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Authorized · PropertyUSDOT 426141· MC236686· CARRIER· EIN 36-3739954
⬇ PDF report

HOWE FREIGHTWAYS INC

2716 8TH ST, ROCKFORD, IL, 61109-1121(815) 316-1002aburds@howefrtwys.comMARK COUPER
Vetting snapshot
Authority
Active
operating authority
Insurance
$1M BIPD
Great West Casualty Co
Vehicle OOS
15.8%
below 22% national avg
Driver OOS
0%
below 6.7% national avg
Crashes 24mo
4
none fatal
Red flags
None
nothing flagged
92
/ 100

Risk factors

Low riskVioCodes score
4 crashes in the last 24 months

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.

Broker payment signals

Bond, cancellation & authority risk for this broker — from free FMCSA records.

Proceed with checks
Broker bond
Bond on file
BMC-84 surety · United States Fire Insurance Company
Cancellation filed
None
bond since 12/16/2025
Authority
Active
5 past revocations
Registered
35 yrs
since 11/01/1990
  • Authority revoked 5 times historically (reinstated) — a pattern worth noting.
  • Bond has changed hands 7 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.

Authority & insurance

MC236686

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

Common
Active
Contract
Active
Broker
Active
Authorized for: Property
Liability (BIPD)
$1M on file
$750K required
Cargo
Not on file
not required
Bond / surety
On file
required
Insurance filings
ON FILELiability (BIPD) — BMC-91X$1M coverageeff 10/01/2025
Great West Casualty Co· policy GRT46723A
ENDED 10/01/2025Liability (BIPD) — BMC-91X$1M coverageeff 10/01/2025
Great West Casualty Co· policy GRT46723A
ON FILEProperty broker surety — BMC-84$75K coverageeff 12/16/2025
United States Fire Insurance Company· policy 612425775
ENDED 12/16/2025Property broker surety — BMC-84$75K coverageeff 12/16/2025
United States Fire Insurance Company· policy 612425775
Authority history (8) ▾
11/15/2005COMMONINVOLUNTARY REVOCATION→ DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (12/05/2005)
11/15/2005CONTRACTINVOLUNTARY REVOCATION→ DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (12/05/2005)
11/15/2005BROKERINVOLUNTARY REVOCATION→ DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (12/05/2005)
10/15/2004COMMONINVOLUNTARY REVOCATION→ DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (10/21/2004)
10/15/2004CONTRACTINVOLUNTARY REVOCATION→ DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (10/21/2004)
02/06/1992MOTOR PROPERTY CONTRACT CARRIERGRANTED
02/06/1992MOTOR PROPERTY COMMON CARRIERGRANTED
02/03/1992PROPERTY BROKERGRANTED
Insurance history8 insurers on record
Filing timeline (16) ▾
  1. AMERICAN ALTERNATIVE INSURANCE CORPORATION$750KCancelled
    SURETY · eff 12/17/2014 → 12/16/2025
  2. ACUITY, A MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY$750KReplaced
    BIPD/Primary · eff 10/01/2012 → 10/01/2025
  3. HARTFORD FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY$750KCancelled
    CARGO · eff 01/01/2004 → 04/01/2020
  4. THE CINCINNATI INSURANCE CO.$750KReplaced
    SURETY · eff 10/01/2013 → 12/17/2014
  5. THE CINCINNATI INSURANCE CO.$750KReplaced
    SURETY · eff 12/01/1991 → 10/01/2013
  6. THE CINCINNATI INSURANCE CO.$750KReplaced
    SURETY · eff 10/01/2012 → 10/01/2013
  7. ACUITY, A MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY$1MReplaced
    BIPD/Primary · eff 10/01/2004 → 10/01/2012
  8. ACUITY, A MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY$750KReplaced
    BIPD/Primary · eff 10/01/2012 → 10/01/2012
  9. THE CINCINNATI INSURANCE CO.$750KReplaced
    SURETY · eff 10/01/2013 → 10/01/2012
  10. WEST BEND MUTUAL INSURANCE CO.$1MCancelled
    BIPD/Primary · eff 01/15/2000 → 11/11/2004
  11. WEST BEND MUTUAL INSURANCE CO.$1MReplaced
    BIPD/Primary · eff 01/15/2000 → 10/01/2004
  12. WEST BEND MUTUAL INSURANCE CO.$750KReplaced
    CARGO · eff 01/15/2000 → 01/01/2004
  13. HARTFORD FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY$750KCancelled
    CARGO · eff 07/24/1991 → 02/24/2000
  14. CONTINENTAL WESTERN INSURANCE CO.$750KCancelled
    BIPD/Primary · eff 12/19/1992 → 02/18/2000
  15. CONTINENTAL WESTERN INSURANCE CO.$750KReplaced
    BIPD/Primary · eff 12/19/1992 → 01/15/2000

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.

