CSA Scores Explained: How to Improve CSA Score & CSA Score Lookup (2025 Guide)

Your CSA scores determine whether you're flagged for FMCSA intervention, selected for compliance reviews, or face higher insurance premiums. Poor scores in even one BASIC category can trigger DOT audits, roadside inspection targeting, and difficulty securing freight contracts. Yet many fleet managers don't understand how CSA scores are calculated, why violations from 24 months ago still impact today's ratings, or what concrete steps improve scores.

The Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program replaced FMCSA's previous SafeStat system in 2010. CSA uses the Safety Measurement System (SMS) to analyze carrier and driver safety performance across seven categories called BASICs (Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories). Violations, crashes, and inspections from roadside enforcement and compliance reviews are weighted based on severity and recency, then converted to percentile rankings that determine if you're targeted for intervention.

This comprehensive guide explains how CSA scores work, the seven BASIC categories, how FMCSA calculates scores, intervention thresholds that trigger action, how to check your scores, challenge incorrect data through DataQs, and proven strategies to improve poor CSA ratings.

What Are CSA Scores?

CSA scores are safety performance ratings assigned by FMCSA through the Safety Measurement System (SMS). The SMS analyzes your company's roadside inspection results, crash data, and compliance review findings over the past 24 months, then assigns percentile rankings in seven BASIC categories.

Percentile rankings range from 0 to 100, with higher numbers indicating worse performance. A CSA score of 80 in Unsafe Driving means your company's unsafe driving violations place you in the worst 20% of carriers in your peer group. Scores above specific intervention thresholds trigger FMCSA targeted interventions, compliance reviews, and increased roadside inspection probability.

Why CSA Scores Matter

FMCSA Intervention Targeting: Carriers with scores above intervention thresholds are prioritized for compliance reviews and roadside inspection selection. Poor scores = more DOT attention.

Insurance Premiums: Commercial insurance companies review CSA scores when underwriting policies. Poor scores lead to higher premiums, coverage restrictions, or policy non-renewal.

Freight Contracts: Shippers and brokers check CSA scores before contracting with carriers. Many shippers have policies prohibiting use of carriers with scores above certain thresholds.

Public Safety Record: Your SMS results are publicly available on FMCSA's website. Customers, competitors, and the public can view your safety performance.

Operating Authority Risk: Consistent poor safety performance and failure to respond to FMCSA interventions can lead to suspension or revocation of operating authority.

The 7 BASIC Categories

The Safety Measurement System evaluates carrier performance across seven Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories (BASICs). Each BASIC focuses on specific types of violations.

1. Unsafe Driving

What it measures: Operation of commercial vehicles in a dangerous or careless manner.

Common violations:

• Speeding (15+ mph over limit)
• Reckless driving
• Improper lane change
• Following too closely (tailgating)
• Failure to yield right of way
• Improper turn, unsafe lane change
• Texting while driving, cell phone violations
• Failure to obey traffic signals (red lights, stop signs)

Intervention threshold: 65% for carriers with 5+ inspections; 50% for newer carriers or hazmat carriers.

2. Hours-of-Service (HOS) Compliance

What it measures: Management and operation of commercial vehicles consistent with HOS regulations.

Common violations:

• Driving beyond 11-hour driving limit
• Exceeding 14-hour on-duty limit
• Violating 60/70 hour weekly limits
• Driving without required rest breaks
• False logs, logbook violations
• ELD violations (not using required ELD, ELD malfunctioning)
• Form and manner violations (incomplete logs)
• Failing to maintain records of duty status

Intervention threshold: 65% for most carriers; 50% for hazmat carriers.

3. Driver Fitness

What it measures: Operation of CMVs by drivers who are unfit or unqualified to operate.

Common violations:

• Expired or invalid commercial driver's license
• Operating without proper CDL endorsements
• Medical certificate violations (expired, not carrying card)
• Driving while disqualified (during DUI suspension, etc.)
• CDL violations (wrong class, missing endorsements)
• License suspended for safety-related reasons

Intervention threshold: 80% for most carriers; 50% for hazmat carriers.

Carrier-level violations (not driver-specific):

• Incomplete driver qualification files
• Failure to maintain driver qualification files
• Using disqualified driver
• Failure to conduct annual MVR review

4. Controlled Substances/Alcohol

What it measures: Operation of CMVs while impaired by or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Common violations:

• Use of alcohol or drugs while driving
• Driver under influence of alcohol or drugs
• Possession of alcohol or drugs in CMV
• Positive drug or alcohol test results
• Refusal to submit to drug or alcohol test
• Failure to conduct pre-employment drug testing
• Failure to conduct random drug and alcohol testing
• Using driver with positive test before return-to-duty completed

Intervention threshold: 80% for most carriers; 50% for hazmat/passenger carriers.

