For new US interstate carriers facing the New Entrant Safety Audit
Audit notice just arrived? Get audit-ready this week.
Know exactly which records the auditor will ask for, find the gaps that cause an automatic failure, and organize everything for upload. Already failed? You have 60 days from the notice (45 for passenger and placarded hazmat carriers) before revocation (49 CFR 385.319, 385.325).
Not ready to buy? Get the free Auto-Fail List or read the audit checklist. Educational, not legal advice. Not affiliated with FMCSA/USDOT.
Free guides
Six deep, sourced guides covering everything the auditor checks.
- New Entrant Audit ChecklistGot your FMCSA New Entrant Safety Audit notice? What the auditor checks, how it's scored, and a records checklist cited to 49 CFR Parts 382–396.
- The Auto-Fail ListAny one of these 16 violations fails your new entrant audit (49 CFR 385.321). See the proof to keep for each and run a 10-minute self-check.
- Corrective Action PlanFailed your new entrant safety audit? You have 60 days (45 for passenger/hazmat) to avoid revocation. Deadlines, FMCSA's 8 CAP requirements, step by step.
- DQ File ChecklistA missing DQ file item can sink your audit. Everything a file needs under 49 CFR 391.51, when it's due, and how owner-operators build one on themselves.
- Drug & Alcohol ProgramNo drug and alcohol program is an automatic audit failure. What a new CDL carrier needs under Part 382: policy, pre-employment test, random pool, Clearinghouse.
- First 12 Months RecordsDon't let the audit notice catch you scrambling: a month-by-month records plan for new carriers, with what recurs and how long to keep each record under 49 CFR.
Record kits, $7–$47
Printable PDFs plus editable Excel and Word files. Instant download from our Stan store.
$27
DOT New Entrant Audit Readiness Kit
The 16 auto-fail items with proof to keep, audit scoring explained, a NEWS upload checklist and an Excel Master Tracker.
View kit →$19
Corrective Action Plan Workbook
Failed the audit? Deadline calculator, CAP templates built on FMCSA's guidance, and an editable Word CAP.
View kit →$12
Driver Qualification File Kit
A § 391.51 checklist, Word templates and an Excel tracker for every driver, including you.
View kit →$12
Drug & Alcohol Records Pack
Part 382 checklist, Clearinghouse steps, retention table and Excel testing logs.
View kit →$9
Vehicle Maintenance & Inspection Records
Part 396 checklist, a printable DVIR and an annual-inspection tracker.
View kit →$7
Accident Register + HOS/ELD Checklist
A § 390.15 accident register and a Part 395 HOS/ELD records checklist.
View kit →
Best value
First-Year Carrier Bundle: All 6 Kits $47
Every kit ($86 separately) plus a combined index, an 18-month compliance calendar and one records index.
How it works
- Know the auto-fails. Start with the free list and the 10-minute self-check.
- Build six folders. Drivers, drug & alcohol, HOS, vehicles, insurance, accidents, matched to FMCSA's NEWS upload categories.
- Keep them current. Track every due date: MVRs, medical certificates, annual inspections, Clearinghouse queries.
Frequently asked questions
What is the DOT New Entrant Safety Audit?
It is FMCSA's review of a new interstate carrier's records, generally within the first 12 months of operations, to confirm basic safety management controls are in place (49 CFR 385.307). It covers drivers, drug and alcohol testing, hours of service, vehicles, insurance and accidents.
What automatically fails the audit?
Any one of 16 violations listed in 49 CFR 385.321, such as having no drug and alcohol testing program, using a driver without a valid CDL, operating without required insurance, or using vehicles without a current annual inspection. Our free Auto-Fail List covers all 16.
Are you the government or FMCSA?
No. AuditReady Carrier is an independent publisher, not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced by FMCSA or USDOT. FMCSA never charges for the audit itself. Our guides and kits are educational, not legal advice.
Who are the kits for?
US-based owner-operators and small fleets of property-carrying trucks in their first 18 months under a new USDOT number. Passenger, household-goods and placarded hazmat carriers have extra rules the kits flag but do not fully cover.