DOT New entry audit

I agree with what you are saying. What got me twisted was some posts as an expert then I saw him post a contridiction in another thread then realized he isn't even driving.

There is getting your ducks in a row and then there is having them in a row and someone runs them over.

And as far as setting up to be successful O/O, anyone that has done this knows that "book" knowledge only goes so far. At some point you have to start doing. And if you have to lease on with someone for a year to start that process so you can afford to buy a trailer, then so be it.

I am not sure why leasing on to someone has gotten such a bad name. Sure, some problem carriers. But if you do not have the capital to afford any more than what it takes to get into a truck then it is a great place to start.

And I know a lot of happy guys and gals that do this and make good money. I sure know that there are days that when I am making collection calls or don't have time to stop to figure if that laod that is offered is going to work for me I wish I had someone that paid me weekly and found my loads. But that passes.

So

 

We just had our audit on Wednesday and it was actually really laid back. I was worried since I do the paper work but hey it went good. I was told my paper work looked really good and they didn't have any suggestions other then keep up the good work. The audit for us in Colorado, we received a letter in the mail Dec 31st and knew our audit was Feb 9th with 35 other companies. They gave us a place to meet and bring our records and the records they wanted to see--drivers qualification files, maintenance records for each truck, accident reports/folder, log books for the last 6 months, DVIR for the last 90 days, insurance paper, bill of ladings with receipts for the last 365 days, payroll, etc. Then with that letter was a packet with 4 pages I had to fill out and take with us to the audit. Then we had to sit through a 1.5 hr presentation.


Another thing is knowledge is POWER!! I wished my hubby would of thought out the whole truck thing before we jumped in to it. We are still learning a ton after 3 yrs of this.

 

I wish TN did it like that, they apparently send a Trooper to your , um, office, which is my kitchen table. So not only do I have to have my ducks in a row, I have to worry about whether to bake cinnamon rolls or not.

 

That is good to hear. I am also a bit worried about the audit but hear that it is not as bad as the "official" documents make it sound.

One question - The process described here is someone in CO and TN with two different experiences. How are they doing it in IL?

 

Was nothing different in 2006.

 

I was also told that a trooper would come out to my place of business to do my audit, and also a level one on my equipment which will be interesting since i live in an apartment complex and park my rig in the RV storage lot, and the trailer 10mi away at my dads. but i've heard different things about if i'll get points for violations or not.. i'm just waiting on the letter or phone call, so i can start routing myself back home.

 

We had our audit in December. 14mths after we started operating. Now we live in nowhere west TX, that could play a role in the delay. Also, we received no letter. I got a call from a lady in Austin in the beginning of November saying they wanted to do it Dec 6-8. In TX they have a group of auditors that travel around. They did not come to our office. We had to take everything to them at the DPS office.
It is my understanding though that you do need to have the drug testing folders in a separate locked cabinet.
We passed ours with flying colors. We were sitting across from a company that said they grossed $19mil last year but didn't have any logs for their drivers. Didn't even bring their time cards... and didn't get into trouble.
But I'm like you... I was nervous and wanted everything perfect. I'll tell you 2 things that may be helpful. #1 write a truck/unit # on all the repair/maintenance receipts. That way you can prove you have ways of knowing what unit the receipt is for (even if you're a 1 truck operation). I already did this so I can keep truck and trailer receipts separate anyway.
What I didn't have was an accident log. We had no accidents, so no need for a report right? Nope. You need to have an accident log even if it's blank. Our auditor was super cool and said don't worry about it.
One other thing to keep in mind. You're not going to be audit by "He who knows all". Our auditor was looking over my logs and said "you're missing your mileage for this day... oh wait, no you wrote it over here. It should go here but it's ok." What he was referring to was the 2 mileage boxes. One for the miles I actually drove, the other for the mileage the truck went. Since I didn't drive my mileage box was empty. I put the mileage GR drove in the other. He didn't know the difference.
Try not to stress too much. If you have everything in order i'm sure you'll do fine.

 

Donuts, you need to make him homemade donuts. In Oklahoma they come to where ever you keep your files. If you get Intrastate authority in Oklahoma you have to attend a class and they go over everything you need to do as far as files and paperwork then at a later date you will get a phone call from an DOT official saying they are coming to see you in a day or two and be there. I am thinking about renting a small storage unit and putting my filing cabinet and one of those old school desks we had in grade school in it. Do you think that would be okay?

 

OH, GREAT, so now I have to clean up my freaking house, too? I'm seriously thinking about getting a small building or something to keep an office in. I am learning quickly that I just don't have the space in the house. Also, it'd be nice to get away from the noise of the TV, dogs, and other crap when I'm trying to do things.

If I recall, you only did OK intRAstate, and not interstate, right? I wonder if that process is the same if you are also getting interstate authority?