After a motor carrier satisfies all applicable pre-operational requirements, including establishing safety management controls, and registering with FMCSA, it is considered a new entrant subject to the new entrant safety monitoring procedures for a period of 18 months. During this 18-month period FMCSA will:
- Closely monitor the new entrant’s safety performance through inspections to ensure that the new entrant has basic safety management controls that are operating effectively.
- Conduct a Safety Audit of the new entrant once the carrier has been in operation for enough time to have sufficient records to allow FMCSA to evaluate the adequacy of its safety management controls.
Carriers that fail to demonstrate basic safety management controls may have their new entrant registration revoked. New entrants are also monitored through the CSA program and are subject to all CSA interventions during the 18-month new entrant period.