How do I prepare for a DOT safety audit?

You must provide evidence and documentation of insurance for all your vehicles and the kind of cargo that the vehicles are transporting. This means you should prepare all proper forms, such as the MCS-90, for inspection. The DOT auditor will also want to see your company’s accident register.

What involved in a new entrant safety audit?

The new entrant safety audit is a requirement of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to make sure your trucking company follows all set safety standards. All trucking companies within their first 12 months of operation can expect to be audited based on these criteria: Alcohol and drug violations.

What happens if you fail a new entrant safety audit?

If you refuse to permit a safety audit, the FMCSA will provide you with written notice that your registration will be revoked and your operations placed out of service unless you agree in writing, within 10 days from the service date of the notice, to permit the safety audit to be performed.

How do you survive a DOT audit?

The best and almost only way to survive a DOT audit is to be prepared and have all requested documentation organized and readily available. The purpose of the audit is to prove that your company is compliant with FMCSA regulations and has the management to maintain said safety features.

What happens during a DOT safety audit?

A Safety Audit consists of a review of a carrier’s safety data, a review of motor carrier documents, and an interview with the motor carrier’s safety official. The following is a framework of regulatory and procedural requirements a carrier must meet to pass the Safety Audit.

How long does a DOT safety audit take?

It will be completed within three to six months of a DOT number being issued. It’s designed to make sure you are complying with all required safety regulations as your business gets up and running.

How far back does DOT look at logs?

Depending on the type of document, DOT requires records to be anywhere from 12 months to three years.