CSA Score Explained

There is a myriad of obstacles facing truckers on the road, and a chief complaint among them is the dizzying rules and regulations that come along with receiving tickets on the road. So, we’re here to set the record straight and lay down some facts surrounding CSA Scores.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is responsible for ensuring full compliance with all FMCSA regulations required of truck and bus companies regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Safety violations are tracked by the SMS, then categorized under the Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories (BASICs) and later added to a score for the fleet the vehicle belongs to. If a fleet reaches a certain threshold (a higher percentile), it is flagged and prioritized for intervention by the FMCSA.

There are seven BASICs categories—Unsafe Driving, Crash Indicator, Hours-of-Service (HOS) Compliance, Vehicle Maintenance, Controlled Substances/Alcohol, Hazardous Materials (HM) Compliance, and Driver Fitness. There is also an Acute and Critical sub-category of violations added to each BASIC category, whose values create automatic flags against a carrier in SMS. 

CSA Score Severity Weights

Below is a partial list of the different violations a driver can make and the corresponding severity weights impacting CSA scores.

10 Severity Weights

Operating on out-of-service vehicle – 396.9(c)(2)1

8 Severity Weights

Violating the airbrake restriction – 383.95(a)2

Flat tire or fabric exposed – 393.75(a)
Ply or belt material exposed on a tire – 393.75(a)(1)
Tread or sidewall separation – 393.75(a)(2)
Flat tire with or without an audible air leak – 393.75(a)(3)
Cut exposing ply and/or belt material on a tire – 393.75(a)(4)

Tire front tread depth less than 4/32 of an inch – 393.75(b)3
Other tire tread depth less than 2/32 of an inch – 393.75(c)4

7 Severity Weights

Failure to use a seatbelt – 392.165
Leaking/spilling/blowing/falling cargo – 393.100(b)6

Short, over 1/3 length past structure – 393.116(d)(1)
Short, insufficient, or missing tie downs – 393.116(d)(2)
Short, tie downs improperly positioned – 393.116(d)(3)
Short, no center stakes/high log not secured – 393.116
Short, length; improper securement – 393.116(d)(4)

Improper placement of bundles – 393.118(b)7
Coil/vertical improper securement – 393.120(b)(1)
Coils, rows, eyes vertical improper securement – 393.120(b)(2)
Coil/eye crosswise improper securement – 393.120(c)(1)
X-pattern on coils with eyes crosswise – 393.120(c)(2)

Coil with eye lengthwise improper securement – 393.120(d)(1)
Coils, rows, eyes length improper securement – 393.120(d)(4)
Rolls vertical – improper securement – 393.122(b)8
Rolls vertical/split – improper securement – 393.122(c)
Rolls vertical/stacked – improper securement – 393.122(d)

Rolls crosswise – improper securement – 393.122(e)
Rolls crosswise/stacked load – improper securement- 393.122(f)
Rolls length – improper securement – 393.122(g)
Rolls lengthwise/stacked – improper securement – 393.122(h)
Improper securement – rolls on flatbed/curtain sided vehicle – 393.122(i)

Improper blocking of concrete pipe – 393.124(c)9
Improper arrangement of concrete pipe – 393.124(d)
Improper securement, up to 45 inches diameter – 393.124(e)
All corners of chassis not secured – 393.126(c)(2)
Improper securement, over 45 inches diameter – 393.124(f)10

Front and rear end of container not secured independently – 393.126(c)(3)
Empty container, more than five foot overhang – 393.126(d)(2)
Empty container not properly secured – 393.126(d)(4)
Empty container not positioned properly – 393.126(d)(1)
Front and rear of vehicle not secured – 393.128(b)(1)

Tie downs not affixed to mounting points – 393.128(b)(2)
Tie downs not over or around wheels – 393.128(b)(3)11
Item not properly prepared for transport – 393.130(b)
Improper restraint/securement of item – 393.130(c)
Insufficient means to retain loose parts – 393.132(c)(5)

Container not secured to the front of the vehicle – 393.134(b)(2)
Rear of the container not properly secured – 393.134(b)(3)
Improper placement/positioning of boulder – 393.136(b)12
Boulder not secured with chain; Use of webbing – 393.136(c)(1)
Improper securement – cubic boulder – 393.136(d)

