NITRO EXPRESS LLC
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.
Roadside inspection performance
Out-of-service rate vs national average. Lower is better.
CSA performance breakdown
FMCSA · Sep 202614 inspections · 61 violations (4 OOS) · 17% 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
24
6× · sev 4
- 2396.17C-PIVehicle Maintenance
Operating a CMV without documentation of a periodic inspection
12
3× · sev 4
- 3393.55E-BVehicle Maintenance
Air Brake - ABS malfunction lamp defective on trailers manufactured on or after March 1, 1998
8
2× · sev 4
- 4396.3A1-BALACVehicle Maintenance
Brake - Audible air leak from a brake chamber
8
2× · sev 4
- 5392.16Unsafe Driving
Failing to use seat belt while operating a CMV
7
1× · sev 7
- 6393.47E
Brake Out of Adjustment - Roto, Clamp (Short & Long), DD-3, or Bolt
5
5×
- 7393.9A-LCLVehicle Maintenance
Lighting - Clearance lamp(s) inoperative
4
2× · sev 2
- 8396.17C
Operating a CMV without proof of a periodic inspection
2
2×
- 9393.45D
Brake connections with leaks or constrictions
2
2×
- 10395.8E
False report of drivers record of duty status
2
2×
Most inspected in · top 6 states
- SD8
- IA5
- MO2
- MN1
- WI1
- IL1
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.
Following / lane / reckless violations are the leading contributor to Unsafe Driving
High impactEstimated Unsafe Driving percentile of 66% is at/over the 65% 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.
- 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× · 47%
- Defensive-driving refresher on following distance and lane discipline
Brakes violations are the leading contributor to Vehicle Maintenance
High impactEstimated Vehicle Maintenance percentile of 100% 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.
- 393.45B2-B-AIRAir Brake - Hose/tubing damaged or not secured6× · 26%
- 396.3A1-BALACBrake - Audible air leak from a brake chamber2× · 9%
- 393.45B2-BHTDAir Brake - Hose/tubing damage into the outer reinforcement ply.1× · 6%
- 393.9A-LCLLighting - Clearance lamp(s) inoperative2× · 4%
- 393.9A-LILLighting - Identification lamp(s) inoperative1× · 2%
- 393.9A-LLPLLighting - License plate lamp inoperative1× · 2%
- 396.17C-PIOperating a CMV without documentation of a periodic inspection3× · 7%
- 393.207B-AALPMEAny of the locking pins are missing or not engaged.1× · 2%
- 393.78A-WSWashers - Inoperative washing system.1× · 1%
- 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
Vehicle out-of-service rate exceeds the national average
High impactVehicle OOS rate is 37.5% 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
A high share of violations are occurring in Washington County, MN
Medium impact21 of 47 violations in the last 12 months (45%) came from inspections in Washington County, MN. 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 Washington County, MN to spot recurring issues
- Brief drivers running that lane; consider rerouting around the toughest enforcement corridors where practical
Log / ELD device violations are the leading contributor to Hours-of-Service Compliance
Low impactEstimated Hours-of-Service Compliance percentile of 52% is under the 65% line. In decent shape, but here's what's driving it.
- 395.30B1-ELDDFRHOS (ELD) - Driver failing to review records and certify the accuracy of the information.1× · 27%
- 395.24HOS (ELD) - ELD Form and Manner1× · 27%
- 395.22GPortable ELD not mounted in a fixed position and visible to driver1× · 18%
- Make sure the ELD is registered, working, and drivers know how to log in and certify daily
Driver Fitness needs attention
Low impactEstimated Driver Fitness percentile of 0% is under the 80% 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 80% 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
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.
- 393.55E-BAir Brake - ABS malfunction lamp defective on trailers manufactured on or after March 1, 1998
- 396.17C-PIOperating a CMV without documentation of a periodic inspection
- 393.9A-LILLighting - Identification lamp(s) inoperative
- 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
- 392.2-SLLTCDState/Local Laws - Failed to obey a traffic control device - Permanent or Temporary - e.g., safety official, signal, sign, light, lane marking, other
- Walk the lights every pre-trip and carry spare bulbs/fuses
- Clean lenses and check the trailer plug for corrosion
- 395.30B1-ELDDFRHOS (ELD) - Driver failing to review records and certify the accuracy of the information.
