I did my own research. The DOT level 1 I downloaded from FMCSA sounds like what I do every month, and a lot of it weekly or daily.
I'd do that tomorrow, and as often as asked.
The Canadian standard for passenger cars is 96 pages (Ontario) over 10,000 lbs is 195 pages long (NSC, canadian DOT)
Mystery solved. DOT is cheap n easy, here no, with tons of room for interpretation.
Personally I was told over $4000 until I threw a fit, and found them using Mercedes guidelines instead of the federal standard. It still cost $1700 because the mechanic wouldn't sign until he replaced things that may break in the future (there was rust on the backing plates that may have created holes later etc)
Sorry about my reactions earlier. I have no issues with being required to get a DOT safety
You guys might want to consider updating that over there.
And you covering that; Load One sounds like a fantastic carrier to work for!