NICHELSON OIL
Legal: KOTACO FUELS INC
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 2026121 inspections · 41 violations (4 OOS) · 10% of inspections had an OOS finding.
Violations by BASIC
click to filter codes
Top cited codes
score = count × severity weight
- 1393.45B2-B-AIRVehicle Maintenance
Air Brake - Hose/tubing damaged or not secured
16
4× · sev 4
- 2396.17C-PIVehicle Maintenance
Operating a CMV without documentation of a periodic inspection
8
2× · sev 4
- 3393.9A-LSLIVehicle Maintenance
Lighting - Stop lamps - Any inoperative.
6
1× · sev 6
- 4392.2-SLLEWA3
State/Local Laws - Excessive weight - More than 5000 lbs over on an axle/axle groups
5
5×
- 5393.55C2-BVehicle Maintenance
Air Brake - CMV other than truck-tractor manufactured on or after March 1, 1998 not equipped with an antilock brake system. System does not function or indicates
4
1× · sev 4
- 6393.47A-BCFSBDVehicle Maintenance
Drum Brake - Contaminated friction surface
4
1× · sev 4
- 7393.45D-BVehicle Maintenance
Air Brake - Audible air leak at a proper connection
4
1× · sev 4
- 8393.55E-BVehicle Maintenance
Air Brake - ABS malfunction lamp defective on trailers manufactured on or after March 1, 1998
4
1× · sev 4
- 9392.2-SLLEWG3
State/Local Laws - Excessive weight - More than 5000 lbs over on allowable gross weight
2
2×
- 10392.2-SLLEQP
State/Local Laws - Violation of state and local law - Equipment violation.
2
2×
Most inspected in · top 8 states
- ND13
- CO8
- NE3
- US2
- WY1
- AZ1
- SD1
- MN1
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.
A high share of violations are occurring in Lawrence County, SD
Medium impact8 of 49 violations in the last 12 months (16%) came from inspections in Lawrence County, SD. 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 Lawrence County, SD to spot recurring issues
- Brief drivers running that lane; consider rerouting around the toughest enforcement corridors where practical
Seat belt violations are the leading contributor to Unsafe Driving
Low impactEstimated Unsafe Driving percentile of 2% is under the 60% 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 limit1× · 29%
- 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× · 12%
- 397.13B-HMDPHM (Driving & Parking) - No person may smoke/light/carry a lighted cigarette/cigar/pipe within 25 feet of an empty motor vehicle which contained Class 3, flammabl1× · 7%
- Zero-tolerance belt policy; verify with in-cab camera or spot checks
Following / lane / reckless violations are the leading contributor to Hours-of-Service Compliance
Low impactEstimated Hours-of-Service Compliance percentile of 25% is under the 60% line. In decent shape, but here's what's driving it.
- 395.3A1-HOSPDHOS (Property) - Driving more than 11 hours following 10 consecutive hours off duty during the current 8 consecutive day period. Date and Time1× · 27%
- 395.8E-HOSPDOOSHOS (Property) - Driver produces a false record of duty status that concealed an HOS limitation violation after the last rest period. Explain:1× · 27%
- 395.8K2-HOSPHOS (Property) - Failing to have in possession RODS for the previous seven consecutive days and available for inspection while on duty1× · 27%
- Defensive-driving refresher on following distance and lane discipline
- Prioritize the out-of-service items — they carry the heaviest weight
Driver Fitness needs attention
Low impactEstimated Driver Fitness 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
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
Brakes violations are the leading contributor to Vehicle Maintenance
Low impactEstimated Vehicle Maintenance percentile of 47% is under the 75% line. In decent shape, but here's what's driving it.
