CSA
Authorized · PropertyUSDOT 2975210· MC11081· CARRIER· EIN 46-4022818
⬇ PDF report

STEPHENS UNLIMITED LLC

17908 VAN RD, HOUSTON, TX, 77049(832) 376-4996safety@sufreight.comSTEPHEN JOSEPH BYRD
Vetting snapshot
Authority
Active
operating authority
Insurance
$750K BIPD
SOUTHLAKE SPECIALTY INSURANCE COMPANY
Vehicle OOS
27.8%
above 22% national avg
Driver OOS
0%
below 6.7% national avg
Crashes 24mo
0
clean
Red flags
1 flag
see details below
65
/ 100

Risk factors

Moderate riskVioCodes score
Possible reincarnation pattern — tied to an older inactive carrierVehicle OOS 27.8% — above the 22% national average

A 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.

Authority & insurance

MC011081

Operating authority and insurance on file — from FMCSA Licensing & Insurance (L&I).

Common
Active
Contract
None
Broker
None
Authorized for: Property
Liability (BIPD)
$750K on file
$750K required
Cargo
Not on file
not required
Bond / surety
Not on file
not required
Insurance filings
ON FILELiability (BIPD) — BMC-91X$750K coverageeff 03/16/2026
SOUTHLAKE SPECIALTY INSURANCE COMPANY· policy DRPTX101692
Authority history (11) ▾
02/17/2026COMMONINVOLUNTARY REVOCATIONDISCONTINUED REVOCATION (03/17/2026)
02/18/2025COMMONINVOLUNTARY REVOCATIONDISCONTINUED REVOCATION (03/10/2025)
02/18/2022COMMONINVOLUNTARY REVOCATIONDISCONTINUED REVOCATION (03/16/2022)
02/18/2021COMMONINVOLUNTARY REVOCATIONDISCONTINUED REVOCATION (03/18/2021)
02/20/2020COMMONINVOLUNTARY REVOCATIONDISCONTINUED REVOCATION (03/17/2020)
02/19/2019COMMONINVOLUNTARY REVOCATIONDISCONTINUED REVOCATION (03/18/2019)
03/05/2018COMMONINVOLUNTARY REVOCATIONDISCONTINUED REVOCATION (03/14/2018)
02/05/2018COMMONINVOLUNTARY REVOCATIONDISCONTINUED REVOCATION (03/02/2018)
05/30/2017COMMONINVOLUNTARY REVOCATIONDISCONTINUED REVOCATION (06/13/2017)
04/17/2017COMMONINVOLUNTARY REVOCATIONDISCONTINUED REVOCATION (05/05/2017)
03/16/2017MOTOR PROPERTY COMMON CARRIERGRANTED
Insurance history6 insurers on record
Filing timeline (22)
  1. UNITED STATES FIRE INSURANCE CO.$750KCancelled
    BIPD/Primary · eff 03/16/202503/16/2026
  2. DB INSURANCE CO., LTD (U.S.BRANCH)$750KCancelled
    BIPD/Primary · eff 03/16/202403/16/2025
  3. DB INSURANCE CO., LTD (U.S.BRANCH)$750KReplaced
    BIPD/Primary · eff 03/16/202303/16/2024
  4. PROGRESSIVE COUNTY MUTUAL$750KReplaced
    BIPD/Primary · eff 04/25/202203/16/2023
  5. PROGRESSIVE COUNTY MUTUAL$750KCancelled
    BIPD/Primary · eff 03/16/202204/25/2022
  6. HUDSON INSURANCE COMPANY$750KCancelled
    BIPD/Primary · eff 03/17/202103/17/2022
  7. HUDSON INSURANCE COMPANY$750KReplaced
    BIPD/Primary · eff 03/17/202103/16/2022
  8. HUDSON INSURANCE COMPANY$750KCancelled
    BIPD/Primary · eff 03/17/202003/17/2021
  9. HUDSON INSURANCE COMPANY$750KCancelled
    BIPD/Primary · eff 03/17/202003/14/2021
  10. HUDSON INSURANCE COMPANY$750KCancelled
    BIPD/Primary · eff 03/17/201903/18/2020
  11. HUDSON INSURANCE COMPANY$750KReplaced
    BIPD/Primary · eff 03/17/201903/17/2020
  12. HUDSON INSURANCE COMPANY$750KReplaced
    BIPD/Primary · eff 03/17/202003/17/2020
  13. HALLMARK COUNTY MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY$750KCancelled
    BIPD/Primary · eff 03/17/201803/17/2019
  14. HALLMARK COUNTY MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY$750KCancelled
    BIPD/Primary · eff 03/17/201703/31/2018
  15. HALLMARK COUNTY MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY$750KReplaced
    BIPD/Primary · eff 03/17/201703/17/2018

Source: FMCSA Licensing & Insurance (L&I), public data. This shows the carrier’s federal insurance filings (BMC-91X liability, BMC-34 cargo) — the federally-required minimums on file for operating authority — not the carrier’s full commercial policy (its actual auto combined-single-limit, general liability, cargo, or workers’ comp, which appear on the carrier’s ACORD certificate of insurance). Always confirm current coverage with a COI from the carrier’s agent before making a vetting decision.

