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§ New-entrant audit — Kansas

The new-entrant safety audit in Kansas

The FMCSA new-entrant safety audit works the same way in Kansas as everywhere else: it is a federal program. Every new Kansas 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 Kansas is intrastate registration, handled by the state.

When does the new-entrant audit happen for a Kansas 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 Kansas?

Kansas intrastate matters are handled by the Kansas Highway Patrol - Do I need a USDOT number or other authority to operate in Kansas?, with Kansas Corporation Commission Transportation Division redbook and FAQs. These are separate from the federal new-entrant audit.

  • UCR: Interstate only. Per the KCC, UCR Exempt Operations include a 'Wholly intrastate CMV.' Kansas Highway Patrol: UCR is 'a fee collected from interstate carriers'; you must pay if you operate interstate or have an active Operating Authority (MC number). Per KHP, UCR enforcement begins January 1st of each year. (The commonly cited Oct 1 - Dec 31 registration/renewal window is standard for UCR nationally but is NOT stated on the KHP source page.)

Common questions

What does a new motor carrier need to register and operate in Kansas?
A new Kansas-based motor carrier needs a free USDOT number from FMCSA, and if it operates purely intrastate at 10,001 lbs or more it must obtain Kansas commercial vehicle registration (license plate) under KSA 8-143m and, for for-hire operation, intrastate operating authority from the Kansas Corporation Commission; the federal UCR fee applies only to interstate carriers because wholly intrastate CMVs are UCR-exempt.

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.