Identify Safety & Compliance Risks with DOT Audits & Assessments
The best time to audit your fleet and assess its safety and compliance performance is before the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) does. By proactively identifying compliance gaps and safety risks, you can take meaningful action that keeps your drivers safe and significantly reduces your risk.
Our proprietary diagnostic audit and assessment services provide an objective review of your policies, procedures, roles and responsibilities from highly experienced DOT consultants. They’ll identify your compliance gaps, tell you which areas require the most attention, and explain how to make improvements that show good faith in the event of an audit or litigation. All services include a written summary report of our findings.
Our most popular audits & assessments include:
DOT Diagnostic Audit & Assessment
Through this service, we'll perform an objective onsite, third-party audit of over 550 safety and compliance areas. Based on the results of that proprietary evaluation, you will receive an overall J. J. Keller® Performance Rating, the key indicator of the effectiveness of your safety & compliance program and a benchmark for future performance. You’ll also be given a complete report of your diagnostic audit and assessment, details of the individual scores, recommendations for making short- and long-term improvements, and the guidance of J. J. Keller's regulatory specialists. Download Free Whitepaper.
FMCSR Compliance Assessment
Similar to our DOT Diagnostic Audit & Assessment, this service focuses specifically on your fleet’s compliance with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). It includes a review of your compliance operations, CSA scorecard, implementation of best practices, and probability of DOT intervention. When complete you’ll also receive a report of recommended action items and related solutions.
ELDT Training Program Assessment
Our expert consultants will review your entry-level driver training program to verify that it meets or exceeds the FMCSA's ELDT final rule. This includes an assessment of your facilities, vehicles, trainers, certifications, documentation and recordkeeping, training curriculum and more. We'll also assist you with getting registered on the Training Provider Registry (TPR). Download Free Whitepaper.
DOT Audit Support Services
If your fleet receives notice of a DOT audit or an intervention under the Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program, we will assist you to ensure the best possible outcome. Your dedicated transportation consultant will prepare your records and documentation and advise you throughout the process. We’ll also help you prevent future audits and interventions by developing a sustainable compliance program customized just for you.
Audit services include a DOT New Entrant Safety Audit if you’re part of FMCSA’s new Entrant Program, a DOT Compliance Review if you’re selected for a Compliance Review or other investigation, and a Safety Upgrade Request if you’re operating with a Conditional or Unsatisfactory Rating and want to submit a formal rating increase request.
Motorcoach & Bus Safety Compliance Assessments
Our onsite compliance assessment provides a comprehensive review of your company’s passenger-carrying DOT program. An experienced consultant will audit your documentation, talk with your key staff, identify areas for improvement and provide written recommendations. We specifically evaluate the target areas identified by the FMCSA 2012 Motorcoach Safety Action Plan (MSAP), including driver fatigue/hours of service, driver behavior, vehicle maintenance, operator oversight, crash avoidance measures and occupant protection.
Hazardous Materials Compliance Assessment
We’ll review your company’s hazardous materials and dangerous goods transportation program in the areas of US Ground (DOT 49 CFR 172700), air (IATA), ocean (IMDG) or Canada Ground (TDG) by evaluating your compliance with domestic and/or international shipping/transportation regulations and advise you of any compliance gaps. You’ll receive a detailed summary of our findings, along with recommendations for improving your program.
FMCSA Compliance Needs Assessment
If you’re looking to establish a DOT safety & compliance program, we’ll asses your fleet operation, including the types of travel you do, the cargo you haul, the industry you’re in, and the related risks and requirements, then provide you with guidance on exactly what elements you need in place for an effective program
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do you calculate the J. J. Keller® Performance Rating?
Your scores in our compliance audit, safety management assessment, CSA performance review and best practice evaluation feed this overall rating. It indicates your fleet’s current safety & compliance performance. We’ll use it to benchmark your company against other organizations, compare performance among facilities, and track your program’s progress.
What types of DOT audits can you assist with?
We can help you with DOT new entrant safety audits, DOT compliance reviews, focused onsite or offsite investigations, and even safety upgrade requests. If you’ve already undergone your audit and need help with your corrective action plan, we can help you make this process much easier. Your consultant will look at each violation (acute and critical), consider the contributing factors to each violation, and determine what action has happened and what needs to happen.
What happens if I perform poorly during a DOT audit?
If you perform poorly in an audit, you may experience monetary fines and be given either an unsatisfactory or conditional rating. An unsatisfactory safety rating can put your company out of service, and even out of business.
What is the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's New Entrant Program?
All new interstate motor carriers are part of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) New Entrant Program for 18 months following registration and receipt of a USDOT number. For new entrants to be granted permanent operating authority, they must operate for 18 months and pass a safety audit (or implement a corrective action plan to address issues). Like all carriers, new entrants continue to be monitored through the CSA program, even after being granted permanent authority.
What does a Conditional rating mean?
A Conditional rating means indicates that motor carrier fails to have proper the safety management controls in place to maintain compliance with the safety fitness standard found in §385.5 of the FMCSRs.
I'd like to learn more!
Talk with a Compliance Specialist today at 844-803-0172 or fill out the form and we'll be in touch!