It is important for brokers and shippers to run comprehensive safety and background checks on all of the carriers you decide to do business with.
After all, the last thing you want to do is make the mistake of using a carrier with a subpar safety record and then run into damages or problems with the load they were contracted to cover.
In general, it takes a decent amount of time for the FMCSA to actually review and rate carriers for safety.
What Is a DOT Safety Rating?
A safety rating is a publicly accessible and up-to-date record of a driver or trucking company’s safe driving and conduct. It is evaluated by the FMCSA, operating under the DOT.
Trucking companies and drivers will receive one of three safety ratings: Satisfactory, Conditional or Unsatisfactory.
Satisfactory - Satisfactory is the best possible outcome when it comes to safety ratings. It means that your company and/or drivers have adequately followed safety protocols.
Conditional - When your trucking company has failed to follow some safety protocols, you may receive a Conditional safety rating. While you’ll still be permitted to operate with this rating, customers, creditors and insurers may see it as a warning sign.
Unsatisfactory - An Unsatisfactory safety rating means that a driver or trucking company has failed to implement proper and compliant safety protocols. If you receive this rating, you will have approximately 60 days to make the necessary safety improvements in order to continue operating.
How Do Carriers Maintain a Favorable Safety Rating?
Even with a Satisfactory rating, carriers must continue to adhere to safety protocols and procedures to avoid sliding into a lower safety rating category.
Outlined below are a few of the thing’s carriers must consider to maintain a Satisfactory rating:
- - Maintain accurate and up-to-date records (driver logs, accidents, maintenance, and inspections.)
- - Maintain equipment and self-inspect regularly
- - Continue to comply with FMCSA and DOT guidance
If you don’t already have one, a simple training program can be a great way to increase your employee awareness of carrier safety ratings. Invest time and resources now to avoid complications or losses in the future.
Carrier Ratings and Scores
The FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) maintains several websites that provide easy access to valuable safety-related information. Users only need a company’s name, USDOT number or Motor Carrier (MC) number to perform a search.
Company Snapshot (CompanySnapshot) is a free service which provides a concise record of a company’s identification, size, cargo, inspection and out-of- service summary, crash data and safety rating.
You can also search for Motor Carrier Safety Data (SMS) to find out how the FMCSA uses data to enhance safety. The SMS (Safety Measurement System) uses data from roadside inspections and crash reports from the last two years to identify and intervene with motor carriers that pose the greatest risk to safety.
At the end of the day, it really boils down to doing your due diligence. The more information you obtain about the carrier the less risk you will be taking with your freight and potential litigation for damages.
TransCredit has been one the primary business reporting agencies in the transportation industry for over 35 years. We offer in depth reports on carriers, brokers and shippers that include inspection and crash data all in one place to save your company time and allow your employees to make quick and informed decisions. Contact us today to learn more about the options we have available!