What Is a CSA Score in Trucking?

What is a CSA score in trucking? FMCA Filings can help carriers understand this vital rating and how it affects business.

No matter what type of FMCSA DOT update a company needs, our knowledgeable and friendly staff makes it easy. We make filing FMCSA compliance and other documents easy by offering everything you need in one, intuitive place.

The Role of a Compliance, Safety, and Accountability Score in the Shipping Industry

The compliance, safety, and accountability score plays an important role in trucking safety. It helps hold carriers and their drivers accountable for their actions and improves the overall security of the highways. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration oversees the program to help trucking professionals stay responsible. 

Rather than assess individual drivers, the rating reflects the carrier as a whole. Thus, it's essential to empower your employees to take individual responsibility. Your score updates monthly and shows the following information:

• The number of safety violations and inspections.
• The severity and date of violations and crashes.
• Overall vehicle numbers and miles they traveled.

Understanding the Seven Categories in Your Rating

You can find your violations on FMCA filings. The FMSCA categorizes them into seven BASICs (Behavior, Analysis, and Safety Improvement Categories):

1. Unsafe driving: These violations include speeding, changing lanes without a signal, and driving without a seatbelt.
2. Crash indicators: This information isn't public, but it shows your company's history and involvement with crashes.
3. Hours-of-service regulation: What is a CSA score in trucking? These compliance issues deal with driving too frequently or improper logging.
4. Maintenance requirements: Problems with brakes, broken lights, and failing to make repairs fall under this category. 
5. Controlled substances: These violations deal with driving drunk or possessing controlled substances.
6. Hazardous materials: The organization doesn't release information about leaky containers, incorrect packaging, and similar problems to the public.
7. Driver fitness: You'll find instances of drivers operating without a license or with unsafe medical conditions here.

Calculating Your Safety Rating as a Carrier

How do authorities calculate your carrier safety rating? You want your score to remain close to zero. While the scale goes to 100, disciplinary actions can start at 50.

Each violation has a different rating depending on its severity. For example, an improper lane change adds five points, whereas more severe reckless driving can incur 10 points. The more recent the issue, the higher the score.

How Your Score Impacts Your Trucking Company

What happens when your score rises? Once you reach 65 in certain categories, the FMSCA questions your DOT compliance and launches an investigation. If you transport passengers or hazardous waste, you want to avoid a score of 50.

Some categories allow a rating up to 85 without consequences. However, you're better off trying to keep everything far below the threshold.

During the investigation, the authorities will look for patterns of non-compliance and the root cause behind crashes and other violations. They'll look at your documentation and safety procedures. They'll also consider whether you've taken steps to correct problematic drivers.

What is a CSA score in trucking? Depending on what they find, they could take the following actions:

• Warning: You may only receive a warning letter urging you to address the issues or risk more serious consequences. It does not outline specific actions.
• Notice of Violation (NoV): This notice identifies a problem and discusses specific actions you should take. It requires submitted evidence of the correction.
• Notice of Claim: When a carrier fails to act on a NoV, it receives a notice of claim. It can include expensive civil penalties.
• Out-of-Service Order: If the situation continues worsening or the violations pose a public safety issue, the FMSCA can suspend the carrier's operations until they resolve the issue.

Improving Your Rating for Carrier Safety

How can you improve a rising carrier safety rating? Start by carefully vetting every driver and ensuring they go through the necessary training and safety programs.

You should also take extra care to maintain your fleet. Perform regular maintenance checks and never delay making repairs. Harness the power of technology for monitoring and real-time data so you can make suggestions to your drivers quickly.

Check Your CSA Score at FMCA Filings Today

What is a CSA score in trucking? At FMCA Filings, you can learn about your score and address any issues before they trigger an investigation. Whether you're wondering about DOT requirements for trucking or need to file forms, we can help.

No matter what type of assistance you need, we make it easy. Talk with FMCA Filings through our live chat or complete our online form today.