MERCHANTS TRANSPORT OF HICKORY LLC
Risk factors
Low 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 2 times historically (reinstated) — a pattern worth noting.
- Bond has changed hands 5 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 2026731 inspections · 7 violations (1 OOS) · 3% of inspections had an OOS finding.
Violations by BASIC
click to filter codes
Top cited codes
score = count × severity weight
- 1392.2-SLLS4Unsafe Driving
State/Local Laws - Speeding 15 or more miles per hour over the speed limit
10
1× · sev 10
- 2393.75A2-TAOTLMVehicle Maintenance1 OOS
Tires - All others, 75% of the tread width is loose/missing in excess of 12 inches of circumference
8
1× · sev 8
- 3392.2-SLLS2Unsafe Driving
State/Local Laws - Speeding 6-10 miles per hour over the speed limit
4
1× · sev 4
- 4393.55D2-BVehicle Maintenance
Air Brake - ABS malfunction lamp defective on truck-tractor manufactured on or after March 1, 2001 for towed vehicle.
4
1× · sev 4
- 5393.55E-BVehicle Maintenance
Air Brake - ABS malfunction lamp defective on trailers manufactured on or after March 1, 1998
4
1× · sev 4
- 6392.2-SLLS1
State/Local Laws - Speeding 1-5 miles per hour over the speed limit
1
1×
- 7392.2-SLLED
State/Local Laws - Excessive dimension (width/height/length)
1
1×
Most inspected in · top 6 states
- NC21
- SC5
- GA1
- VA1
- TN1
- KY1
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 Iredell County, NC
Medium impact12 of 62 violations in the last 12 months (19%) came from inspections in Iredell County, NC. 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 Iredell County, NC 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 impactEstimated Unsafe Driving percentile of 6% is under the 60% line. In decent shape, but here's what's driving it.
- 392.2-SLLS4State/Local Laws - Speeding 15 or more miles per hour over the speed limit3× · 30%
- 392.2-SLLS3State/Local Laws - Speeding 11-14 miles per hour over the speed limit2× · 13%
- 392.2-SLLS2State/Local Laws - Speeding 6-10 miles per hour over the speed limit4× · 10%
- 392.2-SLLLRState/Local Laws - Lane restriction violation11× · 22%
- 392.2-SLLTCDState/Local Laws - Failed to obey a traffic control device - Permanent or Temporary - e.g., safety official, signal, sign, light, lane marking, other4× · 9%
- 392.2LVLane Restriction violation3× · 4%
- 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
Following / lane / reckless violations are the leading contributor to Hours-of-Service Compliance
Low impactEstimated Hours-of-Service Compliance percentile of 21% 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 Tim1× · 34%
- 395.30B1-ELDDFRHOS (ELD) - Driver failing to review records and certify the accuracy of the information.9× · 15%
- 395.34A1-ELDDFNHOS (ELD) - Driver failed to note the malfunction of the ELD and provide written notice of the malfunction to the motor carrier within 24 hours1× · 8%
- 395.24HOS (ELD) - ELD Form and Manner4× · 6%
- 395.3A3-PROPNDriving beyond 11 hour driving limit in a 14 hour period. (Property carrying vehicle) - Nominal Violation1× · 15%
- 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 a3× · 10%
- Defensive-driving refresher on following distance and lane discipline
- Prioritize the out-of-service items — they carry the heaviest weight
Driver Fitness needs attention
Low impactEstimated Driver Fitness 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
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 3% 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 ATIS2× · 12%
- 396.3A1-TAOCVTires - All others, in contact with a part of the vehicle1× · 9%
- 393.75A2-TAOTLMTires - All others, 75% of the tread width is loose/missing in excess of 12 inches of circumference1× · 9%
- 393.9BRKLAMPInoperative Brake Lamps4× · 14%
- 393.55E-BAir Brake - ABS malfunction lamp defective on trailers manufactured on or after March 1, 19982× · 7%
- 393.55D2-BAir Brake - ABS malfunction lamp defective on truck-tractor manufactured on or after March 1, 2001 for towed vehicle.1× · 4%
- 393.9TSInoperative turn signal4× · 12%
- 393.9A-LSLIWRLighting - Stop lamps - Both inoperative when required to be on1× · 7%
- 393.9HInoperable head lamps1× · 2%
- 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.
