Customer Profile
A national distributor operates thousands of commercial vehicles across the country. With time-sensitive deliveries and thin margins, maintaining fleet compliance and uptime is critical to their business success.
The Challenge
Multiple locations within this fleet had been hit with Department of Transportation (DOT) safety violations. The violations stemmed from inadequate maintenance practices and low-quality inspections that missed critical issues before they became problems.
The pattern was costing them:
- Repeated DOT fines and penalties
- Unexpected downtime when vehicles were pulled from service
- Disrupted delivery schedules
- Damage to their CSA safety scores
- Lost customer confidence
On May 14th, one of their Chicagoland fleet vehicles was stopped and inspected by State Police.
The Wiers Solution
Team Wiers La Porte had been working with this fleet partner since late 2024. Our approach included:
Thorough, Professional Inspections
We followed our 87-point maintenance checklist on every service visit. No shortcuts. No rushing through inspections just to move on to the next job.
Clear, Proactive Communication
Every identified issue was documented and explained to the customer. We provided repair recommendations with clear explanations of why each repair mattered for compliance and safety.
Dedicated Technician Assignment
Dedicated technicians were assigned to this fleet. They learned the specific needs of these vehicles and built a relationship with the fleet managers.
Proactive Maintenance Investment
Between November 2024 and February 2025, we performed necessary maintenance and repairs on this specific unit. The work addressed both immediate issues and potential compliance problems before they became violations.
Results & Savings
✅ Zero Violations: When State Police inspected the vehicle on May 14, 2025, it passed with zero violations. The truck continued making deliveries without interruption.
✅ Avoided Penalties: DOT fines can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars per violation. This single clean inspection avoided immediate financial penalties.
✅ Protected Safety Rating: Each violation impacts a company’s CSA score. Avoiding violations protects the fleet’s safety rating and prevents potential restrictions on operations.
✅ Maintained Business Continuity: The vehicle wasn’t pulled from service. Deliveries stayed on schedule. Customers received their orders on time.
✅ Increased Management Confidence: Fleet managers gained peace of mind knowing their vehicles were properly maintained and ready for any roadside inspection.
Customer Testimonial
Following the successful DOT stop, the branch manager sent this message to his management team and Team Wiers:
“FYI, we had a DOT stop today and passed with no violations. I wanted to make you all aware… Thank you, Wiers. You guys rock, we appreciate the dedication of making our Trucks Roll!”
Conclusion
DOT violations aren’t inevitable. They’re preventable.
This story demonstrates what happens when you invest in proper maintenance instead of reacting to failures. The $7,000 spent on proactive service over several months prevented thousands in potential fines, protected the company’s safety rating, and kept their delivery schedule intact.
The right maintenance partner doesn’t just fix problems. They prevent them.
Think your fleet could benefit from this level of proactive care? Learn more about the Wiers Fleet Partner Program at wiers.com/fleet-partner-program.
