EMPIRE EXPRESS 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.
Broker payment signals
Bond, cancellation & authority risk for this broker — from free FMCSA records.
- Authority revoked 9 times historically (reinstated) — a pattern worth noting.
- Bond has changed hands 3 times across 2 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 2026278 inspections · 26 violations (12 OOS) · 33% of inspections had an OOS finding.
Violations by BASIC
click to filter codes
Top cited codes
score = count × severity weight
- 1393.75A3-TAOLVehicle Maintenance3 OOS
Tires - All others, leaking or inflation less than 50% of the maximum inflation pressure on tire not equipped with ATIS
24
3× · sev 8
- 2393.45Vehicle Maintenance1 OOS
Brake tubing and hose adequacy
4
1× · sev 4
- 3396.3A1BLVehicle Maintenance1 OOS
Brake system pressure loss
4
1× · sev 4
- 4396.17C-PIVehicle Maintenance
Operating a CMV without documentation of a periodic inspection
4
1× · sev 4
- 5392.9A2-CVehicle Maintenance3 OOS
Cargo - Vehicle components or dunnage not secured
3
3× · sev 1
- 6396.5B-HWSLVehicle Maintenance
Hubs - Wheel seal leaking
2
1× · sev 2
- 7393.104F3
Loose or unfastened tiedown
1
1×
- 8393.78Vehicle Maintenance
Wipers - Inoperative / missing / damaged wipers
1
1× · sev 1
- 9395.30B2-ELDDFC24Hours-of-Service Compliance
HOS (ELD) - Driver failing to certify the record immediately after the final required entry has been made or corrected for the 24 hour period.
1
1× · sev 1
- 10392.2-SLLEWA2
State/Local Laws - Excessive weight - 2501-5000 lbs over on an axle/axle groups
1
1×
Most inspected in · top 8 states
- TX13
- TN5
- KY3
- AR2
- ND1
- MS1
- OH1
- 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.
Vehicle out-of-service rate exceeds the national average
High impactVehicle OOS rate is 30.6% 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
Following / lane / reckless violations are the leading contributor to Unsafe Driving
Low impactEstimated Unsafe Driving percentile of 21% is under the 60% line. In decent shape, but here's what's driving it.
- 392.2-SLLLRState/Local Laws - Lane restriction violation12× · 27%
- 392.2-SLLTCDState/Local Laws - Failed to obey a traffic control device - Permanent or Temporary - e.g., safety official, signal, sign, light, lane marking, other5× · 16%
- 392.2-MLFailure to Maintain Lane1× · 2%
- 392.2-SLLS2State/Local Laws - Speeding 6-10 miles per hour over the speed limit8× · 21%
- 392.2-SLLS4State/Local Laws - Speeding 15 or more miles per hour over the speed limit2× · 12%
- 392.2-SLLS3State/Local Laws - Speeding 11-14 miles per hour over the speed limit2× · 9%
- 392.2SLIMPTState/Local Laws - General impeding traffic.1× · 4%
- 392.2-INATDriver- Inattentive or Distracted Driving1× · 2%
- 392.2-SLLUPState/Local Laws - Unlawfully parking /leaving vehicle on roadway2× · 1%
- Defensive-driving refresher on following distance and lane discipline
Following / lane / reckless violations are the leading contributor to Hours-of-Service Compliance
Low impactEstimated Hours-of-Service Compliance percentile of 46% is under the 60% line. In decent shape, but here's what's driving it.
- 395.3A2-HOSPDHOS (Property) - Driving beyond the 14 hour after coming on duty following 10 consecutive hours off duty during the current 8 consecutive day period. Date and Tim3× · 44%
- 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× · 15%
- 395.24HOS (ELD) - ELD Form and Manner11× · 13%
- 395.30B1-ELDDFRHOS (ELD) - Driver failing to review records and certify the accuracy of the information.3× · 6%
- 395.22H1-ELDNUMHOS (ELD) - In-Vehicle Information - No user's manual for the driver describing how to operate the ELD. (May be electronic)2× · 4%
- 395.3AIIDriving beyond 8 hour driving limit since the end of the last on duty, off duty or sleeper berth period of at least 30 consecutive minutes1× · 15%
- Defensive-driving refresher on following distance and lane discipline
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 63% 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 ATIS24× · 45%
- 393.75C-TAOTD-LT2/32Tires - Less than 2/32 inch tread depth1× · 1%
- 396.3A1TTires (general)1× · 1%
- 392.9A2-CCargo - Vehicle components or dunnage not secured6× · 5%
- 393.110B2I-CCargo - Insufficient tiedowns (w/o headerboard/blocking) for article(s) of cargo 5 feet or less and more than 1,100 lbs2× · 3%
- 393.110B3-CCargo - Insufficient tiedowns (w/o headerboard/blocking) for article(s) of cargo longer than 10 feet1× · 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.
