If you’re new to the trucking world, you probably have a lot of questions. That’s okay! The FMCSA has a lot of helpful information for new entrants. There’s a lot to find out and a lot to learn, but fortunately you can find out more with the New Entrant Program website. That’s a great way to familiarize yourself with the trucking and registration-related information you need. We’ll explain a handful of the sections on the New Entrant Program website.
What is the FMCSA?
First things first – what’s the FMCSA and why is it such a big deal? That’s kind of important. The FMCSA is the administration of the Department of Transportation that forms and upholds regulations intended to lower the number of crashes, injuries, and deaths involving CMVs. The New Entrant Program is how the FMCSA monitors the safety performance of motor carriers during their first 18 months in operation. It’s all about helping carriers operate safely.
And keep in mind that you are a motor carrier if the vehicle…
- Weighs 10,001 lbs or more and does interstate commerce
- Transports over 8 people (driver included) for hire
- Transports over 15 people (driver included) not for hire
- Transports hazardous materials that require placards
(And by the way, that means you need to register with the FMCSA.)
What’s on the New Entrant Program Website?
There are many helpful topics you can find out about the New Entrant Program website:
1. How the FMCSA monitors compliance.
There is plenty of nitty-gritty about how exactly the FMCSA monitors compliance and safety. Since safety is so crucial, it’s a good idea to be familiar with how the FMCSA keeps tabs on that sort of thing. You need to understand the methodology behind it. And you can find out about that through the New Entrant Program website.
2. How to safely operate a trucking business.
There is also information about safely operating a trucking business. The trucking world comes with its risks. For the sake of your drivers and the other drivers that are on the road, you need to be committed to safety at your business. Safety isn’t a joke, and it shouldn’t be taken lightly.
3. Find out how to prepare for a safety audit.
There are also these things called safety audits. And it’s important to know how to prepare for these audits. You can learn how a safety audit is done and what violations can cause a carrier to fail the audit. (Basically you’re going to have to go through a Safety Audit within the first year of operation so you can complete the New Entrant Program.) But you don’t have to feel scared or overwhelmed. That’s why the New Entrant Program site has resources to help you prepare.
4. How to begin the program.
The FMCSA New Entrant Program also provides plenty of information about how to begin the New Entrant Program. It kind of walks you through the whole process. That way you know what to expect.
5. The regulations you have to follow.
The website also gives you the regulations that you have to follow. That way you can get some guidance about them. (The trucking world is heavily regulated, so being familiar with these things is important. Like we said earlier, the FMCSA takes safety very seriously. Be sure you understand the various regulations you need to follow.)
6. The help center.
There’s also a Help Center on the New Entrant Program’s website that has a bunch of helpful information. There are a few sections:
- A glossary with a ton of definitions of words you might need to know.
- FMCSA programs.
- Safety audit resource center.
- FAQs to answer questions you could have.
So, that’s the help center! It gives you a place to go if you have questions or need more information.
If you’re new to the trucking world and you’re going through the New Entrant Program, you should check out their website. There’s a lot of helpful information to be found there, and you can equip yourself with the knowledge you need to succeed through the New Entrant Program. So, take some time to study up!
Get truck insurance quotes.
There’s another aspect of trucking that you have to consider – and that’s truck insurance. Our team would be happy to help you get the coverage you need to protect your business. We get the transportation industry and we know the ins and outs. You can get in touch with our team by filling out our online form, giving us a call, or messaging us. That’s what we do!
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