New entrant safety audit in Michigan: what to expect
Once a new interstate carrier starts operating, FMCSA monitors it for 18 months and runs a safety audit, generally within the first 12 months. In Michigan, the State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division has a Safety Audit Unit for these audits. Operating without the required insurance is one of 16 violations that fail the audit automatically (49 CFR 385.321).
- The 18-month new entrant period
- Who does the audit in Michigan
- What the auditor reviews
- Automatic failures, including insurance
- After the audit
- How to get ready
- FAQ
Every new interstate carrier starts as a new entrant. The safety audit checks that your basic safety controls work. Here is what it covers, how Michigan handles it, and where insurance fits.
The 18-month new entrant period
- New entrant monitoring lasts 18 months after you meet the pre-operational requirements (49 CFR 385.307). FMCSA watches your roadside inspections during that time.
- The audit comes once you have enough records to review, generally at least 3 months in, and FMCSA says within 12 months after you begin operations.
- Roadside problems, such as using a driver without a valid CDL or running a truck placed out of service, can bring an expedited audit or review (385.308).
Who does the audit in Michigan
- The Michigan State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division lists a Safety Audit Unit that conducts safety audits on new motor carriers within the first 12 months of operation.
- CVED's main line is 517-284-3250. Option 6 is new entrant safety audits (CVED contact page).
- Intrastate-only Michigan carriers are not in the federal new entrant program, but the Michigan Center for Truck Safety says they must follow the same rules as adopted by Michigan and can face a State Police compliance review. We are not affiliated with the Michigan Center for Truck Safety.
What the auditor reviews
The audit reviews your safety management systems and a sample of records (385.311), including:
- Driver qualification files
- Hours of service records
- Vehicle maintenance records
- Accident register
- Drug and alcohol testing program and records
It is generally done at your place of business (385.315). FMCSA's Safety Planner says it can also happen at an agreed location or electronically.
Automatic failures, including insurance
Any one of 16 violations fails the audit (385.321). Among them:
- No drug and alcohol testing program, or no random testing program
- Knowingly using a driver without a valid CDL, or a disqualified or medically unqualified driver
- Operating without the required minimum financial responsibility (387.7(a))
- Not requiring drivers to keep hours of service records (51% or more of records examined)
- Running a truck declared out of service before repairs
- Using a truck not periodically inspected (51% or more of records examined)
Keep your liability filing active with no gaps. See insurance on file for a new MC authority and what a BMC-91X filing is.
After the audit
- FMCSA sends written notice within 45 days of the audit saying whether you passed (385.319).
- If you fail, you get 60 days to fix the problems (45 days for hazmat and some passenger carriers). If the fix is not accepted in time, FMCSA revokes your new entrant registration and orders you out of service (385.325).
- If you refuse the audit, you have 10 days from the notice to agree in writing, or registration is revoked on day 11 (385.337).
- After a revocation you can reapply after 30 days, and the 18-month period starts over (385.329T).
- Pass and finish the 18 months, and your registration becomes permanent (385.333).
How to get ready
- Set up a qualification file for each driver before they drive. See hiring drivers.
- Join a drug and alcohol testing program, with random testing, before your first dispatch.
- Keep hours of service records for every driver.
- Keep inspection and repair records, and a periodic inspection for each truck.
- Start an accident register on day one.
- Confirm your insurance filing shows as active on FMCSA's records.
Hauling only inside Michigan? Start with Michigan CVED Authority. New to all of it? See starting a trucking business in Michigan.
FAQ
When does the new entrant safety audit happen?
FMCSA says within 12 months after you begin operations. The rule says it comes once you have enough records to review, generally at least 3 months in (49 CFR 385.307). Monitoring lasts 18 months.
Who does new entrant audits in Michigan?
The Michigan State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division lists a Safety Audit Unit that audits new motor carriers within their first 12 months. Its main line is 517-284-3250; option 6 is new entrant safety audits.
What fails a new entrant audit automatically?
Any one of 16 violations in 49 CFR 385.321. They include no drug and alcohol testing program, knowingly using a driver without a valid CDL, operating without the required insurance, and running a truck declared out of service before repairs.
What happens if I fail the safety audit?
FMCSA sends written notice within 45 days of the audit. Most carriers then have 60 days to fix the problems. If FMCSA does not accept the fix in time, it revokes the new entrant registration and orders you out of service (385.325).
Can the audit be done remotely?
FMCSA's Safety Planner says the audit happens at your place of business, an agreed location, or electronically, by sending documents online or by fax.
Do Michigan intrastate carriers get a new entrant audit?
Not under the federal program. The Michigan Center for Truck Safety says intrastate carriers must still follow the same rules as adopted by Michigan, and can face a compliance review by the Michigan State Police.
This guide is general information, not legal advice or an offer of insurance. Rules and programs change, so check the sources below. Helm Partners is a trucking-only insurance agency being formed in Michigan. We are not licensed in any state yet. Our Michigan license is pending. We do not quote or sell insurance until licensed.
Sources
- FMCSA: New Entrant Safety Assurance Program (last updated May 31, 2022)
- 49 CFR Part 385 Subpart D: New Entrant Safety Assurance Program (last amended Nov 18, 2024)
- 49 CFR 385.321: Safety audit failure (16 automatic failures) (last amended Nov 18, 2024)
- 49 CFR 385.329T: Re-application (last amended Nov 18, 2024)
- FMCSA Motor Carrier Safety Planner: Safety audits (accessed Oct 26, 2026)
- Michigan State Police: Commercial Vehicle Enforcement overview (accessed Oct 26, 2026)
- Michigan State Police CVED: Contact us (accessed Oct 26, 2026)
- Michigan Center for Truck Safety: New entrant information (accessed Oct 26, 2026)
- FMCSA: Insurance Filing Requirements (last updated Mar 26, 2026)