How to Choose a Motorcoach Provider

Safety, quality and compliance with government regulations are three critical factors to consider when choosing a motorcoach operator.  While it seems easiest to select the cheapest option, this may not be the safest.  The difference in cost between operators could be as little as $5 per passenger, think about whether you can tell a passenger or their family that you risked their safety to save $5.

Use this checklist of questions to ask the next time you research motorcoach providers:

• Ask for a proof of federal operating authority issued by the US Department of Transportation (USDOT)
• Ask for a valid, current insurance certificate that provides a US minimum of $5 million in liability coverage
• Ask for a 5- or 6-digit USDOT number that you can use to view the carrier’s safety information on-line at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov.
• Ask about the motorcoach inspection, maintenance and repair logs and/or look for a Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) sticker.
• Confirm that all drivers have a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with a “passenger” endorsement printed on the license itself.
• Ask how videos, music, and other coach amenities you may desire will affect cost.
• Does the company offer GPS tracking and who has access to it?
• Is the company certified by the Department of Defense?  (Only 10% of motorcoach companies qualify for DOD certification, the most stringent rating a motorcoach provider can receive.)
• Ask about payment and cancellation policies.
• If applicable, ask about company policy for additional drivers for trips over 10 hours.