The purpose of a DOT audit is to verify that there is “management control’ over all of the critical factors of DOT compliance and safety. The last minute preparation for an audit is normal but control over these areas in the transportation business should be established as normal everyday practices. This article covers all of the factors inspected in an audit but in reality should simply be a summary of your fleet procedures. If procedures are established and the records are organized to ensure that performance is meeting objectives, anything less than a Satisfactory rating would be a surprise. Remember that the result of an audit is usually to identify opportunities to get get better at what we do. Best Practices for Preparing for a DOT Audit