WHAT IS CSA?

Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA)

As a commercial driver, being labeled as "unsafe" can jeopardize your career. You simply cannot afford it.

CSA is a safety program enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), designed to decrease the number of accidents, fatalities, and injuries involving commercial motor vehicles. It uses data from roadside inspections and crash reports to identify and correct unsafe behaviors through an intervention process.

The initiative aims to enhance safety in the trucking industry by assigning points to a driver’s record for safety infractions noted during inspections. Points are determined by the CSA Point System, which covers over 900 different types of violations. These violations are rated from 1 to 10 points based on their severity, and the corresponding points are added to the driver's record.

Q: How long do CSA points stay on your record?

A: Points assigned to you as a driver are recorded on both your individual record and the CSA score of the carrier you work for. Your individual CSA score will include all points from the past 36 months, whereas the carrier’s score will reflect points from the previous 24 months for all drivers in its fleet. However, any points you received before joining the carrier will not impact the carrier’s score.

Q: What is a CSA score?

A: A CSA Score, used by the FMCSA, identifies high-risk motor carriers and drivers needing intervention. It is based on driver performance data, including safety-based roadside inspection violations and state-reported crashes while operating commercial vehicles. Violations under a carrier’s DOT number affect that carrier’s score. While the FMCSA can issue interventions and fines for high CSA scores, they cannot suspend a driver's CDL. Monitoring CSA scores helps pinpoint unsafe carriers, identify areas for improvement, and reduce insurance costs.

Q: How can I check my CSA Score?

A: You can check your score here: csa.fmcsa.dot.gov. When you enter your USDOT number and PIN into the SMS login page, you will be able to locate your score. If you don’t have a PIN, you can request one from USDOT. Delivery of your PIN typically takes 4-7 days.

Q: What is a “good” CSA score?

A: A good CSA score is low, ranging from 0 to 100, with lower scores indicating fewer violations and safer operations. A score closer to 0 suggests better safety compliance, benefiting both drivers and trucking companies.