RICARDO'S TRUCKING LLC
Risk factors
Low riskVioCodes scoreA weighted read of the public FMCSA signals below — authority, insurance, out-of-service, crashes, roadside OOS rates, and carrier connections. A starting point for vetting, not a guarantee.
Roadside inspection performance
Out-of-service rate vs national average. Lower is better.
CSA performance breakdown
FMCSA · Sep 202685 inspections · 84 violations (17 OOS) · 30% of inspections had an OOS finding.
Violations by BASIC
click to filter codes
Top cited codes
score = count × severity weight
- 1393.75C-TAOTD-LT2/32Vehicle Maintenance
Tires - Less than 2/32 inch tread depth
16
2× · sev 8
- 2393.207A-SAPPCBLMVehicle Maintenance
Suspension - Axle positioning part cracked/broken/loose/missing.
14
2× · sev 7
- 3393.53B-BVehicle Maintenance
Air Brake - CMV manufactured on or after 10/20/1994 has an automatic airbrake adjustment system that fails to compensate for wear
8
2× · sev 4
- 4393.207F-SLASVehicle Maintenance
Suspension - Leaking 3 PSI in 5 minutes
7
1× · sev 7
- 5392.2-SLLSR
State/Local Laws - State registration/tag violation
5
5×
- 6393.47D2-BRMMCADVehicle Maintenance
Air Disc Brake - Rotor (disc) metal to metal contact
4
1× · sev 4
- 7393.47D2-BLT-1/16ADVehicle Maintenance
Air Disc Brake - Lining/pad thickness less than 1/16 inch
4
1× · sev 4
- 8393.47E
Brake Out of Adjustment - Roto, Clamp (Short & Long), DD-3, or Bolt
3
3×
- 9392.2-SLLEQP
State/Local Laws - Violation of state and local law - Equipment violation.
2
2×
- 10396.3A1-BOS1 OOS
Brake - Defective brake(s) are equal to or greater than 20% of the service brakes on the vehicle/combination
1
1×
Most inspected in · top 3 states
- CA27
- US2
- WA1
Latest FMCSA SMS snapshot. Codes link to the lookup — severity weighting, contest angles, and the DataQs Drafter for each. Click a BASIC to filter the codes.
Safety trends & next-run projection
Where each BASIC sits today, how it ranks against peers, and where it’s heading at the next monthly SMS run.
FMCSA keeps the Crash Indicator percentile private, and its measure needs a power-unit history public data doesn’t expose — so it can’t be estimated yet. VioCodes now records power units monthly, so a calibrated Crash estimate should light up over time. These are the public crash facts (all state-reportable crashes count, regardless of fault).
“Projected” estimates the next monthly SMS run from inspections on record now. FMCSA marks the BASIC percentile itself “Not Public,” so the percentile shown is a VioCodes estimate of how the carrier ranks against its peers, presented as a likely range (shaded on the gauge) and calibrated against real carriers. Crash Indicator has no public estimate — FMCSA keeps its measures fully private. Estimates, not official FMCSA figures. Not affiliated with FMCSA.
Recommendations
What’s driving each score, what to do about it, and where it could go.
Lighting / lamps violations are the leading contributor to Vehicle Maintenance
High impactEstimated Vehicle Maintenance percentile of 96% is at/over the 75% intervention line. Carriers with a BASIC in alert are prioritized for enforcement (warning letters, audits) and inspected more often — which tends to generate still more violations.
- 393.9A-LSLILighting - Stop lamps - Any inoperative.7× · 5%
- 393.9A-LFTSILighting - Front - Turn signal - inoperative5× · 4%
- 393.9A-LTSILighting - Turn signal - Any inoperative on the rearmost vehicle.2× · 3%
- 393.75C-TAOTD-LT2/32Tires - Less than 2/32 inch tread depth12× · 13%
- 393.75A3-TAOLTires - All others, leaking or inflation less than 50% of the maximum inflation pressure on tire not equipped with ATIS9× · 8%
- 393.75A1-TEPBMTires - All others - Exposed ply or belt material in tread or sidewall area3× · 2%
- 393.45D-BAir Brake - Audible air leak at a proper connection8× · 5%
- 393.53B-BAir Brake - CMV manufactured on or after 10/20/1994 has an automatic airbrake adjustment system that fails to compensate for wear5× · 3%
- 396.3A1-BALACBrake - Audible air leak from a brake chamber5× · 3%
- 396.5B-LLubrication - Oil or grease leak13× · 5%
- 396.9D2-FTFFailing to correct the violation(s)/defect(s) noted on the roadside inspection report3× · 1%
- 396.3A1-DLDSCBBPDriveline/Driveshaft - More than 1/2 inch (12.7mm) vertical movement (with hand pressure only) of the shaft in the center bearing carrier.1× · 1%
- Walk the lights every pre-trip and carry spare bulbs/fuses; clean lenses and check the trailer plug
- Prioritize the out-of-service items — they carry the heaviest weight
Vehicle out-of-service rate exceeds the national average
High impactVehicle OOS rate is 25.3% vs the 22% national average. Carriers above the national OOS average draw more enforcement attention (audits, roadside stops) and can see higher insurance premiums.