Roadside inspection performance

Out-of-service rate vs national average. Lower is better.

Vehicle18 inspections · 27.8% OOS · National 22%
Driver22 inspections · 0% OOS · National 6.7%

CSA performance breakdown

FMCSA · Sep 2026

22 inspections · 68 violations (6 OOS) · 19% of inspections had an OOS finding.

22
Inspections
68
Violations
6
OOS violations
10
Distinct codes

Violations by BASIC

click to filter codes

24
total

Most inspected in · top 4 states

  • TX15
  • LA6
  • AR3
  • MS2

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.

Recommendations

What’s driving each score, what to do about it, and where it could go.

Lighting / lamps violations are the leading contributor to Vehicle Maintenance

High impact

Estimated Vehicle Maintenance percentile of 81% is at/over the 80% 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.

What’s contributing37 violations · 4 OOS (24 mo)
Lighting / lamps3 OOS26 viol76%
  • 393.9TSInoperative turn signal5× · 20%
  • 393.9Inoperable Required Lamp11× · 18%
  • 393.19Inoperative/Defective Hazard Warning Lamp2× · 9%
Brakes4 viol10%
  • 393.45B2PCBrake Hose or Tubing Chafing and/or Kinking - Connection to Power Unit1× · 4%
  • 393.45B2UVBrake Hose or Tubing Chafing and/or Kinking Under Vehicle1× · 2%
  • 393.45DLUVBrake Connections with Leaks Under Vehicle1× · 2%
Tires1 OOS1 viol5%
  • 393.75A3-TAOLTires - All others, leaking or inflation less than 50% of the maximum inflation pressure on tire not equipped with ATIS1× · 5%
Emergency equipment2 viol4%
  • 392.22B-DFPWDDriver - Failed to place warning devices on the road surface2× · 4%
What to do
  • 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
Projected estimatecould improve up to 48 pts in ~12 mo
nowin 12 months
Current trend 50% followed 100% followed 80% line

Vehicle out-of-service rate exceeds the national average

High impact

Vehicle OOS rate is 27.8% vs the 22% national average. Carriers above the national OOS average draw more enforcement attention (audits, roadside stops) and can see higher insurance premiums.

What to do
  • 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

False log / RODS violations are the leading contributor to Hours-of-Service Compliance

Medium impact

Estimated Hours-of-Service Compliance percentile of 63% is close to the 65% intervention line — worth getting ahead of before it crosses.

What’s contributing5 violations (24 mo)
False log / RODS3 viol94%
  • 395.8E-HOSPDHOS (Property) - No driver may make a false report in connection with a duty status. Explain2× · 89%
  • 395.22H4-ELDBRODSHOS (ELD) - In-Vehicle Information - Failing to have a supply of blank driver's records of duty status graph-grids sufficient to record the driver's duty status a1× · 4%
Log / ELD device2 viol6%
  • 395.30B1-ELDDFRHOS (ELD) - Driver failing to review records and certify the accuracy of the information.2× · 6%
What to do
  • 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
Projected estimatecould improve up to 27 pts in ~12 mo
nowin 12 months
Current trend 50% followed 100% followed 65% line

A high share of violations are occurring in Harris County, TX

Medium impact

24 of 32 violations in the last 12 months (75%) came from inspections in Harris County, TX. That can mean tougher enforcement there or simply more of your miles run through it — either way it's worth a look.

What to do
  • Review the inspections from Harris County, TX to spot recurring issues
  • Brief drivers running that lane; consider rerouting around the toughest enforcement corridors where practical

Driver Fitness needs attention

Low impact

Estimated Driver Fitness percentile of 0% is under the 80% line. In decent shape, but here's what's driving it.

What to do
  • Review recent inspections with violations in this BASIC and take remedial action with drivers/equipment

Controlled Substances/Alcohol needs attention

Low impact

Estimated Controlled Substances/Alcohol percentile of 0% is under the 80% line. In decent shape, but here's what's driving it.

What to do
  • Review recent inspections with violations in this BASIC and take remedial action with drivers/equipment

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.

No roadside inspections in the last 90 days — nothing to work on right now.

Inspection & crash map

live · FMCSA MCMIS

Every inspection and crash on record — hover a point for the summary, click for full detail (codes, severity, CSA points).

