CSA Scores Explained

Your insurance renewal just arrived. Premium increased $4,200 for the year.

"Due to your CSA score in the Vehicle Maintenance BASIC, we've reclassified your risk level."

You had one brake violation six months ago. ONE. And it's costing you $350/month more in insurance.

CSA scores affect your insurance rates, your ability to get loads from brokers, and how often you get pulled into inspections. This guide explains exactly how CSA scoring works, what the thresholds mean, and how to improve your scores if they're hurting your business.

What CSA Scores Are

CSA = Compliance, Safety, Accountability

It's the FMCSA's system for tracking safety performance of carriers and drivers.

How it works:

• Every roadside inspection goes into the CSA database
• Every violation found during inspection adds "points" to your record
• Points are organized into 7 categories (called BASICs)
• Your points are compared to other carriers
• Result: percentile score (0-100) for each BASIC category

Lower scores = better safety performance

0 = best possible (no violations) 100 = worst (tons of violations)

Who can see your CSA scores:

• Insurance companies
• Brokers and shippers
• FMCSA
• Anyone - CSA scores are PUBLIC

Yes, public. Brokers check your scores before offering loads.

The 7 BASIC Categories

BASIC = Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories

Every violation falls into one of these 7 categories:

1. Unsafe Driving

What it includes:

• Speeding
• Reckless driving
• Improper lane changes
• Following too closely
• Texting while driving
• Seatbelt violations

Why it matters: Unsafe driving violations = high insurance rates.

Threshold: 65% percentile triggers intervention

2. Hours-of-Service Compliance

What it includes:

• Exceeding 11-hour driving limit
• Exceeding 14-hour on-duty window
• Missing 30-minute break
• Exceeding 60/70-hour limit
• False logbook entries
• ELD violations

Why it matters: HOS violations are the #1 driver-related violation (32% of all driver violations).

Threshold: 65% percentile

3. Driver Fitness

What it includes:

• Expired or invalid CDL
• Expired medical certificate
• Improper CDL class for vehicle
• Driving without required endorsements
• Medical disqualifications

Why it matters: These are easy violations to avoid (just keep documents current), but they're automatic out-of-service.

Threshold: 80% percentile

4. Controlled Substances/Alcohol

What it includes:

• Drug or alcohol use/possession
• Failed drug tests
• Refusal to test
• Impairment while operating

Why it matters: Single violation in this category can end your career.

Threshold: 80% percentile

5. Vehicle Maintenance

What it includes:

• Brake violations
• Tire violations (tread depth, damage)
• Lighting issues
• Frame cracks
• Suspension problems
• Steering system defects

Why it matters: Most common category for violations. Brakes alone account for majority of vehicle violations.

Threshold: 80% percentile

From research:

If 20% or more of your service brakes have a defect, you're automatically out of service. For a standard 5-axle tractor-trailer with 10 brakes, that means if just 2 are bad, you're parked.

6. Crash Indicator

What it includes:

• Crash frequency
• Crash severity
• Patterns of crash involvement

Why it matters: Based on state-reported crash data. Even not-at-fault crashes can affect this score.

Threshold: 65% percentile

Important: You can dispute not-at-fault crashes to have them reviewed.

7. Hazardous Materials Compliance

What it includes:

• Improper HAZMAT placarding
• Leaking containers
• Improper packaging
• Missing/incorrect shipping papers
• Driver not properly endorsed for HAZMAT

Why it matters: Only applies if you haul HAZMAT. If you don't haul HAZMAT, this BASIC doesn't affect you.

Threshold: 80% percentile

How CSA Scores Are Calculated

Step 1: Violation Points

Each violation type has a point value (1-10 points based on severity).

