CSA
Authorized · PropertyUSDOT 73148· MC85718· CARRIER· EIN 47-0527346
⬇ PDF report

SEWARD MOTOR FREIGHT INC

970 280TH ROAD, SEWARD, NE, 68434(402) 643-4503ehelge@sewardmotor.comERICH H. HELGE
Vetting snapshot
Authority
Active
operating authority
Insurance
$1M BIPD
Great West Casualty Co
Vehicle OOS
23.5%
above 22% national avg
Driver OOS
2.3%
below 6.7% national avg
Crashes 24mo
0
clean
Red flags
None
nothing flagged
100
/ 100

Risk factors

Low riskVioCodes score
No red flags in the public FMCSA record

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.

Payment risk — red flags
Broker bond
Not on file
required
Cancellation filed
None
Authority
Inactive
2 past revocations
Registered
52 yrs
since 06/01/1974
  • No active broker bond on file — a bond is required to operate. High non-payment risk.
  • Broker authority is inactive, not active.
  • Bond has changed hands 5 times across 4 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

MC085718

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

Common
Active
Contract
Active
Broker
Inactive
Authorized for: Property
Liability (BIPD)
$1M on file
$750K required
Cargo
On file
not required
Bond / surety
Not on file
required
Insurance filings
ON FILELiability (BIPD) — BMC-91X$1M coverageeff 06/11/2014
Great West Casualty Co· policy CLP09307N
ENDED 06/11/2014Liability (BIPD) — BMC-91X$1M coverageeff 06/11/2014
Great West Casualty Co· policy CLP09307N
ON FILECargo — BMC-34$5K coverageeff 01/12/2007
Great West Casualty Co· policy CLP09307N
ENDED 01/12/2007Cargo — BMC-34$5K coverageeff 01/12/2007
Great West Casualty Co· policy CLP09307N
Authority history (21) ▾
10/10/2023BROKERINVOLUNTARY REVOCATIONDISCONTINUED REVOCATION (10/16/2023)
10/08/2020BROKERINVOLUNTARY REVOCATIONDISCONTINUED REVOCATION (10/23/2020)
12/19/2013PROPERTY BROKERREINSTATEDREVOKED (12/15/2025)
04/02/1987MOTOR PROPERTY CONTRACT CARRIERGRANTED
09/05/1986PROPERTY BROKERGRANTEDREVOKED (12/04/2013)
03/26/1984MOTOR PROPERTY COMMON CARRIERGRANTED
03/20/1984MOTOR PROPERTY COMMON CARRIERGRANTED
02/08/1982MOTOR PROPERTY COMMON CARRIERGRANTED
08/13/1981MOTOR PROPERTY COMMON CARRIERGRANTED
07/09/1981MOTOR PROPERTY COMMON CARRIERGRANTED
04/07/1981MOTOR PROPERTY COMMON CARRIERGRANTED
02/09/1981MOTOR PROPERTY COMMON CARRIERGRANTEDSUPERSEDED (02/08/1982)
08/15/1980MOTOR PROPERTY COMMON CARRIERGRANTEDSUPERSEDED (02/08/1982)
07/21/1980MOTOR PROPERTY COMMON CARRIERGRANTEDSUPERSEDED (02/08/1982)
10/10/1979MOTOR PROPERTY COMMON CARRIERGRANTEDSUPERSEDED (02/08/1982)
06/20/1979MOTOR PROPERTY COMMON CARRIERGRANTEDSUPERSEDED (04/07/1981)
05/22/1979MOTOR PROPERTY COMMON CARRIERGRANTED
06/01/1977MOTOR PROPERTY COMMON CARRIERGRANTEDSUPERSEDED (02/08/1982)
MOTOR PROPERTY COMMON CARRIERGRANTEDTRANSFERRED (10/01/1981)
MOTOR PROPERTY COMMON CARRIERGRANTEDSUPERSEDED (02/08/1982)
Insurance history5 insurers on record
Filing timeline (9)
  1. JET INSURANCE COMPANY$750KCancelled
    SURETY · eff 11/04/202412/05/2025
  2. LEXINGTON NATIONAL INSURANCE CORPORATION$750KReplaced
    SURETY · eff 11/04/202311/04/2024
  3. UNITED STATES FIRE INSURANCE CO.$750KCancelled
    SURETY · eff 11/04/202011/03/2023
  4. GREAT WEST CASUALTY CO.$750KCancelled
    SURETY · eff 10/01/201311/04/2020
  5. GREAT WEST CASUALTY CO.$1MReplaced
    BIPD/Primary · eff 01/12/200706/11/2014
  6. GREAT WEST CASUALTY CO.$750KReplaced
    SURETY · eff 11/04/199110/01/2013
  7. GREAT WEST CASUALTY CO.$1MReplaced
    BIPD/Primary · eff 06/22/198701/12/2007
  8. GREAT WEST CASUALTY CO.$750KReplaced
    CARGO · eff 07/01/198701/12/2007
  9. GREAT WEST CASUALTY CO.$750KReplaced
    CARGO · eff 01/12/200701/12/2007

