Category Archives: FMCSA CSA

FMCSA CSA is a program that is designed to help identify united states based trucking companies that are at high risk of not being compliant with FMCSA regulations.

 

What is FMCSA CSA?

In 2010, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) launched their CSA 2010 program to help a motor carrier better understand their safety data.
This new compliance measurement program replaced the old FMCSA SAFER system.
The overarching goal of the program is to have carriers promote safety and compliance throughout all safety improvement categories!
Now over a decade old, the CSA safety rating program remains a top concern for most trucking and bus companies!

 

What Are CSA BASIC Scores?

A trucking company’s “safety score” is determined by the number of roadside inspection violations that the motor carrier has during the prior 24 months in each of 7 different safety related categories.
Those seven behavior analysis categories are:
Unsafe Driving
Crash Indicator
Hours of Service
Vehicle Maintenance
Controlled Substance and Alcohol (Drug and Alcohol)
Driver Fitness
Hazardous Materials

 

How Are CSA BASIC Scores Calculated?

Each violation that drivers or trucks received has both a time weight and a severity weight.
Those are multiplied together to get a total weight for each violation.
Those total violation points are then added in each CSA BASIC to generate a CSA score for each safety fitness category.
Every motor carrier’s scores in each area is compared to other “similar” carriers and ranked on a percentile basis from 0 to 100.
O is the lowest FMCSA safety score/CSA BASIC score that you can have and 100 is the worst.
For instance, a trucking company with an Unsafe Driving FMCSA CSA BASIC score of 89% would show that only 11% of “similar” carriers have a driver safety score that is worse than that carrier.

 

How Do I See My CSA Scores?

You can view your FMCSA CSA scores (safety scores) in the FMCSA Safety Measurement System (also known as the SMS) by clicking here!
You can get there by going to the old safer website  first and clicking on “SMS” in the top right hand corner of the carrier’s CSA report as well.
All of the following articles and posts relate to the FMCSA CSA program and other issues around US DOT regulations.
This includes information about CSA BASIC scores, CSA BASIC violations, how to avoid getting FMCSA violations, how to improve your CSA BASIC scores, the FMCSA Clearinghouse, FMCSA licensing and insurance issues, how to conduct an FMCSA carrier search, the FMCSA PSP ( pre employment screening program), how to Access the FMCSA portal and other key DOT compliance issues.
We want to help trucking companies learn how to understand the FMCSA CSA system and how to improve their CSA BASIC scores!
Please check out our articles before you jump over to the CSA site/ CSA portal.
I promise that you won’t be sorry that you did!

 

Learn more about our $49 monthly per driver trucking compliance services at www.MySafetyManager.com!

Using DataQ FMCSA to Improve Your CSA Scores

Explore how DataQs from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration helps motor carriers and drivers review and request corrections to federal or state safety data. Learn the process, key tools and best practices for maintaining accurate records and boosting your fleet’s compliance standing

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FMCSA 392.2 Violation Explained

Understand the implications of a §392.2 violation under Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations. Learn what counts as a 392.2 breach, why it’s one of the most common audit violations, and how carriers can proactively build compliance systems to avoid safety rating impacts.

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Top 10 DOT Audit Violations of 2025

Top DOT Audit Violations of 2025 are reviewed.

The FMCSA’s 2025 audit findings highlight persistent DOT violations linked to inadequate hiring, oversight, and compliance practices. Key violations include failures in pre-employment queries, maintenance tracking, and records management. Implementing structured systems and training can mitigate these issues, fostering a culture of compliance and reducing audit risks in trucking operations.

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DOT Recordable Accident: Ultimate Guide

What is a DOT reportable accident?

A DOT recordable accident is any crash involving a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) that meets the FMCSA’s carrier safety regulations criteria for reporting. This includes crashes that involve: As a trucking company owner, staying on top of DOT regulations is essential to your business’s compliance and safety success. One of the key areas regulated by…

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What is a good CSA Score?

What is a good CSA score?

A good CSA score is having no CSA score in each CSA BASIC category. In fact, a CSA score of 0 in each of the seven Behavior Analysis Safety Improvement Categories (BASICs) would be considered a perfect CSA score.  Post Updated: If you have a 0 in a CSA BASIC category, that means that you either haven’t…

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Level 2 DOT Inspection: Ultimate Guide

DOT Level 2 Inspections are the most common roadside inspection.

What is a Level 2 Inspection?  A level 2 DOT inspection is a type of roadside inspection conducted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and its state police officer partners. It is also known as a Walk-Around Driver and Vehicle Inspection. Officers will be reviewing the truck driver, company documents (like your DOT UCR…

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FMCSA CSA Changes

The FMCSA just announced their PROPOSED changes to the way their CSA system will prioritize trucking companies for intervention (see Compliance Review or DOT Audit). Now what?  First, don’t panic. These changes were required to be made and nothing is set in stone yet. It will take at least 3 to 6 months for any changes…

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Avoid These 5 Deadly DOT Violations

Avoiding DOT violations is harder than ever for truck drivers and trucking company owners. The key to avoiding DOT violations is to avoid unwanted attention from law enforcement! Sounds easy enough, right? I know it’s not as easy as it sounds. Here, we’ll outline 5 of the most common DOT violations and share some actionable…

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Avoiding DOT Lighting Violations

How To Avoid DOT lighting Violations

Avoiding DOT lighting violations starts with quick, consistent inspections. This guide explains common FMCSA lighting requirements for trucks and trailers, CSA points for inoperable lights, and practical tips to prevent roadside inspections, out-of-service orders, and tickets—so your drivers stay safe, visible, and compliant on every trip.

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Find Your DOT PIN in 5 Minutes

Where Can I Find My Dot Pin Number? This is a question that many of our clients ask! When you complete your registration for your US DOT authority, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sends you a letter with your DOT PIN on it. If you’re like me, any snail mail that comes to…

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Driver Qualification Management Software Stinks

Driver qualification file management software is overrated! If you’re considering how to hire truck drivers, you’re probably considering driver qualification file management software. After all, if only some of your truck drivers are compliant with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) DQ file requirements, that’s a big regulatory risk for you and your company.…

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What is the FMCSA PSP?

FMCSA PSP

FMCSA PSP is a program that is provided to help companies screen potential truck and bus drivers. It’s like an MVR, but for roadside inspections! What is the FMCSA PSP? The FMCSA Pre-employment Screening Program (PSP) is a system that allows employers to request information from data in the Commercial Driver’s License Information System (CDLIS)…

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MCS 150 Update: Ultimate Guide

All trucking companies must update their MCS-150 form every 2 years.

MCS 150 update is quick and easy with this guide! An FMCSA biennial update (or FMCSA MCS 150 revision) is required if you operate a trucking company in the United States. You’re required to make an update to your Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) record at least every two years. There are many reasons…

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New Entrant Safety Audit Requirements (2025) – FMCSA Guide

New entrant safety audit: how to prepare

The New Entrant Safety Audit is FMCSA’s one-time compliance check for new motor carriers operating under a new USDOT number, designed to confirm you have the basic safety systems required by federal law (driver qualification, drug & alcohol/Clearinghouse, HOS/ELD, maintenance, insurance, and accident tracking) in place and actually being used. It typically takes place around…

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Preparing for CVSA Roadcheck

CVSA roadcheck is an annual CMV inspection event.

Preparing for CVSA Roadcheck each year doesn’t have to be hard. Many of the issues that DOT inspectors check for during their annual International Roadcheck event are easily prevented.  Follow these 3 steps to reduce the likelihood of your trucks being inspected and improving the outcome if they are. This article was updated on: October…

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