26
Inspections
68
Violations
6
Out-of-service
242
CSA points
10
Crashes
6
States
cleanviolOOS

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 NHTSA

29 distinct vehicles seen in this carrier’s roadside inspections.

15 trailer 14 truck
2000 PETERBILT 379seen 4×
1XP5DB9X3YD504342· R695382 TX
2018 MAGNOLIA TRAILERS, INC. MAGNOLIA TRAILERS, INC.seen 4×
1M9PC6725J1435430· 228B361 TX
2019 FONTAINE TRAILER CO.seen 3×
57J4482C9K3575891· 149C487 TX
2021 FREIGHTLINER Cascadiaseen 3×
3AKJHHDR0MSMC0570· R775656 TX
2012 MAGNOLIA TRAILERS, INC. MAGNOLIA TRAILERS, INC.seen 3×
1M9PC6720C1435094· 243B926 TX
2015 FREIGHTLINER Cascadiaseen 3×
3AKJGLBG7FSGJ5034· R780921 TX
2007 FREIGHTLINER Columbiaseen 2×
1FUJA6CK67LW52012· R696464 TX
2021 FONTAINE TRAILER CO.seen 2×
57J4482C0M3577788· 138B111 TX
2007 INTERNATIONAL L9427seen 2×
2HSCNSBR67C455189· R755167 TX
2019 TRANSCRAFT/WABASH Combo Steel/Alum Flatbedseen 2×
1TTF532C1K3093153· 123C327 TX
2006 PETERBILT 387seen 2×
1XP7D49X56D899304· R604259 TX
2011 MAGNOLIA TRAILERS, INC. MAGNOLIA TRAILERS, INC.seen 2×
1M9PC6727B1435317· 207B368 TX
2000 FREIGHTLINER CC Conventionalseen 2×
1FUYSZYB6YLA59342· R724422 TX
2007 FREIGHTLINER CST120seen 2×
1FUJBBCK87LW35122· R337559 TX
2007 FREIGHTLINER Columbia
1FUJA6CK87LX68263· R615920 TX
2015 TRANSCRAFT/WABASH Combo Steel/Alum Flatbed
1TTF532C6F3907268· 078B268 TX
2006 INTERNATIONAL L9427
2HSCNAPR76C268206· R678460 TX
2018 FONTAINE TRAILER CO.
57J4482C8J3575024· 130B156 TX
2000 TRAILMOBILE Trailmobile Trailer
1PTF7ATH6Y9006308· 040C334 TX
1989 GREAT DANE TRAILERS Great Dane Trailers
1GRDM9624KH100907· 123B781 TX
2016 FREIGHTLINER Cascadia
3AKJGLBG4GSHJ8297· R745524 TX
2005 INTERNATIONAL 9400i
2HSCNAPR85C195569· R337557 TX
2012 UTILITY TRAILER MANUFACTURER Utility Trailer Manufacturer
1UYFS2536CA493802· Z25727 TX
2015 TRANSCRAFT/WABASH Combo Steel/Alum Flatbed
1TTF532C0F3891147· 106B335 TX
2000 VOLVO TRUCK VNL
4V4ND1JF5YN797884· R630671 TX
2015 PETERBILT 579
1XPBD49X3FD242933· R799839 TX
2015 TRANSCRAFT/WABASH Combo Steel/Alum Flatbed
1TTF532C7F3891162· 106B334 TX
2015 TRANSCRAFT/WABASH Combo Steel/Alum Flatbed
1TTF532C8F3907269· 177B487 TX
2012 MAGNOLIA TRAILERS, INC. MAGNOLIA TRAILERS, INC.
1M9PC6722C1435288· 002520N TX

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.

Company profile

FMCSA census

AUTHORIZED FOR HIRE

Power units
13
on file (MCS-150)
Drivers
13
13 hold a CDL
Annual mileage
0.5M mi
reported 2024
Recordable crash rate
1.40
per million miles
How far they run · drivers by operating lane
  • Interstate · 100+ mi13 drivers
Company officer
STEPHEN JOSEPH BYRD
Operation
Interstate
D-U-N-S
80634169
Registered since
2017-02-15
Last MCS-150 update
2025-10-15
Census status
Active

Fleet: 13 trucks · 10 owned trailers · 13 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 graph

This carrier shares VINs, addresses or officers with 12 other carriers — review the connections below as part of your vetting.