- 392.9A2-C×4Cargo - Vehicle components or dunnage not secured · OOS
- 393.75A3-TAOL×3Tires - All others, leaking or inflation less than 50% of the maximum inflation pressure on tire not equipped with ATIS · OOS
- 392.2-SLLMF×2State/Local Laws - Wheel (mud) flaps missing or defective
- Carry extra straps/chains and know the working-load-limit math
- Re-check securement in the first 50 miles and at every stop
- 392.2-SLLEWA2State/Local Laws - Excessive weight - 2501-5000 lbs over on an axle/axle groups
- 393.104F3Loose or unfastened tiedown
- 393.75A3Tire-flat and/or audible air leak · OOS
- Look under the truck for shifted axles and broken/leaking suspension parts
- Include suspension in scheduled maintenance
- 392.2-SLLLR×2State/Local Laws - Lane restriction violation
- 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 NHTSA100 distinct vehicles seen in this carrier’s roadside inspections.
+ 70 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
10
Tow-away
10
Injury
4
Fatal
0
Company profile
FMCSA censusAUTHORIZED FOR HIRE
- Interstate · 100+ mi112 drivers
- Interstate · <100 mi4 drivers
- Company officer
- TIM GATLIN
- Operation
- Interstate · Hazmat
- D-U-N-S
- 605667716
- Registered since
- 1984-12-12
- Last MCS-150 update
- 2026-05-13
- Census status
- Active
Fleet: 140 trucks · 140 owned tractors · 120 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, phone numbers or officers with 34 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
52 events- 05/13/2026MCS-150 update filed
11.5M mi reported (2025)
- 07/08/2023Insurance cancelled — GEMINI INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Excess · policy GVE100296601
- 07/01/2023Insurance filed — Gemini Insurance Company
Liability (BIPD) — BMC-91X · policy GVE100296602
- 07/01/2023Insurance ended — Gemini Insurance Company
policy GVE100296602
- 07/01/2023Insurance ended — ZURICH AMERICAN INSURANCE COMPANY
policy TRK 2032098
- 07/01/2023Insurance replaced — GEMINI INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Excess · policy GVE100296601
- 07/01/2022Insurance filed — ZURICH AMERICAN INSURANCE COMPANY
Liability (BIPD) — BMC-91X · policy TRK 2032098
- 07/01/2022Insurance ended — ZURICH AMERICAN INSURANCE COMPANY
policy TRK 2032098
- 07/01/2022Insurance replaced — CHEROKEE INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy CA210112
- 07/01/2021Insurance replaced — CHEROKEE INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy CA200103
- 07/01/2020Insurance replaced — CHEROKEE INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy CA190105
- 07/01/2019Insurance replaced — CHEROKEE INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy CA180079
- 07/01/2018Insurance replaced — CHEROKEE INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy CA160123
- 07/31/2016Insurance cancelled — CHEROKEE INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy CA110109
- 07/14/2016MOTOR PROPERTY COMMON CARRIER — REINSTATED
- 07/14/2016MOTOR PROPERTY CONTRACT CARRIER — REINSTATED
- 07/02/2016Insurance cancelled — LEXINGTON INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Excess · policy 023815718
- 07/01/2016Insurance replaced — CHEROKEE INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy CA110109
- 10/01/2013Insurance filed — American Alternative Insurance Corporation
Property broker surety — BMC-84 · policy 2013090100
- 10/01/2013Insurance ended — American Alternative Insurance Corporation
policy 2013090100
- 10/01/2013Insurance replaced — FIRST CITY, A FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK
TRUST FUND
- 07/01/2011Insurance replaced — CHEROKEE INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy CA-020071
- 05/05/2011Insurance cancelled — CHEROKEE INSURANCE COMPANY
CARGO · policy MC-020057
- 07/28/2002Insurance cancelled — LEXINGTON INSURANCE COMPANY
CARGO · policy 8750148
- 07/01/2002Insurance replaced — THE INSURANCE CO OF THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA
BIPD/Primary · policy TP 9897605
- 07/01/2002Insurance replaced — LEXINGTON INSURANCE COMPANY
CARGO · policy 8750148
- 07/27/2001COMMON — INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION
DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (09/06/2001)
- 07/01/2001Insurance cancelled — UNDERWRITERS AT LLOYDS LONDON
CARGO · policy 7140CA0073
- 07/01/2001Insurance replaced — XL SPECIALTY INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy TTP00003110
- 07/28/2000COMMON — INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION
DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (08/04/2000)
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
- 2005-12-14
- Last review
- 2022-07-28
MCS-150 registration
- Form date
- 2026-05-13
- Reported mileage
- 11,542,760 mi (2025)
Got a violation you want to contest?
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