New carrier? Your FMCSA safety audit may now be conducted remotely

Before they can be permanently approved, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) must conduct a review to assess the carrier’s safety performance and safety management practices. Alcohol and drug violations No alcohol and/or drug testing program No random alcohol and/or drug testing program Using a driver who refused a required alcohol or drug test Using a driver the company knows had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.04% or greater Using a driver who failed to complete the required follow-up procedures after testing positive for drugs. Using a driver without a valid commercial driver’s license (CDL) Using a disqualified driver Using a driver with a revoked, suspended, or canceled CDL Using a medically unqualified driver Operations violations Operating a motor vehicle without having in effect the required level of insurance Failing to require drivers to make HOS records Repairs and inspections violations Operating a vehicle declared out-of-service (OOS) for safety deficiencies before repairs are made Not performing OOS repairs reported in driver-vehicle inspection reports (DVIRs) Operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) not periodically inspected If the new entrant passes its initial safety audit, FMCSA will closely monitor its safety for the balance of the first 18 months, after which the carrier will be granted permanent authority and be subject to review under the Compliance, Safety and Accountability (CSA) program like any operator.