12
Connected carriers
9
Fleet-transfer links
2
Most shared VINs
1
Strong links
Possible reincarnation pattern: BYRDS MARKET PLACE (USDOT 1760801, registered 2008) is inactive, shares this carrier’s officer, and predates it — worth checking whether this carrier re-registered to shed a prior record.
Strong· 1
1
BYRDS MARKET PLACE
USDOT 1760801Inactive· EDEN, MD
Strong
Officer
Medium· 3
FJ TRANSPORT LLC
USDOT 2555695Active· HOUSTON, TX
Medium
Shared VIN · 2
1FUYSZYB6YLA593422HSCNAPR76C268206
RANGE TRUCKING SERVICES LLC
USDOT 4441618Active· HOUSTON, TX
Medium
Address
TRITON FIELD SERVICES LLC
USDOT 3060055Inactive· HOUSTON, TX
Medium
Address

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

32 events
  1. 03/16/2026Insurance filed — SOUTHLAKE SPECIALTY INSURANCE COMPANY

    Liability (BIPD) — BMC-91X · policy DRPTX101692

  2. 03/16/2026Insurance cancelled — UNITED STATES FIRE INSURANCE CO.

    BIPD/Primary · policy 506-9139885

  3. 02/17/2026COMMON — INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION

    DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (03/17/2026)

  4. 10/15/2025MCS-150 update filed

    0.5M mi reported (2024)

  5. 03/16/2025Insurance cancelled — DB INSURANCE CO., LTD (U.S.BRANCH)

    BIPD/Primary · policy TCA-P000568-01

  6. 02/18/2025COMMON — INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION

    DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (03/10/2025)

  7. 03/16/2024Insurance replaced — DB INSURANCE CO., LTD (U.S.BRANCH)

    BIPD/Primary · policy TCA-P000568-00

  8. 03/16/2023Insurance replaced — PROGRESSIVE COUNTY MUTUAL

    BIPD/Primary · policy CA956667007

  9. 04/25/2022Insurance cancelled — PROGRESSIVE COUNTY MUTUAL

    BIPD/Primary · policy CA956667007

  10. 03/17/2022Insurance cancelled — HUDSON INSURANCE COMPANY

    BIPD/Primary · policy WDTT2110069

  11. 03/16/2022Insurance replaced — HUDSON INSURANCE COMPANY

    BIPD/Primary · policy WDTT2110069

  12. 02/18/2022COMMON — INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION

    DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (03/16/2022)

  13. 03/17/2021Insurance cancelled — HUDSON INSURANCE COMPANY

    BIPD/Primary · policy WDTT2010095

  14. 03/14/2021Insurance cancelled — HUDSON INSURANCE COMPANY

    BIPD/Primary · policy WDTT2010095

  15. 02/18/2021COMMON — INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION

    DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (03/18/2021)

  16. 03/18/2020Insurance cancelled — HUDSON INSURANCE COMPANY

    BIPD/Primary · policy WHTXT1910101

  17. 03/17/2020Insurance replaced — HUDSON INSURANCE COMPANY

    BIPD/Primary · policy WHTXT1910101

  18. 02/20/2020COMMON — INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION

    DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (03/17/2020)

  19. 03/17/2019Insurance cancelled — HALLMARK COUNTY MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY

    BIPD/Primary · policy A42516984-1

  20. 02/19/2019COMMON — INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION

    DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (03/18/2019)

  21. 03/31/2018Insurance cancelled — HALLMARK COUNTY MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY

    BIPD/Primary · policy A42513027

  22. 03/17/2018Insurance replaced — HALLMARK COUNTY MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY

    BIPD/Primary · policy A42513027

  23. 03/05/2018COMMON — INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION

    DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (03/14/2018)

  24. 03/03/2018Insurance cancelled — HALLMARK COUNTY MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY

    BIPD/Primary · policy A42513027

  25. 02/05/2018COMMON — INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION

    DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (03/02/2018)

  26. 06/24/2017Insurance cancelled — HALLMARK COUNTY MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY

    BIPD/Primary · policy A42513027

  27. 05/30/2017COMMON — INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION

    DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (06/13/2017)

  28. 05/14/2017Insurance cancelled — HALLMARK COUNTY MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY

    BIPD/Primary · policy A42513027

  29. 04/17/2017COMMON — INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION

    DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (05/05/2017)

  30. 03/17/2017Insurance replaced — HALLMARK COUNTY MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY

    BIPD/Primary · policy A42513027

Merged from FMCSA authority, insurance, out-of-service, and census records.

🚛

Operations

Classification

  • AUTHORIZED FOR HIRE

Area served

  • Interstate

FMCSA safety rating

Rating
Not rated
Type
Non-ratable review
Rated
Last review
2020-06-26
📄

MCS-150 registration

Form date
2025-10-15
Reported mileage
466,686 mi (2024)

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Data sourced from public FMCSA records via safer.fmcsa.dot.gov · Latest FMCSA update: Sep 2026 · Page refreshed: Sep 18, 2026, 11:49 AM. VioCodes is not affiliated with FMCSA. To dispute incorrect data, file a DataQs Request for Data Review.