If you operate just under state authority(PUC,ect) you only have to worry about the state.(if in the 100 radius) If you operate under an MC# and state PUC you have to be carefull on the record keeping.

Sorry Mackman after reading the post again I saw that you wanted to know about the safety audit:

New entrant safety assurance program

§385.307 What happens after a motor carrier begins operations as a new entrant? After a new entrant satisfies all applicable pre-operational requirements, it will be subject to the new entrant safety monitoring procedures for a period of 18 months. During this 18-month period:

(a) The new entrant’s roadside safety performance will be closely monitored to ensure the new entrant has basic safety management controls that are operating effectively.
(b) A safety audit will be conducted on the new entrant, once it has been in operation for enough time to have sufficient records to allow the agency to evaluate the adequacy of its basic safety management controls. This period will generally be at least 3 months.
(c) All records and documents required for the safety audit shall be made available for inspection upon request by an individual certified under FMCSA regulations to perform safety audits.

§385.311 What will the safety audit consist of? The safety audit will consist of a review of the new entrant’s safety management systems and a sample of required records to assess compliance with the FMCSRs, applicable HMRs and related record-keeping requirements as specified in Appendix A of this part. The areas for review include, but are not limited to, the following:

(a) Driver qualification;
(b) Driver duty status;
(c) Vehicle maintenance;
(d) Accident register; and
(e) Controlled substances and alcohol use and testing requirements

§385.315 Where will the safety audit be conducted? The safety audit will generally be conducted at the new entrant’s business premises

§385.317 Will a safety audit result in a safety fitness determination by the FMCSA? A safety audit will not result in a safety fitness determination. Safety fitness determinations follow completion of a compliance review


Hope this helps for the audit, question..... do you go only in one state or out of state?

Thanks everyone for the replys.

I go out of state. PA NJ AND DE. All this is getting me worked up.

Its not really that bad Mackman as long as you stay on top of it, really not bad at all.

i'm looking for a safety program that i can setup for me as a single truck independent operator. i ran across this website, does anyone know if this site is worth the money?
Services - Online Safety Program for Truck Drivers

if not, do you have any you can recommend?
thanks in advance!!

I used this manual and got a clean new carrier audit.

A Motor Carrier's Guide to Improving Highway Safety | Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration