I need info on the New Entrant Safety Audit

Everything you need to know is here. http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety-security/eta/ETA Final 508c.pdf

some tips I keep hearing is to make sure your drug consortium is set up and filed correctly, as well as your driver qualification files and driver logs. good luck ! I'm still waiting for that phone call myself, been operating since March.

 

New Entrant safety audits for a new company will happen sometime during the first 18 months of your operating authority being granted. It is a laid back meeting where the DOT is making sure that you have an understanding of what it takes to remain in compliance with the FMCSA's rules and regulations. You need to maintain all of the proper paperwork. They will ask you for a copy of your operating authority, proof of insurance or a copy of your MCS90 form, vehicle registrations (cab cards) for all vehicles associated with the business, DVIR's, maintenance records for each truck and trailer. Accident register, driver file for each driver, including road test results and pre employment drug screens, proof of enrollment in an approved random drug testing program, proof of training for drug safety program (if you operate more than one vehicle and have employees), last six months of daily logs for each driver. Proof of IFTA enrollment. Company drug policy, annual inspection reports for each vehicle/trailer, copy's of any roadside inspections, Copy of federal tax I'd number, and any policies you have created for your company that have to do with transportation.

all of this is easy IF you get in the habit of keeping good records. Go in to the audit completely organized and you will pass with flying colors!

 

OOIDA helps members with many aspects of this including free BOC-3 filing and audit preparation. They also offer CMCI drug consortium for a reasonable price.

 

Yes, you as a solo owner/operator still have to be set up in an approved random drug testing program. I personally use AADT, it cost $99/yr. if you are hauling "for hire" and you are over 26000#'s either in gvw or gvwr then yes, you need to be running logs. Inspecting your vehicle and maintenance records are all part of operating a commercial vehicle.

 

There is LOTS of info on this forum on what they are looking for...just search around. I was freaked a bit about my New Entrant Audit...which was over a year after opening, but as long as you have your bases covered, the purpose of the audit is to make sure you are in compliance, all the procedures are being followed and help you improve where you are lacking. It is not a come in and fine you and shut you down (unless you are blatantly breaking the rules). It is education and guidance more than anything else. They will send you a report on what you need to fix and get compliant with and then they are on their way. May be a case by case, but my auditor was very easy going and gave me everything I needed to get 100% up to speed to met the FMCSA requirements.

 

yes, you do. You also have to have a driver qualification file on yourself which includes an application, requests from previous employers, MVR, etc... it's all in that link I posted.

Also, you will probably be recieving dozens of phone calls and mailings from companies who want to 'help' you prepare for the audit. IMO, these companies are capitalizing on peoples fear that the CSA is coming to get them. It might be okay to hire one of them, but in the end they are only going to provide you with the same info you can get directly from FMCSA for free.

The way I see it is that it is your business to know this stuff so start studying. make lists, do one thing at a time.

 

In addition to the above information which is all good, and as stated, you can do all this yourself.

I used midwest Compliance out of Sauk Rapids, Minnesota for my third party consortium, around $100 per year.
http://www.midwestcompliance.com/

I also used Evilsizor Transportation Services for the BOC-3 filing for around $30 one time fee.
http://www.evilsizor.com/