Note: Controlled Substances/Alcohol violations carry the highest severity weights. A single violation can place carrier above intervention threshold.

5. Vehicle Maintenance

What it measures: Failure to properly maintain CMVs to prevent mechanical defects.

Common violations:

• Brake system violations (out of adjustment, defective)
• Tire violations (insufficient tread depth, flat tires)
• Lighting violations (headlights, taillights, clearance lights out)
• Oil or grease leaks
• Exhaust system defects
• Steering system defects
• Suspension violations
• Frame or cargo body defects
• Windshield violations (cracks, damage)

Carrier maintenance program violations:

• Failure to maintain inspection, repair, and maintenance records
• Operating vehicle not periodically inspected
• Inadequate brake inspection procedure

Intervention threshold: 80% for most carriers; 65% for hazmat/passenger carriers.

6. Hazardous Materials (HM) Compliance

What it measures: Unsafe handling of hazardous materials.

Common violations:

• Leaking or improperly secured hazmat load
• Improper placarding of hazmat vehicle
• Failure to maintain shipping papers
• Cargo tank violations
• No hazmat endorsement on CDL when required
• Improper marking and labeling of hazmat packages
• Driver not trained in hazmat procedures

Intervention threshold: 80% for most carriers.

Note: Only carriers that transport quantities of hazardous materials requiring placards receive HM Compliance BASIC scores.

7. Crash Indicator

What it measures: Frequency and severity of crashes involving carrier's CMVs.

What's included:

• All crashes reportable to FMCSA (fatality, injury, or tow-away)
• Crashes are weighted by severity (fatal, injury, or tow-away)
• Fault is not considered (all reportable crashes impact score)
• Crashes from past 24 months

Intervention threshold: 65% for most carriers; 50% for hazmat/passenger carriers.

Important: The Crash Indicator BASIC has been controversial because it includes crashes where the carrier's driver was not at fault. FMCSA includes all crashes because the SMS is a predictive model, and research shows carriers with high crash rates (regardless of fault) have higher future crash risk.

How CSA Scores Are Calculated

Understanding the SMS calculation methodology helps you focus efforts on violations that most impact your scores.

The SMS Calculation Process

Step 1: Data Collection

FMCSA collects violation and crash data from:

• Roadside inspections conducted by state and federal enforcement
• Compliance reviews and investigations
• State-reported crash data
• Previous 24 months of data

Step 2: Violation Classification

Each violation is assigned to one or more BASIC categories based on the violation type.

Step 3: Severity Weight Assignment

Violations receive severity weights from 1 to 10 based on crash risk:

• Weight 1-3: Minor violations (equipment violations, minor documentation)
• Weight 4-7: Moderate violations (speeding, HOS violations, brake defects)
• Weight 8-10: Serious violations (DUI, reckless driving, major mechanical defects, egregious HOS)

Step 4: Time Weight Assignment

Violations receive time weights based on how recently they occurred:

• 0-6 months ago: Time weight = 3 (full weight)
• 6-12 months ago: Time weight = 2 (two-thirds weight)
• 12-24 months ago: Time weight = 1 (one-third weight)

Recent violations impact scores more than older violations, but all violations from the past 24 months count.

Step 5: Calculate Measure Value

For each BASIC, FMCSA calculates a Measure value:

Measure = Σ (Violation Severity Weight × Time Weight) ÷ Number of Inspections

The Measure is then normalized based on vehicle miles traveled or number of power units.

Step 6: Convert to Percentile

FMCSA compares your Measure to all other carriers in your peer group (based on number of inspections and types of operation) and assigns a percentile rank from 0-100.

Example: If your Unsafe Driving Measure places you worse than 85% of similar carriers, your CSA score for Unsafe Driving is 85.

Key Factors That Impact CSA Scores

Violation Severity: Serious violations (weight 8-10) have 3-10 times more impact than minor violations (weight 1-3).

Recency: Recent violations (past 6 months) count three times as much as violations 12-24 months old.

Inspection Volume: Carriers with more inspections have Measures divided by higher number, which can lower percentile if violations aren't increasing proportionally.

Peer Group Comparison: Your score is relative to similar carriers. If industry-wide performance improves, your score can worsen even if your violation rate stays constant.

Intervention Thresholds

FMCSA uses intervention thresholds to determine which carriers receive targeted interventions. When a carrier's percentile in a BASIC exceeds the threshold, they're flagged for possible enforcement action.

What Happens Above Threshold:

• Warning letter from FMCSA notifying carrier of poor performance
• Carrier flagged in inspection selection system (higher roadside inspection probability)
• May be selected for off-site or on-site investigation
• Possible compliance review if multiple BASICs above threshold
• If serious violations continue, possible suspension or revocation of operating authority

How to Check Your CSA Scores

SMS Website (Public Data):

Visit FMCSA's Safety Measurement System website: https://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/sms

Search by DOT number, MC number, or company name to view publicly available SMS results.