Improper securement – non-cubic boulder with stable base – 393.136(e)
Improper securement – non-cubic boulder with unstable base – 393.136(f)13
Axle positioning parts defective or missing – 393.207(a)
Adjustable axle locking pin missing or disengaged – 393.207(b)
Leaf spring assembly defective or missing – 393.207(c)

Coil spring cracked and/or broken – 393.207(d)
Torsion bar cracked and/or broken – 393.207(e)
Air suspension pressure loss – 393.207(f)14

6 Severity Weights

Inoperative headlamps – 393.9H

Inoperative tail lamp – 393.9T
Inoperative turn signal – 393.9TS15
Either none, or defective lamps, on a towing unit in a tow-away operation – 393.17(a)
Either none, or defective, tow-away lamps on rear unit – 393.17(b)
Inoperative and/or defective hazard warning lamp – 393.19

Non-compliance with headlamp requirements – 393.24(a)
Non-compliant fog and/or driving lamps – 393.24(b)16
Lamps are not visible as required – 393.25(b)
Lamp not steady burning – 393.25(e)
Stop lamp violations – 393.25(f)17

Operating a CMV with lamps or reflectors obscured – 392.3318
Steering wheel not secured or is broken – 393.209(a)
Excessive steering wheel lash – 393.209(b)
Loose steering column – 393.209(c)14
Steering system components worn/welded/missing – 393.209(d)

Power steering violations – 393.209(e)19

4 Severity Weights

No pre-trip inspection – 392.720
Inadequate brake system on a CMV – 393.40
None, or defective, parking brake system on a CMV – 393.41

No brakes as required – 393.42
Brakes missing on a trailer steering axle – 393.42A BM-TSA
No, or improper, breakaway or emergency braking – 393.43
No, or improper, tractor protection valve – 393.43(a)
No, or defective, automatic trailer brake – 393.43(d)17

Failing to secure brake hose/tubing against mechanical damage – 393.45
Brake hose or tubing chafing or kinking at the connection to the power unit – 393.45(b)(2)
Brake connections with constrictions at the connection to the power unit – 393.45DCPC21
Brake connections with leaks at the connection to the power unit – 393.45DLPC
Brake connections with leaks under the vehicle – 393.45DLUV

Inadequate brakes for safe stopping – 393.47(a)
Mismatched brake chambers on the same axle – 393.47(a)
Mismatched slack adjuster effective length – 393.47(b)22
Insufficient brake linings – 393.47(d)
Either the clamp or roto-chamber type brake out of adjustment – 393.47(e)

Wedge type brakes out of adjustment – 393.47(f)
Insufficient drum or rotor thickness – 393.47(g)
Either inoperative or defective brakes – 393.48(a)
Defective brake limiting device – 393.48(b)(1)23
Either none, or defective, air reservoir drain valve – 393.50(d)

Either none, or defective, brake warning device – 393.51
Insufficient braking force as percent of Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) or Gross Combined Weight (GCW) – 393.52(a)(1)
Violation on an automatic brake adjuster, for a hydraulic brake, on a CMV manufactured on or after 10/20/1993 – 393.53(a)
Violation on an automatic brake adjuster, for an air brake, on a CMV manufactured on or after 10/20/1994 – 393.53(b)24
Violation of an external automatic adjustment indicator on a CMV manufactured on or after 10/20/1994 – 393.55BMAN

ABS – malfunctioning lamps towed CMV manufactured on or after 3/1/1998, manufactured before 3/1/2009 – 393.55(b)25

3 Severity Weights

Failing to dim headlights when required – 392.2DH
Lane restriction violations – 392.2LV26
No or defective rear vision mirror – 393.8027

Upper retroreflective sheeting and/or reflex reflectors on trailers manufactured on or after 12/1/1993 – 393.13(d)(3)16
No retroreflective sheeting or reflex reflectors on mud flaps of a truck tractor manufactured on or after 7/1/1997 – 393.11TL
No retroreflective sheeting/reflex reflectors on truck tractor manufactured on or after 7/1/1997 – 393.11TT
No upper body corners retroreflective sheeting/reflex reflectors on truck tractor manufactured on or after 7/1/1997 – 393.11TU
No upper reflex reflectors retroreflective sheeting/reflex reflectors on trailer manufactured on or after 12/1/1993 – 393.11UR

Retroreflective tape not affixed as required for trailers manufactured after 12/1/1993 – 393.13(a)
No retroreflective sheeting or reflex reflective material as required for vehicles manufactured on or after 12/1/1993 – 393.13(b)28
No side retroreflective sheeting or reflex reflective material as required for vehicles manufactured before 12/1/1993 – 393.13(c)(1)
No lower rear retroreflective sheeting or reflex reflective material as required for vehicles manufactured before 12/1/1993 – 393.13(c)(2)
No upper rear retroreflective sheeting or reflex reflective material as required for vehicles manufactured before 12/1/1993 – 393.13(c)(3)

Improper side placement of retroreflective sheeting or reflex reflective material as required for vehicles manufactured on or after 12/1/1993 – 393.13(d)(1)
Improper lower rear placement of retroreflective sheeting or reflex reflective material requirements for vehicles manufactured before 12/1/1993 – 393.13(d)(2)29
Upper rear retroreflective sheeting or reflex reflective material as required for vehicles manufactured on or after 12/1/1993 – 393.13(d)(3)28
Violation of requirements for reflectors – 393.26
Improper, or no, wiring protection as required – 393.28

Improper battery operation – 393.3017
Compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel container does not conform to regulations – 393.68
Defective or improper fifth wheel assemblies – 393.7030
Defective or improper fifth wheel assembly upper half – 393.70B1II31
Defective fifth wheel locking mechanism – 393.70(b)(2)

Defective coupling devices for full trailer – 393.70(c)
Either none, or improper, safety chains or cables for full trailer – 393.70(d)
Improper safety chain attachment – 393.70(d)(8)32
Improper coupling on a drive-away/tow-away operation – 393.71
Prohibited towing connection or device – 393.71(g)

Towbar requirement violations – 393.71(h)
Either none, or improper, safety chains or cables for tow bar – 393.71(h)(10)33
Regrooved tire on the front wheel of a truck/tractor-trailer – 393.75(e)
Violation of the load weight rating, or underinflated, tires – 393.75(f)(2)34
Sleeper berth requirement violations – 393.76

Defective and/or prohibited heaters – 393.77
Violation of protection of operating controls from tampering – 393.77(b)(5)
Horn inoperative – 393.81
Inoperative or inadequate speedometer – 393.8227
Improper securement system (tie down assemblies) – 393.10235

Insufficient means to prevent forward shifting – 393.102(a)(1)(i)
Insufficient means to prevent lateral movement – 393.102(a)(1)(iii)
Insufficient means to prevent vertical movement – 393.102(b)
Knotted tie down – 393.104(f)(1)
Use of a tie down with improper repair – 393.104(f)(2)

Loose or unfastened tie down – 393.104(f)(3)
No edge protection for tie downs – 393.104F4R
Cargo not immobilized or secured – 393.106(b)36
No means to prevent cargo from rolling – 393.106(c)(1)
Cargo without direct contact/prevention from shifting – 393.106(c)(2)

Insufficient aggregate working load limit – 393.106(d)
Insufficient tie downs; without header board/blocking – 393.110(b)
Large or odd-shaped cargo not adequately secured – 393.110(d)37
Insufficient protection against lateral movement – 393.118(d)
Insufficient or improper arrangement of tie downs – 393.118(d)(3)38

No protection against shifting/tipping – 393.120(e)39
Insufficient working load limit for concrete pipes – 393.124(b)40
Insufficient tie downs per stack cars – 393.132
No blocking against forward movement – 393.134(b)(1)41

2 Severity Weights

Failure to inspect or use emergency equipment – 392.8
Failing to, or improper placement of, warning devices – 392.22(b)42
Inoperative required lamps – 393.943
Required lamp not powered by vehicle electricity – 393.2344
Frame cracked, loose, sagging, broken – 393.201(a)

Cab/body parts requirement violations – 393.203
Cab door missing or broken – 393.203(a)
Cab or body improperly secured to the frame – 393.203(b)
Hood not securely fastened – 393.203(c)45
Cab seats not securely mounted – 393.203(d)

Cab front bumper missing, unsecured or protruding – 393.203(e)
Wheel or rim cracked or broken – 393.205(a)
Stud or bolt holes elongated on wheels – 393.205(b)
Wheel fasteners loose or missing – 393.205(c)46
Inadequate floor condition – 393.8447

