CSA Scores Explained: 7 Ways to Improve Fleet Safety & Compliance

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If you’ve spent even five minutes in the trucking or fleet world, you’ve probably heard someone whisper about “CSA scores” with the same nervous energy they reserve for tax audits or surprise inspections. Safety managers worry about them, consultants claim they can fix them, and competitors brag about keeping theirs low.

But what exactly is a CSA score? Does it really matter that much? And can a single percentile truly capture the safety performance of an entire carrier?

Let’s unpack the facts, bust a few myths, and explore practical, proven ways to lower your CSA risk without losing your sanity in the process.

FMCSA CSA program infographic showing Compliance, Safety, Accountability components

What Is a CSA Score and Why It Matters

CSA stands for Compliance, Safety, Accountability, an initiative under the FMCSA CSA program designed to improve safety and hold motor carriers accountable for road performance.

Contrary to popular belief, a CSA score isn’t a single number like a credit score; it’s a set of percentile rankings from 0 to 100, where lower is better. These rankings are based on seven safety categories (called BASICs) that reflect a carrier’s on-road behavior, inspection history, and compliance record.

In short:

  • Carriers, not individual drivers, receive CSA scores.
  • Every driver’s performance affects those carrier scores.
  • FMCSA uses CSA data to determine which carriers to inspect or audit first.
  • Only five of the seven BASIC categories are publicly viewable. The Crash Indicator and Hazardous Materials Compliance BASICs are restricted and not visible on the FMCSA public SMS site.
A low score doesn’t just make regulators happy. It signals to insurers and customers that your operation is safe, compliant, and trustworthy.

How Are CSA Scores Calculated?

CSA scores are calculated through the FMCSA Safety Measurement System (SMS), a data-driven model that compiles information from roadside inspections, crash reports, and compliance investigations.

Each violation carries a specific severity weight (1–10 points) and a time-weight multiplier based on recency. Violations are categorized into one of the seven BASICs. The SMS then compares your carrier’s data to similar fleets based on size, type, and exposure (like vehicle miles).

Key takeaways:

  • Recent violations are weighted more heavily than older ones.
  • Severe or repeat violations have a larger impact on your percentile.
  • Each BASIC percentile shows how your fleet performs relative to others.
  • There’s no overall CSA “score”. Each BASIC has its own percentile.
In other words, CSA scoring is less like an exam grade and more like a leaderboard. The further down you are, the safer your fleet looks to FMCSA.

BASIC Categories in the CSA Score System

The SMS measures performance in seven Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories (BASICs):

1. Unsafe Driving – Speeding, texting, reckless driving, or failing to wear a seatbelt.

2. Crash Indicator – Frequency and severity of crashes. Preventability is only considered if a crash is successfully reviewed through the Crash Preventability Determination Program (CPDP).

3. Hours of Service (HOS) Compliance – Violations tied to driver fatigue or exceeding hours limits.

4. Vehicle Maintenance – Faulty brakes, broken lights, worn tires, or insecure cargo.

5. Controlled Substances/Alcohol – Violations related to testing, possession, use, refusals, and missing program documentation.

6. Hazardous Materials Compliance – Proper packaging, labeling, and securement of hazmat loads.

7. Driver Fitness – Valid licensing, medical certification, and required qualifications.

Each BASIC represents a safety pillar. Poor performance in any one of them can trigger FMCSA scrutiny, especially if your percentile crosses intervention thresholds.

CSA Score Thresholds and FMCSA Intervention Levels

FMCSA doesn’t publish “pass/fail” scores but uses thresholds to decide when to take action. These thresholds vary depending on your carrier type:
CSA Intervention Thresholds by BASIC Category
BASIC Category General Carriers Passenger Carriers HazMat Carriers
Unsafe Driving 65% 50% 60%
Crash Indicator 65% 50% 60%
Hours of Service 65% 50% 60%
Vehicle Maintenance 80% 65% 75%
Controlled Substances/Alcohol 80% 65% 75%
Driver Fitness 80% 65% 75%
HM Compliance 80% 65% 75%
Note: These thresholds are based on FMCSA SMS methodology as of 2025 and may be updated. FMCSA can still flag carriers based on trends or crash severity.

The higher your percentile, the greater the likelihood of intervention, from warning letters to on-site audits.

Why Care? The Business Case Behind CSA Scores

Operational Impact

Carriers with high CSA percentiles face more DOT audits and roadside inspections. More inspections mean more downtime, which is money down the drain. 

Insurance and Reputation

Low CSA scores can lead to lower insurance premiums and a better reputation with customers. Shippers increasingly check public safety metrics when choosing partners. 

