Preparing for a DOT audit isn’t something you think about just when the FMCSA notifies you of a pending review. As a moving company, you must be aware that DOT audits can happen anytime. For this reason, you need to keep all the necessary paperwork somewhere you know where it is. This way, once the FMCSA demands an audit, you can provide them with the required information and documents. That being said, this process involves more than simply maintaining records. Companies must constantly check their CSA scores to prepare for a DOT audit. Furthermore, they must teach their drivers to maintain and improve their safety. Finally, companies must ensure that personnel records and logs are up to date and ready to give over. To make it a bit easier, we will discuss how to prepare for DOT audits.

Checklist for DOT Audits

Passing a DOT audit will be considerably simpler if your company is familiar with the fundamental standards you must meet. As we’ve mentioned, ensuring you know how to pass a DOT audit necessitates planning ahead of time. It is in your interest to do this because failing this audit can hurt your reputation as a moving company. However, if you are subjected to a DOT audit, we will tell you everything you need to know about how to prepare.

A blank checklist next to a laptop.

It will be much easier to pass the DOT audit if you create a checklist of everything you need to do.

Make Sure To Read the FMCSA Guidelines

If you follow the guidelines, that will be enough to get you through the DOT audit successfully. However, in order to comply with the FMCSA guidelines, you will have to:

  1. Have adequate fleet insurance coverage.
  2. Conduct regular random drug and alcohol testing for your employees.
  3. Keep records of commercial driver’s licences.
  4. Maintain driver logs.
  5. A current list of all the vehicles your company owns.
  6. Claims Report-Remarks 12 month back records – CSI have you covered 😎 

There are a few more things that you need to pay attention to in order to prepare for DOT audits.

You Must Keep All Vehicle Service Records

Keeping track of all service and maintenance schedules for each vehicle your company owns is quite beneficial. For each vehicle your company owns, you must maintain the records for one year while in service. You must also keep the same records for an additional six months after decommissioning the vehicle.

A row of colourful file folders

You will be required to keep the majority of records for one year, or longer in certain circumstance.

You Need To Have a DOT Security Strategy

Any vehicle transporting hazardous materials must have a DOT security plan outlining how to reduce risk factors. This also applies to how the truck is loaded. It would be best if you had a strategy for loading a moving truck and ways to do it safely to be in compliance with the FMCSR guidelines.

Records of post-move inspections

Finally, to know how to prepare for DOT audits, you must ensure you have all your post-move inspection records in one place. These reports need to document any vehicle safety concerns that drivers notice over time while driving. To be in compliance, you must keep these for three months and include one or three signatures. 

 

Meta description: If you want to ensure that your moving company is compliant with all mandatory regulations, here is how to prepare for DOT audits and avoid penalties.

Keyword: Prepare for DOT audits.

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