Safety Ratings, Compliance Reviews and DataQs
A safety rating is FMCSA's grade of Satisfactory, Conditional or Unsatisfactory, given after a compliance review (49 CFR 385). It is not the same as a CSA score, which is a percentile from roadside data. An Unsatisfactory rating can shut down a carrier and end its authority. If your data is wrong, you can ask for a review in DataQs. Some not-at-fault crashes can be removed from your Crash Indicator.
Facts checked October 16, 2026
Key Points
- FMCSA assigns a safety rating after a compliance review. The ratings are Satisfactory, Conditional and Unsatisfactory (49 CFR 385.9 and Appendix B)
- A safety rating is not a CSA score. The CSA score is a percentile built from roadside inspections and crashes. The rating comes from an FMCSA review of your company
- FMCSA sends written notice of a rating within 30 days of the review. A proposed rating becomes final after 45 days for hazmat and passenger carriers, or 60 days for all other carriers (49 CFR 385.11)
- An Unsatisfactory carrier may not operate a CMV after day 45 (hazmat and passenger) or day 60 (others) from the notice. FMCSA then revokes its operating authority (49 CFR 385.13)
- You can ask for an administrative review within 90 days. If you have a proposed Unsatisfactory rating, ask within 15 days (49 CFR 385.15)
- You can ask for a better rating at any time once you have fixed the problems (49 CFR 385.17)
- DataQs is FMCSA's system for asking for a review of federal and state data you believe is wrong. New state review rules apply to requests made on or after September 18, 2026
How the six factor ratings add up to an overall safety rating (Appendix B to Part 385)
| Factors rated Conditional | Overall rating | |
|---|---|---|
| No factor rated Unsatisfactory | 2 or fewer | Satisfactory |
| No factor rated Unsatisfactory | More than 2 | Conditional |
| One factor rated Unsatisfactory | 2 or fewer | Conditional |
| One factor rated Unsatisfactory | More than 2 | Unsatisfactory |
| Two or more factors rated Unsatisfactory | Any number | Unsatisfactory |
What is a safety rating, and how is it different from a CSA score?
A safety rating is FMCSA's finding about a motor carrier after it does a compliance review of the company. The ratings are Satisfactory, Conditional and Unsatisfactory (49 CFR 385.9). The carrier must show it has adequate safety management controls to meet the safety fitness standard (49 CFR 385.5). A CSA score is something else. It is a percentile for each BASIC, built from roadside inspections and crashes, and a carrier can have scores without ever having a safety rating. A safety rating is public. You can look it up on FMCSA's SAFER website (49 CFR 385.13 and 385.19).
How does FMCSA decide your rating?
The reviewers look at six factors. They are general (Parts 387 and 390), driver (Parts 382, 383 and 391), operational (Parts 392 and 395), vehicle (Parts 393 and 396), hazmat (Parts 397, 171, 177 and 180) and accidents. For each regulatory factor, a point is added for each violation of an acute rule, or for each pattern of violations of a critical rule. A pattern is more than one violation. When many documents are checked, it is at least 10 percent of those examined. A pattern of hours of service violations counts as two points (Appendix B to Part 385). A factor with no points is Satisfactory. One point is Conditional, and two or more is Unsatisfactory. The vehicle factor starts at Conditional if the vehicle out-of-service rate is 34 percent or more, with at least 3 inspections. The accident factor is used only if you had 2 or more recordable accidents in 12 months. It is Unsatisfactory above 1.5 accidents per million miles, or above 1.7 for a carrier that runs only within 100 air miles. The table above shows how the factor ratings add up.
What happens with a Conditional or Unsatisfactory rating?
FMCSA sends written notice within 30 days of the review, with a list of the deficiencies you must correct (49 CFR 385.11). A Satisfactory rating is final at once. Other ratings are first proposed. A proposed rating becomes final after 45 days for hazmat and passenger carriers, or 60 days for all others. A proposed Unsatisfactory rating warns you that FMCSA thinks you are unfit to operate. If it is not fixed, you may not operate a CMV from day 46 (hazmat and passenger) or day 61 (others). Carriers that are not hazmat or passenger can get up to 60 more days if they make a good faith effort (49 CFR 385.13). When the rating is final, FMCSA orders your operations out of service and revokes your operating authority. Federal agencies may not use an Unsatisfactory carrier. Operating anyway brings penalties under 49 U.S.C. 521(b) and 14901.
How do you challenge or improve a rating?
There are two ways. If you think FMCSA made an error, you can ask for an administrative review. Explain the error and list the facts and procedures in dispute, with proof. Ask within 90 days of the proposed or final rating. If you have a proposed Unsatisfactory rating, ask within 15 days so FMCSA can decide before the ban begins. For a proposed or final Unsatisfactory rating, FMCSA decides within 30 days for hazmat and passenger carriers, and 45 days for others (49 CFR 385.15). If you have fixed the problems, you can ask for a rating change at any time. Send a written request to your FMCSA Service Center with evidence of the corrective actions. For an Unsatisfactory rating, FMCSA answers within 30 or 45 days. Asking for a change does not pause the 45-day clock for hazmat and passenger carriers (49 CFR 385.17).
What is DataQs, and who can use it?
