Auditors have a choice. They can review your files from their office or show up at your facility in person.
The type of audit you get matters. A lot.
The Shift to On-Site Audits
For the fourth year in a row, 2024 saw an increase in on-site audits from the FMCSA and its state partners, with more than 8 in 10 audits now being done on-site.
On-site audits are more thorough. Auditors interview staff. They review physical records. They inspect vehicles. They look deeper.
Why On-Site Audits Find More Violations
On-site audits bring much more scrutiny — more interviews conducted, more documents reviewed, more vehicles inspected — so it’s no surprise they’re uncovering twice as many acute violations as off-site audits.
On-site means you can’t hide anything. Your filing system either works or it doesn’t. Your driver files either are complete or they’re missing documents.
There’s nowhere to hide.
What This Means for Your Preparation
If you’re getting an on-site audit, you need:
- Complete, organized digital files
- No missing documents
- Instant audit trail access
- Professional presentation
Companies that scramble find violations in an on-site audit. Companies that are prepared pass them.
The On-Site Reality
On-site investigations rose 77% in 2023 over the 2020 level.
On-site audits aren’t becoming rarer. They’re becoming standard.
You need to prepare for an on-site audit, not an off-site one. Your preparation should assume the auditor is walking through your door.
Prepare for on-site. Master any audit type.
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ComplyDQ: On-site audit ready in one day. Comprehensive driver files that pass the highest scrutiny.
Sources:
- J. J. Keller Encompass: 2023 FMCSA Audits Year in Review
- Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff: Surviving a DOT Audit
- FMCSA Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS)