General
What is a CSA score?
By the DOT Compliance Partner team · May 18, 2026 · 4 min read
CSA stands for Compliance, Safety, Accountability — FMCSA's safety measurement system. It uses data from roadside inspections, crashes, and investigations to produce Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories (BASICs) scores for each carrier.
The seven BASIC categories
- Unsafe Driving — speeding, reckless driving, improper lane change
- Hours of Service Compliance — logbook violations, driving beyond limits
- Driver Fitness — unlicensed drivers, invalid medical certificates
- Controlled Substances and Alcohol — positive drug/alcohol tests, refusals
- Vehicle Maintenance — brake violations, lights, tire conditions
- Hazardous Materials Compliance — if applicable to your operation
- Crash Indicator — crash rates compared to other carriers
How scores are used
FMCSA uses CSA data to prioritize which carriers to investigate or intervene with. High scores in certain BASICs can trigger warning letters, targeted inspections, or investigations. They're also visible to shippers and brokers, which means a high score can cost you freight opportunities.
Checking your scores
You can view your carrier's BASIC scores through FMCSA's SMS (Safety Measurement System) website. The public version shows some information; a full view requires logging into the carrier portal. Roadside inspection results take 30–90 days to appear in the system.
This article is general orientation, not legal or regulatory advice. Confirm current requirements with FMCSA or a qualified advisor before relying on specific dates or dollar amounts.