CHRIS HELMS TRANSPORTATION INC
Risk factors
Moderate 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 202662 inspections · 47 violations (5 OOS) · 13% of inspections had an OOS finding.
Violations by BASIC
click to filter codes
Top cited codes
score = count × severity weight
- 1393.75A1-TEPBMVehicle Maintenance
Tires - All others - Exposed ply or belt material in tread or sidewall area
16
2× · sev 8
- 2392.2-SLLS4Unsafe Driving
State/Local Laws - Speeding 15 or more miles per hour over the speed limit
10
1× · sev 10
- 3392.2-SLLS2Unsafe Driving
State/Local Laws - Speeding 6-10 miles per hour over the speed limit
8
2× · sev 4
- 4395.8E1PCHours-of-Service Compliance
HOS - False record of duty status driver improper use of Personal Conveyance - Not OOS
7
1× · sev 7
- 5393.45B2-B-AIRVehicle Maintenance
Air Brake - Hose/tubing damaged or not secured
4
1× · sev 4
- 6393.45D-BVehicle Maintenance
Air Brake - Audible air leak at a proper connection
4
1× · sev 4
- 7393.53B-BVehicle Maintenance
Air Brake - CMV manufactured on or after 10/20/1994 has an automatic airbrake adjustment system that fails to compensate for wear
4
1× · sev 4
- 8393.104F3-CVehicle Maintenance
Cargo - Loose or unfastened tiedown
3
1× · sev 3
- 9393.47E
Brake Out of Adjustment - Roto, Clamp (Short & Long), DD-3, or Bolt
1
1×
- 10392.2-SLLTL
State/Local Laws - Misc. traffic law violation
1
1×
Most inspected in · top 7 states
- MI16
- OH8
- IN2
- GA1
- AL1
- NY1
- CA1
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.
False log / RODS violations are the leading contributor to Hours-of-Service Compliance
High impactEstimated Hours-of-Service Compliance percentile of 65% is at/over the 65% 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.
- 395.8E1PCHOS - False record of duty status driver improper use of Personal Conveyance - Not OOS1× · 27%
- 395.8E-HOSPDHOS (Property) - No driver may make a false report in connection with a duty status. Explain1× · 27%
- 395.8A1-HOSPHOS (Property) - Failing to have a record of duty status using the method prescribed1× · 18%
- 395.8K2-HOSPHOS (Property) - Failing to have in possession RODS for the previous seven consecutive days and available for inspection while on duty1× · 18%
- 395.24D-ELDPTHOS (ELD) - On request by an authorized safety official, a driver must produce and transfer from an ELD the driver's hours of service records in accordance with t2× · 8%
- 395.24HOS (ELD) - ELD Form and Manner1× · 4%
- Audit ELD edits and duty-status annotations weekly; a false log is a high-severity, high-visibility violation
- Retrain on correct logging and never letting a load pressure a driver into a false entry
- 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 28.1% 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 Auglaize County, OH
Medium impact7 of 46 violations in the last 12 months (15%) came from inspections in Auglaize County, OH. 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 Auglaize County, OH to spot recurring issues
- Brief drivers running that lane; consider rerouting around the toughest enforcement corridors where practical
Speeding violations are the leading contributor to Unsafe Driving
Low impactEstimated Unsafe Driving percentile of 52% is under the 65% line. In decent shape, but here's what's driving it.
- 392.2-SLLS2State/Local Laws - Speeding 6-10 miles per hour over the speed limit4× · 21%
- 392.2-SLLSWZState/Local Laws - Speeding work/construction zone1× · 18%
- 392.2-SLLS4State/Local Laws - Speeding 15 or more miles per hour over the speed limit1× · 18%
- 392.2-SLLMLState/Local Laws - Failure to maintain lane2× · 18%
- 392.2-SLLTCDState/Local Laws - Failed to obey a traffic control device - Permanent or Temporary - e.g., safety official, signal, sign, light, lane marking, other1× · 3%
- Coach the drivers with speeding violations directly — Unsafe Driving points are weighted heavily
- Set and enforce a governed road speed; review telematics/dashcam speed events weekly
Driver Fitness needs attention
Low impactEstimated Driver Fitness percentile of 0% is under the 80% 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
Controlled Substances/Alcohol needs attention
Low impactEstimated Controlled Substances/Alcohol percentile of 0% is under the 80% 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
Tires violations are the leading contributor to Vehicle Maintenance
Low impactEstimated Vehicle Maintenance percentile of 61% is under the 80% line. In decent shape, but here's what's driving it.
