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Glossary

CSA Score

A CSA (Compliance, Safety, Accountability) score is a safety rating system used by the FMCSA to evaluate and rank motor carriers and drivers based on inspection and crash data.

What Is CSA Score?

The CSA (Compliance, Safety, Accountability) program is the FMCSA's system for identifying and addressing high-risk carriers and drivers. Your CSA score is calculated from data in seven Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories (BASICs): Unsafe Driving, Hours-of-Service Compliance, Driver Fitness, Controlled Substances/Alcohol, Vehicle Maintenance, Hazardous Materials Compliance, and Crash Indicator.

Scores are percentile-based, ranging from 0 to 100, where higher numbers indicate worse performance relative to peers. If your score exceeds the intervention threshold in any BASIC (typically 65th percentile for most categories, 50th for HazMat), you may face warning letters, targeted inspections, or full compliance investigations. Scores are updated monthly using the most recent 24 months of data.

Brokers and shippers routinely check CSA scores before awarding loads. Many large shippers have strict cutoffs — for example, some will not use carriers with any BASIC above 75. A poor CSA score limits your access to premium freight and can increase your insurance premiums. Conversely, a clean CSA record opens doors to higher-paying dedicated lanes and direct shipper contracts.

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Why It Matters

Your CSA score directly affects your earning potential. Brokers check it before offering loads, and poor scores can disqualify you from premium freight worth $0.20-$0.50 more per mile. A clean CSA record is a competitive advantage that puts more money in your pocket.

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Real-World Example

Marcus runs a dry van out of Texas. His Unsafe Driving BASIC hit 72 after two speeding violations in roadside inspections. A large retail shipper that pays $3.10/mile on their Dallas-to-Chicago lane requires all BASICs under 65. Marcus is locked out of that lane until his score improves. Meanwhile, his competitor with a clean CSA runs that lane twice a month, earning an extra $1,200/month. Marcus works with his FF Dispatch team to address the violations and implement a DataQs challenge.
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How FF Dispatch Handles This

FF Dispatch monitors your CSA scores and alerts you to any changes. We help you challenge incorrect violations through DataQs and avoid loads from shippers or routes known for triggering unnecessary inspections.

Related Terms

FMCSA

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is the US government agency that regulates the trucking industry, issues operating authority, and enforces safety standards.

DOT Number

A Department of Transportation number is a unique identifier assigned to commercial motor carriers for safety tracking, inspections, and compliance monitoring.

Hours of Service (HOS)

Hours of Service are federal regulations that limit how many hours a commercial truck driver can drive and work before mandatory rest periods.

ELD (Electronic Logging Device)

An ELD is a federally mandated device that automatically records a driver's driving time and Hours of Service status by connecting to the truck's engine.

Operating Authority

Operating authority is the federal permission granted by the FMCSA that allows a company to operate as a for-hire carrier, broker, or freight forwarder in interstate commerce.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How often is my CSA score updated?+
CSA scores are updated monthly using the most recent 24 months of inspection and crash data. Violations gradually lose weight over time and drop off after 24 months.
Can I dispute a CSA violation?+
Yes, through the FMCSA DataQs system. If a violation was recorded incorrectly, you can file a Request for Data Review. Success rates vary, but it is always worth challenging inaccurate data.
Do brokers really check CSA scores?+
Yes. Most reputable brokers run CSA checks before awarding loads. Large shippers often have strict BASIC thresholds. A clean CSA record gives you access to better-paying freight.

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