Having a DOT new entrant audit soon. Need advice.

A friend of mine was audited at his house office for a one truck operation. He got hit for not having random drug screen. Went to a local dump truck outfit and put his name on their list for random screening & that satisfied the auditor.

 

They look at the logs where I had inspection reports see if they match. I also went over the 6 months to make sure everything was in check just incase they randomly ask. Never did just asked about the ones with the inspection reports and then looked at the fuel receipts if those match and the hos.

They just checking if you are doing things correctly and keeping track of everything that's needs to. Never herd of anyone getting fines on the new entrant audits. I could be wrong though about that.

 

when i was checked i had everything laid out on table,drivers folder with driving record,drug screen,phys,logs fuel broke down in months, trip sheets, ins info,logs,maintenance file.they look at what they want depends on inspector,got me on over hrs told me be careful with that and passed me remember they are there to get you right not fine you,if your a mess then they will give you time to get it right,no big deal,as long as you get it right the second time

 

Being you are from NY--Im guess you have an ez pass--If so do not be surprised if the auditor walks in WITH your ex pass records in his briefcase--
Unfortunately alot of it depends on the auditor--some are great some suck--just how it is--good thing is this is a routine audit--not one where they are tryin to hurt you--so be professional and have your ducks in a row--look at it like a traffic stop--meaning your attitude and apperance will go a long way

 

My auditor did compare a sample of fuel receipts to drivers logs and went through their HOS...but keep in mind, the purpose of the audit is to make sure you are in compliance and help you with what you need to bring you up to speed rather than to fine you and shut you down. Unless you have a LOT of gross violations, they will just report on what you need to get in compliance. I was nervous leading into my audit, but the DOT officer was great and just let me know where I needed to improve things...it was a cake walk even though we were not doing some things right to start with.

 

Compliance is in question for your initial audits. If everything is in order, you should be fine.

 

Just had the new entrant audit. Make certain your driver files are in order as well as the drug testing stuff. He checked all of that thoroughly. He did go through a random sampling of logs but not the entire six months. We came through it unscathed. Feel free to ask any questions you might have, they are there to help you. With that said, if you have glaring violations I suspect you will be written up for them.

If you are doing everything you are supposed to be doing, you won't have issues.

Good Luck,

Jay