If you’re running a trucking company, you already know that CSA (Compliance, Safety, Accountability) scores matter a lot.
High CSA scores don’t just attract DOT audits; they can cost you freight opportunities, increase insurance premiums, and damage your business reputation.
So, how can you take control of your scores and stay off the FMCSA’s radar?
Here’s a breakdown of what drives CSA scores and what you can do to lower them starting today.
What Impacts Your CSA Score?
Your CSA score is made up of seven BASICs (Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories):
- Unsafe driving
- Hours of Service compliance
- Driver fitness
- Controlled substances/alcohol
- Vehicle maintenance
- Hazardous materials compliance (if applicable)
- Crash indicator
These areas are impacted by violations found during roadside inspections, crash reports, and investigations. The more severe or recent the violation, the more it weighs on your score.
7 Ways to Lower Your CSA Scores
1. Prioritize Pre-Trip Inspections
Most vehicle violations can be prevented. Remind drivers to complete thorough pre- and post-trip inspections and report any defects right away. Many vehicle maintenance BASIC violations come from issues that could have been spotted with a flashlight and a few extra minutes.
2. Make ELD Training Part of the Job
Many HOS violations happen because drivers don’t know how to operate their ELD correctly. Train them on:
- Certifying logs
- Handling malfunction codes
- Showing supporting documents during inspections
3. Automate Maintenance Tracking
Don’t rely on memory or sticky notes. Use software to track repairs, upcoming services, and DVIR follow-ups. Today’s missed maintenance issue could be a violation (or a crash) tomorrow.
4. Hire Qualified, Safety-Minded Drivers
Your fleet is only as safe as the people behind the wheel. Vet every new hire carefully and monitor driver behavior regularly.
Screen for:
- Valid CDL and medical cards
- Drug/alcohol clearinghouse status
- Clean MVR and prior violations
Also, keep your onboarding and ongoing safety training consistent.
5. Use Dash Cams and Telematics
Modern safety tools like dash cameras and telematics can flag risky behavior (e.g., speeding, hard braking, cell phone use) before it turns into a citation or a crash.
Platforms like S.A.F.E. (Strategic Automated Fleet Engine) give you real-time risk scores by driver and vehicle, helping you act before FMCSA does.
6. Audit Your Logs and Inspection Reports Weekly
Don’t wait for a compliance review to see what’s wrong. Set time each week to review:
- Roadside inspections
- ELD log issues
- Any unresolved DVIRs or tickets
Correct issues quickly and retrain when needed.
7. Create a “Do Not Dispatch” Protocol
Don’t roll out if a driver or truck has unresolved issues. A missed CDL expiration, DOT inspection, or brake defect could cost you big.
S.A.F.E. flags these issues automatically, so dispatchers aren’t left guessing.
How Long Does It Take to Improve CSA Scores?
The time it takes to improve your CSA scores depends on how much risk you’re carrying now. But if you fix the root causes and avoid new violations, you can see improvement in as little as 90 days.
CSA scoring is time-weighted, so recent violations hurt more, and every clean inspection counts.
Final Thoughts
The best way to lower your CSA score isn’t to fight it—it’s to get ahead of it. DOT officers don’t expect perfection, but they expect organization and effort. If your drivers are well-trained, your vehicles are well-maintained, and your data is under control, your CSA scores will reflect that.
Want to see how S.A.F.E. helps carriers spot risk before violations and crashes happen? Let us show you how to reduce CSA scores the smart way.