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                        SafetyIn This Section
        New Entrant Safety Assurance Program
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      New Entrant Safety Assurance
      
                    
            Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
      
                    
            Enforcement and Compliance Division
      
                    
            1200 New Jersey Avenue SEWashington, DC 20590United States
      
          
    **Email:**newentrant@dot.gov**Business Hours:**9:00am-5:00pm ET, M-F
    If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
                
                New Entrant Safety Assurance Program
    

    
    
          Overview

New Entrant Safety Assurance Programs affect U.S. and Canada-based motor carriers. New Entrant is a motor carrier not domiciled in Mexico that applies for a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) identification number, in order to initiate operations in interstate commerce.

Becoming a New Entrant
	New Entrant Period
	Safety Audits and Compliance Reviews
	Automatic Failure of the Safety Audit
	HHG and ADA Compliance
	Frequently Asked QuestionsBecoming a New Entrant

Carriers seeking to operate in interstate commerce must complete form MCS-150 “Combined Motor Carrier Identification Report.” To apply for Interstate Operating Authority, a carrier must complete the appropriate form in the OP-1 series. Assistance is available at the “Get Authority to Operate” web page.

The New Entrant Period

The New Entrant will be monitored during the initial 18-month period.

The New Entrant must:

Operate Safely
	Maintain up-to-date records
	Conduct periodic inspections and perform maintenance on CMVs.
	Pass the Safety AuditFMCSA will:

Conduct a Safety Audit on the New Entrant
	Monitor safety performance through roadside inspections
	Grant permanent authority, if safeThe Safety Audits and Compliance Reviews

Who is involved?

A certified U.S. federal safety investigator, state or provincial enforcement officer.
	The motor carrier (possibly including managers, drivers, mechanics, and other staff).When will a Safety Audit or review occur?

Within 12 months after beginning operations.When will Compliance Reviews/Intervention occur?

At any time FMCSA safety data indicates problems.

Where will these take place?

Generally audits, compliance reviews/interventions take place at the principal place of business.Automatic Failure of the Safety Audit

A New Entrant will AUTOMATICALLY FAIL the Safety Audit for violations related to:

**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 content of 0.04 or greater.
	Using a driver who failed to complete required follow-up procedures after testing positive for drugs.**Driver Violations**

A New Entrant fails the Safety Audit for knowingly:

Using a driver without a valid CDL.
	Using a disqualified driver.
	Using a driver with a revoked, suspended, or cancelled 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 hours-of-service records.**Repairs and Inspections Violations**

Operating a vehicle declared Out-of-Service for safety deficiencies before repairs are made.
	Not performing OOS repairs reported in driver-vehicle inspection reports (DVIRs).
	Operating a CMV not periodically inspected.**Results of the Safety Audit**

If passed, FMCSA will continue to monitor the New Entrant’s safety compliance and performance.
	If failed, New Entrants must satisfactorily implement a corrective action to correct safety management practices. Failure to do so will result in immediate revocation of U.S. DOT registration.HHG and ADA Compliance

Some New Entrant carriers are also required to be in compliance with:

Household Goods (HHG) Regulations
	Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
	Compliance with HHG and ADA requirements will not be a factor in determining the outcome of a Safety Audit, but may result in further investigation by other federal and state agencies.**Chameleon Carriers**

Carriers may not register for a new U.S. DOT number to avoid paying civil penalties or avoid previous OOS Orders. If a carrier provides false information or hides information when it applies or reapplies for a U.S. DOT number, the carrier may be issued an OOS Order, and/or be fined.
      
    
          Last updated: Tuesday, May 31, 2022 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

**Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration**

1200 NEW JERSEY AVENUE, SE

WASHINGTON, DC 20590

1-800-832-5660Subscribe to email updates
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