What You'll See:

• Percentile rankings for each BASIC where you have sufficient data
• Whether you're above intervention threshold in any BASIC
• Last update date (SMS updates monthly)
• Basic carrier information

FMCSA Portal (Detailed Data - Carrier Login Required):

Motor carriers can create an account on the FMCSA Portal to access detailed SMS information:

• Individual violation details and descriptions
• Inspection dates and locations
• Severity and time weights for each violation
• Ability to submit DataQs to challenge violations
• Request for Data Review (RDR) for crashes

Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP):

Motor carriers can purchase PSP reports for drivers, which show:

• Driver's crash history (5 years)
• Driver's roadside inspection history (3 years)
• Individual violations attributed to driver

Challenging Incorrect Data with DataQs

If violations or crashes in your SMS results are incorrect, you can challenge them through FMCSA's DataQ system.

What Is DataQ?

DataQ is FMCSA's online system for requesting review of data that appears in SMS, inspection reports, crash reports, and other FMCSA databases. Motor carriers and drivers can submit requests to have inaccurate data corrected or removed.

When to Submit a DataQ

• Violation attributed to wrong carrier (inspection listed under your DOT number by mistake)
• Violation attributed to wrong driver
• Severity of violation is incorrect
• Violation was corrected on-scene but still shows in SMS
• Duplicate violation entries
• Crash was non-preventable according to FMCSA criteria
• Crash data is factually incorrect

How to Submit a DataQ

Step 1: Log in to FMCSA Portal at https://portal.fmcsa.dot.gov

Step 2: Navigate to DataQs section

Step 3: Locate the inspection or crash you want to challenge

Step 4: Select reason for challenge (factual error, severity error, etc.)

Step 5: Provide detailed explanation and supporting documentation

Step 6: Submit request

Response Timeline: State or federal enforcement agency has 90 days to review and respond to DataQ requests. Most are resolved within 30-60 days.

DataQ Success Tips

• Submit DataQs promptly (within 30 days of inspection or crash is best)
• Provide clear, factual explanation of error
• Include supporting documentation (photos, repair receipts, witness statements)
• Be professional and specific (not "we disagree" - explain why it's factually wrong)
• Follow up if no response within 60 days

Strategies to Improve CSA Scores

Improving CSA scores requires addressing root causes of violations in each BASIC category. Here are proven strategies for each BASIC:

Improving Unsafe Driving Scores

• Implement speed limiter policies (govern trucks to 65-68 mph)
• Use telematics to monitor harsh braking, rapid acceleration, speeding
• Provide defensive driving training annually
• Review and counsel drivers after unsafe driving violations
• Implement cell phone and distracted driving policies
• Consider driver incentive programs for safe driving

Improving Hours-of-Service Compliance

• Use ELD system with real-time alerts for HOS violations
• Monitor drivers approaching 11-hour, 14-hour, and 60/70-hour limits
• Review logs daily for form and manner errors
• Train drivers on proper log procedures and common mistakes
• Ensure dispatchers understand HOS rules and plan routes accordingly
• Don't pressure drivers to violate HOS regulations to meet delivery times

Improving Driver Fitness Scores

• Implement automated expiration tracking for medical cards, CDLs, endorsements
• Send alerts 90, 60, 30 days before expirations
• Conduct annual MVR reviews on time (every 12 months)
• Maintain complete driver qualification files for all drivers
• Verify licenses and endorsements before assigning loads
• Never allow drivers to operate with expired credentials

Improving Controlled Substances/Alcohol Scores

• Implement comprehensive drug and alcohol testing program
• Conduct required pre-employment testing before any CMV operation
• Maintain 50% random drug testing rate, 10% random alcohol rate minimum
• Conduct annual Clearinghouse queries for all drivers
• Ensure supervisors complete reasonable suspicion training
• Document all testing and maintain records for required retention periods

Improving Vehicle Maintenance Scores

• Implement preventive maintenance schedule based on mileage/hours
• Conduct thorough pre-trip and post-trip inspections
• Address defects immediately (never operate vehicle with critical defects)
• Focus on brakes, tires, and lighting (most common violations)
• Maintain inspection, repair, and maintenance records
• Train drivers to identify and report mechanical defects
• Use annual inspection programs (DOT inspection every 12 months)

Reducing Crash Indicator Scores

• Implement comprehensive safety training program
• Use telematics to identify high-risk driving behaviors
• Provide coaching to drivers with at-fault accidents
• Submit Request for Data Review (RDR) for non-preventable crashes
• Implement safety incentive programs
• Use dash cameras to document crash circumstances (proves non-preventability)

General Improvement Strategies

• Monitor SMS scores monthly and track trends
• Focus on violations with highest severity weights first
• Remember time weights: Recent violations hurt most—prevent new ones
• Submit DataQs for any inaccurate violations immediately
• Recognize that scores improve over time as old violations age out (24 months)
• Implement safety culture from top down (owner/management commitment)

Frequently Asked Questions

What are CSA scores?

