Having a DOT new entrant audit soon. Need advice.

Big Jay:

When did your authority go active and did you just have your audit? What is the lead up time to schedule the audit? I often do long trips that take me 2 or 3 weeks on the road. Do they call you and say "your audit is happening on Monday," say, on a thursday the week before?

 

Gokiddogo,

Our authority went active in February of 2012. The DOT officer called us during the holidays and we set the appointment up for the 22nd of January. Not sure if thats normal or not. If you are away from home or know that you will be, just be up front with him. They will not wait forever but will give you time.

Jay

 

Having my audit on Tuesday. Hope all goes well. I think I have everything in order. We will see.

 

Hello,

I use to conduct the new-entrant safety audits across the US. The intent of the New Entrant Audit is to be an "informative" and learning/teaching session for new motor carriers. There are no fines given out at this level...basically it will be your only free audit. Worst case scenario is if you fail, you are given a period of time to make corrections before your DOT number is suspended. Once your audit is scheduled, DOT will send you a detailed list of what is required for this audit. Your auditor will pull RODS randomly for SOME (not all) of the drivers you have working for you. Be sure to have 6 months back of logs and supporting docs. Supporting docs can be receipts, ez-pass, etc.

There are several auto-fail factors: 1. Not having a drug testing program (enroll in not only pre-employment, but random), 2. no maintenance program (be sure you have your trucks inspected annually, if the state does not have an inspection program), and be sure to have the proper amounts of insurance. One of the number one items I cited carriers for was not having their proof of insurance..... an MCS-90 is required. You can get this from your insurance if you are a for-hire carrier.

Best of luck!

 

The link below is a list of 16 items that will result in an automatic failure of a safety audit.

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration-licensing/NewEntrant-faq.aspx#question6