Understanding FMCSA Safety Ratings: Satisfactory vs Unsatisfactory
When researching a trucking company, you may encounter terms like "Satisfactory," "Conditional," or "Unsatisfactory" safety rating. But what do these federal designations actually mean, and how should they influence your decisions?
What Are FMCSA Safety Ratings?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) assigns safety ratings to motor carriers based on formal compliance reviews. These ratings assess whether a carrier has adequate safety management practices in place.
A safety rating is assigned after FMCSA investigators conduct an on-site review of the carrier's operations, including:
- Management oversight and safety policies
- Driver qualification files
- Hours of service compliance
- Vehicle maintenance records
- Drug and alcohol testing programs
- Accident documentation
The Three Safety Ratings Explained
After a compliance review, the FMCSA assigns one of three ratings. Here's what each means:
Satisfactory
A Satisfactory rating indicates that the carrier has adequate safety management controls in place to meet the safety fitness standard. This is the best possible rating a carrier can receive.
Key characteristics:
- Demonstrates consistent compliance with federal regulations
- Has effective safety oversight systems
- Maintains proper documentation and records
A Satisfactory rating is a positive sign. The carrier has passed federal scrutiny.
Conditional
A Conditional rating means the carrier does not have adequate safety management controls in place to ensure compliance with the safety fitness standard. However, the deficiencies are not severe enough to warrant an Unsatisfactory rating.
Key characteristics:
- Has some deficiencies in safety management
- May have issues with documentation or procedures
- Is expected to improve or face further action
Proceed with caution. Review other factors like crash history and OOS rates before deciding.
Unsatisfactory
An Unsatisfactory rating is the most serious. It indicates that the carrier does not have adequate safety management controls to ensure compliance with safety fitness standards, and the failures are of such severity that the carrier is considered unfit.
Key characteristics:
- Serious or widespread regulatory violations
- Failure to correct known safety issues
- May be subject to federal enforcement action
Strong recommendation to avoid. Unsatisfactory carriers may continue operating but pose elevated risk.
What About "Not Rated" Carriers?
Many carriers you search for will show "Not Rated" or "None" for their safety rating. This is common and doesn't necessarily indicate a problem.
The FMCSA cannot review every carrier, so ratings are typically assigned to:
- Larger carriers with significant operations
- Carriers targeted for review due to crash history or complaints
- New entrant carriers during their initial audit period
For unrated carriers, focus on other indicators like crash history, out-of-service rates, and operating history duration.
Can a Rating Change?
Yes, safety ratings can be upgraded or downgraded based on:
- Upgrade: The carrier requests a new compliance review after correcting deficiencies
- Downgrade: Subsequent reviews or enforcement actions reveal new or continuing problems
The date of the most recent rating review is typically shown in the carrier's federal record.
Beyond Ratings: Other Factors to Consider
While safety ratings are valuable, they're just one piece of the puzzle. Also consider:
| Factor | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| Crash History | Fatal, injury, and tow-away crashes in past 24 months |
| Vehicle OOS Rate | Compare to national average (~20-21%) |
| Driver OOS Rate | Compare to national average (~5-7%) |
| Operating History | How long they've been in business |
| Insurance Status | Active and adequate coverage |
Search a Carrier's Rating
Want to check a specific carrier's safety rating and complete federal record? Use our search tool:
Trucking Record Editorial Team
Our team analyzes FMCSA data to provide accurate, up-to-date information about motor carrier safety. We are committed to transparency in the trucking industry.