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§ New-entrant audit — Virginia

The new-entrant safety audit in Virginia

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

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

Virginia intrastate matters are handled by the Virginia DMV — For-Hire Intrastate Operating Authority. These are separate from the federal new-entrant audit.

  • Intrastate reg required: No separate state DOT number. But for-hire carriers moving property or passengers point-to-point within Virginia must obtain Virginia For-Hire Intrastate Operating Authority from the DMV (Operating Authority application; online filing available since Jan 1, 2026, mandatory Feb 1, 2027). Private/exempt carriers may not need authority.
  • UCR: UCR applies to INTERSTATE carriers only, not purely intrastate carriers. Per VA DMV: "Interstate motor carriers of nearly every type are subject to UCR." A Virginia-only intrastate carrier is not required to register for UCR.
  • State fee: Intrastate Operating Authority: $50 filing fee for a certificate, permit, or license. Annual per-vehicle fee: $10 for for-hire property carrier vehicles, $3 for for-hire passenger carrier vehicles. UCR (interstate only): $46.00 per entity for the 0-2 vehicle bracket, 2026 registration year.
  • Notes: Before authority is issued, applicant must give DMV proof of liability insurance (and cargo insurance if applicable); certificate applicants also need a surety bond or irrevocable letter of credit. Each vehicle must be titled and registered in Virginia and display for-hire plates. Certificate applicants must publish newspaper notice of the application. No Virginia-specific new-entrant safety audit is stated on these DMV pages (FMCSA runs the federal New Entrant Safety Audit for USDOT carriers).

Common questions

What does a new motor carrier need to register and operate in Virginia?
A new Virginia-based motor carrier does not need a separate state "intrastate DOT number," but for-hire carriers hauling property or passengers point-to-point within Virginia must obtain For-Hire Intrastate Operating Authority from the Virginia DMV (a $50 filing fee, plus proof of insurance and, for property carriers, a $10 annual per-vehicle fee); UCR applies only to interstate carriers, at $46 for the 0-2 vehicle bracket in 2026.

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.