FMCSA New Entrant Safety Audit

Is Your Fleet Ready?

Why the FMCSA New Entrant Safety Audit Matters

The FMCSA New Entrant Safety Assurance Program monitors new motor carriers during their first 18 months of operation to make sure they have basic safety management controls in place. During this period, new entrants are expected to operate safely, maintain accurate records, follow FMCSA regulations, and pass a required safety audit.

For many new carriers, the audit is not just a paperwork review. It can determine whether your company keeps its operating authority or faces serious enforcement action.

Seeing is Believing

30-Day free trial form for the CSA Audit Information page

LinkedIn
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Name*
First Last
Email*
Company*
Phone*

What FMCSA Reviews During a New Entrant Safety Audit

FMCSA may review key compliance areas such as:

✅ Driver qualification files
✅ CDL and licensing requirements
✅ Hours-of-service records
✅ Drug and alcohol testing programs
✅ Vehicle inspection, repair, and maintenance records
✅ Accident register and crash documentation
✅ Proof of insurance and financial responsibility
✅ Hazardous materials compliance, if applicable

The goal is to determine whether the carrier has effective safety management controls in place and whether the company is operating in compliance with federal safety regulations.

Serious Violations Can Lead to Audit Failure

FMCSA can fail a new entrant safety audit if the carrier lacks basic safety management controls or violates certain regulations listed under § 385.321. FMCSA’s current guidance identifies serious violations that can result in notice that the carrier’s USDOT new entrant registration will be revoked.

These issues may include problems such as failing to implement required drug and alcohol testing, using disqualified drivers, operating without required insurance, failing to require records of duty status, operating vehicles placed out of service, or using vehicles that have not been properly inspected.

What Happens If a Carrier Fails?

If a new entrant fails the safety audit, FMCSA will notify the carrier in writing. The carrier must then submit acceptable corrective action within the required timeframe.

Passenger carriers and certain hazardous materials carriers generally have 45 days to correct the problem. Most other new entrants generally have 60 days. If the written response is not acceptable, FMCSA may revoke the carrier’s registration and issue an out-of-service order.

Don’t Wait Until the Audit Notice Arrives

A failed safety audit can disrupt operations, damage customer confidence, and put your authority at risk. The best time to prepare is before FMCSA asks for records.

INFINITI Fleet Safety Training helps carriers build a stronger safety training and documentation process, so they are better prepared for audits, inspections, and ongoing compliance reviews.

Don’t Wait Until the Audit Notice Arrives

A failed safety audit can disrupt operations, damage customer confidence, and put your authority at risk. The best time to prepare is before FMCSA asks for records.

INFINITI Fleet Safety Training helps carriers build a stronger safety training and documentation process, so they are better prepared for audits, inspections, and ongoing compliance reviews.

Are You Ready for Your FMCSA New Entrant Safety Audit?

Make sure your drivers are trained, your records are organized, and your compliance process is ready before the audit begins.

View our clients’ CSA score improvements and see how proactive safety training can help fleets improve compliance, reduce risk, and build a stronger safety culture.

FMCSA New Entrant Safety Audit

Why the FMCSA New Entrant Safety Audit Matters

Seeing is Believing

What FMCSA Reviews During a New Entrant Safety Audit

Serious Violations Can Lead to Audit Failure

What Happens If a Carrier Fails?

Don’t Wait Until the Audit Notice Arrives

Don’t Wait Until the Audit Notice Arrives

Are You Ready for Your FMCSA New Entrant Safety Audit?

FAQs

Need Help?

Call Now

About

Free Resources

Benefits

Subscribe