- Review recent inspections with out-of-service violations and fix the root causes with equipment and drivers
- Run a preventative-maintenance program; periodically inspect tires, brakes and lights
- Reinforce thorough pre-trip and post-trip inspections; retrain where needed
A high share of violations are occurring in San Diego County, CA
Medium impact106 of 154 violations in the last 12 months (69%) came from inspections in San Diego County, CA. That can mean tougher enforcement there or simply more of your miles run through it — either way it's worth a look.
- Review the inspections from San Diego County, CA to spot recurring issues
- Brief drivers running that lane; consider rerouting around the toughest enforcement corridors where practical
Unsafe Driving needs attention
Low impactEstimated Unsafe Driving percentile of 0% is under the 60% line. In decent shape, but here's what's driving it.
- Review recent inspections with violations in this BASIC and take remedial action with drivers/equipment
Log / ELD device violations are the leading contributor to Hours-of-Service Compliance
Low impactEstimated Hours-of-Service Compliance percentile of 11% is under the 60% line. In decent shape, but here's what's driving it.
- 395.32B-ELDDFRHOS (ELD) - Driver failed to review any unassigned driving time when prompted by the ELD1× · 83%
- 395.24HOS (ELD) - ELD Form and Manner1× · 17%
- Make sure the ELD is registered, working, and drivers know how to log in and certify daily
Driver qualification / CDL / medical violations are the leading contributor to Driver Fitness
Low impactEstimated Driver Fitness percentile of 68% is under the 75% line. In decent shape, but here's what's driving it.
- 383.23A2-LCDLNLicense (CDL) - Operate a CMV and does not possess a valid CDL3× · 65%
- 391.41A-MCPCMedical (Certificate) - Operating a commercial motor vehicle without showing proof of a valid medical certification upon request, but presents proof prior to com1× · 4%
- 391.11B2-ZBorder Zone - Driver cannot satisfy the English language proficiency requirements of 391.11(b)(2) in accordance with the current corresponding FMCSA enforcement4× · 31%
- Run a credential-expiration tracker; keep DQ files complete and the medical card on the driver
- Prioritize the out-of-service items — they carry the heaviest weight
Controlled Substances/Alcohol needs attention
Low impactEstimated Controlled Substances/Alcohol percentile of 0% is under the 75% line. In decent shape, but here's what's driving it.
- Review recent inspections with violations in this BASIC and take remedial action with drivers/equipment
Recommendations are generated from the carrier’s public FMCSA roadside-inspection record. Percentiles and projections are VioCodes estimates, not official FMCSA figures. Informational, not legal advice.
90-day safety improvement plan
What this carrier has struggled with most in the last 90 days — where to focus now.
- 393.53B-B×2Air Brake - CMV manufactured on or after 10/20/1994 has an automatic airbrake adjustment system that fails to compensate for wear
- 393.75C-TAOTD-LT2/32Tires - Less than 2/32 inch tread depth
- 393.207A-SAPPCBLMSuspension - Axle positioning part cracked/broken/loose/missing.
- Check brake adjustment and listen for air leaks every pre-trip
- Fix air-loss and warning-light faults before dispatch; put brakes on the PM schedule
- 392.2-SLLSR×5State/Local Laws - State registration/tag violation
- 393.47E×3Brake Out of Adjustment - Roto, Clamp (Short & Long), DD-3, or Bolt
- 392.2-SLLEQP×2State/Local Laws - Violation of state and local law - Equipment violation.
- Review these violations with drivers and add the fix to your pre-trip and PM routine
- 177.834A-HMCHM (Cargo) - Operating a motor vehicle with HM not blocked/braced/secured as required. NOTE: Any shifting likely to adversely affect HM/DG package integrity, unde · OOS
- 172.516C5-HMPMCHM (Placarding) - Failure to display placard(s) so words or identification number printed on it are displayed horizontally, reading from left to right
- 172.519B1-HMPMCHM (Placarding) - Except as provided in 172.332, each placard must be as described in this subpart, and except for size and color, the printing, inner border and
- Carry extra straps/chains and know the working-load-limit math
- Re-check securement in the first 50 miles and at every stop
Based on roadside inspections in the last 90 days, ranked by what recurs most. Informational, not legal advice.
Inspection & crash map
live · FMCSA MCMISEvery inspection and crash on record — hover a point for the summary, click for full detail (codes, severity, CSA points).
