Your CSA Score – How To Check It (And Why You Should!)
June 20, 2012Today, there are 512,180 carriers actively operating in the United States, and 55,000 of them are over the FMCSA’s intervention threshold. And that’s not all—those 55,000 carriers may also be under greater scrutiny by the insurance companies who adjust their premiums and the shippers actively searching for a reputable fleet.
When it comes to your CSA score, where do you stand?
If you’re not sure, we encourage you to find out. There are two ways you can access your CSA score:
1) Enter your USDOT number and USDOT number PIN into the SMS login page.
(If you don’t have a PIN, request one from the USDOT. You’ll receive your PIN via snailmail in 4-7 days.)
2) Alternately, you can login to the FMCSA Portal and click the SMS link.
So, where does the Safety Measurement System (SMS) get its data?
Each month, the SMS pulls a monthly data snapshot from the FMCSA’s national database. That information includes roadside inspections, safety violations, crashes reported by State law enforcement, motor carrier registration and census data, and investigations conducted by State and Federal authorities.
That data is then used to compare carriers of similar size across several Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories, or BASICs:
• Unsafe driving
• Fatigued driving, or Hours of Service
• Driver fitness
• Controlled substances/alcohol
• Vehicle maintenance
• Cargo-related
• Crash indicator
The higher the score, the poorer the carrier’s performance—and the more likely they’re to be involved in a crash, according to the FMCSA.
And it’s this data that the FMCSA uses to determine carriers in need of intervention, insurance companies review in their underwriting process, and shippers check when hiring safe, reputable carriers, thereby reducing their own liability in the event of a crash. (It’s important to note that cargo-related and crash indicator BASICs data are not available to the public.)
So, arm yourself with information. With this critical data in-hand, you can identify areas where performance improvements are needed to remain competitive in the industry.
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View all posts by Ryan Barnett | XRS Google Profile3 Responses to Your CSA Score – How To Check It (And Why You Should!)
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gamaliel portillo says:
I was giving a level 1 inspection in Sheridan Wyoming they wrote me up for 2 air leaks couple of lights, triangles & extinguisher on the wrong side of the truck so could not show it to the officer had a loose item the officer said he would not do anything about it because I took care of the problem the air leaks were not safety issue or else you wouldn’t have let me go because they held pressure
I am now worry because I did not know a time that I scored 102. the company I am with suspended me for a week but from this point own I will be walking on thin ice forever
I feel this is no difference in me getting pulled over by state patrol and not be allowed to talk to a judge
How can I get tHe state of Wyoming to lower my points?
Shouldn’t drivers history be considered?
I have been a truck driver for over 33 years
This 1 inspecTion is puTTing me probably ouT of work
If I resIgn from thIs company
who wIll hIre me?
I would like very much some type of that help or at least where I stand
Gamaliel portillo
Thanks-
Ryan Barnett says:
Thanks for sharing your experience with us, Gamaliel. The best course of action is for your company to file a DataQ request, which could help lower your score–provided they have proof that the inspection wasn’t valid. We wrote a blog post that highlighted , and hope you’ll give it a read. Good luck!
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How is this even legal? If the court throws a ticket out and DOT still keeps the poiots for the improperly issued violation then that should be the end of it. How is this not double jeopardy?