CSA BASICs & SMS Scoring
"Not in SMS" Doesn't Mean It Doesn't Matter
Violations not listed in SMS Appendix A don't score CSA points, but they still appear on inspection records and can result in out-of-service orders. Understanding the difference changes how you should manage violations.
Same Violation Twice on One Inspection? It Only Counts Once
When the same violation code appears multiple times on an inspection report, SMS counts it only once. Here's why that matters and how it affects your score.
How the 30-Point Cap Actually Works—And Why FMCSA Built It In
FMCSA caps severity points at 30 per inspection per BASIC for a reason. Here's the mechanic and why it matters to your SMS profile.
Your Violation from Last Year Isn't Gone Yet—Here's Why
A violation doesn't drop off your CSA score the day you pay it. It decays over two years using a 3/2/1 weighting system. Here's exactly what that means for your score.
Understanding the +2 Out-of-Service Bonus: What It Actually Costs Your SMS Score
When you get an out-of-service violation, the FMCSA adds 2 points to severity before time-weighting applies. Here's exactly how that changes your BASIC score—and which three BASICs never get that penalty.