How Can I Improve My DOT Safety Score?
Your DOT safety score can make or break your commercial driving career. An exceptional score secures your future opportunities. Like many truckers, you seek answers to the following question: “How can I improve my DOT safety score?”
Read through FMCA Filing’s guide below before the next DOT safety audit. We’ll help you make the most of your safety score.
What Is a DOT Safety Score?
Also known as a Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) score, the DOT safety score went into effect in 2010. It encourages drivers and trucking companies to promote safe driving and maintenance habits. Each score allows the FMCSA to monitor driver and fleet performance in accordance with its predefined safety standards.
The FMSCA updates scores monthly. The scale slides between one and one hundred. You should strive to achieve the lowest score possible throughout your driving career. Once the FMCSA makes a decision about your past month’s driving performance, it updates your overall score.
A driver may receive one of the following compliance ratings:
- Satisfactory
- Conditional
- Unsatisfactory
- Not Rated
Safety Score Basics
Before answering the question, “How can I improve my DOT safety score?” you must first understand how the FMCSA grades you. The FMCSA uses the following categories to score you:
- Unsafe Driving examines your overall driving habits, including texting while driving, speeding, and recklessness.
- Driver Fitness investigates your paper trial. For example, documented traffic violations or failure to obtain proper permits will appear here.
- Crash Reports document your involvement in any reported accidents.
- Vehicle Maintenance examines whether you employ proper maintenance protocol for each route.
- Hazmat Compliance applies to drivers who carry potentially hazardous materials such as cargo.
- HOS Compliance ensures that you follow regulations dictating how many hours you can drive at a time.
- Controlled Substance and Alcohol Use addresses whether you use illicit substances that could affect your route and driving safety.
How Does My Score Affect Me?
Your DOT safety score significantly impacts your employability; it can either increase your career opportunities or take them away, depending on your results. A trucking company may choose not to hire a driver with a high safety score to avoid increasing its overall score.
Similarly, companies that need to ship goods will avoid carriers with high safety numbers. The carrier’s safety score could affect whether their goods make it to their destinations in one piece.
How Can I Improve My DOT Safety Score?
You can improve your DOT safety score by forming the following habits.
- Prioritize vehicle inspections. Ensure no vehicles miss the mark.
- Update your required licenses and certifications when necessary.
- Always prioritize your and others’ safety in all routes.
- Strictly follow all traffic laws at all times.
Following these tips consistently can bring your safety score down, which improves your standing as a driver.
Strengthen Your Safety Compliance with FMCA Filings
“How can I improve my DOT safety score?” At FMCA Filings, we recommend putting safety first. Learn more about driver safety and avoiding DOT inspection violations through our resources.
Contact us to discover better ways to obtain permits.
