What Is CSA Score in Trucking?
Also called: BASICs, Compliance, Safety, Accountability
A CSA score is a percentile from FMCSA's Safety Measurement System that ranks a carrier's roadside inspection and crash record against similar carriers. A higher percentile is worse, and 100 is the worst. FMCSA scores seven categories called BASICs. For most carriers, the warning line is the 65th percentile for Unsafe Driving, Hours of Service and Crashes, and the 80th for the other four. Brokers and insurers look at the scores too.
Last reviewed September 23, 2026 · Facts checked October 15, 2026
Key Points
- A CSA score is a percentile from 0 to 100. A higher number is worse. Carriers are ranked against others with a similar number of safety events
- FMCSA scores seven BASICs: Unsafe Driving, Hours-of-Service Compliance, Driver Fitness, Controlled Substances/Alcohol, Vehicle Maintenance, Hazmat Compliance and Crash Indicator
- For most carriers, the intervention threshold is 65% for Unsafe Driving, Crash Indicator and Hours-of-Service Compliance, and 80% for the other four
- FMCSA uses 24 months of data. Newer events count more: 3 times for the last 6 months, 2 times for months 6 to 12, and 1 time for months 12 to 24
- The Crash Indicator is not shown to the public. Only the carrier and enforcement can see it
- Crossing a threshold is not an automatic penalty. It can lead to a warning letter, more inspections or an investigation
- If a violation on your record is wrong, you can ask for a review through FMCSA's DataQs system
CSA intervention thresholds by carrier type
| Most carriers | Hazmat carriers | Passenger carriers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unsafe Driving, Crash Indicator, Hours-of-Service Compliance | 65% | 60% | 50% |
| Vehicle Maintenance, Controlled Substances/Alcohol, Driver Fitness | 80% | 75% | 65% |
| Hazardous Materials Compliance | 80% | 80% | 80% |
How is a CSA score calculated?
FMCSA takes the violations found at roadside inspections and the crashes reported in the last 24 months. Each violation gets a severity weight and a time weight. So a serious violation from last month counts for more than a small one from last year. The total is adjusted for how many inspections the carrier had, then ranked against similar carriers. The result is a percentile from 0 to 100, where 100 is the worst. Each BASIC is scored on its own, so a carrier can look good in one and bad in another.
What happens when a BASIC score gets too high?
FMCSA sets an intervention threshold for each BASIC, and it depends on the kind of carrier. Crossing one does not mean an automatic penalty. But it usually brings some FMCSA attention. That can be a warning letter or more roadside inspections of that carrier's trucks. In more serious or repeated cases, it can be an on-site review that can change a safety rating. Long-running problems in several BASICs make a stronger response more likely.
Why does a CSA score matter even without a formal FMCSA action?
BASIC scores also work as a reputation signal in the freight market. Brokers, shippers and insurers pull carrier safety data more and more. That includes BASIC percentiles. They use it to decide who to work with, often before they ever call the carrier. A carrier with clean scores gets easier access to better freight and better insurance rates. One with high scores can lose chances even without ever being cited for an out-of-service violation.
What is changing in the CSA system?
FMCSA has approved changes to the Safety Measurement System, but they are not in effect yet. The plan would rename the BASICs as "compliance categories" and fold Controlled Substances/Alcohol into Unsafe Driving. It would also split Vehicle Maintenance in two and replace the 1 to 10 severity weights with a simple 1 or 2. FMCSA says carriers should keep using the current SMS website until the new system starts. As of October 15, 2026, FMCSA had not posted a start date.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a CSA score in trucking?+
A CSA score is a percentile from FMCSA's Safety Measurement System. It ranks a carrier's roadside inspection violations and crashes against similar carriers across seven categories (BASICs). A higher percentile is worse. High scores can bring FMCSA attention and can cost a carrier freight from brokers and shippers that check safety data.
What is a good CSA score for a trucking company?+
A low percentile in every BASIC is good, and the key line is the intervention threshold. For most carriers that is 65% for Unsafe Driving, Crash Indicator and Hours of Service, and 80% for the other four. Staying well under those lines is the goal. Broker cutoffs, like "under 50%," are their own rules, not FMCSA's.
What CSA score triggers an FMCSA action?+
It depends on the BASIC and the carrier type. For most carriers, FMCSA can prioritize a carrier at 65% or higher in Unsafe Driving, Crash Indicator or Hours of Service, and at 80% or higher in the other BASICs. Passenger carriers and hazmat carriers have lower lines. Reaching a line can lead to a warning letter, more inspections or an investigation.
How do I check my CSA score?+
Look up your USDOT number on FMCSA's Safety Measurement System website (ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/SMS). The public page shows BASIC percentiles and inspection details. The Crash Indicator is not public. Only the carrier can see it after logging in.
How do I get a wrong violation off my CSA record?+
Ask for a review through FMCSA's DataQs system. You send a request with proof, like court results or inspection papers. If FMCSA agrees the data is wrong, it can remove the violation or lower its weight. This is the official way to challenge data in the system.
Do individual truck drivers have a CSA score?+
CSA scores are figured for carriers, not as a personal score for a driver. But violations from a driver's inspections count toward the carrier's BASIC scores. They also go on that driver's own record, like the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse and the PSP report. Carriers and insurers review those when they hire.
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This is industry terminology and typical practice. It is not legal or tax advice. Rates, fees, and rules mentioned are general ranges. Confirm the details on your rate confirmation, carrier agreement, or a current official source.