The New Entrant Safety Audit: What New Carriers Must Pass
If you just got your USDOT number, the new entrant safety audit is your first big compliance test. Pass it and you keep your authority; fail it and you risk losing it.
What the new entrant program is
New carriers operate under an 18-month monitoring period and must pass a safety audit — typically within the first 12 months of receiving authority. The audit confirms you have the basic safety management controls in place.
What the audit checks
- Driver qualification files and licensing
- Drug & alcohol testing program and Clearinghouse enrollment
- Hours-of-service and ELD records
- Vehicle maintenance and inspection records
- Operating authority, insurance, and MCS-150 status
- Accident register
Automatic-failure violations
Certain findings cause an automatic failure regardless of everything else — for example, using a driver with a suspended CDL, not having a drug & alcohol testing program, using a driver who failed or refused a test, or operating without required insurance. Know these cold.
If you fail
A failed audit does not always mean immediate shutdown — you are usually given a corrective action plan with a deadline. Miss it and your new entrant registration can be revoked, ending your authority to operate.
Frequently asked questions
When does the new entrant safety audit happen?
Generally within the first 12 months after you receive your USDOT number and begin operating. FMCSA will contact you to schedule or request records.
What happens if I fail the new entrant audit?
You are typically given a corrective action plan with a deadline to fix the problems. If you do not correct them in time, your new entrant registration can be revoked.
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