Example point values:

• Speeding 15+ mph over limit: 10 points
• Brake out of adjustment: 4 points
• Tire tread depth violation: 8 points (if OOS), 2 points (if not OOS)
• HOS violation (11-hour rule): 7 points

Step 2: Time Weighting (Recent Violations Count More)

Points are multiplied based on how recent the violation is:

• Months 1-6: Points x 3
• Months 7-12: Points x 2
• Months 13-24: Points x 1
• After 24 months: Violation removed from record

Example: Brake violation worth 4 points:

• Month 1: 4 x 3 = 12 weighted points
• Month 8: 4 x 2 = 8 weighted points
• Month 15: 4 x 1 = 4 weighted points
• Month 25: 0 points (removed from record)

Step 3: Severity Weighting

Out-of-service violations get extra points.

Example: Same tire violation:

• Not OOS: 2 base points
• With OOS: 8 base points (4x multiplier)

Step 4: Percentile Calculation

Your weighted points are compared to all carriers with similar inspection frequency.

Result: Percentile ranking (0-100)

Example: You have 20 weighted points in Vehicle Maintenance.

• 50% of carriers have more than 20 points
• 50% have fewer than 20 points
• Your percentile: 50

Lower percentile = better than most carriers

Intervention Thresholds (When FMCSA Takes Action)

Threshold percentiles by BASIC:

BASIC Category	Intervention Threshold
Unsafe Driving	65%
HOS Compliance	65%
Crash Indicator	65%
Driver Fitness	80%
Vehicle Maintenance	80%
Controlled Substances	80%
HAZMAT	80%

What "intervention" means:

If you exceed threshold in ANY category:

• FMCSA sends warning letter
• May require on-site compliance review
• Increased roadside inspection frequency
• Potential for fines
• Insurance companies notified

Example: Your HOS Compliance percentile: 72%

• Threshold for HOS: 65%
• You're 7 points over threshold
• Result: FMCSA intervention triggered

For owner-operators with few trucks, ONE bad inspection can push you over threshold.

How CSA Scores Affect Owner-Operators

1. Insurance Rates

Direct impact on premiums:

From research: Fleets with low CSA scores can save up to 25% annually on insurance premiums compared to fleets with high scores.

The math:

• Baseline insurance: $12,000/year
• Good CSA score (under all thresholds): $12,000
• Poor CSA score (over 1-2 thresholds): $16,000-$18,000
• Difference: $4,000-$6,000/year extra

One violation can cost you thousands per year in insurance alone.

2. Broker Relationships

From research:

Most brokers avoid trucking companies with conditional or unsatisfactory ratings. Some shippers and brokers require carriers to meet certain CSA score thresholds to be eligible for specific contracts.

What this means:

• High CSA score = brokers won't offer you loads
• Over threshold = removed from broker's approved carrier list
• Pattern of violations = blacklisted even if you fix scores later

Real impact: You can fix your truck and improve your CSA score, but broker who dropped you may not come back.

3. Inspection Frequency

Higher CSA scores = more inspections.

The cycle:

1. You get violation → CSA score increases
2. Higher CSA score → targeted for more inspections
3. More inspections → more chances for violations
4. More violations → CSA score climbs higher

Breaking the cycle: Get clean inspections. Even inspections with zero violations help lower scores faster.

4. Load Opportunities

Brokers check CSA scores before offering loads.

High scores in certain BASICs signal risk:

• HOS violations = unreliable delivery times
• Vehicle Maintenance violations = breakdown risk
• Crash Indicator = liability concern

Result: Brokers offer loads to lower-risk carriers first. You get what's left.

CSA Scores for Owner-Operators vs Fleets

Big difference:

Large carrier (100 trucks):

• Gets 200 inspections per year
• 10 violations spread across 100 trucks
• Impact: minimal (diluted across many inspections)

Owner-operator (1 truck):

• Gets 2-4 inspections per year
• 1 violation
• Impact: MASSIVE (small sample size amplifies each violation)

From research:

For owner-operators running under their own authority, one bad inspection can put a small carrier over a threshold because you have so few inspections overall.

