BEST CARTAGE 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.
Broker payment signals
Bond, cancellation & authority risk for this broker — from free FMCSA records.
- Authority revoked 5 times historically (reinstated) — a pattern worth noting.
- Bond has changed hands 5 times across 3 sureties — churn can signal payment or coverage trouble.
These are FMCSA bond & authority signals — not a credit report. A filed bond cancellation is the biggest early warning that a broker may stop paying, but days-to-pay and slow-pay history aren’t public FMCSA data — verify those with a broker-credit service or references before extending terms.
Roadside inspection performance
Out-of-service rate vs national average. Lower is better.
CSA performance breakdown
FMCSA · Sep 2026178 inspections · 7 violations (3 OOS) · 10% of inspections had an OOS finding.
Violations by BASIC
click to filter codes
Top cited codes
score = count × severity weight
- 1393.75A3-TAOLVehicle Maintenance2 OOS
Tires - All others, leaking or inflation less than 50% of the maximum inflation pressure on tire not equipped with ATIS
16
2× · sev 8
- 2393.75A3-TAOLTISVehicle Maintenance1 OOS
Tires - All others, leaking in tread area and inflation less than 50% of the maximum inflation pressure on tire equipped with ATIS
8
1× · sev 8
- 3393.47E
Brake Out of Adjustment - Roto, Clamp (Short & Long), DD-3, or Bolt
2
2×
- 4392.2-SLLEWA1
State/Local Laws - Excessive weight - 1-2500 lbs over on an axle/axle groups
1
1×
- 5392.2-SLLEWG1
State/Local Laws - Excessive weight - 1-2500 lbs over on allowable gross weight
1
1×
Most inspected in · top 6 states
- NC20
- VA3
- TN3
- SC2
- US1
- MD1
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 TN
Medium impact5 of 18 violations in the last 12 months (28%) came from inspections in TN. 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 TN to spot recurring issues
- Brief drivers running that lane; consider rerouting around the toughest enforcement corridors where practical
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
Tires violations are the leading contributor to Vehicle Maintenance
Low impactEstimated Vehicle Maintenance percentile of 23% is under the 75% line. In decent shape, but here's what's driving it.
- 393.75A3-TAOLTires - All others, leaking or inflation less than 50% of the maximum inflation pressure on tire not equipped with ATIS5× · 52%
- 393.75A3-TAOLTISTires - All others, leaking in tread area and inflation less than 50% of the maximum inflation pressure on tire equipped with ATIS2× · 24%
- 393.45D-BAALAir Brake - Audible air leak at other than a proper connection1× · 6%
- 393.55E-BAir Brake - ABS malfunction lamp defective on trailers manufactured on or after March 1, 19981× · 4%
- 393.45B2-BHTDAir Brake - Hose/tubing damage into the outer reinforcement ply.1× · 3%
- 393.9A-LSLILighting - Stop lamps - Any inoperative.1× · 3%
- 393.9Inoperable Required Lamp1× · 2%
- 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.
- 393.75A3-TAOLTISTires - All others, leaking in tread area and inflation less than 50% of the maximum inflation pressure on tire equipped with ATIS · OOS
- 393.75A3-TAOLTires - All others, leaking or inflation less than 50% of the maximum inflation pressure on tire not equipped with ATIS · OOS
- Gauge/thump every tire on the walk-around, including inner duals
- Replace before tread hits the limit and correct low pressure immediately
- 392.2-SLLEWA1State/Local Laws - Excessive weight - 1-2500 lbs over on an axle/axle groups
- 392.2-SLLEWG1State/Local Laws - Excessive weight - 1-2500 lbs over on allowable gross weight
- Look under the truck for shifted axles and broken/leaking suspension parts
- Include suspension in scheduled maintenance
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 NHTSA81 distinct vehicles seen in this carrier’s roadside inspections.