- 393.75A1-TEPBMTires - All others - Exposed ply or belt material in tread or sidewall area2× · 15%
- 393.75A3-TAOLTISTires - All others, leaking in tread area and inflation less than 50% of the maximum inflation pressure on tire equipped with ATIS1× · 9%
- 393.75A3-TAOLTires - All others, leaking or inflation less than 50% of the maximum inflation pressure on tire not equipped with ATIS2× · 6%
- 393.9A-LSLIWRLighting - Stop lamps - Both inoperative when required to be on1× · 8%
- 393.9A-LHLILighting - Headlamp(s) - Any inoperative1× · 6%
- 393.11A1-LSLMWRLighting - Stop lamps - Both missing when required to be on.1× · 5%
- 393.45D-BAir Brake - Audible air leak at a proper connection4× · 10%
- 393.45B2-B-AIRAir Brake - Hose/tubing damaged or not secured1× · 4%
- 393.53B-BAir Brake - CMV manufactured on or after 10/20/1994 has an automatic airbrake adjustment system that fails to compensate for wear1× · 4%
- 393.205A-WRLRWheel/Rim - Lock or side ring damaged/improperly seated1× · 4%
- 392.2-SLLMFState/Local Laws - Wheel (mud) flaps missing or defective1× · 1%
- Gauge and thump every tire on the walk-around, including inner duals
- Replace before tread hits the limit; correct low pressure immediately
- Prioritize the out-of-service items — they carry the heaviest weight
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.
- 393.75A1-TEPBM×2Tires - All others - Exposed ply or belt material in tread or sidewall area
- 393.9A-LHLILighting - Headlamp(s) - Any inoperative
- 393.104F3-CCargo - Loose or unfastened tiedown
- Gauge/thump every tire on the walk-around, including inner duals
- Replace before tread hits the limit and correct low pressure immediately
- 392.2-SLLEWG3State/Local Laws - Excessive weight - More than 5000 lbs over on allowable gross weight
- 392.2-SLLEWA1State/Local Laws - Excessive weight - 1-2500 lbs over on an axle/axle groups
- 392.2-SLLEWA2State/Local Laws - Excessive weight - 2501-5000 lbs over on an axle/axle groups
- Review these violations with drivers and add the fix to your pre-trip and PM routine
- 392.2-SLLSWZState/Local Laws - Speeding work/construction zone
- 392.16-DDriver - Failed to use seat belt while operating a CMV
- Coach speed and following distance — Unsafe Driving points are weighted heavily
- Hands off the phone; always belt up
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 NHTSA77 distinct vehicles seen in this carrier’s roadside inspections.
+ 47 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.
Crash record (US, last 24 months)
Total
4
Tow-away
4
Injury
5
Fatal
0
Company profile
FMCSA censusAUTHORIZED FOR HIRE
- Interstate · 100+ mi46 drivers
- Company officer
- CHRIS HELMS
- Operation
- Interstate
- Registered since
- 2008-07-28
- Last MCS-150 update
- 2025-10-07
- Census status
- Active
Fleet: 46 trucks · 35 owned tractors · 65 owned trailers · 11 leased/term tractors.
Source: FMCSA Company Census File (data.transportation.gov). Fleet and driver counts are self-reported on the carrier’s most recent MCS-150 filing.
Data change history
Every FMCSA record change we’ve detected — address, fleet size, contacts, MCS-150 — newest first.
Connections
carrier graphThis carrier shares VINs, phone numbers or officers with 10 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
11 events- 10/07/2025MCS-150 update filed
4.0M mi reported (2024)
- 08/21/2016Insurance filed — AUTO OWNERS INSURANCE COMPANY
Liability (BIPD) — BMC-91X · policy 50-841059-00
- 08/21/2016Insurance replaced — ACUITY, A MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy CA-X23961
- 10/30/2012MOTOR PROPERTY CONTRACT CARRIER — REINSTATED
- 10/23/2012Insurance name changed — ACUITY, A MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy CA-X23961
- 09/26/2011Insurance cancelled — GREAT WEST CASUALTY CO.
BIPD/Primary · policy GWP65102A
- 08/21/2011Insurance replaced — GREAT WEST CASUALTY CO.
BIPD/Primary · policy GWP65102A
- 10/16/2009Insurance cancelled — PROGRESSIVE MICHIGAN INSURANCE COMPANY
CARGO · policy CA 6567585
- 08/21/2009Insurance replaced — PROGRESSIVE MICHIGAN INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy CA 6567585
- 08/27/2008MOTOR PROPERTY CONTRACT CARRIER — GRANTED
REVOKED (10/23/2012)
- 07/28/2008Registered with FMCSA
AUTHORIZED FOR HIRE
Merged from FMCSA authority, insurance, out-of-service, and census records.
Operations
Classification
- AUTHORIZED FOR HIRE
Area served
- Interstate
FMCSA safety rating
- Rating
- Satisfactory
- Type
- Compliance review
- Rated
- 2023-04-21
- Last review
- 2023-04-18
MCS-150 registration
- Form date
- 2025-10-07
- Reported mileage
- 3,964,484 mi (2024)
Changes on file
FMCSA census historyJanuary, 2022
- Fleet grew to 55 power units
- Drivers grew to 55
January, 2021
First on-record entry — CHRIS HELMS TRANSPORTATION INC, HOUGHTON LAKE, MI
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.