Example:

Large fleet:

• 100 inspections in 24 months
• 5 brake violations
• Vehicle Maintenance percentile: 45% (safe)

Owner-operator:

• 3 inspections in 24 months
• 1 brake violation
• Vehicle Maintenance percentile: 78% (near threshold)

The same violation rate (5%) affects owner-operator WAY more due to small sample size.

How to Check Your CSA Scores

Two ways to check:

Method #1: SMS Website (For Carriers)

If you have your own authority:

1. Go to https://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/SMS
2. Enter your DOT number or MC number
3. View your BASIC percentiles
4. See all violations from last 24 months

Public information - anyone can look you up.

Method #2: PSP Report (For Drivers)

PSP = Pre-Employment Screening Program

Shows YOUR driving record (not carrier's):

1. Go to https://psp.fmcsa.dot.gov
2. Request your PSP report ($10)
3. See all inspections and violations on your CDL

Carriers request PSP when hiring drivers.

What it shows:

• Last 3 years of inspections
• All violations found
• Crash history (5 years)

From TruckersReport forum:

"As a driver, you don't have a CSA score, but your company can accumulate CSA points if you get violations on inspections or have accidents."

Translation: Violations follow you as a driver (via PSP), and they follow the carrier (via CSA/SMS).

How to Improve CSA Scores

You can't delete violations, but you CAN improve scores:

1. Get Clean Inspections

Each clean inspection (zero violations) helps dilute bad inspections.

The math:

• You have 1 violation from 2 inspections (50% violation rate)
• Get 2 clean inspections = 1 violation from 4 inspections (25% violation rate)
• Your percentile drops

Strategy: Volunteer for inspections when truck is compliant. Ask at weigh stations if they're doing inspections. Clean inspections HELP.

2. Wait for Time Decay

Violations lose severity over time:

• Months 1-6: Points x 3 (most severe)
• Months 7-12: Points x 2
• Months 13-24: Points x 1
• Month 25+: Violation removed completely

At month 7, your score automatically improves as violations move from 3x to 2x multiplier.

3. Focus on Your Worst BASIC First

From research:

Identify which BASIC is highest (relative to its threshold) and tackle that head-on.

Example:

• HOS Compliance: 72% (7% over 65% threshold) ← FIX THIS FIRST
• Vehicle Maintenance: 58% (22% under 80% threshold) ← not urgent

Strategy: Stop getting HOS violations. That's your biggest problem.

4. Dispute Invalid Violations (DataQs)

If a violation was issued in error, dispute it:

1. Go to https://dataqs.fmcsa.dot.gov
2. File dispute within 30 days
3. Provide evidence (photos, receipts, repair records)
4. Wait for review (45-60 days)

If successful: Violation removed from record, CSA score recalculated.

Success rate: Varies. Clear errors get removed. Legitimate violations stay.

5. Increase Inspection Frequency (When Clean)

This sounds counterintuitive, but:

More clean inspections = better percentile (dilutes old violations).

Don't avoid weigh stations when your truck is compliant.

6. Preventive Maintenance Program

Most Vehicle Maintenance violations are preventable:

• Check brakes every 30 days
• Check tires weekly
• Fix lights immediately
• Don't wait for DOT to find problems

Cost:

• Mobile brake adjustment: $200-$400
• Tire replacement: $400-$600
• New lights/bulbs: $20-$50

vs. cost of violation:

• Citation + CSA points + insurance increase = $2,000-$5,000 long-term

CSA Scores and Insurance

Direct correlation:

From research: The difference between good CSA ratings and alerts could be a few thousand dollars per truck per year on insurance costs.

What insurance companies check:

• All 7 BASIC percentiles
• Any category over threshold = rate increase
• Multiple categories over threshold = massive increase or policy cancellation

Real impact examples:

Scenario A: Clean CSA

• All BASICs under threshold
• Insurance: $10,000/year

Scenario B: 1 BASIC Over Threshold

• Vehicle Maintenance at 85% (5% over 80% threshold)
• Insurance: $13,000/year (+$3,000)

Scenario C: 2 BASICs Over Threshold

• Vehicle Maintenance at 85%
• HOS Compliance at 70%
• Insurance: $16,000/year (+$6,000)
• OR: Policy non-renewal (can't get coverage)

For owner-operators: CSA score is often the difference between affordable insurance and unaffordable insurance.

