DBA HOWARD'S EXPRESS
Legal: RIST TRANSPORT LTD
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.
- No active broker bond on file — a bond is required to operate. High non-payment risk.
- Broker authority is inactive, not active.
- Bond has changed hands 4 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 2026251 inspections · 26 violations (3 OOS) · 10% of inspections had an OOS finding.
Violations by BASIC
click to filter codes
Top cited codes
score = count × severity weight
- 1393.45B2-B-AIRVehicle Maintenance
Air Brake - Hose/tubing damaged or not secured
12
3× · sev 4
- 2393.9A-LSLIWRVehicle Maintenance1 OOS
Lighting - Stop lamps - Both inoperative when required to be on
6
1× · sev 6
- 3393.9A-LFTSIVehicle Maintenance
Lighting - Front - Turn signal - inoperative
6
1× · sev 6
- 4392.2-SLLITUnsafe Driving
State/Local Laws - Improper turns
5
1× · sev 5
- 5396.9D2-FTFVehicle Maintenance
Failing to correct the violation(s)/defect(s) noted on the roadside inspection report
4
1× · sev 4
- 6393.47E
Brake Out of Adjustment - Roto, Clamp (Short & Long), DD-3, or Bolt
2
2×
- 7393.9A-LILVehicle Maintenance
Lighting - Identification lamp(s) inoperative
2
1× · sev 2
- 8393.11A1-LCLVehicle Maintenance
Lighting - Clearance lamp(s) missing
2
1× · sev 2
- 9393.201B-FRVehicle Maintenance
Frame - Cab or body mounts loose/broken/missing
2
1× · sev 2
- 10392.2-SLLTR
State/Local Laws - Truck restriction
1
1×
Most inspected in · top 4 states
- NY13
- PA10
- NJ5
- MA2
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 NY
Medium impact57 of 147 violations in the last 12 months (39%) came from inspections in NY. 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 NY to spot recurring issues
- Brief drivers running that lane; consider rerouting around the toughest enforcement corridors where practical
Following / lane / reckless violations are the leading contributor to Unsafe Driving
Low impactEstimated Unsafe Driving percentile of 10% is under the 60% line. In decent shape, but here's what's driving it.
- 392.2-SLLTCDState/Local Laws - Failed to obey a traffic control device - Permanent or Temporary - e.g., safety official, signal, sign, light, lane marking, other10× · 40%
- 392.2-SLLLRState/Local Laws - Lane restriction violation6× · 9%
- 392.2-SLLITState/Local Laws - Improper turns1× · 7%
- 392.2-SLLS4State/Local Laws - Speeding 15 or more miles per hour over the speed limit2× · 9%
- 392.2-SLLS2State/Local Laws - Speeding 6-10 miles per hour over the speed limit3× · 7%
- 392.2-SLLS3State/Local Laws - Speeding 11-14 miles per hour over the speed limit2× · 6%
- Defensive-driving refresher on following distance and lane discipline
False log / RODS 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.
- 395.8E1PCHOS - False record of duty status driver improper use of Personal Conveyance - Not OOS4× · 37%
- 395.8E-HOSPDHOS (Property) - No driver may make a false report in connection with a duty status. Explain1× · 14%
- 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× · 12%
- 395.30B1-ELDDFRHOS (ELD) - Driver failing to review records and certify the accuracy of the information.8× · 5%
- 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 t1× · 4%
- 395.24HOS (ELD) - ELD Form and Manner2× · 3%
- 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× · 5%
- 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
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
Lighting / lamps violations are the leading contributor to Vehicle Maintenance
Low impactEstimated Vehicle Maintenance percentile of 59% is under the 75% line. In decent shape, but here's what's driving it.
- 393.9A-LBLLighting - Backup lamp inoperative6× · 7%
- 393.9A-LSLIWRLighting - Stop lamps - Both inoperative when required to be on4× · 6%
- 393.9A-LSLILighting - Stop lamps - Any inoperative.3× · 4%
- 393.45B2-B-AIRAir Brake - Hose/tubing damaged or not secured12× · 10%
- 393.55C1-BAir Brake - Truck-tractor manufactured on or after March 1, 1997, not equipped with an ABS system. System does not function or indicates a fault.5× · 4%
- 393.45D-BAir Brake - Audible air leak at a proper connection6× · 4%
- 393.75A3-TAOLTISTires - All others, leaking in tread area and inflation less than 50% of the maximum inflation pressure on tire equipped with ATIS3× · 6%
- 393.75C-TAOTD-LT2/32Tires - Less than 2/32 inch tread depth2× · 4%
- 393.75A2-TFBB-6Tires - Front, Any tire with observable bumps, bulge or knots1× · 2%
- 393.207A-STCBSuspension - Suspension connecting rod or tracking component assembly (including spring leaves used as a suspension connecting rod) or any part used for attaching1× · 2%
- 393.207A-SAPPCBLMSuspension - Axle positioning part cracked/broken/loose/missing.1× · 2%
- 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
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.
