Improving Driver Fitness & Unsafe Driving CSA Scores

A large truck drives on a highway with a pop-up notification indicating the driver, Connor Brown, has a suspended license and poor CSA Scores.

Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) scores aren’t just numbers; they reflect your company’s commitment to safety, compliance, and risk management.

Poor scores can rapidly damage your reputation and increase the likelihood of crashes and penalties. Here are practical steps you can take to keep your drivers safe and your operations running smoothly.

What is a CSA Score?

The Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program, run by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), is designed to improve safety and reduce crashes involving commercial motor vehicles. Every carrier receives a CSA score based on their safety performance, which is calculated from roadside inspections, crash reports, and violation history.

CSA evaluates carriers through seven categories known as BASICs (Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories). Each BASIC reflects a specific safety risk area and contributes to the carrier’s overall CSA score.

  • Unsafe Driving
  • Hours-of-Service (HOS) Compliance
  • Driver Fitness
  • Controlled Substances and Alcohol
  • Vehicle Maintenance
  • Hazardous Materials Compliance
  • Crash Indicator

The higher the score, the greater the risk. Fleets with higher CSA scores are 79% more likely to be involved in a crash. High scores can also lead to increased inspections, out-of-service violations, and penalties.

Bar chart showing crash rates by BASIC in alert status for truck carriers using CSA Scores: Driver Fitness 3.11, Hazmat 4.49, Vehicle Maintenance 5.65, Unsafe Driving 6.62, and more.

The above graphic shows crash rates for high-risk motor carriers flagged by the FMCSA for intervention under specific BASIC categories. Unsafe Driving is among the top categories linked to the highest accident rates.

Usafe Driving and Driver Fitness Categories Explained

Driver Fitness

Driver Fitness focuses on whether your drivers are properly qualified and legally allowed to operate commercial motor vehicles. This includes holding valid licenses and medical certificates and meeting all regulatory requirements.

Common Violations in the Driver Fitness CSA score category include:

  • 390.35B-MED Operating a CMV while possessing a fraudulent medical certificate – 10 CSA Points
  • 383.23(a)(2) Operating a CMV without a CDL – 8 CSA Points
  • 383.51A-SIN Driving a CMV while CDL is suspended for a safety-related or unknown reason and in state of driver’s license issuance. – 8 CSA Points
  • 383.51(a) Driving a CMV while disqualified from holding a CDL – 8 CSA Points

Unsafe Driving

Unsafe Driving Basic captures behaviors that directly endanger safety on the road. This includes reckless or aggressive driving, speeding, distracted driving, and other unsafe behaviors.

Common Violations in the Unsafe Driving:

  • 390.17DT Operating a CMV while texting – 10 CSA Points
  • 392.2R Reckless driving – 10 CSA Points
  • 392.2-SLLS4 State/Local Laws – Speeding 15 or more miles per hour over the speed limit. -10 CSA Points
  • 392.16 Failing to use seat belt while operating a CMV – 7 CSA Points

Violations on these categories often have high point values because they pose immediate risk. Multiple violations can rapidly increase your CSA score and prioritize your fleet for enforcement actions.

Why Many Carriers Struggle to Maintain Good CSA Score

Too often, companies struggle with poor scores because they:

  • Rely on outdated or manual driver monitoring processes that miss critical violations or delays in flagging risky behavior.
  • Lack of consistent, data-driven driver fitness checks that ensure every driver is properly licensed and qualified for their vehicle.
  • Have reactive rather than proactive safety programs, responding only after violations or incidents occur.
  • Underinvest in driver coaching and training, missing the chance to change risky behaviors early.

So, what can carriers do to improve and maintain strong CSA scores? Here are some steps you could take to improve your fleet’s safety:

1. Monitor Licenses and MVRs Continuously

A man drives a vehicle; overlay graphics display a speeding alert by Michael Miller, a lesson on managing time and speed, and the impact on CSA Scores.

Driver violations and changes to driving records can happen at any time. By continuously monitoring Motor Vehicle Records (MVRs), you stay informed in near real-time of new violations, suspensions, or DUIs, allowing you to quickly address issues and ensure only safe, compliant drivers are behind the wheel.

2. Use Data-Driven Coaching to Address Unsafe Driving

Unsafe Driving violations like speeding, reckless driving, or distracted driving should trigger timely coaching and correction. Use MVR data and telematics to pinpoint risky behaviors and tailor coaching to address each driver’s specific challenges.

3. Leverage Technology to Automate Compliance

Driver Fitness violations often stem from missing or expired documentation. Safety technology such as a Driver Qualification File Manager can help track license and medical card expirations, organize documentation, and reduce the risk of overlooked file violations.

4. Establish Clear Policies and Expectations

Make sure every driver understands the rules and the importance of safe driving practices. Set transparent policies for driver qualifications, monitoring frequency, and consequences of violations.

5. Foster a Culture of Safety — Not Just Compliance

Strong CSA scores come from fleets that prioritize safety. Engage your drivers in safety initiatives, recognize positive behavior, and encourage open communication about risks. When drivers feel valued and supported, they drive safer.

Ready to take control of your fleet’s safety and CSA performance? Contact us today to learn how our solutions can help you monitor driver fitness, reduce risky driving behaviors, and improve overall safety scores.

*We are not lawyers. Consult with your legal counsel to ensure your processes and procedures meet/ or exceed safety standards and compliance regulations. Please read our legal disclaimer.

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