Look Up a Trucking Company's Safety Record
Step-by-step guide to using the FMCSA SAFER System, SMS scores, and public databases to research a trucking company's crash history, violations, and safety rating.
The Bottom Line
Every trucking company operating in the United States has a public safety record. You can look up any carrier's crash history, inspection failures, and safety violations for free using FMCSA's online databases. This information can be critical evidence in a truck accident claim -- and you do not need a lawyer to access it.
What You Need to Get Started
To look up a trucking company's safety record, you need at least one of the following identifiers:
- USDOT Number -- This is the most reliable way to search. Every commercial carrier operating in interstate commerce is assigned a unique USDOT number by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
- MC/MX Number -- A Motor Carrier (MC) or Mexico-domiciled carrier (MX) number assigned to carriers that transport regulated commodities for hire in interstate commerce.
- Company name -- You can search by the carrier's legal name or "doing business as" (DBA) name, though this may return multiple results.
Where to Find the DOT Number
If you were involved in an accident with a commercial truck, the DOT number is often the easiest identifier to locate:
- On the truck itself -- Federal law requires commercial vehicles to display the USDOT number on both sides of the cab door (or the power unit). Look for "USDOT" followed by a number, typically in a contrasting color.
- On the police report -- If law enforcement responded to the accident, the officer may have recorded the truck's DOT number in the crash report.
- On any paperwork -- Bills of lading, shipping documents, or insurance cards from the trucking company will often include the DOT number.
- From photographs -- If you took photos at the scene (or if there is dashcam footage), zoom in on the truck's cab door for the DOT number markings.
Step-by-Step: Using the FMCSA SAFER System
The SAFER (Safety and Fitness Electronic Records) System is the FMCSA's free public database for looking up trucking company records.
Go to the FMCSA SAFER System website
Open your web browser and navigate to safer.fmcsa.dot.gov. The site is free to use and does not require an account or login.
Select your search type
On the SAFER homepage, click 'Company Snapshot.' You will see several search options: USDOT Number, MC/MX Number, Legal Name, or DBA Name. Choose the search type that matches the identifier you have.
Enter the identifier and click Search
Type in the DOT number, MC number, or company name and click the Search button. If searching by name, you may get multiple results -- look for the one that matches the company's state and address.
Review the Company Snapshot
The Company Snapshot page displays the carrier's operating status, safety rating, insurance information, fleet size, inspection summary, and crash history. Review each section carefully and note any red flags like an 'Unsatisfactory' safety rating or high crash numbers.
Click 'SMS Results' for detailed safety scores
From the Company Snapshot page, click the link for 'SMS Results' to access the Safety Measurement System. This shows detailed percentile scores across seven safety categories called BASICs. Higher scores indicate worse safety performance relative to peers.
Understanding the Company Snapshot
The Company Snapshot is the first page you see when you look up a carrier. Here is what each field means and why it matters:
Operating Status
This tells you whether the carrier is currently authorized to operate:
- Authorized -- The carrier has active operating authority and is legally permitted to operate.
- Not Authorized -- The carrier's authority has been revoked or is inactive. If the truck that hit you was operating for a carrier with "Not Authorized" status, that is a significant red flag.
- Out of Service -- The carrier has been ordered to cease operations, often due to serious safety violations.
Safety Rating
The FMCSA assigns safety ratings based on compliance reviews (on-site audits):
- Satisfactory -- The carrier was found to have adequate safety management controls in place.
- Conditional -- The carrier has safety management controls that need improvement. A conditional rating means the FMCSA found deficiencies during its review.
- Unsatisfactory -- The carrier does not have adequate safety management controls. An unsatisfactory rating is a serious finding and can be powerful evidence in a claim.
- Not Rated -- The carrier has not yet undergone a compliance review. Many carriers operate without a formal rating.
Insurance
This section shows whether the carrier has the required minimum insurance on file with the FMCSA. Federal law requires interstate trucking companies to carry between $750,000 and $5,000,000 in liability coverage, depending on what they haul. If a carrier's insurance status shows as lapsed or insufficient, that is another red flag.
Fleet Size and Inspection Summary
The snapshot shows the carrier's total number of power units (trucks) and drivers, along with a summary of inspections over the past 24 months. Pay attention to:
- Total inspections -- A very low number of inspections relative to fleet size could mean the carrier is not being adequately monitored.
- Out-of-service rates -- The percentage of inspections that resulted in the vehicle or driver being placed out of service (meaning they were too unsafe to continue operating).
Crash History
The crash summary shows the total number of crashes involving the carrier over the past 24 months, broken down by severity: fatal, injury, and tow-away. A high crash count relative to fleet size and miles traveled is a significant warning sign.
Understanding SMS Safety Scores (BASICs)
The Safety Measurement System (SMS) evaluates carriers across seven Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories, known as BASICs. Each BASIC is scored on a percentile scale from 0 to 100. Higher scores mean worse safety performance -- a score of 85 means the carrier performs worse than 85% of its peers.