CSA points = violation severity weight × FMCSA time weight (3× in the last 6 months, 2× at 6–12, 1× at 12–24). Points are spread within each state — FMCSA records the inspection state, not an exact location. Source: FMCSA MCMIS.
Equipment
VINs via NHTSA31 distinct vehicles seen in this carrier’s roadside inspections.
+ 1 more.
Equipment is inferred from VINs recorded on roadside inspections (FMCSA MCMIS), decoded via the NHTSA vPIC API — it reflects vehicles inspected, not a current fleet roster.
Company profile
FMCSA censusAUTHORIZED FOR HIRE
- Interstate · 100+ mi10 drivers
- Company officer
- RICARDO MERCADO GONZALEZ
- Operation
- Interstate · Hazmat
- Registered since
- 2007-05-16
- Last MCS-150 update
- 2025-12-19
- Census status
- Active
Fleet: 10 trucks · 9 owned tractors · 21 owned trailers.
Source: FMCSA Company Census File (data.transportation.gov). Fleet and driver counts are self-reported on the carrier’s most recent MCS-150 filing.
Connections
carrier graphThis carrier shares VINs or addresses with 4 other carriers — review the connections below as part of your vetting.
Shared VINs come from FMCSA roadside-inspection records — a vehicle inspected under more than one carrier, often a fleet transfer or trailer interchange. Other links come from the FMCSA census. Shared identifiers are common and often legitimate — treat these as leads to investigate, not proof of wrongdoing.
Activity history
59 events- 12/19/2025MCS-150 update filed
0.6M mi reported (2025)
- 10/11/2025Insurance filed — NATIONAL UNITY INSURANCE COMPANY
Liability (BIPD) — BMC-91X · policy CMC 3257731
- 10/11/2025Insurance cancelled — NATIONAL UNITY INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy CMC 3255064
- 09/15/2025COMMON — INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION
DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (09/26/2025)
- 10/11/2024Insurance cancelled — NATIONAL UNITY INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy CMC-3252501
- 09/16/2024COMMON — INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION
DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (10/03/2024)
- 10/11/2023Insurance cancelled — NATIONAL UNITY INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy CMC-3249788
- 09/14/2023COMMON — INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION
DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (10/10/2023)
- 10/17/2022ENTERPRISE — REINSTATED
- 10/05/2022Insurance cancelled — NATIONAL UNITY INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy CMC-3246525
- 10/05/2021Insurance cancelled — NATIONAL UNITY INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy CMC-3243496
- 09/08/2021COMMON — INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION
DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (10/06/2021)
- 10/05/2020Insurance cancelled — NATIONAL UNITY INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy CMC-3240753
- 09/08/2020COMMON — INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION
DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (10/05/2020)
- 10/05/2019Insurance cancelled — NATIONAL UNITY INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy CMC-3238021
- 09/09/2019COMMON — INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION
DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (10/01/2019)
- 10/13/2018Insurance cancelled — NATIONAL UNITY INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy CMC-3235215
- 09/17/2018COMMON — INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION
DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (10/18/2018)
- 10/14/2017Insurance cancelled — NATIONAL UNITY INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy CXW-3232189
- 10/13/2017Insurance replaced — NATIONAL UNITY INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy CXW-3232189
- 09/18/2017COMMON — INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION
DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (10/05/2017)
- 10/15/2016Insurance cancelled — NATIONAL UNITY INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy CXW-3228868
- 10/14/2016Insurance replaced — NATIONAL UNITY INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy CXW-3228868
- 09/19/2016COMMON — INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION
DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (10/13/2016)
- 10/23/2015Insurance cancelled — COMMERCIAL ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy 350295
- 10/15/2015Insurance replaced — COMMERCIAL ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy 350295
- 09/28/2015COMMON — INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION
DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (10/06/2015)
- 10/15/2014Insurance cancelled — COMMERCIAL ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy 199311
- 09/18/2014COMMON — INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION
DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (10/08/2014)
- 10/15/2013Insurance cancelled — COMMERCIAL ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy 82663
Merged from FMCSA authority, insurance, out-of-service, and census records.
Operations
Classification
- AUTHORIZED FOR HIRE
Area served
- Interstate
FMCSA safety rating
- Rating
- Not rated
- Type
- Non-ratable review
- Rated
- —
- Last review
- 2025-01-15
MCS-150 registration
- Form date
- 2025-12-19
- Reported mileage
- 621,950 mi (2025)
Changes on file
FMCSA census historyJanuary, 2021
First on-record entry — RICARDO'S TRUCKING LLC, SAN DIEGO, CA
Got a violation you want to contest?
Use the free AI-powered DataQs Drafter to generate a polished challenge letter — quotes the relevant 49 CFR, predicts your grant chance.