Why Your CSA Score Matters
April 8, 2022
Why Your CSA Score Matters
If you own a trucking company or manage safety, your CSA score (Compliance, Safety, Accountability) is one of the most important numbers in your business. It’s like a credit score, but instead of affecting loans, it decides:
How much you pay for insurance
If your trucks get stopped at weigh stations
Whether you get good-paying freight loads
How CSA Scores Are Calculated
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) calculates your CSA score based on inspections, violations, and crash reports. These fall into seven categories:
Unsafe Driving – Speeding, reckless driving, seat belt violations
Hours of Service (HOS) Compliance – Driving too long, false logs
Driver Fitness – Expired medical cards, invalid CDL
Controlled Substances & Alcohol – DUI, drug use
Vehicle Maintenance – Brake issues, broken lights, tire problems
Hazardous Materials Compliance (if applicable) – Leaking containers, improper labels
Crash Indicator – Accidents affecting future safety scores
Every time your truck gets inspected, one of two things happens:
✅ Clean inspection (no violations) – Helps your score
❌ Bad inspection (violations found) – Hurts your score for 24 months
Why CSA Scores Matter
A bad CSA score leads to higher costs and fewer opportunities:
🚛 Higher Insurance Costs – Trucking insurance can cost 40% more if you have a bad safety record.
📦 Fewer Loads – Brokers and shippers check CSA scores before assigning loads. Bad scores = fewer jobs.
🛑 More Roadside Inspections – The worse your score, the more often your trucks get stopped.
The Best Solution: More Clean Inspections
Some trucking companies think they can challenge violations with DataQ appeals, but this rarely works unless you have strong proof. The best way to fix your CSA score is to get more clean inspections. You have two choices:
1️⃣ Fix all issues and hope for the best – Hard to do without strict rules.
2️⃣ Fix problems in steps and time your inspections – This is Coverfleet’s strategy.
Common CSA Violations & How to Fix Them
1. Hours of Service (HOS) Compliance
🚨 Problem: Drivers go over legal driving limits or misuse logs.
✅ Fix: Assign log segments daily so drivers see their true hours.
🚫 Personal Conveyance (PC) Misuse: Drivers sometimes use PC to drive longer than allowed. FMCSA only allows 30 miles and not to move a load.
⏳ Splitting Hours to Drive Longer: Drivers can split sleeper berth time (e.g., 2 hours at a receiver and 8 later) to stay legal.
📡 ELD Disconnects: These don’t trigger violations but cause false logs. Watch for them and fix errors.
2. Driver Fitness
🚨 Problem: Most violations happen because of expired medical cards, leading to an invalid CDL.
✅ Fix: Track medical card expirations, send them to the state, and run driver MVR checks every 3 months.
3. Unsafe Driving
🚨 Problem: Speeding is the #1 unsafe driving violation.
✅ Fix: Monitor driving in real-time and reward clean records with bonuses.
4. Vehicle Maintenance (The #1 CSA Killer)
🚨 Problem: Brake problems, broken lights, missing inspection papers.
✅ Fix:
Have a mechanic check trucks regularly, like at CVSA Level 1 & 2 inspections.
If no mechanic is available, use Love’s or Speedco every quarter.
Make sure every truck carries DOT inspection papers for both truck and trailer.
5. Crash Indicator (Accidents & Prevention)
🚨 Problem: Accidents hurt CSA scores and increase insurance costs.
✅ Fix:
Use telematics & ELD safety scores to coach drivers before accidents happen.
Run MVR & PSP checks on all past licenses before hiring drivers.
Bottom Line: Stay Ahead & Save Money
The best way to lower insurance costs and get better freight is to manage your CSA score before violations happen. Coverfleet helps fleets time their inspections, fix safety problems step by step, and keep a clean record.
Want to improve your CSA score? Let’s talk!