- 393.45B2-B-AIR×3Air Brake - Hose/tubing damaged or not secured
- 393.9A-LFTSILighting - Front - Turn signal - inoperative
- 393.9A-LSLIWRLighting - Stop lamps - Both inoperative when required to be on · OOS
- 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
- 393.47E×2Brake Out of Adjustment - Roto, Clamp (Short & Long), DD-3, or Bolt
- 392.2-SLL×2State/Local Laws -
- 392.2-SLLDLState/Local Laws - Misc. driver's license violation
- 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
- 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
- 172.200A-HMSPSNSPHM (Shipping Papers) - Shipper failed to provide HM shipping paper
- 172.602A-HMERHM (Emergency Response) - No emergency response information
- 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 NHTSA94 distinct vehicles seen in this carrier’s roadside inspections.
+ 64 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
20
Tow-away
19
Injury
10
Fatal
0
Company profile
FMCSA censusAUTHORIZED FOR HIRE
- Interstate · 100+ mi76 drivers
- Interstate · <100 mi163 drivers
- Company officer
- THOMAS VIRTS
- Operation
- Interstate · Hazmat
- D-U-N-S
- 173315078
- Registered since
- 1987-01-13
- Last MCS-150 update
- 2026-04-13
- Census status
- Active
Fleet: 219 trucks · 126 owned tractors · 458 owned trailers · 83 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, addresses, phone numbers 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
42 events- 04/13/2026MCS-150 update filed
3.6M mi reported (2025)
- 02/01/2023Insurance filed — Old Republic Insurance Company
Liability (BIPD) — BMC-91X · policy MWTB 311731
- 02/01/2023Insurance ended — Old Republic Insurance Company
policy MWTB 311731
- 02/01/2023Insurance replaced — OLD REPUBLIC INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy MWTB 311731
- 02/01/2018Insurance replaced — OLD REPUBLIC INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy MWTB 308916
- 02/01/2017Insurance replaced — OLD REPUBLIC INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy MWTB 306102
- 02/01/2016Insurance replaced — OLD REPUBLIC INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy MWTB 303111
- 02/01/2015Insurance replaced — OLD REPUBLIC INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy MWTB 300487
- 02/23/2014Insurance cancelled — TRAVELERS CASUALTY & SURETY CO. OF AMERICA
SURETY · policy 103755498
- 02/01/2014Insurance replaced — OLD REPUBLIC INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy MWTB 21774
- 02/01/2013Insurance replaced — OLD REPUBLIC INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy MWTB 21493
- 02/01/2012Insurance replaced — OLD REPUBLIC INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy MWTB 21193
- 03/08/2011Insurance filed — AGCS Marine Insurance Company
Cargo — BMC-34 · policy MZI93029552
- 03/08/2011Insurance ended — AGCS Marine Insurance Company
policy MZI93029552
- 03/08/2011Insurance replaced — AGCS MARINE INSURANCE COMPANY
CARGO · policy MZI93015593
- 02/01/2011Insurance replaced — OLD REPUBLIC INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy MWTB 20890
- 03/01/2010Insurance replaced — FIREMAN'S FUND INSURANCE CO.
CARGO · policy MZI97245099
- 02/01/2010Insurance replaced — OLD REPUBLIC INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy MWTB 20581
- 02/01/2009Insurance replaced — OLD REPUBLIC INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy MWTB 20129
- 02/01/2008Insurance replaced — OLD REPUBLIC INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy MWTB 19785
- 02/01/2007Insurance replaced — OLD REPUBLIC INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy MWTB 18581
- 03/01/2005Insurance replaced — HARTFORD FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY
CARGO · policy 01 MS GD7322
- 04/19/2004Insurance name changed — OLD REPUBLIC INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy MWTB 18581
- 04/14/2004Insurance name changed — HARTFORD FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY
SURETY · policy BSB 01 BSB CF 2862
- 04/12/2004Insurance name changed — FIREMAN'S FUND INSURANCE CO.
CARGO · policy MXI97240115
- 03/17/2004Insurance replaced — HARTFORD FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY
SURETY · policy BSB 01 BSB CF 2862
- 03/12/2004COMMON — INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION
DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (03/23/2004)
- 03/12/2004CONTRACT — INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION
DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (03/18/2004)
- 03/12/2004BROKER — INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION
DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (04/09/2004)
- 03/01/2004Insurance replaced — FIREMAN'S FUND INSURANCE CO.
CARGO · policy MXI97240115
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
- 1991-02-14
- Last review
- 2024-01-24
MCS-150 registration
- Form date
- 2026-04-13
- Reported mileage
- 3,607,324 mi (2025)
Got a violation you want to contest?
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