Vehicle19 inspections · 15.8% OOS · National 22%
Driver48 inspections · 0% OOS · National 6.7%

CSA performance breakdown

FMCSA · Sep 2026

48 inspections · 41 violations (1 OOS) · 3% of inspections had an OOS finding.

48
Inspections
41
Violations
1
OOS violations
10
Distinct codes

Violations by BASIC

click to filter codes

15
total

Top cited codes

score = count × severity weight

Most inspected in · top 8 states

  • IL13
  • WI7
  • IN3
  • MN2
  • KY1
  • IA1
  • PA1
  • OH1

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.

A high share of violations are occurring in Dunn County, WI

Medium impact

5 of 17 violations in the last 12 months (29%) came from inspections in Dunn County, WI. 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 Dunn County, WI to spot recurring issues
  • Brief drivers running that lane; consider rerouting around the toughest enforcement corridors where practical

Speeding violations are the leading contributor to Unsafe Driving

Low impact

Estimated Unsafe Driving percentile of 19% is under the 65% line. In decent shape, but here's what's driving it.

What’s contributing8 violations (24 mo)
Speeding4 viol50%
  • 392.2-SLLS2State/Local Laws - Speeding 6-10 miles per hour over the speed limit2× · 27%
  • 392.2-SLLSWZState/Local Laws - Speeding work/construction zone1× · 14%
  • 392.2-SLLS3State/Local Laws - Speeding 11-14 miles per hour over the speed limit1× · 9%
Following / lane / reckless4 viol50%
  • 392.2-SLLFCState/Local Laws - Following too closely1× · 20%
  • 392.2LVLane Restriction violation2× · 16%
  • 392.2LCImproper lane change1× · 14%
What to do
  • Coach the drivers with speeding violations directly — Unsafe Driving points are weighted heavily
  • Set and enforce a governed road speed; review telematics/dashcam speed events weekly
Projected estimatecould improve up to 14 pts in ~12 mo
nowin 12 months
Current trend 50% followed 100% followed 65% line

Hours exceeded violations are the leading contributor to Hours-of-Service Compliance

Low impact

Estimated Hours-of-Service Compliance percentile of 28% is under the 65% line. In decent shape, but here's what's driving it.

What’s contributing7 violations (24 mo)
Hours exceeded1 viol54%
  • 395.3A2-PROPDriving beyond 14 hour duty period (Property carrying vehicle)1× · 54%
Log / ELD device5 viol38%
  • 395.30B1-ELDDFRHOS (ELD) - Driver failing to review records and certify the accuracy of the information.4× · 31%
  • 395.22GPortable ELD not mounted in a fixed position and visible to driver1× · 8%
Other1 viol8%
  • 395.24C2IIIDriver failed to manually add shipping document number1× · 8%
What to do
  • Plan loads around available hours; use ELD alerts before drivers run out of clock
Projected estimatecould improve up to 14 pts in ~12 mo
nowin 12 months
Current trend 50% followed 100% followed 65% line

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

Lighting / lamps violations are the leading contributor to Vehicle Maintenance

Low impact

Estimated Vehicle Maintenance percentile of 55% is under the 80% line. In decent shape, but here's what's driving it.

What’s contributing26 violations · 5 OOS (24 mo)
Lighting / lamps6 viol38%
  • 393.9A-LRLILighting - Tail lamp - Any inoperative2× · 28%
  • 393.9A-HLLHLighting - Headlamp(s) fail to operate on low and high beam1× · 5%
  • 393.11A1-CSLRRConspicuity Systems - Truck tractor, lower rear retro reflective sheeting missing on vehicle manufactured on or after July 1, 19971× · 2%
Brakes9 viol28%
  • 393.45D-BAir Brake - Audible air leak at a proper connection3× · 9%
  • 393.55E-BAir Brake - ABS malfunction lamp defective on trailers manufactured on or after March 1, 19982× · 6%
  • 393.45B2-B-AIRAir Brake - Hose/tubing damaged or not secured2× · 6%
Tires1 OOS1 viol12%
  • 393.75G-TAOWTires - All others, weight carried exceeds tire load limit1× · 12%
Load securement4 OOS4 viol11%
  • 392.9A2-CCargo - Vehicle components or dunnage not secured3× · 7%
  • 393.110B3-CCargo - Insufficient tiedowns (w/o headerboard/blocking) for article(s) of cargo longer than 10 feet1× · 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 30 pts in ~12 mo
nowin 12 months
Current trend 50% followed 100% followed 80% line

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.