Regulatory Intervention

Scores above certain thresholds trigger FMCSA investigations. If you haul passengers or hazardous materials, the thresholds are even lower. How comfortable are you rolling the dice on more visits from regulators? 

CSA scores are not perfect. The FMCSA cautions that they are “performance data” used for prioritizing enforcement, not an official safety rating.

Critics argue the CSA system can disadvantage smaller carriers with lower mileage exposure or penalize fleets for non-preventable crashes unless disputed through formal FMCSA channels.

Fleet drivers participating in safety training to improve FMCSA CSA scores

7 Ways to Improve Your FMCSA Scores

Improving your CSA performance isn’t about gaming the system; it’s about building a safer, smarter operation. The following seven strategies draw on insights from industry experts and IntelliShift’s own experience.

1. Automate Fleet Maintenance and Inspections

Maintenance isn’t glamorous, but it’s one of the biggest BASIC influencers. Digital inspections eliminate paperwork, ensure consistency, and provide timestamped proof during audits.

Pro Tip: Pair electronic Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports (DVIRs) with real-time analytics to catch minor issues before they turn into violations.

2. Hire for Safety, Not Just Speed

Every driver contributes to your CSA story. Use Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP) reports to evaluate safety histories before hiring. A slightly slower but safety-conscious driver can save you thousands in penalties and insurance. Balancing labor shortages with safety means investing in training and telematics-based feedback, not lowering your hiring bar.

3. Never Skip Pre-Trip and Post-Trip Inspections

Quick walkarounds catch defects maintenance schedules miss, like cracked lights, worn tires, or new leaks. Using digital inspection apps ensures data consistency, photo evidence, and faster reporting, protecting your fleet during audits or disputes.

4. Master Hours-of-Service Compliance

Hours-of-Service (HOS) violations are common CSA score killers. Integrating ELD data with your inspection and scheduling systems offers a unified view of driver fatigue, vehicle use, and compliance. Think of it this way: paper logs are to compliance what manual spreadsheets are to fleet management — outdated, error-prone, and risky.

5. Use Driver Scorecards and Coaching Analytics

Telematics and ELDs provide a goldmine of data. Turn it into driver scorecards that track speeding, braking, idling, and seatbelt use. Reward good performance and use the data for targeted coaching, not punishment. This builds engagement and strengthens your safety culture.

6. Invest in Ongoing Driver Training

Safety isn’t a one-and-done event. Use scorecard data to identify weak spots and offer defensive driving refreshers, especially after violations. Even brief quarterly training can prevent costly accidents, maintain compliance, and reinforce your fleet’s safety-first reputation.

7. Challenge Non-Preventable Violations

The FMCSA DataQs system allows you to dispute incorrect violations or non-preventable crashes. A single error can push your percentile into the danger zone, so it’s worth challenging early through the official FMCSA portal. Violations lose weight over time (about two years), but proactive correction can protect your fleet’s reputation and reduce audit risk.

Understanding the CSA Score Audit Process

When your CSA data raises flags, FMCSA may initiate an audit, often starting off-site (paperwork-based), and escalating to on-site if needed.

To prepare:

        • Maintain accurate inspection logs and maintenance records.
        • Keep all driver qualification files current.
        • Document training programs and incident reviews.
FMCSA may also conduct focused audits targeting specific BASICs rather than full compliance reviews. Evidence of proactive safety programs and documented corrective actions can make all the difference.

CSA Score vs Safety Rating: What’s the Difference?

It’s easy to confuse CSA scores with DOT Safety Ratings, but they’re not the same.
CSA Score vs. DOT Safety Rating
CSA Score DOT Safety Rating
Issued By FMCSA via SMS system FMCSA via compliance review
Frequency Updated monthly After audit or compliance review
Format Percentile per BASIC Satisfactory / Conditional / Unsatisfactory
Purpose Prioritizes inspections Determines carrier’s safety standing
Your CSA performance influences your safety rating, but it doesn’t define it. A poor CSA track record simply increases your chances of a deeper review.

Final Thoughts: Beyond the Numbers

Your CSA percentile isn’t just a number. It’s a reflection of your safety culture. Strong scores bring fewer inspections, better insurance rates, and stronger customer trust. Weak ones bring more audits, more costs, and more headaches.

Treat your FMCSA CSA score as a compass, not a chore. Build a safety-first operation through proactive maintenance, strategic hiring, smart scheduling, consistent coaching, and fair challenge of violations.

Want to go further? Download the Productivity Blueprint for Fleet Managers for 10 practical strategies to run a safer, smarter, more efficient fleet.

 

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