic conviction history. Reviewed by qualified recruiter personnel.
CDL Verification
Validate CDL class (A or B as required for position), endorsements (hazmat, tanker, doubles/triples as applicable), and expiration date. Confirm state of issuance and license number.
MVR Pull — Motor Vehicle Record
3-year driving history pulled directly from the issuing state DMV. Reviewed for violations, suspensions, accidents, and points that may indicate unsafe driving patterns.
PSP Check — Pre-Employment Screening Program
FMCSA's Pre-Employment Screening Program database check covering the driver's 5-year crash history and 3-year roadside inspection history as recorded by DOT inspectors nationwide.
Background Check
Criminal history and employment verification covering the previous three years of employment. Includes verification of previous employer safety performance history per 49 CFR 391.23.
Pre-Employment Drug Test
Required DOT 5-panel urine drug test through a federally certified collection site and Medical Review Officer (MRO). Driver may not operate a CMV until a negative result is received.
Road Test / Skills Evaluation
Practical skills assessment per 49 CFR 391.31. Evaluates pre-trip inspection knowledge, coupling/uncoupling procedures, backing maneuvers, and on-road driving competency.
Annual Review — Ongoing Monitoring
Annual MVR review and medical certificate recertification tracking. Compliance alerts are generated in the ESSE portal when documents approach expiration to ensure continuous compliance.
Drug & Alcohol Testing Program
ESSE operates a comprehensive DOT-compliant drug and alcohol testing program. Zero tolerance means zero tolerance.
📋 Pre-Employment
Required before a driver operates any ESSE commercial motor vehicle for the first time. No exceptions. Driver must receive a verified negative result before their first dispatch.
🎲 Random Testing
DOT minimum of 50% of covered drivers selected annually for random drug testing, and 10% for alcohol testing. Selection is scientifically random — no driver can predict or avoid selection.
🚑 Post-Accident
Required following any qualifying accident as defined by 49 CFR 382.303. Drug test required within 32 hours; alcohol test required within 8 hours of the accident.
🔄 Return-to-Duty
Required after any drug or alcohol violation before a driver returns to safety-sensitive functions. Includes evaluation by a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) and follow-up testing program.
Federal DOT 5-Panel Test — Substances Tested
All testing conducted through federally certified Medical Review Officers (MRO) and SAMHSA-certified collection sites. Results reviewed and verified by a licensed MRO before reporting.
ELD Safety Monitoring
Our FMCSA-registered ELD device ERS238 does more than track hours. It's an active safety monitoring tool for every dispatch.
HOS Compliance — Preventing Fatigue
Automatically enforces Hours of Service limits. Alerts driver and carrier when approaching drive time limits. Prevents fatigued driving by ensuring mandatory rest periods are taken.
Hard Braking Alerts
Detects and logs hard braking events via vehicle ECM data. Alerts the safety manager in real time so coaching conversations can happen before habits become accidents.
Speed Monitoring
Continuous GPS-based speed tracking. Speed events above configurable thresholds are flagged for carrier safety review. Supports speed limit compliance on posted and restricted roadways.
Idle Time Tracking
Records engine idle time per trip. Supports fuel efficiency goals and provides additional data for diagnosing driver behavior patterns relevant to safety and compliance.
Hours of Service Limits
Federal HOS rules per 49 CFR Part 395. All ESSE drivers operate within these limits, enforced automatically by the ERS238 ELD device.
| Rule | Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Limit | 11 hours | After 10 consecutive hours off duty |
| On-Duty Window | 14-hour window | Must stop driving after 14 hours on duty; window cannot be extended |
| Rest Break | 30 minutes | Required after 8 cumulative hours of driving without a 30-min break |
| Weekly Limit | 70 hours in 8 days | 60 hours in 7 days for carriers not operating every day |
| Sleeper Berth | Split provision | 8/2 or 7/3 split allowed; total must equal 10 hours off duty |
| 34-Hour Restart | Resets weekly limit | 34 consecutive hours off duty restarts the 60/70-hour clock |
Source: 49 CFR Part 395. Property-carrying driver rules. Passenger-carrying and short-haul rules may differ.
Safety Contact
For safety concerns, incident reports, or compliance inquiries, contact our safety department directly. We respond to all safety communications promptly.
Email safety@esseinc.com937-240-0708 · USDOT 4323811