▲ Trending worse
8
Inspections
9
Violations
1
Out-of-service
3
Clean
Where the violations are
Other 44%Unsafe Driving 33%Vehicle Maintenance 22%
Focus here first
1Other
4 violations · 44% of recent
  • 392.2-SLLEWA1×2State/Local Laws - Excessive weight - 1-2500 lbs over on an axle/axle groups
  • 392.2-SLLEDState/Local Laws - Excessive dimension (width/height/length)
  • 392.2-SLLEWA3State/Local Laws - Excessive weight - More than 5000 lbs over on an axle/axle groups
Do this
  • Look under the truck for shifted axles and broken/leaking suspension parts
  • Include suspension in scheduled maintenance
2Unsafe Driving
3 violations · 33% of recent
  • 392.2-SLLFCState/Local Laws - Following too closely
  • 392.2-SLLS2State/Local Laws - Speeding 6-10 miles per hour over the speed limit
  • 392.2LVLane Restriction violation
Do this
  • Coach speed and following distance — Unsafe Driving points are weighted heavily
  • Hands off the phone; always belt up
3Vehicle Maintenance
2 violations · 1 OOS · 22% of recent
  • 393.9A-LRLILighting - Tail lamp - Any inoperative
  • 393.75G-TAOWTires - All others, weight carried exceeds tire load limit · OOS
Do this
  • Walk the lights every pre-trip and carry spare bulbs/fuses
  • Clean lenses and check the trailer plug for corrosion
Repeat offenders (same code, multiple times)
392.2-SLLEWA1×2
🎓
Turn these into driver coaching — and prove it
FleetTrained (my companion project) makes branded, multilingual training videos for these exact violations — your driver watches and gets a completion certificate for the file.

Based on roadside inspections in the last 90 days, ranked by what recurs most. Informational, not legal advice.

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).

69
Inspections
83
Violations
6
Out-of-service
210
CSA points
67
Crashes
13
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

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

32 trailer 30 truck 3 other
2022 KENWORTH T680seen 6×
1XKYDP9X9NJ144426· P1135240 IL
2020 KENWORTH T680seen 4×
1XKYDP9X1LJ379321· P1065402 IL
2019 REITNOUER INC Reitnouer Incseen 4×
1RNF50A24KR047877· 682076ST IL
2016 KENWORTH T680seen 4×
1XKYDP9X3GJ497876· P1144868 IL
2020 REITNOUER INC Reitnouer Incseen 4×
1RNF50A21LR052732· 717719ST IL
2016 KENWORTH T680seen 3×
1XKYDP9X9GJ497879· P1144870 IL
2020 KENWORTH T680seen 3×
1XKYDP9X3LJ379319· P1190461 IL
2016 REITNOUER INC Reitnouer Incseen 3×
1RNF50A23GR039132· 561704ST IL
2006 KENWORTH T6 Seriesseen 3×
1XKAD49X66R134228· P1008592 IL
2022 KENWORTH T680seen 3×
1XKYDP9X5NJ144424· P1134709 IL
1993 KENWORTH K100seen 3×
1XK1D49X9PJ259515· P1157641 IL
2020 KENWORTH T680seen 2×
1XKYDP9XXLJ379320· P1190462 IL
2016 REITNOUER INC Reitnouer Incseen 2×
1RNF50A27GR039134· 561706ST IL
1993 KENWORTH K100seen 2×
1XK1DP9X9PJ154393· P1143497 IL
2019 BENSON/WABASH Aluminium Flatbedseen 2×
1TTF532A1K3092793· 669756ST IL
2020 REITNOUER INC Reitnouer Incseen 2×
1RNF50A23LR052733· 717720ST IL
2005 KENWORTH W900seen 2×
1XKWDB9X95J079426· P1190460 IL
2007 FONTAINE TRAILER Fontaine Trailerseen 2×
1R1F348267K570063· 391496ST IL
2016 KENWORTH T680seen 2×
1XKYDP9X5GJ497880· P 1144871 IL
2007 FONTAINE TRAILER Fontaine Trailerseen 2×
1R1F348207K570494· 291565ST IL
2016 KENWORTH T680seen 2×
1XKYDP9X7GJ497878· P1144869 IL
2007 FONTAINE TRAILER Fontaine Trailerseen 2×
1R1F348287K570260· 512867ST IL
2008 KENWORTH W9 Seriesseen 2×
1XKWD48X28J213730· P1055900 IL
2020 REITNOUER INC Reitnouer Incseen 2×
1RNF50A23LR049556· 701685ST IL
2019 REITNOUER INC Reitnouer Incseen 2×
1RNF48A26KR046571· 789301ST IL
2022 KENWORTH T680seen 2×
1XKYDP9X1NJ144422· P1134707 IL
2022 KENWORTH T680seen 2×
1XKYDP9X7NJ144425· P1179832 IL
2019 REITNOUER INC Reitnouer Incseen 2×
1RNF50A22KR047876· 682075ST IL
2019 REITNOUER INC Reitnouer Incseen 2×
1RNF50A20KR047875· 672126ST IL
2022 KENWORTH T680seen 2×
1XKYDP9X3NJ144423· P1134708 IL

