Blog • IFTA Basics
How Truck Drivers Can Prepare for an IFTA Audit
An IFTA audit verifies that your reported miles and fuel match what you actually drove and purchased. Getting ready isn’t just paperwork—it’s about keeping consistent, reproducible records so you can answer any auditor question without stress.
Core records you must keep
- Mileage by jurisdiction for every trip, with dates and routes.
- Fuel receipts with date, location, gallons, and vehicle/unit ID.
- Quarterly summaries that tie miles and fuel back to each state/province.
- Vehicle list (VIN/unit), plate numbers, and IFTA license details.
Mileage accuracy: what auditors check
- Routes that make sense (no impossible detours or missing segments).
- Miles that align with map-based expectations for each trip.
- Jurisdiction splits that match state/provincial crossings.
- Reasonable MPG when fuel is paired with miles per jurisdiction.
Fuel documentation: avoid easy flags
- Keep original receipts (date, address, gallons, seller) or clear scans.
- Match fuel to the vehicle/unit that used it—don’t mix units.
- Avoid “fuel without miles” or “miles without fuel” patterns by jurisdiction.
How modern tooling helps
- Map-based mileage: Reproducible routes and automatic state splits without invasive GPS.
- Audit-ready storage: Retains trips, timestamps, calculations, and fuel links for at least 4 years.
- Consistent MPG checks: Flags outliers before filings.
Quick prep checklist
- Confirm every trip has miles by jurisdiction and a reproducible route.
- Match all fuel receipts to the correct unit with dates and gallons.
- Review MPG reasonableness by jurisdiction each quarter.
- Keep digital copies of receipts and trip records for at least 4 years.