- Log in and annotate the ELD correctly every day; fix edits promptly
- Plan trips around available hours — never falsify a log
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 NHTSA14 distinct vehicles seen in this carrier’s roadside inspections.
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
1
Tow-away
1
Injury
0
Fatal
0
Company profile
FMCSA censusAUTHORIZED FOR HIRE
- Interstate · 100+ mi3 drivers
- Company officer
- NATHAN FONTENOT
- Operation
- Interstate
- Registered since
- 2023-11-15
- Last MCS-150 update
- 2025-05-07
- Census status
- Active
Fleet: 5 trucks · 5 owned tractors · 7 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 with 4 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
26 events- 05/07/2025MCS-150 update filed
0.2M mi reported (2024)
- 01/03/2025Insurance filed — ACUITY, A MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY
Liability (BIPD) — BMC-91X · policy CA-ZX9998
- 01/03/2025Insurance replaced — CANAL INSURANCE CO.
BIPD/Primary · policy CT1103923358
- 08/21/2024Insurance cancelled — CANAL INSURANCE CO.
BIPD/Primary · policy CT1103923358
- 08/03/2024Insurance cancelled — CANAL INSURANCE CO.
BIPD/Primary · policy CT1103923358
- 07/17/2024Insurance replaced — CANAL INSURANCE CO.
BIPD/Primary · policy CT1103923358
- 06/28/2024Insurance replaced — CANAL INSURANCE CO.
BIPD/Primary · policy CT1103923358
- 01/05/2024MOTOR PROPERTY CONTRACT CARRIER — REINSTATED
- 01/05/2024Insurance replaced — CANAL INSURANCE CO.
BIPD/Primary · policy CT1103923358
- 11/15/2023Registered with FMCSA
AUTHORIZED FOR HIRE
- 12/27/2016Insurance cancelled — PROGRESSIVE NORTHERN INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy CA 3807586
- 06/04/2016Insurance replaced — NATIONAL INDEMNITY COMPANY OF THE SOUTH
BIPD/Primary · policy 75TRS050544-02
- 06/04/2016Insurance cancelled — NATIONAL INDEMNITY COMPANY OF MID-AMERICA
BIPD/Primary · policy 75TRS050544-01
- 05/09/2016CONTRACT — INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION
DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (06/01/2016)
- 03/16/2016Insurance cancelled — NATIONAL INDEMNITY COMPANY OF MID-AMERICA
BIPD/Primary · policy 75TRS050544-01
- 02/11/2016Insurance replaced — NATIONAL INDEMNITY COMPANY OF MID-AMERICA
BIPD/Primary · policy 75TRS050544-01
- 06/12/2015MOTOR PROPERTY CONTRACT CARRIER — REINSTATED
REVOKED (01/03/2017)
- 01/08/2015Insurance cancelled — PROGRESSIVE NORTHERN INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy CA 3219071
- 08/05/2014MOTOR PROPERTY CONTRACT CARRIER — REINSTATED
REVOKED (01/14/2015)
- 06/11/1998Insurance cancelled — GREAT WEST CASUALTY CO.
BIPD/Primary · policy CLP78329A
- 02/24/1998Insurance cancelled — GREAT WEST CASUALTY CO.
BIPD/Primary · policy CLP78329A
- 02/24/1998Insurance replaced — GREAT WEST CASUALTY CO.
BIPD/Primary · policy CLP78329A
- 01/13/1998MOTOR PROPERTY CONTRACT CARRIER — REINSTATED
REVOKED (08/28/1998)
- 07/25/1997Insurance cancelled — GREAT WEST CASUALTY CO.
BIPD/Primary · policy CLP74866A
- 04/16/1997MOTOR PROPERTY CONTRACT CARRIER — GRANTED
REVOKED (10/14/1997)
- 04/07/1997Insurance replaced — GREAT WEST CASUALTY CO.
BIPD/Primary · policy CLP74866A
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
- —
- Rated
- —
- Last review
- —
MCS-150 registration
- Form date
- 2025-05-07
- Reported mileage
- 180,000 mi (2024)
Got a violation you want to contest?
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