+ 51 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
2
Tow-away
2
Injury
1
Fatal
0
Company profile
FMCSA censusAUTHORIZED FOR HIRE
- Interstate · <100 mi51 drivers
- Company officer
- RICHARD HEPLER
- Operation
- Interstate
- D-U-N-S
- 36058675
- Registered since
- 1984-03-28
- Last MCS-150 update
- 2026-03-18
- Census status
- Active
Fleet: 64 trucks · 64 owned 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, addresses, phone numbers, officers or emails with 31 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
47 events- 03/18/2026MCS-150 update filed
4.7M mi reported (2025)
- 01/18/2024Insurance filed — GREAT AMERICAN ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY
Property broker surety — BMC-84 · policy 5568289
- 01/18/2024Insurance ended — GREAT AMERICAN ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY
policy 5568289
- 01/18/2024Insurance replaced — PHILADELPHIA INDEMNITY INSURANCE COMPANY
SURETY · policy PB11499804398
- 02/27/2021Insurance cancelled — PHILADELPHIA INDEMNITY INSURANCE COMPANY
SURETY · policy PB11499804398
- 02/01/2021BROKER — INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION
DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (02/03/2021)
- 05/02/2018PROPERTY BROKER — REINSTATED
- 02/27/2018Insurance replaced — UNITED STATES FIDELITY & GUARANTY CO.
SURETY · policy 83028
- 02/15/2018Insurance cancelled — NATIONAL INTERSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY
CARGO · policy VEL 8100008-00
- 10/01/2017Insurance filed — Hartford Fire Insurance Company
Liability (BIPD) — BMC-91X · policy 22UENOI5023
- 10/01/2017Insurance ended — Hartford Fire Insurance Company
policy 22UENOI5023
- 10/01/2017Insurance replaced — NATIONAL INTERSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy VEL-8100008-00
- 02/25/2010PROPERTY BROKER — REINSTATED
REVOKED (12/04/2013)
- 03/01/2008Insurance replaced — NATIONAL INTERSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY
CARGO · policy VPP 4900014-05
- 03/30/2007Insurance cancelled — TRAVELERS PROPERTY CASUALTY CO. OF AMERICA
CARGO · policy QT660-274D412-0-TIL-02
- 03/05/2007COMMON — INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION
DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (03/13/2007)
- 03/01/2007Insurance replaced — TRAVELERS PROPERTY CASUALTY CO. OF AMERICA
CARGO · policy QT660-274D412-0-TIL-02
- 02/04/2004Insurance replaced — NATIONAL INTERSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy TVA000415
- 10/17/2002Insurance cancelled — OCCIDENTAL FIRE AND CASUALTY CO. OF N.C.
BIPD/Primary · policy BA 67 00 10
- 10/01/2002Insurance replaced — OCCIDENTAL FIRE AND CASUALTY CO. OF N.C.
BIPD/Primary · policy BA 67 00 10
- 09/26/2002Insurance replaced — ST. PAUL FIRE & MARINE INSURANCE CO.
CARGO · policy IM03202185
- 08/20/2002Insurance cancelled — OCCIDENTAL FIRE AND CASUALTY CO. OF N.C.
BIPD/Primary · policy BA 67 00 10
- 01/31/2001Insurance replaced — OCCIDENTAL FIRE AND CASUALTY CO. OF N.C.
BIPD/Primary · policy BA 63 93 92
- 12/31/2000Insurance cancelled — HARLEYSVILLE MUTUAL INSURANCE CO.
BIPD/Primary · policy TP 0E 28 29
- 08/01/2000Insurance cancelled — HARLEYSVILLE MUTUAL INSURANCE CO.
BIPD/Primary · policy TPOE2829
- 10/04/1999COMMON — INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION
DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (11/09/1999)
- 09/08/1999Insurance cancelled — PEERLESS INSURANCE CO.
CARGO · policy IM 9266830
- 11/12/1998Insurance cancelled — PEERLESS INSURANCE CO.
CARGO · policy IM 9250730
- 09/03/1998Insurance cancelled — UNITED STATES FIDELITY & GUARANTY CO.
CARGO · policy CIM14796006500
- 08/17/1998Insurance cancelled — AMERICAN MANUFACTURERS MUTUAL INSURANCE CO.
BIPD/Primary · policy F3Y 003 548-00
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
- 2003-07-14
- Last review
- 2003-07-02
MCS-150 registration
- Form date
- 2026-03-18
- Reported mileage
- 4,722,183 mi (2025)
Got a violation you want to contest?
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