How Long Do CSA Points Stay on Your Record?

Written by Nick Webster

Published on March 10, 2023, 6 a.m.

How Long Do CSA Points Stay on Your Record?

“How long do CSA points stay on your record?” is a common question in the US trucking industry. Well, the answer is that it depends. Generally, CSA points stay on your driving record for two years from the date of conviction but can remain as long as 10 years in some cases. If you accumulate enough points within a two-year period, you may be at risk of having your license suspended or revoked. So if you want to make sure you don't end up with too many CSA points on your record, then it's important to drive safely and obey all traffic laws. Visit CSA Scores.

What Are CSA Points in Trucking?

CSA Scores (points) in trucking are a system developed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to measure and track commercial vehicle safety. The CSA Score measures the on-road performance of commercial drivers and carriers, giving shippers and brokers valuable insight into which companies to trust with their freight. Read here about Starting a Trucking Company Correctly.

The CSA Score is made up of 7 categories:

  • Unsafe Driving
  • Crash Indicator
  • Hours-of-Service Compliance
  • Vehicle Maintenance
  • Controlled Substances/Alcohol
  • Hazardous Materials Compliance
  • Driver Fitness

Each category is further divided into smaller subcategories such as Speeding or Brake Systems. The FMCSA evaluates each subcategory using data from roadside inspections and other analysis measures. How To Request the DOT PIN Number?

How Does the CSA Safety Measurement System Work?

The Safety Measurement System (SMS) is designed to ensure the safe operation of motor carriers. Its goal is to evaluate compliance with safety regulations and identify carriers and drivers who need interventions based on their performance and outcomes. To do this, the system takes into consideration two main indicators: On-road performance, which includes data collected from roadside inspections and crash reports; and investigation results, referring to violations discovered over the previous twelve months. All of this is in order to guarantee safety on roads and protect both drivers and passengers alike. What is DOT SAP Program?

An SMS system assigns each carrier a score, called a BASIC measure, which reflects their performance in terms of safety events such as crashes, inspections, or violations. The SMS then groups carriers with similar numbers of safety events and ranks them within their group based on their BASIC measure, giving them a percentile ranking from 0 to 100. A higher percentile indicates worse performance compared to other carriers in the same group. Knowing your carrier's specific ranking can help you make informed decisions about whether or not to use that particular carrier. Visit DOT Authority Package, Tips to prepare for 2023 DOT Week filings in minutes. How to get Oregon Trip And Fuel Permit?

How Can a Violation/Points History Affect My SMS Evaluation as a Carrier?

Only violations that a driver receives while working for a motor carrier will count towards the Carrier’s SMS evaluation. Previous and post-employment violations are not taken into consideration when evaluating a carrier. Inspections and crashes under their Department of Transportation number are the only factors considered in SMS evaluations. Must visit FMCSA Hours of Service Suspended topics.

Terminating a driver does not erase the record of their crashes and inspection results. These remain associated with the carrier's safety performance for 24 months from when they occurred, though their impact on the carrier's percentile rank will lessen over time. This is because the data is evaluated according to its age. Also, take a look at Drug and Alcohol Program policy. What is DOT Clearinghouse Enforcement? Give us a call

What Are Some Tips for Having Good CSA Scores?

Here are some tips to keep in mind:

  • Make sure to keep up with preventative maintenance on trucks and trailers. Regularly check tire pressure, brakes and all other mechanical parts of a vehicle.

  • Ensure that drivers follow the hours of services rules, such as taking their maximum allowable daily driving and rest periods.

  • Keep detailed driver logs to ensure that all breaks, miles driven and truck inspections are properly documented for review.

  • Educate drivers about how CSA scores are determined so they understand the importance of following safety regulations.

  • Use technologies such as GPS trackers, fatigue monitoring systems or in cab cameras to monitor driver behavior.

Is There an Appeals Process for CSA Points?

If you believe that a violation assigned to your DOT record by the FMCSA is incorrect, there is an appeals process available through the FMCSA DataQ system. To successfully contest the violation, documentation and evidence must be provided to support your argument; simply stating that the violation was unfair will not suffice. With supporting evidence, you may be able to prove that the violation should not be associated with your DOT record. What is Unified Carrier Registration?

To begin filing an appeal through the FMCSA DataQ system, gather all of your relevant documents and review all facts included in the violation citation. Make sure to double-check all information entered when creating your account and filling out any necessary forms. Please contact our organization if you need help with this issue. Check out The Basics of Farm Exemptions. You will then have the ability to maintain complete motor carrier authority or broker. What are the Top 3 DOT paper appointed Violations?

Summary: How Long Do CSA Points Stay on a Driving Record?

Please keep the following points in mind about CSA scores:

  • To keep CSA points off your record, it's important to drive safely and obey all traffic laws.

  • In most cases, the points stay on your driving record for two years from the date of conviction. Must visit BOC-3 Filing.

  • However, they may remain as long as 10 years in certain instances.

  • If you accumulate enough points within a two-year period, you could be at risk of having your license suspended or revoked.

  • So following road rules is essential to keep your license and avoid any costly penalties. Do not hesitate to Call our organization.