CHIEF CARRIERS INC
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.
Roadside inspection performance
Out-of-service rate vs national average. Lower is better.
CSA performance breakdown
FMCSA · Sep 2026172 inspections · 10 violations (4 OOS) · 13% of inspections had an OOS finding.
Violations by BASIC
click to filter codes
Top cited codes
score = count × severity weight
- 1393.75A3-TAOLVehicle Maintenance1 OOS
Tires - All others, leaking or inflation less than 50% of the maximum inflation pressure on tire not equipped with ATIS
8
1× · sev 8
- 2395.8E1PCHours-of-Service Compliance
HOS - False record of duty status driver improper use of Personal Conveyance - Not OOS
7
1× · sev 7
- 3393.100B-CVehicle Maintenance1 OOS
Cargo - Cargo not secured to prevent leaking/spilling/blowing/falling from CMV
7
1× · sev 7
- 4393.118D-CDLVehicle Maintenance1 OOS
Dressed Lumber/Similar Building Products - Improper Securement of bundles transported using more than one tier.
3
1× · sev 3
- 5392.2-SLLLRUnsafe Driving
State/Local Laws - Lane restriction violation
3
1× · sev 3
- 6393.95A4-EENAVehicle Maintenance
Emergency Equipment - Fire Extinguishers - not readily accessible or filled
2
1× · sev 2
- 7391.11B4-CLHA1 OOS
Medical (Certificate) - Operating a commercial vehicle without corrective lenses or hearing aid as indicated on the driver's medical certificate
1
1×
- 8392.9A-DFSLVehicle Maintenance
Driver - Failing to properly secure load
1
1× · sev 1
- 9395.30B1Hours-of-Service Compliance
Driver failed to certify the accuracy of the information gathered by the ELD
1
1× · sev 1
- 10392.2-SLLTL
State/Local Laws - Misc. traffic law violation
1
1×
Most inspected in · top 8 states
- TX3
- SC3
- CO2
- WY2
- NE2
- KS2
- SD2
- NC2
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.
Vehicle out-of-service rate exceeds the national average
High impactVehicle OOS rate is 24.3% 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 Wayne County, IN
Medium impact5 of 25 violations in the last 12 months (20%) came from inspections in Wayne County, IN. 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 Wayne County, IN 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 27% is under the 65% line. In decent shape, but here's what's driving it.
- 392.2-SLLSWZState/Local Laws - Speeding work/construction zone2× · 24%
- 392.2-SLLS3State/Local Laws - Speeding 11-14 miles per hour over the speed limit2× · 11%
- 392.2-SLLS2State/Local Laws - Speeding 6-10 miles per hour over the speed limit2× · 6%
- 392.2-SLLLRState/Local Laws - Lane restriction violation5× · 17%
- 392.2-SLLILCState/Local Laws - Improper lane change2× · 12%
- 392.2-SLLMLState/Local Laws - Failure to maintain lane1× · 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
False log / RODS violations are the leading contributor to Hours-of-Service Compliance
Low impactEstimated Hours-of-Service Compliance percentile of 39% is under the 65% 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 OOS1× · 41%
- 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× · 2%
- 395.3A3-PROPDriving beyond 11 hour driving limit. (Property Carrying Vehicle)1× · 27%
- 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× · 14%
- 395.3A2-PROPNDriving beyond 14 hour duty period (Property carrying vehicle) - Nominal Violation1× · 2%
- 395.30B1Driver failed to certify the accuracy of the information gathered by the ELD1× · 6%
- 395.30B1-ELDDFRHOS (ELD) - Driver failing to review records and certify the accuracy of the information.2× · 6%
- 395.24HOS (ELD) - ELD Form and Manner1× · 2%
- 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
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
Tires violations are the leading contributor to Vehicle Maintenance
Low impactEstimated Vehicle Maintenance percentile of 32% is under the 80% 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 ATIS6× · 32%
- 393.75A3-TAOLTISTires - All others, leaking in tread area and inflation less than 50% of the maximum inflation pressure on tire equipped with ATIS2× · 8%
- 393.100B-CCargo - Cargo not secured to prevent leaking/spilling/blowing/falling from CMV2× · 14%
- 393.118D-CDLDressed Lumber/Similar Building Products - Improper Securement of bundles transported using more than one tier.2× · 8%
- 393.110B1-CCargo - Insufficient tiedowns (w/o headerboard/blocking) for article(s) of cargo 5 feet or less and 1,100 lbs. or less2× · 4%
- 393.9A-LHWSLighting - Hazard warning signal(s) inoperative2× · 7%
- 393.9A-LSLILighting - Stop lamps - Any inoperative.2× · 7%
- 393.9A-LRLILighting - Tail lamp - Any inoperative1× · 5%
- 393.45D-BAir Brake - Audible air leak at a proper connection2× · 3%
- 393.45B2-BHTDAir Brake - Hose/tubing damage into the outer reinforcement ply.1× · 2%
- 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.1× · 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.