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.

Vehicle17 inspections · 23.5% OOS · National 22%
Driver44 inspections · 2.3% OOS · National 6.7%

CSA performance breakdown

FMCSA · Sep 2026

44 inspections · 30 violations (4 OOS) · 13% of inspections had an OOS finding.

44
Inspections
30
Violations
4
OOS violations
10
Distinct codes

Violations by BASIC

click to filter codes

17
total

Most inspected in · top 8 states

  • NE6
  • KS5
  • TN4
  • MO3
  • IA2
  • WI2
  • IN2
  • AL1

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.

Vehicle out-of-service rate exceeds the national average

High impact

Vehicle OOS rate is 23.5% vs the 22% national average. Carriers above the national OOS average draw more enforcement attention (audits, roadside stops) and can see higher insurance premiums.

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

Log / ELD device violations are the leading contributor to Hours-of-Service Compliance

Medium impact

Estimated Hours-of-Service Compliance percentile of 56% is close to the 60% intervention line — worth getting ahead of before it crosses.

What’s contributing7 violations · 1 OOS (24 mo)
Log / ELD device1 OOS4 viol77%
  • 395.8E-HOSPDELDTHOS (Property) - Tampering with an ELD so that the device does not accurately record and retain required data. Explain:1× · 56%
  • 395.24D-ELDPTHOS (ELD) - On request by an authorized safety official, a driver must produce and transfer from an ELD the driver's hours of service records in accordance with t1× · 13%
  • 395.30B1-ELDDFRHOS (ELD) - Driver failing to review records and certify the accuracy of the information.1× · 4%
Following / lane / reckless1 viol15%
  • 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× · 15%
False log / RODS1 viol4%
  • 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%
Other1 viol4%
  • 395.24C2IIIDriver failed to manually add shipping document number1× · 4%
What to do
  • Make sure the ELD is registered, working, and drivers know how to log in and certify daily
  • Prioritize the out-of-service items — they carry the heaviest weight
Projected estimatecould improve up to 26 pts in ~12 mo
nowin 12 months
Current trend 50% followed 100% followed 60% line

A high share of violations are occurring in Thayer County, NE

Medium impact

5 of 23 violations in the last 12 months (22%) came from inspections in Thayer County, NE. 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 Thayer County, NE 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 35% is under the 60% line. In decent shape, but here's what's driving it.

What’s contributing12 violations (24 mo)
Speeding5 viol51%
  • 392.2-SLLS3State/Local Laws - Speeding 11-14 miles per hour over the speed limit2× · 20%
  • 392.2-SLLSWZState/Local Laws - Speeding work/construction zone1× · 19%
  • 392.2-SLLS2State/Local Laws - Speeding 6-10 miles per hour over the speed limit2× · 12%
Following / lane / reckless6 viol35%
  • 392.2-SLLLRState/Local Laws - Lane restriction violation5× · 32%
  • 392.2LVLane Restriction violation1× · 3%
Seat belt1 viol14%
  • 392.16ADDriver - Failed to use seat belt while operating a CMV.1× · 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 27 pts in ~12 mo
nowin 12 months
Current trend 50% followed 100% followed 60% line

Driver Fitness needs attention

Low impact

Estimated Driver Fitness percentile of 0% is under the 75% 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 75% 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

Tires violations are the leading contributor to Vehicle Maintenance

Low impact

Estimated Vehicle Maintenance percentile of 47% is under the 75% line. In decent shape, but here's what's driving it.

