Free Tools
New Entrant Safety Audit Prep Checklist
Every new interstate carrier faces a safety audit in the first 12 months. Work through this checklist to see exactly how ready you are — and what would fail you today.
100% free · no signup · nothing to install
Readiness
0%
0 of 25 items ready
Registration & authority
- Active USDOT number and MCS-150 on file with accurate mileage and vehicle counts
- Operating authority (MC number) active, if you haul regulated freight for hire
- BOC-3 process agent filing on record
- Proof of financial responsibility (MCS-90 / insurance filing) on file with FMCSA
- UCR registration current for the year
Drug & alcohol program
- Written drug and alcohol policy distributed to every driver, with signed receipts
- Consortium/TPA agreement and random pool enrollment documentation
- Pre-employment negative test results for every driver
- FMCSA Clearinghouse registration and pre-employment full queries
- Supervisor reasonable-suspicion training (60 minutes drugs + 60 minutes alcohol)
Driver qualification
- Complete DQ file for every driver (application, MVRs, MEC, road test, previous employer inquiries)
- Annual review of driving record and certificate of violations
- Medical examiner certificates from National Registry examiners
- ELDT verification for drivers who obtained a CDL after February 2022
Hours of service
- ELD registered on the FMCSA list, with instruction sheet and 8 blank logs in every truck
- Six months of supporting documents retained per driver
- Documented log audits and correction of false or missing logs
- Driver training on ELD malfunctions and unassigned driving time
Vehicle maintenance
- Annual (periodic) inspection report for every power unit and trailer
- Maintenance file per vehicle covering the last 12 months
- Driver vehicle inspection reports (DVIRs) with documented repairs
- Qualified inspector and brake inspector credentials on file
Accident & records
- Accident register covering the last 3 years (even if empty)
- Copies of accident reports and post-accident test results
- Records organized and accessible within 48 hours of an audit notice
Every new interstate carrier gets a safety audit within the first 12 months of operation. Failing any of the 16 automatic-failure items revokes your new entrant registration.
New entrant audits fail carriers every week.
Missing a drug program, a DQ file or an accident register is an automatic failure and revokes your registration. We prepare new carriers for the audit and sit in on it with you.
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