When a carrier's score exceeds the intervention threshold for a BASIC, the FMCSA may issue a warning letter, schedule an investigation, or take enforcement action.
| BASIC Category | What It Measures | Intervention Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Unsafe Driving | Speeding, reckless driving, improper lane changes, texting while driving | 65% |
| Crash Indicator | Crash history including frequency and severity | 65% |
| Hours-of-Service Compliance | Violations of driving time limits and rest requirements | 65% |
| Vehicle Maintenance | Brake, tire, lighting, and other mechanical defects found during inspections | 80% |
| Controlled Substances/Alcohol | Drug and alcohol violations | 80% |
| Hazardous Materials Compliance | Violations related to hazardous materials transportation | 80% |
| Driver Fitness | Licensing, medical certification, and qualification issues | 80% |
What Red Flags to Look For
When reviewing a trucking company's safety record, these are the warning signs that may indicate a pattern of unsafe practices:
- Above-threshold BASIC scores -- Any BASIC score that exceeds the intervention threshold (listed in the table above) means the FMCSA has identified the carrier as a safety concern. Multiple above-threshold scores are even more significant.
- "Conditional" or "Unsatisfactory" safety rating -- Either of these ratings indicates the FMCSA found deficiencies in the carrier's safety management.
- High out-of-service rates -- If the carrier's vehicle or driver out-of-service rates are above the national average, it suggests a pattern of operating unsafe trucks or using unqualified drivers.
- High crash rate -- A crash count that seems disproportionate to the carrier's fleet size and operations.
- Pattern of Hours-of-Service violations -- Repeated HOS violations suggest the carrier pressures drivers to exceed legal driving limits, increasing fatigue-related crash risk.
- History of drug or alcohol violations -- Even a single controlled substance violation is serious. A pattern indicates a systemic failure in the carrier's drug and alcohol testing program.
- Lapsed insurance -- If the carrier's insurance has lapsed or is below required minimums, it may indicate financial instability or disregard for regulations.
How This Information Helps Your NC Truck Accident Claim
A trucking company's public safety record can be directly relevant to your accident case. Here is how attorneys typically use this data:
Negligent Hiring and Retention
If the carrier's Driver Fitness BASIC score is above threshold, or if records show the carrier employed drivers with poor records, it supports a claim that the company was negligent in who it hired or continued to employ. North Carolina courts recognize negligent hiring and retention as a basis for employer liability.
Negligent Entrustment
Negligent entrustment claims argue that the carrier allowed an unqualified or unsafe driver to operate its vehicle. SMS scores related to Controlled Substances/Alcohol, Driver Fitness, and Unsafe Driving can all support this theory.
Pattern of Violations
A history of repeat violations in the same BASIC category shows the carrier was aware of a safety problem and failed to correct it. For example, if a carrier has a long history of Hours-of-Service violations and a fatigued driver caused your accident, the pattern demonstrates the company knew about and tolerated the behavior.
Prior Knowledge of Safety Issues
If the FMCSA had already issued warning letters or taken enforcement action against the carrier before your accident, it becomes much harder for the company to argue it was unaware of safety issues. This data is public and available through the SAFER System and SMS.
Punitive Damages Potential
In North Carolina, punitive damages may be available when a defendant's conduct is willful or wanton. A trucking company that continued operating despite an "Unsatisfactory" safety rating, multiple above-threshold BASIC scores, or a history of serious violations may face exposure to punitive damages. An attorney can evaluate whether the safety record supports this claim.
Other Useful FMCSA Tools
Beyond the SAFER System and SMS, the FMCSA offers several other resources that may be relevant:
FMCSA National Consumer Complaint Database
If you want to file a complaint about an unsafe trucking company or commercial vehicle, the FMCSA accepts complaints online through its complaint system. Complaints can be filed about unsafe driving, equipment issues, or regulatory violations you witnessed.
FMCSA Complaint Hotline
You can also report safety concerns by phone: 1-888-368-7238 (1-888-DOT-SAFA). This hotline is available for reporting unsafe commercial vehicles, fatigued drivers, or other immediate safety concerns.
Licensing and Insurance Lookup
The FMCSA's Licensing and Insurance system provides detailed information about a carrier's operating authority and insurance coverage. This is useful for verifying whether a carrier had proper authority and sufficient insurance at the time of your accident.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find a trucking company's safety record?
Go to the FMCSA SAFER System at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov and search by the company's DOT number, MC number, or company name. This free public database shows the carrier's safety rating, crash history, inspection results, and any violations. You can also check the SMS (Safety Measurement System) at ai.fmcsa.dot.gov for detailed safety scores.
What is a DOT number and where do I find it?
A DOT number is a unique identifier assigned by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to every commercial vehicle operator involved in interstate commerce. You can find it on the side of the truck (usually on the cab door), on the truck's registration documents, or on any paperwork from the trucking company. It is typically displayed as "USDOT" followed by a number.
What do FMCSA safety scores mean?
The FMCSA Safety Measurement System (SMS) scores carriers in seven categories called BASICs: Unsafe Driving, Crash Indicator, Hours-of-Service Compliance, Vehicle Maintenance, Controlled Substances/Alcohol, Hazardous Materials Compliance, and Driver Fitness. Scores are percentile rankings from 0 to 100 -- higher scores mean worse safety performance compared to peers. Scores above certain thresholds trigger FMCSA intervention.
Can a trucking company's safety record help my accident claim?
Yes. A poor safety record can be powerful evidence in your case. If the trucking company has a history of violations, failed inspections, or prior crashes, it can support claims of negligent hiring, negligent supervision, or a pattern of unsafe practices. Your attorney can use this public data to strengthen your case and potentially increase settlement value.