- 393.55E-B×2Air Brake - ABS malfunction lamp defective on trailers manufactured on or after March 1, 1998
- 393.75A3-TAOLTires - All others, leaking or inflation less than 50% of the maximum inflation pressure on tire not equipped with ATIS · OOS
- 396.3A1-TAOCVTires - All others, in contact with a part of the vehicle · 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
- 392.2-SLLS4×2State/Local Laws - Speeding 15 or more miles per hour over the speed limit
- 392.2-SLLLR×2State/Local Laws - Lane restriction violation
- 392.2-SLLS2State/Local Laws - Speeding 6-10 miles per hour over the speed limit
- Coach speed and following distance — Unsafe Driving points are weighted heavily
- Hands off the phone; always belt up
- 392.2-SLLED×3State/Local Laws - Excessive dimension (width/height/length)
- 392.2-SLLS1×2State/Local Laws - Speeding 1-5 miles per hour over the speed limit
- Review these violations with drivers and add the fix to your pre-trip and PM routine
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 NHTSA99 distinct vehicles seen in this carrier’s roadside inspections.
+ 69 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
18
Tow-away
17
Injury
4
Fatal
0
Company profile
FMCSA censusPRIVATE PROPERTY;AUTHORIZED FOR HIRE
- Interstate · 100+ mi347 drivers
- Company officer
- PETE DHUSE
- Operation
- Interstate
- Registered since
- 1974-06-01
- Last MCS-150 update
- 2026-04-03
- Census status
- Active
Fleet: 274 trucks · 259 owned tractors · 942 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 emails with 19 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
27 events- 04/03/2026MCS-150 update filed
25.9M mi reported (2025)
- 10/30/2013PROPERTY BROKER — REINSTATED
- 10/01/2013Insurance filed — LM Insurance Corporation
Property broker surety — BMC-84 · policy 018009219
- 10/01/2013Insurance ended — LM Insurance Corporation
policy 018009219
- 10/01/2013Insurance replaced — LIBERTY MUTUAL INSURANCE CO.
SURETY · policy 018009072
- 08/05/2013Insurance name changed — SAFETY NATIONAL CASUALTY CORPORATION
BIPD/Primary · policy CAS4045852
- 08/05/2013Insurance name changed — LIBERTY MUTUAL INSURANCE CO.
SURETY · policy 018 009 072
- 08/05/2013Insurance name changed — NAVIGATORS INSURANCE COMPANY
CARGO · policy NC08ILM010916-00
- 07/01/2013COMMON — INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION
DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (07/10/2013)
- 06/29/2013Insurance filed — Safety National Casualty Corporation
Liability (BIPD) — BMC-91X · policy CAS4045852
- 06/29/2013Insurance ended — Safety National Casualty Corporation
policy CAS4045852
- 06/29/2013Insurance replaced — SAFETY NATIONAL CASUALTY CORPORATION
BIPD/Primary · policy CAS4045852
- 04/01/2012Insurance replaced — THE TRAVELERS INDEMNITY CO. OF CONNECTICUT
BIPD/Primary · policy HC2ECAP475M5338TCT-11
- 04/01/2011Insurance replaced — DISCOVER PROPERTY & CASUALTY INSURANCE CO.
BIPD/Primary · policy D004A00348
- 04/01/2010Insurance replaced — DISCOVER PROPERTY & CASUALTY INSURANCE CO.
BIPD/Primary · policy D004A00336
- 04/01/2009Insurance replaced — ZURICH AMERICAN INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy BAP3730597
- 04/01/2008Insurance replaced — FIREMAN'S FUND INSURANCE CO.
CARGO · policy MXI97550741
- 05/17/2007PROPERTY BROKER — GRANTED
REVOKED (08/05/2013)
- 05/17/2007PROPERTY BROKER — REINSTATED
- 12/12/2006Insurance cancelled — FIDELITY & DEPOSIT CO. OF MARYLAND
SURETY · policy LPM7577842
- 11/08/2005COMMON — INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION
DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (12/06/2005)
- 04/01/2005Insurance replaced — ZURICH AMERICAN INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy BAP3730597
- 04/01/2005Insurance replaced — CONTINENTAL CASUALTY CO.
BIPD/Primary · policy 2057347893
- 04/01/2003Insurance replaced — AMERICAN MOTORISTS INSURANCE CO.
BIPD/Primary · policy F5R 006 110-00
- 04/01/2002Insurance replaced — EMPLOYERS INSURANCE OF WAUSAU, A MUTUAL CO.
CARGO · policy 142903085618
- 12/27/1982MOTOR PROPERTY COMMON CARRIER — GRANTED
- 06/01/1974Registered with FMCSA
PRIVATE PROPERTY;AUTHORIZED FOR HIRE
Merged from FMCSA authority, insurance, out-of-service, and census records.
Operations
Classification
- PRIVATE PROPERTY;AUTHORIZED FOR HIRE
Area served
- Interstate
FMCSA safety rating
- Rating
- Satisfactory
- Type
- Compliance review
- Rated
- 2000-12-14
- Last review
- 2000-11-01
MCS-150 registration
- Form date
- 2026-04-03
- Reported mileage
- 25,861,000 mi (2025)
Got a violation you want to contest?
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