DataQs is FMCSA's online system to request and track a review of federal and state data that you believe is incomplete or incorrect. Motor carriers, drivers and their representatives can use it, as can FMCSA and its state partners. Carriers reach DataQs through their FMCSA Portal account. Drivers and others create a DataQs account. Use it to challenge a roadside inspection record or a crash entry that is wrong, with your supporting papers. FMCSA has changed how states handle requests. For requests made on or after September 18, 2026, state agencies must use multi-level reviews and standard timelines for responses and appeals. The system also lets a request go back to an earlier review stage when you add new information. The change does not apply to older requests (FMCSA fact sheet, September 2026).
What is the Crash Preventability Determination Program?
The Crash Preventability Determination Program (CPDP) reviews 21 types of crash and marks those that were not preventable. You send a Request for Data Review through DataQs with the police report and any photos or video. A crash found Not Preventable is removed from the Crash Indicator BASIC in the Safety Measurement System, but it is still listed on the site. FMCSA notes the result in the Pre-employment Screening Program too. Eligible crashes include a truck rear-ended by another driver, a truck hit while parked or legally stopped, a truck hit by a driver going the wrong way or running a signal, and a crash caused by another driver who was impaired or asleep. Striking an animal and a crash caused by an infrastructure failure also qualify. The program covers crashes on or after December 1, 2024 under the current list, and FMCSA cannot review crashes older than 5 years (FMCSA, last updated December 10, 2024).
How do you check your rating and your safety data?
Look up your USDOT number on FMCSA's SAFER website to see your safety rating (49 CFR 385.13). Use our carrier and broker lookup to see a snapshot. FMCSA's Safety Measurement System shows your BASIC percentiles and inspection history. Check your inspection and crash entries now and then. If you find a mistake, start a DataQs request with your documents. A broker, shipper or insurer may look at the same data before they hire you.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is a CSA score the same as a safety rating?+
No. A CSA score is a percentile built from roadside inspections and crashes. A safety rating is Satisfactory, Conditional or Unsatisfactory, and it comes from an FMCSA compliance review. A carrier can have CSA scores and no safety rating.
How do I check my safety rating?+
Look up your USDOT number on FMCSA's SAFER website. The final rating is public. You can also call FMCSA at 1-800-832-5660 (49 CFR 385.13 and 385.19).
What does a Conditional rating mean?+
FMCSA found deficiencies. The notice lists what you must correct. A carrier with a Conditional rating may keep operating. You can ask for a better rating at any time after you fix the problems (49 CFR 385.11 and 385.17).
How long do I have to challenge a safety rating?+
Ask for an administrative review within 90 days. If you have a proposed Unsatisfactory rating, ask within 15 days so FMCSA can decide before the ban starts (49 CFR 385.15).
Can I get a wrong violation or crash removed from my record?+
Ask for a review through DataQs with supporting documents. DataQs is for data that is incomplete or incorrect. Eligible not-at-fault crashes can be sent through the Crash Preventability Determination Program, which removes them from the Crash Indicator BASIC.
Which crashes can be reviewed for preventability?+
There are 21 types. They include a truck hit from behind, a truck hit while stopped or parked, a truck hit by a driver going the wrong way, and a crash caused by another driver who was impaired or asleep. A crash with a video that shows the sequence can also qualify. You need the police report (FMCSA CPDP page).
More federal trucking rules
- Hours of Service Rules for Truck Drivers
- ELD Mandate: Who Needs an ELD
- DOT Roadside Inspection Levels Explained
- DOT Drug and Alcohol Testing Rules
- Driver Qualification File Requirements
- DVIR and Vehicle Maintenance Rules
- New Entrant Safety Audit Requirements
- Hours of Service Exceptions and Exemptions
- Motor Carrier Insurance Requirements
- CDL Classes, Endorsements and ELDT Training
- DOT Physical and Medical Card Requirements
- Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse Requirements
- Cargo Securement Rules for Trucks
- Hazmat Basics for Truck Drivers and Carriers
- USDOT Number and Biennial Update Requirements
- Federal Truck Size and Weight Limits
- California Clean Truck Check (HD I/M)
- Truth-in-Leasing Rules for Owner-Operators
- Form 2290 Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax
- Truck Driver Phone, Texting and Seat Belt Rules
- Railroad Crossing Rules for Truck Drivers
- Truck Emergency Equipment and Warning Triangle Rules
- Truck Windshield, Dash Cam and Mirror Rules
- CDL Disqualification: Major and Serious Offenses
- Truck Tire Rules: Tread Depth, Retreads and Pressure
- Trailer Reflective Tape (Conspicuity) Rules
- Truck Brake Rules: Pushrod Stroke, Lining Thickness and ABS
- Driver Conduct Rules: Alcohol, Drugs, Fatigue, Passengers and Pre-Trip Checks
- English Language Proficiency for Truck Drivers: The 391.11(b)(2) Rule
- Weigh Station Rules: Who Must Stop and What Happens If You Skip
- Truck Lighting Rules: Required Lamps and Reflectors (49 CFR 393)
- Driver Road Test Rules: The Company Road Test and Certificate (49 CFR 391.31)
Related terms and pages
Sources
- 49 CFR 385.5 to 385.17, Safety fitness procedures (eCFR)
- 49 CFR Part 385, Appendix B, Explanation of Safety Rating Process (eCFR)
- FMCSA DataQs
- FMCSA: Enhanced requirements for state data reviews (fact sheet, September 2026)
- FMCSA: Crash Preventability Determination Program
- FMCSA SAFER: Company snapshot and safety rating
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This is a plain-language summary for reference, not legal advice. Check the official rule text before you rely on any detail. Ask a compliance professional about your own operation.