CSA scores are percentile rankings (0-100) assigned by FMCSA's Safety Measurement System that measure motor carrier safety performance in seven BASIC categories. Higher scores indicate worse performance. Scores above intervention thresholds (50-80% depending on BASIC) trigger FMCSA enforcement action, increased inspections, and possible compliance reviews.

How often are CSA scores updated?

FMCSA updates SMS results monthly, typically on the first Friday of each month. However, new violation data from roadside inspections can take 30-60 days to appear in SMS after the inspection occurs, as states process and upload inspection results to FMCSA databases.

Do CSA scores affect insurance rates?

Yes. Commercial insurance companies review CSA scores when underwriting trucking insurance policies. Carriers with scores above intervention thresholds typically face higher premiums, coverage restrictions, or difficulty securing insurance. Some insurers won't insure carriers with Unsafe Driving or Crash Indicator scores above 80%.

How long do violations stay on your CSA score?

Violations impact CSA scores for 24 months from the violation date. However, time weighting reduces impact over time: violations 0-6 months old carry full weight (3x), 6-12 months carry 2/3 weight (2x), and 12-24 months carry 1/3 weight (1x). After 24 months, violations drop off completely.

Can you improve CSA scores quickly?

CSA score improvement takes time because violations remain in SMS for 24 months. Short-term improvement (1-6 months) requires preventing new violations, especially serious ones. Medium-term improvement (6-12 months) occurs as recent violations receive lower time weights. Significant improvement (12-24 months) happens as old violations age out of the system.

What CSA score is considered good?

Scores below intervention thresholds are considered acceptable (below 50-80% depending on BASIC). Scores below 50% are generally considered good. Scores below 30% are excellent. However, many shippers and brokers require carriers to have scores below 60-70% in all BASICs as condition of doing business.

Can one violation ruin your CSA score?

Yes, especially for small carriers with few inspections. A single serious violation (severity weight 8-10) such as DUI, egregious HOS violation, or major mechanical defect can place a small carrier above intervention thresholds. Larger carriers with many clean inspections are less impacted by single violations due to the averaging effect.

What happens if your CSA score is above threshold?

Carriers with scores above intervention thresholds receive warning letters from FMCSA and are prioritized for targeted enforcement (increased roadside inspection selection). If scores remain high or multiple BASICs are above threshold, FMCSA may conduct off-site investigation or schedule on-site compliance review. Consistent poor performance can lead to operating authority suspension or revocation.

Monitor and Improve CSA Scores with FleetCollect

Tracking CSA scores manually and identifying the violations impacting your ratings is time-consuming. By the time you notice a poor score, violations from months ago have already damaged your safety record.

FleetCollect helps motor carriers monitor and improve CSA scores:

CSA Score Monitoring:

• Track SMS results automatically each month
• Receive alerts when scores approach intervention thresholds
• Identify which violations are impacting scores most

Proactive Compliance:

• Prevent violations that hurt CSA scores (expired medical cards, missed MVR reviews)
• Track vehicle maintenance to avoid roadside defects
• Monitor driver credentials and ensure proper endorsements

Document Management:

• Maintain inspection, repair, and maintenance records
• Store driver qualification files with all required documents
• Track drug and alcohol testing compliance

Safety Trends:

• Identify drivers with multiple violations
• Track vehicles with recurring maintenance issues
• Generate safety performance reports

FleetCollect helps you stay ahead of CSA compliance issues before they damage your safety scores.

Maintain Strong CSA Scores Through Proactive Safety Management

CSA scores determine your fleet's safety reputation, FMCSA intervention targeting, insurance costs, and ability to secure freight contracts. Understanding the seven BASIC categories, how violations are weighted, and what triggers intervention thresholds allows you to focus compliance efforts where they matter most.

Monitor SMS results monthly, address root causes of violations in each BASIC, prevent new violations through robust safety programs, and challenge inaccurate data through DataQs when necessary. While CSA score improvement takes time due to 24-month rolling data, consistent focus on safety and compliance prevents scores from deteriorating further and positions your fleet for long-term success.

Whether you manage safety performance manually or use automated compliance tracking like FleetCollect, the goal is the same: maintain strong CSA scores through proactive safety management that protects your drivers, your company, and the traveling public.