For an owner-operator getting into business as a motor with operating authority, buttoning up the business with written policy frameworks and good record-keeping will be key to staying in operation with hiccups at some point within the first couple years in business. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's policy is to audit most new entrants within the carrier’s first 18 months of business. By some accounts, that's aspirational, but you can be sure that it's only a matter of time before auditors get to you.
It’s critical you put into place evidence of your attention to compliance and safety management.
Critical areas of focus for new entrant audits include driver qualifications, logs/ELD records, maintenance programs, a filed and up-to-date accident register and written drug and alcohol policies and procedures.
Any of the following violations canresult in an automatic failure of the audit:
