FMCSA Websites & SMS Guide: where to look and how to read the score

Ten FMCSA sites, what is on each and when to open it, the seven SMS BASICs with their intervention thresholds, how severity, time and exposure move the score, and a 15-minute routine to read any carrier's profile.

PDF · 2 pagesEnglishVerified October 27, 2026Instant download

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What's inside

1. The sites

SAFER, SMS, Licensing & Insurance, FMCSA Portal, Registration (Motus), Clearinghouse, National Registry, DataQs, PSP, ELD registry.

2. SMS in one table

The seven BASICs, what counts in each and the intervention threshold for property carriers.

3. How the score moves

Severity weight, time weight, exposure, clean inspections.

4. 15-minute profile review

Six steps from snapshot to three actions.

Sample items

Unsafe Driving, HOS Compliance and Crash Indicator: 65% threshold
Driver Fitness, Vehicle Maintenance and others: 80%
Time weight: x3 in the last 6 months, x2 at 6-12 months, x1 at 12-24 months
Severity weight 1 to 10, +2 if out of service
Clean inspections lower the weight of inspection-based BASICs
2026 note on the new SMS methodology

How to use it

Bookmark all ten sites in one folder.
Do the 15-minute review every month.
Write 3 problems, 3 actions, an owner and a deadline.
Challenge wrong data through DataQs.

Who it's for

Safety specialists
Owners watching their CSA scores
Brokers and shippers vetting carriers
New safety staff

Questions

What are the SMS intervention thresholds?

For general property carriers: 65% for Unsafe Driving, Hours-of-Service Compliance and the Crash Indicator; 80% for Driver Fitness, Controlled Substances/Alcohol, Vehicle Maintenance and Hazmat. Thresholds are lower for passenger and hazmat carriers. A higher percentile is worse.

How long do violations stay in SMS?

24 months. They weigh 3 times more in the first 6 months, twice as much at 6-12 months and once at 12-24 months.

Is the new SMS methodology in effect?

FMCSA approved a new methodology in November 2024. At verification (October 27, 2026) no launch date had been announced; check csa.fmcsa.dot.gov.

Educational resource, not legal advice. Confirm every item in the current 49 CFR (ecfr.gov) and with FMCSA before acting.

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