FMCSA Safety Audits

FMCSA Safety Audits: Passing Your New Entrant Audit with Confidence

For any new trucking company, the FMCSA New Entrant Safety Audit is the first major regulatory milestone. This is not just a formality; it is a comprehensive review of your safety management systems. Passing this audit, which typically occurs within the first 12 months of operation, is mandatory to receive your permanent operating authority. A failure can result in your operations being shut down until you can prove you have corrected all deficiencies. The pressure is immense, but with A Plus Fleet Solutions, you can face your audit with confidence.

The purpose of the audit is to verify that you have effective safety systems in place across all areas of your operation. An FMCSA auditor will review your records and procedures related to six key factors.

The Six Factors of an FMCSA Safety Audit:

1. General Compliance: Proper insurance, UCR, and BOC-3 filings.
2. Driver-Related: Driver Qualification files, CDL and medical card validity, and a drug and alcohol testing program.
3. Operational: Hours-of-Service records and monitoring.
4. Vehicle-Related: Vehicle maintenance programs, inspection records, and DVIRs.
5. Accident Register: Proper recording and maintenance of an accident register, even if it’s empty.
6. Hazardous Materials (if applicable): Correct documentation and procedures for transporting HazMat.

How A Plus Fleet Solutions Prepares You for Success:

Our FMCSA Safety Audit service is a proactive, hands-on approach designed to ensure you pass on the first attempt. We don’t just give you a checklist; we work with you to build the very systems the auditor will be examining.

• Mock Audits and Gap Analysis: We conduct a thorough mock audit of your entire operation weeks or months before the real thing. We simulate the auditor’s process, reviewing your files and procedures with the same critical eye. This allows us to identify any gaps, missing documents, or procedural weaknesses long before the FMCSA gets involved.
• File Creation and Organization: The most common reason for failure is poor record-keeping. We will work with you to create and organize every required file. This includes building compliant Driver Qualification files from scratch, establishing a system for vehicle maintenance records, setting up your accident register, and ensuring your Drug & Alcohol program documentation is in order.
• Procedural Development: It’s not enough to have the right files; you need to have the right processes. We help you develop and document your company’s safety policies. This includes a written maintenance policy, a hiring policy, and procedures for monitoring Hours-of-Service. Having these documented shows the auditor that you have a proactive and systematic approach to safety.
• Day-of-Audit Support: The audit can be an intimidating process. We can provide guidance and support on the day of the audit, helping you present your records clearly and answer the auditor’s questions professionally and accurately.

Failing a New Entrant Audit can be a devastating setback. You are given a limited time to submit a Corrective Action Plan, and if it’s deemed insufficient, your New Entrant registration will be revoked. Partnering with A Plus Fleet Solutions turns the audit from a threat into an opportunity—an opportunity to build a rock-solid foundation for a safe and successful trucking company from day one.