If you want to be a successful business, you need to step out of your bubble. That means taking some risks, testing the waters, and doing lots of marketing. Marketing is an important part of expanding your business and driving sales, but not all forms of marketing are equal. Mobile marketing tours are a great way to engage audiences far and wide, but there are some rules and standards for these tours, especially regarding drivers. Drivers must be DOT-compliant, but what’s the difference between that and DOT-approved?
What Is DOT Compliance?
DOT compliance is important for your drivers because it means they follow the rules and regulations of the road as laid out by the Department of Transportation (DOT). Different states have their unique Department of Transportation, and they handle public transportation, speed limits, and traffic lights, but the U.S. DOT is different.
They create the rules and regulations for drivers of commercial vehicles that engage in interstate commerce, which is what you do when you go on a mobile marketing tour. Drivers must pass different regulatory obligations, such as IFTA tracking and FMCSA drug and alcohol testing, to be DOT-compliant. Being DOT-compliant ensures your business and drivers are safe and follow federal laws.
What Is DOT Approved?
Alternative to DOT compliance, DOT approval refers to the quality of your vehicle. The DOT doesn’t go out and approve different parts and vehicles from manufacturers, but the manufacturer can say a part or vehicle has DOT approval, stating that they meet DOT standards. Different motor vehicles must have parts that follow DOT regulations to be safe on the road, parts such as:
- Tires
- Brake fluid
- Seat belts
- Lighting
- Impact guards
- Rims
DOT-approved is just as important as DOT-compliant, but you won’t find anything on the road that isn’t “DOT-approved.”
Important Distinction
The main distinction between the two is that a driver and the truck they’re driving must follow a specific set of rules and regulations to be DOT-compliant. These rules help ensure they’re safe when on the road. DOT-approved is different because there are no active measures in place. Rather, vehicle and vehicle part manufacturers have a specific set of DOT standards that they must meet to put the part on the market. Every truck a driver will operate is “DOT-approved,” but being DOT-compliant requires much more work.
If you want your next marketing tour to go off without a hitch, you must learn the difference between DOT approval and DOT compliance. The difference can be hard to understand, but it’s still an important factor in any tour you go on. Don’t worry. We at Event Marketing Drivers take care of that factor for you. We’ll help you have a DOT-compliant mobile marketing tour that arrives at its designated locations on time and engages potential customers far and wide!