Transportation Compliance Insider

What Are Safety Audits?

Safety audit img

What Are DOT Safety Audits?

A DOT Safety Audit is an important process for motor carriers and one that must be undertaken within the first 12 months of their operations. The audit is effectively a thorough review of the carrier’s records and is designed to ensure that they have implemented the basic safety management controls and are compliant with the requirements set out by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) and Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMRs).

How is a DOT Safety Audit undertaken?

A DOT safety Audit is either completed by an FMCSA-certified auditor at your premises, digitally via the FMCSA website, or through the mail. Each business will be instructed which type of audit they have been chosen for, either through the mail or by phone.

During the audit process, motor carriers are required to submit documents to prove they have effective safety management controls in place. They might also be required to submit documentation on drivers, vehicles, operating procedures, and record-keeping.

How can you fail a DOT Safety Audit?

Following the DOT audit, the auditor will inform the carrier of all violations and how they can address them. However, there are certain violations that will lead to automatic failure:

DOT Alcohol and Drug Violations

– No alcohol or controlled substances testing program.

– No random alcohol or controlled substances testing program.

– Using a driver who refused a required alcohol or controlled substances test.

– Using a driver known to have an alcohol concentration of 0.04 or greater.

– Using a driver who tested positive or altered or substituted a test for controlled substances.

DOT Driver Violations

– 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.

DOT Operator Violations

– Operating a motor vehicle without having in effect the required level of insurance.

– Failing to require drivers to make hours-of-service records (logbooks).

Repairs and Inspection 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 motor vehicle not annually inspected.

What happens if you pass/fail?

If a carrier passes, their performance will be monitored for an additional 18 months, and if no further issues are found, they will be granted permanent operating authority. If they fail, the FMCSA will provide detailed insight into the violations alongside a Corrective Action Plan to help them address these issues.

Purcell Specializes In Corrective Action Plans, but it is necessary to your company to be proactive and contact us before your Audit, so we protect your CSA score and make sure you pass and stay compliant.

One thought on “What Are Safety Audits?

  1. Avatar Mark says:

    Thanks for your blog, nice to read. Do not stop.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *