New Entrant Safety Audit
New carriers get a safety audit within their first 12 months to confirm basic safety-management systems are in place.
- Filed with
- FMCSA / state auditor
- Cost
- Free
- Time
- A few hours of prep; often document-based
What you'll need
- Driver qualification files
- Drug & alcohol program records
- Hours-of-service / ELD records
- Maintenance records and an accident register
- Proof of insurance
Step by step
- 1
Build your safety files early
DQ files, drug/alcohol consortium enrollment, HOS/ELD, maintenance, and an accident register.
- 2
Respond to the audit request
It may be handled online or in person.
- 3
Provide your records
Show your basic safety-management systems are working.
- 4
Fix any findings
You have time to correct issues and stay in the program.
Worth knowing
- Missing a drug & alcohol program or DQ files is the most common failure — set them up before you haul.
Fact-checked June 2026. Fees, screens, and dates change — always reconfirm at the official source at filing time.
Never track this deadline by hand again
1Kompliance computes which filings apply to you and reminds you before each one. Free for up to 5 trucks.
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