The New Entrant program is the opening
New interstate carriers enter FMCSA's New Entrant Safety Assurance Program and are typically scheduled for a safety audit within their first twelve months, during an eighteen-month monitoring period. The audit looks at driver qualification files, drug and alcohol testing, hours of service, vehicle maintenance and accident records.
What new carriers commonly miss
- Enrolling in a drug and alcohol testing program and registering with the Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse.
- Complete driver qualification files.
- Hours-of-service records and a compliant ELD.
- Biennial MCS-150 updates and annual UCR registration.
- IFTA and IRP for qualifying interstate vehicles.
Who to target and when
Reach new registrants in their first weeks with a setup package, then target carriers at six to twelve months in business when the audit is getting close. Don't ignore non-trucking DOT holders: contractors and service companies often have the least compliance support.
Use a free tool as an opener
Every carrier must update its MCS-150 every two years on a schedule set by its USDOT number. Our free MCS-150 due date calculator gives you a helpful reason to start a conversation with an established carrier.
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