- 393.75A3-TAOLTires - All others, leaking or inflation less than 50% of the maximum inflation pressure on tire not equipped with ATIS · OOS
- 393.100B-CCargo - Cargo not secured to prevent leaking/spilling/blowing/falling from CMV · OOS
- 393.95A4-EENAEmergency Equipment - Fire Extinguishers - not readily accessible or filled
- Gauge/thump every tire on the walk-around, including inner duals
- Replace before tread hits the limit and correct low pressure immediately
- 392.2-SLLLRState/Local Laws - Lane restriction violation
- Coach speed and following distance — Unsafe Driving points are weighted heavily
- Hands off the phone; always belt up
- 395.30B1Driver failed to certify the accuracy of the information gathered by the ELD
- 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 NHTSA89 distinct vehicles seen in this carrier’s roadside inspections.
+ 59 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
5
Tow-away
5
Injury
0
Fatal
0
Company profile
FMCSA censusAUTHORIZED FOR HIRE
- Interstate · 100+ mi70 drivers
- Company officer
- ANDREW WINKLER
- Operation
- Interstate
- D-U-N-S
- 612580431
- Registered since
- 1974-06-01
- Last MCS-150 update
- 2026-04-21
- Census status
- Active
Fleet: 70 trucks · 3 owned tractors · 107 owned trailers · 67 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 or officers with 15 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
30 events- 04/21/2026MCS-150 update filed
6.8M mi reported (2025)
- 05/01/2024Insurance filed — ZURICH AMERICAN INSURANCE COMPANY
Liability (BIPD) — BMC-91X · policy TRK 3537843
- 05/01/2024Insurance replaced — LIBERTY MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE CO.
BIPD/Primary · policy AI2-641-435138-20
- 05/01/2023Insurance replaced — NATIONAL UNION FIRE INS. CO. OF PITSBGH. PA
BIPD/Primary · policy 5721603
- 05/09/2022Insurance cancelled — GREAT WEST CASUALTY CO.
BIPD/Primary · policy MCP11391A
- 05/01/2022Insurance replaced — GREAT WEST CASUALTY CO.
BIPD/Primary · policy MCP11391A
- 04/12/2022COMMON — INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION
DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (05/05/2022)
- 04/12/2022CONTRACT — INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION
DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (05/05/2022)
- 08/01/2014Insurance cancelled — NORTHLAND INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy TF653984
- 07/01/2014Insurance replaced — NORTHLAND INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy TF653984
- 06/27/2011Insurance name changed — NORTHLAND INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy TF290121
- 05/26/2011Insurance replaced — NORTHLAND INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy TF290121
- 05/23/2011COMMON — INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION
DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (05/27/2011)
- 05/23/2011CONTRACT — INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION
DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (05/27/2011)
- 07/01/2000Insurance cancelled — REDLAND INSURANCE CO.
BIPD/Primary · policy RT200913
- 01/31/1990COMMON — INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION
DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (02/15/1990)
- 01/23/1986MOTOR PROPERTY CONTRACT CARRIER — GRANTED
- 10/28/1983MOTOR PROPERTY COMMON CARRIER — GRANTED
- 03/15/1983MOTOR PROPERTY COMMON CARRIER — GRANTED
- 12/14/1982MOTOR PROPERTY CONTRACT CARRIER — REJECTED
- 10/20/1981MOTOR PROPERTY CONTRACT CARRIER — GRANTED
- 09/10/1981MOTOR PROPERTY CONTRACT CARRIER — GRANTED
- 01/19/1979MOTOR PROPERTY CONTRACT CARRIER — GRANTED
TRANSFERRED
- 07/05/1978MOTOR PROPERTY CONTRACT CARRIER — GRANTED
TRANSFERRED
- 08/11/1977MOTOR PROPERTY CONTRACT CARRIER — GRANTED
TRANSFERRED
- 06/22/1977MOTOR PROPERTY CONTRACT CARRIER — WITHDRAWN
- 04/25/1977MOTOR PROPERTY CONTRACT CARRIER — WITHDRAWN
- 03/15/1977MOTOR PROPERTY CONTRACT CARRIER — GRANTED
TRANSFERRED
- 01/13/1977MOTOR PROPERTY CONTRACT CARRIER — GRANTED
TRANSFERRED
- 06/01/1974Registered 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
- Compliance review
- Rated
- 2012-12-06
- Last review
- 2011-11-21
MCS-150 registration
- Form date
- 2026-04-21
- Reported mileage
- 6,785,389 mi (2025)
Got a violation you want to contest?
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