New Entrant

Definition

New Entrant is the FMCSA designation under 49 CFR Part 385 for any motor carrier in the first 18 months after authority activation. New entrants undergo a Safety Assurance Program that culminates in a state-conducted safety audit roughly 12 months in. Passing the audit keeps the carrier on track; the registration becomes permanent at the end of the 18-month period if no out-of-service order or corrective-action notice is open (49 CFR 385.333(a)). Failing it brings a notice and 60 days (45 for passenger and placarded-hazmat carriers) to correct, or the registration is revoked (§385.319(c)). The new-entrant designation is visible on SAFER and is sometimes used by brokers to apply additional scrutiny during carrier qualification. Drug program enrollment, DQ files, hours-of-service records, vehicle maintenance, accident register, and insurance must all be in order at the audit.