Factors That Determine Your Safety Rating

This post was written by: Channing Puls

According to the FMCSA, they consider the following factors, outlined in 49 CFR 385.7, in determining a safety rating:

• • Adequacy of safety management controls.

• • Frequency and severity of regulatory violations. See list of critical and acute violations in Appendix B to 49 CFR 385, VIII.

• •  Frequency and severity of driver/vehicle regulatory violations identified during inspections of motor carrier operations in commerce and, if the motor carrier operates in the United States, of operations in Canada and Mexico.

• •  Number and frequency of out-of-service driver/vehicle violations of motor carrier operations in commerce and, if the motor carrier operates in the United States, of operations in Canada and Mexico.

• •  Increase or decrease in similar types of violations discovered during safety or compliance reviews.

• •  For motor carrier operations in commerce and, if the motor carrier operates in the United States, of operations in Canada and Mexico: frequency of accidents; hazardous materials incidents; accident rate per million miles; indicators of preventable accidents; and whether such accidents, hazardous materials incidents, and preventable accident indicators have increased or declined over time.

• • Number and severity of violations of CMV and motor carrier safety rules, regulations, standards, and orders that are both issued by a State, Canada, or Mexico and compatible with Federal rules, regulations, standards, and orders.

**The content provided is not intended as legal advice and should not be construed or interpreted as such. If such advice is needed, The Paladin Group recommends that you seek counsel for the specific advice or services needed.**