+ 35 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

4

Tow-away

4

Injury

2

Fatal

0

Company profile

FMCSA census

AUTHORIZED FOR HIRE

Power units
40
on file (MCS-150)
Drivers
40
40 hold a CDL
Annual mileage
3.8M mi
reported 2024
Recordable crash rate
—
per million miles
How far they run · drivers by operating lane
  • Intrastate · 100+ mi40 drivers
Company officer
MARK COUPER
Operation
Interstate
Registered since
1990-11-01
Last MCS-150 update
2025-12-09
Census status
Active

Fleet: 40 trucks · 24 owned tractors · 39 owned trailers · 16 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 with 2 other carriers — review the connections below as part of your vetting.

2
Connected carriers
2
Fleet-transfer links
1
Most shared VINs
0
Strong links

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

28 events
  1. 12/16/2025Insurance filed — United States Fire Insurance Company

    Property broker surety — BMC-84 · policy 612425775

  2. 12/16/2025Insurance ended — United States Fire Insurance Company

    policy 612425775

  3. 12/16/2025Insurance cancelled — AMERICAN ALTERNATIVE INSURANCE CORPORATION

    SURETY · policy 2014120155

  4. 12/09/2025MCS-150 update filed

    3.8M mi reported (2024)

  5. 10/01/2025Insurance filed — Great West Casualty Co

    Liability (BIPD) — BMC-91X · policy GRT46723A

  6. 10/01/2025Insurance ended — Great West Casualty Co

    policy GRT46723A

  7. 10/01/2025Insurance replaced — ACUITY, A MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY

    BIPD/Primary · policy CA-L12324

  8. 04/01/2020Insurance cancelled — HARTFORD FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY

    CARGO · policy 83 MS RY5398

  9. 12/17/2014Insurance replaced — THE CINCINNATI INSURANCE CO.

    SURETY · policy 8238231

  10. 10/01/2013Insurance replaced — THE CINCINNATI INSURANCE CO.

    SURETY

  11. 10/01/2012Insurance replaced — ACUITY, A MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY

    BIPD/Primary · policy CA-L12324

  12. 10/01/2012Insurance replaced — THE CINCINNATI INSURANCE CO.

    SURETY · policy 8238231

  13. 11/15/2005COMMON — INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION

    DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (12/05/2005)

  14. 11/15/2005CONTRACT — INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION

    DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (12/05/2005)

  15. 11/15/2005BROKER — INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION

    DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (12/05/2005)

  16. 11/11/2004Insurance cancelled — WEST BEND MUTUAL INSURANCE CO.

    BIPD/Primary · policy 0110097401

  17. 10/15/2004COMMON — INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION

    DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (10/21/2004)

  18. 10/15/2004CONTRACT — INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION

    DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (10/21/2004)

  19. 10/01/2004Insurance replaced — WEST BEND MUTUAL INSURANCE CO.

    BIPD/Primary · policy 0110097401

  20. 01/01/2004Insurance replaced — WEST BEND MUTUAL INSURANCE CO.

    CARGO · policy 0110097401

  21. 02/24/2000Insurance cancelled — HARTFORD FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY

    CARGO · policy 83 MSNU 5966

  22. 02/18/2000Insurance cancelled — CONTINENTAL WESTERN INSURANCE CO.

    BIPD/Primary · policy 9FJ19

  23. 01/15/2000Insurance replaced — CONTINENTAL WESTERN INSURANCE CO.

    BIPD/Primary · policy 9FJ19

  24. 01/15/2000Insurance replaced — HARTFORD FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY

    CARGO · policy 83 MSNU 5966

  25. 02/06/1992MOTOR PROPERTY CONTRACT CARRIER — GRANTED
  26. 02/06/1992MOTOR PROPERTY COMMON CARRIER — GRANTED
  27. 02/03/1992PROPERTY BROKER — GRANTED
  28. 11/01/1990Registered with FMCSA

    AUTHORIZED FOR HIRE

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
2010-10-29
Last review
2020-05-29
📄

MCS-150 registration

Form date
2025-12-09
Reported mileage
3,760,502 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 23, 2026, 2:42 PM. VioCodes is not affiliated with FMCSA. To dispute incorrect data, file a DataQs Request for Data Review.