Your Guide to CSA Points

Getting points might sound positive, but CSA points are ones you don’t want! Let’s take a closer look at what CSA points mean for truck drivers operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) and how these points can affect your standing in the industry. We’ll discuss how you might receive them, and more importantly, how you can get rid of them if they appear on your record. Implementing some positive truck driving tips could keep you in the clear on many, if not all, factors that could lead to CSA violations. By understanding how the CSA program works and how it impacts driver safety and DOT compliance, you’ll be better equipped to prioritize safety standards. This can help you avoid unnecessary infractions that lead to issues with your CDL and prevent the risk of high insurance premiums.

What Are CSA Points? 

CSA stands for Compliance, Safety, Accountability and focuses on safety improvement categories to promote safe practices on roadways. The FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) developed CSA points as a way to incentivize safety performance and track compliance with federal safety standards. These points are assigned based on DOT audits, roadside inspections, behavior analysis, and more, providing a system to monitor the safety of commercial drivers and trucking companies. This safety measurement system (SMS) is a core part of FMCSA’s strategy for improving DOT compliance in the industry.

How Do You Get CSA Points?

CSA points are given to both the driver and the carrier/company for various service violations. By holding both parties accountable, this system emphasizes the importance of safety throughout the industry. Key areas where drivers can accumulate points include:

• Unsafe driving: Speeding, improper lane changes, failure to signal, and reckless driving.
• Hours of Service (HOS) violations: Driving beyond allowable hours, which impacts driver safety and increases the risk of crash reports.
• Vehicle maintenance issues: Failing to pass pre-trip inspections or neglecting vehicle upkeep.
• Controlled substances violations: Use or possession of drugs or alcohol.
• Driver fitness violations: Lack of proper licensing or failing to meet physical qualifications.
• Crash indicator: Points added based on preventable crash reports.
• Hazardous materials compliance: Failing to adhere to hazmat regulations.

Each infraction results in a basic category violation, with points ranging from 1 to 10 based on severity. This impacts your safety measurement system (SMS) percentile, showing how your fleet management stacks up against other companies.

To avoid points, maintain hours-of-service compliance and perform regular pre-trip inspections on your CMV to meet safety standards.

Preventing CSA Points 

To avoid unnecessary points:

• Maintain hours-of-service compliance.
• Perform thorough pre-trip inspections focused on vehicle maintenance.
• Follow all safety standards and regulations to keep your USDOT number clear of infractions.

Keeping up with these practices can help you avoid accumulating points and maintain good standing with the FMCSA.

How Many CSA Points is Considered Bad?

In short, any CSA points can impact your DOT number and reflect poorly on your safety performance. Companies with a high CSA score might face warning letters or compliance reviews from the Department of Transportation, as a high score indicates potential service violations.

After accumulating points, your company receives a percentile score in the safety management system (SMS). This percentile ranks your company relative to others, showing your compliance standing.

• High percentile scores signal poor safety, potentially leading to thresholds that prompt further action from the FMCSA.
• Low percentile scores reflect strong compliance, benefiting fleet management and showing adherence to safety standards.

How to Remove CSA Points From Your Record 

To remove CSA points from your record, you have two options:

1. Challenge Incorrect Points
• Dispute points online through DataQ, providing evidence if necessary. Successfully challenged points are removed from your PSP and SMS records, protecting your safety performance.
2. Allow Points to Expire
• Points fall off after two years, but you can monitor and challenge points through behavior analysis to avoid unnecessary violations.

The Benefits of Having a Good CSA Score 

Maintaining a good CSA score offers significant benefits for both drivers and trucking companies:

• Compliance and Professionalism: A good score demonstrates FMCSA DOT compliance and strong safety standards, ensuring smoother operations on roadways.
• Avoidance of Service Violations and Warning Letters: Staying below critical thresholds can help your company avoid service violations or warning letters from the FMCSA.
• Insurance Savings: Lower CSA scores can reduce insurance premiums, as they reflect a safe safety record and consistent metrics in safety performance.
• Operational Continuity: Companies with excessively high CSA scores are more likely to face DOT audits and out-of-service orders.

Need help maintaining a good CSA score? Let our trucking experts assist you. Call us today at (913) 393-6110 to learn more about optimizing safety and compliance for your fleet.