- 393.45B2-B-AIRAir Brake - Hose/tubing damaged or not secured10× · 14%
- 393.45D-BAALAir Brake - Audible air leak at other than a proper connection2× · 6%
- 393.45D-BAir Brake - Audible air leak at a proper connection6× · 6%
- 393.9A-LBLLighting - Backup lamp inoperative4× · 6%
- 393.9A-LSLILighting - Stop lamps - Any inoperative.2× · 4%
- 393.9A-LRLILighting - Tail lamp - Any inoperative2× · 3%
- 393.75C-TAOTD-LT2/32Tires - Less than 2/32 inch tread depth2× · 7%
- 393.75A3-TAOLTires - All others, leaking or inflation less than 50% of the maximum inflation pressure on tire not equipped with ATIS3× · 5%
- 396.17C-PIOperating a CMV without documentation of a periodic inspection4× · 6%
- Check brake adjustment and listen for air leaks every pre-trip; put brakes on the PM schedule
- Fix air-loss and warning-light faults before dispatch — don’t “drive it in”
- 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.
- 392.2-SLLEWA3×5State/Local Laws - Excessive weight - More than 5000 lbs over on an axle/axle groups
- 392.2-SLLEQP×2State/Local Laws - Violation of state and local law - Equipment violation.
- 392.2-SLLEWG3×2State/Local Laws - Excessive weight - More than 5000 lbs over on allowable gross weight
- Look under the truck for shifted axles and broken/leaking suspension parts
- Include suspension in scheduled maintenance
- 396.17C-PI×2Operating a CMV without documentation of a periodic inspection
- 393.9A-LBLLighting - Backup lamp inoperative
- 393.45D-BAir Brake - Audible air leak at a proper connection
- Do — and document — a real pre-trip and post-trip DVIR
- Keep the annual inspection current and records in the truck
- 392.2-SLLS2State/Local Laws - Speeding 6-10 miles per hour over the speed limit
- 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 NHTSA78 distinct vehicles seen in this carrier’s roadside inspections.
+ 48 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
2
Fatal
0
Company profile
FMCSA censusAUTHORIZED FOR HIRE
- Interstate · 100+ mi76 drivers
- Interstate · <100 mi34 drivers
- Intrastate · 100+ mi4 drivers
- Intrastate · <100 mi19 drivers
- Company officer
- SHELLY FLAAGAN
- Operation
- Interstate · Hazmat
- Registered since
- 1974-06-01
- Last MCS-150 update
- 2025-05-09
- Census status
- Active
Fleet: 106 trucks · 34 owned tractors · 72 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.
Connections
carrier graphThis carrier shares VINs or addresses with 18 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
15 events- 05/09/2025MCS-150 update filed
6.0M mi reported (2024)
- 01/01/2024Insurance filed — Federated Reserve Insurance Company
Liability (BIPD) — BMC-91X · policy 1881062
- 01/01/2024Insurance ended — Federated Mutual Insurance Company
policy 6041666
- 01/01/2024Insurance replaced — FEDERATED MUTUAL INSURANCE CO.
BIPD/Primary · policy 6041666
- 12/19/2017Insurance name changed — FEDERATED MUTUAL INSURANCE CO.
BIPD/Primary · policy 6041666
- 11/16/2017CONTRACT — INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION
DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (12/14/2017)
- 05/19/2017MOTOR PROPERTY CONTRACT CARRIER — REINSTATED
- 03/22/2017Insurance name changed — FEDERATED MUTUAL INSURANCE CO.
BIPD/Excess · policy 9335045
- 03/01/2017Insurance filed — Federated Mutual Insurance Company
Liability (BIPD) — BMC-91X · policy 6041666
- 03/01/2017Insurance replaced — FEDERATED MUTUAL INSURANCE CO.
BIPD/Primary · policy 6041666
- 12/14/2005MOTOR PROPERTY CONTRACT CARRIER — REINSTATED
REVOKED (03/22/2017)
- 09/01/1998CONTRACT — INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION
DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (09/25/1998)
- 08/06/1998Insurance cancelled — FEDERATED MUTUAL INSURANCE CO.
BIPD/Primary · policy 9042051
- 05/25/1982MOTOR PROPERTY CONTRACT CARRIER — GRANTED
REVOKED (12/12/2005)
- 06/01/1974Registered 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
- Non-ratable review
- Rated
- 2005-09-15
- Last review
- 2020-07-14
MCS-150 registration
- Form date
- 2025-05-09
- Reported mileage
- 6,000,000 mi (2024)
Changes on file
FMCSA census historyJanuary, 2021
First on-record entry — KOTACO FUELS INC, FARGO, ND
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