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Are you ready for your safety audit?

Updated September 24, 2026 · Source: eCFR: 49 CFR 385.321, Safety audit failure

Short answer1 min read

Answer ten yes-or-no questions based on the 16 violations that fail a new entrant safety audit automatically. Every “no” or “not sure” is something to fix or confirm before the auditor looks.

General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the linked sources or a qualified consultant before acting. How to use our guides

Audit readiness checkNothing saved

Answer ten questions

Do you or any of your drivers drive a vehicle that requires a CDL?
1of 10Are all your CDL drivers, including you if you drive, in a random drug and alcohol testing pool?
2of 10Do you have a written drug and alcohol policy, and did every CDL driver pass a pre-employment drug test before driving?
3of 10Does every truck and trailer have an annual inspection report dated within the last 12 months?
4of 10Does every driver keep hours-of-service logs (ELD or paper), unless a written exemption applies?
5of 10Do you have a current DOT medical card on file for every driver?
6of 10Is your liability insurance at or above the federal minimum for what you haul or the passengers you carry?
7of 10When a driver reports a defect that makes a truck unsafe, is it always repaired before the truck runs again?
8of 10If a truck has been put out of service at an inspection, was it repaired before it moved again?
9of 10Have you checked every driver's license and driving record, so you know each one is valid for the vehicle and not suspended or disqualified?
10of 10Is any driver who failed or refused a drug or alcohol test kept off the road until they finish the return-to-duty process?

A self-check, not an audit result. It covers only the 16 automatic-fail rules, and answering yes to everything doesn't mean you'll pass. Nothing you answer is saved or sent.

How the check works

Each question covers one or more of the 16 automatic-fail rules. Questions about drug and alcohol testing and CDLs only apply if you or your drivers need a CDL. A "yes" on every question doesn't guarantee a pass: auditors look at more than these 16 rules.

After the check

Start with any "no" answers, because each one can fail the audit on its own. Then confirm the "not sure" answers by pulling the records. The audit guide lists what to have ready.

Sources

General information, not legal or compliance advice, and no substitute for the regulations or a qualified professional. Rules change and every carrier is different. Reading this page doesn't create a relationship with FleetCleared or any consultant, and using it is subject to our terms. Found an error? Email legal@fleetcleared.com. FleetCleared is an independent website and is not affiliated with FMCSA or the U.S. Department of Transportation.