The FMCSA New Entrant Safety Audit checks a new trucking company’s compliance with the FMCSA regulations.
The mere words New Entrant Safety Audit can drive your anxiety through the roof.
Don’t worry! Most new trucking companies will pass this review.
What is the New Entrant Safety Audit?
The DOT new entrant safety audit examines a new trucking company’s compliance with various FMCSA regulations.
These reviews are more focused on educating companies about proper safety controls. These differ from an FMCSA Safety Audit or “compliance review” of a trucking company.
They are much less intrusive and don’t result in the assignment of an FMCSA safety rating.
During the audit, investigators request a list of compliance documents.
These documents cover different compliance areas like Vehicle Maintenance, Driver Qualification Files, Drug and Alcohol Testing and Hours of Service.
Basically, they are checking each of the major areas of fleet safety management.
Before this review, you can conduct a mock DOT audit on your company to make sure that you’re prepared.
What to Expect during the New Entrant Safety Audit
Within the first 12 to 18 months after activating your authority, expect a call or email from your State DOT. You may be skeptical because some DOT compliance services may contact you about this.
But, this is the real deal! Please reply to the auditor ASAP!!
(You can also hire a DOT compliance company to help with this entire process too!)
Once you respond, they’ll ask that you send your compliance information through your FMCSA SMS portal. So, make sure you have your DOT PIN handy!
These audits are almost always completed over the phone and online. Some states like to meet with new carriers in person, usually at an area hotel.
Preparing for the FMCSA New Entrant Safety Audit
Preparing for this audit is pretty straightforward. The hardest part of the audit is gathering your compliance information to submit.
You must send in one month worth of ELD records for 1 driver. This will have to be from the last 6 months.
To submit your ELD records, you have to go into your ELD system and forward 1 month worth of ELD data to the FMCSA using a special code that the DOT auditor will give you.
Also, make sure that you have all of your HOS supporting documents! You’ll have to submit these for one driver for one of the last 6 months. (It has to be the same month for the ELD logs that you’ll submit to them as well).
Prevent future DOT audits by avoding these 5 Deadly DOT Violations!
Other Required Documents
Here are some other items that the auditors are going to ask for during this safety audit:
- Active Driver’s List
- Active Vehicle List
- Annual DOT Inspection for 1 truck
- Copy of CDL for 1 driver
- Copy of medical certificate for 1 driver
- one driver’s pre-hire MVR
- one driver’s negative pre-employment drug test
- Proof of enrollment in a Drug and Alcohol Testing program
- Your MCS-90 endorsement (this is your proof of liability insurance)
Pro Tip: Your MCS-90 can be found in the first 10 or so pages of your actual liability insurance policy. If you don’t want to go digging for it, you can request a copy from your insurance agency and they can send one over to you
FMCSA New Entrant Safety Audit: Conclusion
Having your compliance “ducks in a row” will go far in making your New Entrant Safety Audit go smoothly. Invest some time and energy into qualifying new truck drivers properly and managing your hours of service well.
Doing so will make any FMCSA safety audit much easier and more successful!
For more information, please check out the FMCSA’s New Entrant Portal.
About My Safety Manager
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Our specialized safety management solutions help deliver results—safe drivers out on the road who are staying compliant with regulations.
We work with you to create customized solutions that meet your unique needs, taking what’s typically far too much work off your plate so you have more time to grow your business!
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