# DOT Audit Defense & FMCSA Investigation

> Surviving an FMCSA on-site or off-site compliance review — the seven BASICs, retention windows, safety-rating spectrum, and DataQs appeals.

Source: <https://www.fasttruckingcompliance.com/guides/dot-audit-defense-and-fmcsa-investigation>
Publisher: Fast Trucking Compliance
License: All rights reserved. Citations welcome with attribution and a link back to the source.

## Key takeaways

- FMCSA compliance reviews sample seven BASIC categories against three-year retention windows.
- Safety-rating spectrum: Satisfactory, Conditional, Unsatisfactory under 49 CFR §385.3.
- HOS records retained 6 months; DQ files current + 3 years; accident register 3 years.
- DataQs portal challenges individual inspection data; RDR under §385.15 challenges the overall rating.
- Unsatisfactory rating triggers an OOS order in 45 days for HM/passenger carriers.

## Topics covered

- DOT audit defense
- FMCSA compliance review
- CSA BASICs
- safety rating
- DataQs
- RDR appeal

## Read the full article

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