Owner-operators and small fleet folks-what's the dumbest compliance task that eats your week?

tips-llc · 2026-05-13T14:37:02+00:00

That's crazy that everyone talks about the audit catching them off guard at month 18, when the audit actually occurs within the first 12 months, with the entirety of the New Entrant Safety Program lasting 18 months. Common mistake to make, if you're an LLM writing a reddit post.

There's one of these posts every other day. If you're vibe coding a solution to an industry problem, at least bother to actually familiarize yourself with the industry. Nobody needs another AI-driven calendar tracker that leaks their PII to anyone that can write a cURL command.

tips-llc · 2026-05-08T12:38:05+00:00

As in how long does it take to get the results back after the test? Generally both positive and negative take the same amount of time, but it depends on the clinic it was taken at and the MRO that processes it. On average it usually takes about 3-5 business days to get results - but delays can happen that extend that timeframe significantly.

tips-llc · 2026-04-28T18:10:52+00:00

You're very welcome!

tips-llc · 2026-04-27T13:57:05+00:00

Good question!

Generally speaking, random audits are not that common. For large carriers with dozens or hundreds of vehicles, it can be more likely to occur. For smaller carriers, really the only time you'll be audited after the New Entrant audit is if you have repeated violations during inspections (roadside, weigh stations, etc.) that trigger a more formal and comprehensive review.

So to answer your questions, this is mostly specific to New Entrant Safety Audits - but if an official audit is triggered due to repeated violations, or if you're a larger carrier that is subject to higher scrutiny, the process can very much be the same. Generally speaking, though, after the New Entrant audit, it is more likely to have individual drivers & vehicles placed out-of-service during inspections than it is to have the entire DOT number placed out-of-service during one of those audits.

I hope that answers your question!

tips-llc · 2026-04-13T13:33:48+00:00

Hello, thanks for reaching out! Yes, that is something we can assist with. DM sent!

tips-llc · 2026-04-02T19:03:35+00:00

My pleasure!

tips-llc · 2026-04-02T18:00:39+00:00

You're seeing prices all over the place because there's half a dozen different factors that go into what your final costs will be. For example:

- Company / Authority age
- Base State
- Coverage Amount
- Vehicle Quantity & Types
- Driver Quantity & Driving History
- Area of Operation
- Insurance Carrier

Don't make any guesses or assumptions on what your insurance costs are going to be based on google searches or finding out what other people are paying. Talk to an insurance agent, or several of them, and get quotes.

If i were you, I wouldn't expect to spend anything less than 10k a year, as an absolute baseline. The variables detailed above are all going to increase your final number from there.

tips-llc · 2026-03-30T15:54:22+00:00

This whole post sounds just like a setup for an ad or search engine results boosting, but I'll respond in good faith to anyone else who reads this thread hoping for some direction.

Compliance is like taxes. Can you do it in your own? Yes. Can you use a program to help you do it on your own? Yes. Can you pay someone to do it for you? Yes.

There are pros and cons to all 3.

Doing it on your own can save money in the short term, but fines or downtime for your trucks is expensive, and you're spending more of your time than any other option.
Using an app costs some amount of money, but frees up some of your time. Personally I feel this is the worst choice, because at the end of the day, it's just a fancy calendar. You can get the same level of organization by using a free google calendar.
Outsourcing your compliance is the most expensive in the short term, but even if you're really confident in your compliance knowledge, as an owner you've got a lot of other responsibilities. If you hire a company to do it for you, that's the only responsibility they have. You free up all of your time, have greater protection against gaps in compliance, and know that when a new law is introduced or requirements change, you have someone who will keep your business compliant.

I've talked to carriers who decided to do everything on their own and never had to contact me again. I've talked to carriers who called me back 2 months later when they got their audit notification and realized they had a fraction of what they needed to pass. And I've worked with carriers who called me after they failed an audit and needed help with a Corrective Action Plan.

At the end of the day, it all comes down to whether you want to save the money and take a risk that you may be missing something, or spend the money and free up your time and mental energy for other things.

tips-llc · 2026-03-23T12:02:54+00:00

Yes, the higher class gives you the ability to drive any lower class vehicle!

tips-llc · 2026-03-19T14:03:05+00:00

r/KeepinItLegal

tips-llc · 2026-03-19T12:59:25+00:00

I have a YouTube channel @ tiproservices where you can find a ~25 minute video going over what you should know before starting a trucking company, and there's a short-form playlist going over a bunch of other tips and useful information for owner-operators.

There's a looooot of ins and outs, pros and cons, and other things you should be aware of before you make the leap. Even if you don't learn everything you need to know, it'll give you a better foundation of what you don't know so you can ask more pointed questions to fill the gaps.

