CSA Safety Scores for New Carriers: Start Clean, Stay Clean

New authorities begin with no CSA scores, which is an asset worth protecting. The seven Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories (BASICs) start accumulating from your first roadside inspection.

The BASICs that hurt fastest

• Unsafe Driving: speeding and phone violations from roadside observations.
• Hours-of-Service Compliance: ELD logs are checked at every inspection.
• Vehicle Maintenance: brake adjustments and lighting top the violation list year after year.

Why percentages matter for a one-truck fleet

BASIC percentiles are peer-ranked. A single out-of-service violation on a tiny inspection history moves your percentile dramatically more than it would for a 500-truck carrier. Insurance renewals and broker load boards both watch these numbers.

The complete safety-management walkthrough lives at Haul Handbook's compliance guides.

Last updated August 2026.