CSA Scores and Broker Relationships

Most brokers avoid carriers with poor CSA scores.

Why:

• High CSA = higher crash risk = broker liability
• HOS violations = late deliveries
• Vehicle Maintenance violations = breakdown risk

What brokers check:

• SMS percentiles (public data)
• Specific BASICs (HOS, Unsafe Driving, Crash Indicator most important)
• Trend (improving or getting worse?)

Broker CSA requirements (typical):

Tier 1 loads (best paying):

• All BASICs under threshold
• No violations in last 6 months
• Clean inspection history

Tier 2 loads:

• 1 BASIC slightly over threshold acceptable
• No recent OOS violations
• No crash history in last 12 months

Tier 3 loads (bottom of barrel):

• Take anyone who's not shut down

From research:

Some shippers and brokers require carriers to meet certain CSA score thresholds to be eligible for specific contracts. Brokers and shippers may increase load costs, drop carriers as trusted customers, or blacklist them.

Translation: Poor CSA = lower rates, fewer load options.

Warnings vs Citations (Do Both Affect CSA?)

Yes. Both affect CSA.

From TruckersReport forum:

"All violations appearing in the severity weighting tables listed on roadside inspection reports will be used in the CSA Safety Measurement System, regardless of whether drivers were placed out of service, warned, or cited."

"If a warning for violations like minor log book issues is written up, points will be assessed to CSA score, but verbal warnings won't get points assessed."

So:

• Written warning = CSA points
• Verbal warning (nothing on inspection report) = no CSA points
• Citation = CSA points

The key: If it's on the inspection report, it affects CSA.

CSA for Company Drivers vs Owner-Operators

Company drivers:

From TruckersReport forum:

"As a driver, you don't have a CSA score, but your company can accumulate CSA points if you get violations on inspections or have accidents."

How it affects drivers:

• Violations go on your PSP (Pre-Employment Screening Program) report
• Carriers check PSP before hiring
• High violations on PSP = hard to get hired

Owner-operators with own authority:

Violations hit YOU twice:

1. On your carrier CSA record (SMS)
2. On your driver PSP record

You can't escape them.

Real Examples: How One Violation Affects You

Brake violation (out of adjustment):

Immediate impact:

• Out of service until repaired ($200-$400 for mobile mechanic)
• CSA points: 4 base points x 3 (recent) = 12 weighted points in Vehicle Maintenance BASIC

6 months later:

• Insurance renewal: +$3,000/year premium increase
• Broker checks your CSA: Vehicle Maintenance at 75% (near threshold)
• Lost opportunity: Broker passes you over for driver with cleaner record

12 months later:

• Points drop to 4 x 2 = 8 weighted points
• Percentile drops to 68%
• Still over 65% threshold some insurers use

24 months later:

• Points drop to 4 x 1 = 4 weighted points
• Percentile drops to 55% (finally under threshold)
• Insurance rates normalize

Total cost of one brake violation:

• Repair: $300
• Insurance increase over 24 months: $6,000+
• Lost loads: unknown but significant

One violation = years of consequences.

How to Prevent CSA Points

The only way to avoid CSA points: don't get violations.

Practical strategies:

1. Thorough Pre-Trip Every Day (15-20 Minutes)

Check:

• All lights function
• Tires meet tread depth minimum (4/32" steer, 2/32" others)
• Tire pressure correct
• No brake air leaks
• Fire extinguisher mounted and charged
• Reflective triangles present

From research:

65% of commercial carriers fail pre-trip inspections, leading to $8,000-$18,000 in annual penalties per vehicle.

Most violations are preventable with proper pre-trip.