Either none or improper rear end protection – 393.86
Violation of rear impact guards on motor vehicles manufactured on or after 12/31/1952 – 393.86(b)(1)48
Improperly located television receiver – 393.88
Seatbelts not installed – 393.93(b)48
Either missing, or discharged, or unsecured fire extinguisher – 393.95(a)

Missing spare fuses – 393.95(b)
Either missing or insufficient warning devices – 393.95(f)35
Violation of inspection and repair and maintenance of parts and accessories – 396.3(a)(1)49
No visible or measurable lubricant showing in the hub of the outer wheel – 396.5(a)50
Oil and/or grease leaking from hub on outer wheel – 396.5B-HLOW

Leaking wheel seal on outer wheel – 396.5B-HWSLOW1

1 Severity Weight

Unlawfully parking or leaving a vehicle on a roadway – 392.2PK26
Failure to secure load – 392.9(a)
Failure to secure vehicle equipment – 392.9(a)(2)

Driver’s view and/or movement is obstructed – 392.9(a)(3)
Failure to use hazard warning flashers – 392.22(a)42
Unauthorized passengers onboard a CMV – 392.60(a)51
Failure to prevent cargo shifting – 393.10035
Failing to meet minimum tie down requirements – 393.11037

Either none or improper securement of metal coils – 393.12039
Either none or improper heavy vehicle/machinery securement – 393.13041
Obstructed windshield – 393.60EWS
Damaged or discolored windshield – 393.60(c)
Glazing which allows less than 70% of light – 393.60(d)

Inadequate or missing truck side windows – 393.61
Emergency exit window not properly marked – 393.62(e)52
Improper location of fuel system – 393.65(b)
Improper securement of fuel tank – 393.65(c)
Improper fuel line protection – 393.65(f)

Fuel tank fill pipe cap missing – 393.67(c)(7)30
Inoperative or defective windshield wipers – 393.78
Inoperative or defective defroster/defogger – 393.79
Violation of exhaust system location – 393.83(a)
Violation of exhaust discharge fuel tank/filler tube – 393.83(b)53

Improper exhaust discharge (not located at rear of cab) – 393.83(e)
Improper exhaust system repair (patch/wrap) – 393.83(f)
Exhaust leak under truck cab and/or sleeper – 393.83(g)
Exhaust system not securely fastened – 393.83(h)47
Missing required warning flag on a projecting load – 393.87(a)

Improper warning flag placement – 393.87(b)48
Inadequate or damaged securement device or system – 393.104(a)
Damaged securement system or tie downs – 393.104(b)
Damaged vehicle structures or anchor points – 393.104(c)
Damaged dunnage, or load bars, or blocking/bracing – 393.104(d)

Either none or improper front-end structure/header board – 393.106(a)36
Tie down not adjustable by driver – 393.112
Either none or improper front-end structure – 393.114
Insufficient height on front-end structure – 393.114(b)(1)
Insufficient width on front-end structure – 393.114(b)(2)37

Front-end structure with large openings – 393.114(d)
Either missing or improper securement of logs (lumber) – 393.116
Either none or improper lumber/building materials securement – 393.11838
Either none or improper securement of paper rolls – 393.122(b)39
Either none or improper securement of concrete pipe – 393.124(a)40

Lower corners of container not on vehicle/structure – 393.126(c)(1)
Fail to ensure intermodal container secured – 393.126
Damaged or missing tie downs or securement devices – 393.126(b)54
Either none or improper securing of vehicle – 393.12855
Either none or improper securement of crushed vehicles – 393.132

Prohibited use of synthetic webbing – 393.132(b)
Either none or improper securement of roll/hook containers – 393.134
Either none or improper securement of large boulders – 393.13641
Driving of a vehicle (migrant workers) – 398.451

Creating safer roadways for truckers is our #1 priority. And we believe that understanding the different violations, and the ripple effects they make, can help keep you protected on the road. Remember, if you ever do happen to get a ticket on the road, call the experts at ORDP to help protect your CSA score. We match you with an expert attorney that handles the case from start to finish while you keep on truckin’ – and now we offer DataQ Challenges to help reverse marks made against your driving record. Apply here.

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CSA Scores and Truckers: What You Need to Know