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§ New-entrant audit — Idaho

The new-entrant safety audit in Idaho

The FMCSA new-entrant safety audit works the same way in Idaho as everywhere else: it is a federal program. Every new Idaho interstate motor carrier is monitored for 18 months and undergoes a safety audit of the six factors (General, Driver, Operational, Vehicle, Hazardous Materials, and Accident), generally after at least 3 months of operation. What is specific to Idaho is intrastate registration, handled by the state.

When does the new-entrant audit happen for a Idaho carrier?

After a new entrant satisfies its pre-operational requirements, it is subject to new-entrant safety monitoring for 18 months, and a safety audit is conducted once it has operated long enough to have sufficient records — generally at least 3 months (49 CFR 385.307).

What does the audit check?

The same six factors evaluated in every state: General (Parts 387, 390), Driver (Parts 382, 383, 391), Operational (Parts 392, 395), Vehicle (Parts 393, 396), Hazardous Materials (Parts 171, 177, 180, 397), and Accident (recordable rate per million miles). This grouping is defined in 49 CFR Appendix A to Part 385.

What is specific to Idaho?

Idaho intrastate matters are handled by the Idaho State Police, Commercial Vehicle Safety — DOT Numbers. These are separate from the federal new-entrant audit.

  • Intrastate reg required: Yes for qualifying carriers. Per Idaho Motor Carrier Rules (Rule 19), vehicles with a GVWR of 26,001 lbs or greater, a combination weight rating, transporting more than 8 passengers, or hauling placarded hazardous materials must obtain a DOT number; intrastate operators file the Idaho Intrastate Application for Registration (form ITD 3033, Rev. 04-2025), which requires a U.S. DOT Number and Taxpayer Identification Number. Register online at crs.idaho.celtic-host.com.
  • UCR: Required for interstate carriers; purely intrastate carriers are exempt. UCR is filed annually through the National Registration System (registration for 2026 opened October 1, 2025).
  • State fee: No fixed state carrier-number fee stated; intrastate registration fees follow Idaho's registration fee schedule and are invoiced by ITD after processing (do not remit payment with the application). UCR 2025/2026 fee for the smallest fleet (0-2 power units) is $46.00 (brackets: 3-5 = $138.00; 6-20 = $276.00; 21-100 = $963.00; 101-1000 = $4,592.00; 1001+ = $44,836.00).
  • New-entrant / safety audit: When a carrier obtains a USDOT number, FMCSA places it in the New Entrant Safety Assurance Program. Idaho aims to complete the safety audit within statutory limits of 12 months for most carriers, or 120 days for passenger carriers.

Common questions

What does a new motor carrier need to register and operate in Idaho?
A new Idaho-based motor carrier must get a USDOT number, and if it operates only within Idaho with vehicles rated 26,001 lbs GVWR or more (or a combination weight rating), carrying more than 8 passengers, or hauling placarded hazmat, it must obtain an intrastate DOT number and file the Idaho Intrastate Application for Registration (ITD 3033); interstate carriers must also pay Unified Carrier Registration (UCR), which starts at $46.00 for 0-2 power units, while purely intrastate carriers are U...

Prep your own new-entrant audit

The CarrierReady Audit-Prep Kit gives you fillable templates mapped to all six factors — driver qualification files, a written maintenance program, a drug-and-alcohol testing policy, an accident register, and a document-by-document checklist.

See the kit

Primary sources

CarrierReady is an independent audit-preparation tool — not legal advice, and not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the FMCSA or any government agency; always verify against the official regulations at ecfr.gov.