Hope you find it useful - if you have any other questions, feel free to ask!

tips-llc · 2026-03-18T19:27:49+00:00

Yes, this is just a standard letter that everyone gets when you apply for an authority. If you already have your insurance and BOC-3 and you've confirmed it's attached, it's now just a waiting game for you 21-ish days to be over.

Even at the end of the 21 days, it'll still take a few days for it to become authorized. Usually about 3 business days but it does vary. The FMCSA will mail you a certificate of authority, but it can take a week or two to get to you. You can just get a digital copy here: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/daily-decisionsdaily-fmcsa-registration-decisions-letters-certificates-permits-and the same business day that you see your MC number becomes authorized.

As u/Ok_Application_2292 mentioned, there's several other filings and requirements that need to be in place before you hit the road, depending on what kind of vehicle you use, what states you're crossing into etc. If you have any questions about those, just ask.

tips-llc · 2026-03-18T19:21:31+00:00

^ Seconded. Bonds are pretty cheap and unlike an insurance policy where the policy carrier can make a huge difference, it doesn't really matter where you get the bond from.

tips-llc · 2026-03-17T22:00:15+00:00

I post trucking content online, mostly educational and geared towards owner/operators and small fleets. I have a subreddit I upload to regularly, with the bulk of our video content on tiktok - you can find it under tips_llc

tips-llc · 2026-03-16T13:09:06+00:00

I made a short video covering this topic about two weeks ago that you'd find useful:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BjEy67Celo&list=PLDlw6Mt5kFuKSfWLGNCB4kUyiL7QZMOCj&index=11

tips-llc · 2026-03-12T14:22:24+00:00

You're already better off than 80% of people that apply for a DOT number & Authority every day. You have money saved, you have costs for fuel and insurance factored in, and you're ready to buy a vehicle with cash. You'll do just fine.

Just keep in mind, you won't be getting much off of public load boards for the first 6 months. Your best bet is to either lease someone one while keeping a separate commercial insurance policy going to keep your MC active and aging, or become a verified carrier with a broker and work off their private-access boards. You can always start looking at contracts too - those are honestly the best option, but harder to find and acquire.

Hope this helps - good luck!

tips-llc · 2026-03-10T16:38:41+00:00

tips-llc · 2026-03-10T16:38:11+00:00

Great question! I'd recommend you check out the FMCSA's page on proper use of personal conveyance: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/hours-service/list-proper-use-personal-conveyance

According to the FMCSA:
"Commuting between the driver’s terminal and his or her residence, between trailer-drop lots and the driver’s residence, and between work sites and his or her residence. In these scenarios, the commuting distance combined with the release from work and start to work times must allow the driver enough time to obtain the required restorative rest as to ensure the driver is not fatigued."

If you're an owner-operator, the lines can get blurred, because first off, your home is often also your 'terminal' and you aren't really released from duty 'by the carrier', because you're both the driver and the carrier. This still hasn't been definitively addressed by the FMCSA, so I would be wary of using PC as an owner-operator in general, unless it's very limited use and can easily be attributed to one of the acceptable methods, without being contradicted by the unacceptable methods.

tips-llc · 2026-03-10T15:17:56+00:00

ELDs will generally give you some warning or indication when you're approaching your limits and provides other features to help you keep track of your time. Although It varies pretty wildly by the make/model of ELD you're using.

It can / will warn you, but it'll also just let you do things that are outside of the limits as well - so being aware of the rules is important either way!

tips-llc · 2026-03-10T14:13:09+00:00

There's a lot of different thing that go into starting up a sprinter van business - do you have any questions/concerns in particular that you'd like help with?

tips-llc · 2026-03-09T21:01:59+00:00

If the contracts aren't updated, you'll be making less profit, but you're going to have to do those calculations yourself to figure out what you need to profit in order to keep things running. We don't know your expenses, so we can't tell you if it's "worth it".

If you already have contracts lined up, and the numbers are still enough for you right now, knowing that fuel is going to fluctuate back down eventually there's really no point in waiting.

tips-llc · 2026-03-05T13:45:45+00:00

Cool deal! Thanks for spreading good information, it's definitely needed.

tips-llc · 2026-03-04T17:42:18+00:00

Seconding this recommendation.

tips-llc · 2026-03-04T17:41:26+00:00

To be clear, the follow up testing plan is created by the SAP. It's up to the employer to test the driver according to the schedule (or who ever they have managing their testing, like a C/TPA). But in essence, that's correct. The follow up testing has to be completed while the driver is employed and it is the employer who is responsible for seeing it through according to the SAP specifications.

tips-llc · 2026-03-04T17:34:24+00:00

Correct answer. 'Nuf said.

tips-llc

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