FMCSA audits can strike fear into the hearts of any fleet management company. The stress of being audited is natural, but it is essential to remember that these types of compliance reviews can occur for many reasons at any time. While audits may occur randomly, various factors can lead to your company presenting a ‘red flag’ to the FMCSA, which can trigger the review. Understanding these potential triggers can help you better prepare for an audit with less stress.
Accidents
Any time a vehicle in your fleet is involved in an accident, the FMCSA may be alerted and conduct a compliance review. Whether or not your fleet was at fault in an accident is beside the point, and if an accident occurs, you should be prepared for scrutiny. The FMCSA provides notice of accident audits in time frames consistent with the severity of the accident. The more severe the accident, the more prompt the FMCSA will conduct the audit, so ensure you keep records detailed and up to date to be prepared.
Failing The New Entrant Safety Audit
The FMCSA closely monitors companies that failed their NESA. Your best bet is to have a firm grasp of safety regulations from the start, ensuring that your company quickly passes its NESA, keeping you out of the crosshairs of a future FMCSA audit. Not only is fully understanding safety regulations in your best interest regarding audits, but it also keeps your fleet safe and accident-free. This way, you can stave off compliance audits from both NESA failure and accidents, a win-win scenario.
Out Of Service Violations
It stands to reason that the more roadside inspections in which your fleet incurs violations, the faster your track is to an FMCSA audit. Violations such as moving violations, hours of service, mechanical, or otherwise, can all lead you down the path to being audited. The FMCSA wants to ensure that your company complies with its regulations; therefore, any out-of-service violations will prompt them to conduct reviews.
Taking Charge Of Fleet Operations
At M2M In Motion, we help our clients with a full range of fleet management tools designed to simplify your operations while increasing your fleet’s productivity and safety. Our FMCSA compliance technology platform gives you the resources needed to conduct operations within regulatory guidelines and allows you to have greater control of compliance standards. Don’t conduct business panicked by the thought of FMCSA audits; take charge of your operations with M2M In Motion today.
