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Corrective Action Prep

What to do — and how fast — if a safety audit doesn't go your way.

If a Safety Audit Doesn't Go Well

A failed safety audit isn't automatically the end of your operating authority — but it does start a strict clock. Carriers who fail are generally required to submit a Corrective Action Plan (CAP) addressing every violation found, and the FMCSA typically expects that plan within 15 days of the failure notice.

What a Corrective Action Plan Needs to Cover

  • ✓ A response to each specific violation cited in the audit
  • ✓ An explanation of why the violation occurred
  • ✓ The specific corrective measures being put in place
  • ✓ Supporting documentation showing the fix is real, not just promised
  • ✓ A signed certification from a corporate officer or owner

Missing the deadline can lead to revoked operating authority and an out-of-service order — which is why having a plan ready to move on quickly matters as much as the plan's content.

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