2. Stay Current on HOS

Never push your hours:

• Plan trips with buffer time
• Take 30-minute break before hour 8 of driving
• Monitor 14-hour clock (not just 11-hour driving limit)

From TruckersReport:

HOS violations are the #1 reason drivers go out of service (32% of driver violations).

3. Keep Documents Current

Check monthly:

• CDL expiration
• Medical certificate expiration
• Vehicle registration
• Insurance proof
• IFTA credentials

Set phone reminders 30 days before expiration.

4. Fix Minor Issues Immediately

Don't wait:

• Burned-out marker light? Replace today.
• Low tire tread? Replace before inspection finds it.
• Small air leak? Fix it now.

Cost to fix proactively: $50-$200 Cost if DOT finds it: $50-$200 + citation + CSA points + insurance increase = $2,000-$5,000 over time

5. Choose Mechanics Who Do It Right

Bad mechanic adjusts brakes wrong → you get violation → CSA points.

Use reputable shops. Ask for brake adjustment documentation.

How FF Dispatch Helps Owner-Operators

CSA scores affect your ability to get loads and your insurance costs. Poor scores mean fewer brokers will work with you, and the ones who do offer lower rates because they know you have fewer options.

When you're locked out of good broker relationships due to CSA issues, you're stuck with bottom-tier freight and spot market rates. That makes it harder to afford the maintenance needed to keep CSA scores low - a vicious cycle.

FF Dispatch works with owner-operators to find quality loads regardless of CSA challenges (though clean records obviously help). We focus on relationships with brokers who value reliability and professionalism, not just perfect scores.

We handle load booking for 6% of gross revenue. No contracts, no hidden fees.

Contact: (302) 608-0609 | gia@dispatchff.com

Bottom Line

CSA = Compliance, Safety, Accountability system that tracks carrier safety.

7 BASIC categories:

1. Unsafe Driving (65% threshold)
2. Hours-of-Service Compliance (65% threshold)
3. Driver Fitness (80% threshold)
4. Controlled Substances/Alcohol (80% threshold)
5. Vehicle Maintenance (80% threshold)
6. Crash Indicator (65% threshold)
7. Hazardous Materials (80% threshold)

Scoring:

• Each violation = 1-10 base points
• Recent violations weighted 3x (months 1-6), 2x (months 7-12), 1x (months 13-24)
• Removed after 24 months
• Your points compared to all carriers = percentile (0-100)
• Lower = better

Impact on owner-operators:

• Insurance rates: Good scores save 25% ($3,000-$6,000/year)
• Broker relationships: Most brokers avoid carriers over threshold
• Inspection frequency: High scores = targeted for more inspections
• Load opportunities: Poor scores = fewer quality loads

How scores are PUBLIC:

• Anyone can look up your DOT number on SMS website
• Brokers check before offering loads
• Insurance companies check before quoting

How to improve scores:

• Get clean inspections (zero violations help dilute bad ones)
• Wait for time decay (violations lose severity over 24 months)
• Focus on worst BASIC first
• Dispute invalid violations via DataQs
• Preventive maintenance (catch issues before inspections)

For owner-operators: One violation affects you MORE than large carriers due to small sample size. A single brake violation can push your percentile from 50% to 85% (over threshold).

Best strategy: Thorough daily pre-trip inspections (15-20 min) prevent violations that cost thousands in insurance and lost opportunities over 24 months.

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Sources:

• What is a Good CSA Score? - My Safety Manager
• BASICs of CSA Scores - Amazon Relay
• CSA Scores vs ISS Scores Explained - Drive4ATS
• What are CSA Scores? - CNS Protects
• CSA Scores: How They Work - altLINE
• Everything Brokers Need to Know About CSA Scores - Truckstop
• How to Improve CSA Score - Samsara
• How to Improve CSA Scores Fast - My Safety Manager
• CSA Scores Impact on Insurance Rates - Risk Strategies
• CSA Scores and Insurance Costs - FreightWaves
• Warnings on CSA Score - TruckersReport Forum
• How to Bring CSA Score Down - TruckersReport Forum