Use of Off-site Compliance Reviews Grows

According to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) data covering its 2021 compliance audit activity, more than 40% of all carrier audits last year were conducted off-site, that is, away from the carrier’s place of business. FMCSA had begun to transition its safety audits more toward off-site reviews prior to the pandemic, but with the onslaught of COVID-19, the agency began further limiting in-person contact between trucking company personnel and federal and state investigators.

In addition, 52% of audits conducted during 2021 resulted in a Conditional rating, if any rating was issued at all. While the Conditional rating may have been justified, carriers who have experienced a Conditional rating often face an uphill battle trying to remove the Conditional rating and replace it with a Satisfactory rating. Meanwhile many brokers and shippers won’t use their services.

Were you audited in 2021, and if so, was it an off-site audit? Our safety consultants are interested in learning more about your real-world audit experiences. Watch your email for a short survey on compliance audits and be sure to respond. If you have specific comments or questions to share, email us at safety@safecarriers.org.