What’s contributing12 violations · 5 OOS (24 mo)
Tires4 OOS4 viol56%
  • 393.75A3-TAOLTires - All others, leaking or inflation less than 50% of the maximum inflation pressure on tire not equipped with ATIS3× · 45%
  • 393.75A3-TAOLTISTires - All others, leaking in tread area and inflation less than 50% of the maximum inflation pressure on tire equipped with ATIS1× · 11%
Lighting / lamps1 OOS6 viol39%
  • 393.9A-LFTSILighting - Front - Turn signal - inoperative3× · 24%
  • 393.9A-LHWSLighting - Hazard warning signal(s) inoperative1× · 10%
  • 393.9A-LSLIWRLighting - Stop lamps - Both inoperative when required to be on1× · 4%
Brakes2 viol4%
  • 393.53B-BAir Brake - CMV manufactured on or after 10/20/1994 has an automatic airbrake adjustment system that fails to compensate for wear1× · 2%
  • 393.55C2-BAir Brake - CMV other than truck-tractor manufactured on or after March 1, 1998 not equipped with an antilock brake system. System does not function or indicates1× · 2%
What to do
  • 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
Projected estimatecould improve up to 32 pts in ~12 mo
nowin 12 months
Current trend 50% followed 100% followed 75% 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
4
Inspections
5
Violations
2
Out-of-service
1
Clean
Where the violations are
Vehicle Maintenance 40%Hours-of-Service Compliance 20%Unsafe Driving 20%Other 20%
Focus here first
1Vehicle Maintenance
2 violations · 1 OOS · 40% of recent
  • 393.75A3-TAOLTires - All others, leaking or inflation less than 50% of the maximum inflation pressure on tire not equipped with ATIS · OOS
  • 393.9A-LFTSILighting - Front - Turn signal - inoperative
Do this
  • Gauge/thump every tire on the walk-around, including inner duals
  • Replace before tread hits the limit and correct low pressure immediately
2Hours-of-Service Compliance
1 violation · 1 OOS · 20% of recent
  • 395.8E-HOSPDELDTHOS (Property) - Tampering with an ELD so that the device does not accurately record and retain required data. Explain: · OOS
Do this
  • Log in and annotate the ELD correctly every day; fix edits promptly
  • Plan trips around available hours — never falsify a log
3Unsafe Driving
1 violation · 20% of recent
  • 392.2-SLLLRState/Local Laws - Lane restriction violation
Do this
  • Coach speed and following distance — Unsafe Driving points are weighted heavily
  • Hands off the phone; always belt up
🎓
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).

70
Inspections
42
Violations
5
Out-of-service
329
CSA points
203
Crashes
37
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

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

46 trailer 29 truck 1 incomplete vehicle
2020 VOLVO TRUCK VNLseen 5×
4V4NC9EH7LN247110· 217996 NE
2023 INTERNATIONAL LT62Fseen 4×
3HSDZAPR8PN762194· 410629 NE
2020 VOLVO TRUCK VNLseen 4×
4V4NC9EH9LN247111· 217997 NE
2021 INTERNATIONAL LT625seen 4×
3HSDZAPR0MN330873· 400973 NE
2024 INTERNATIONAL LT62Fseen 4×
3HSDZAPR4RN123586· 416502 NE
2024 INTERNATIONAL LT62Fseen 3×
3HSDZAPRXRN123592· 420274 NE
2017 HYUNDAI TRANSLEAD TRAILERS Hyundai Translead Trailersseen 3×
3H3V532C2HT238014· 254708 NE
2015 VANGUARD NATIONAL TRAILER CORPORATION (VNTC) VANGUARD NATIONAL TRAILER CORPORATION (VNTC)seen 3×
5V8VA5324FM509486· 244897 NE
2015 VANGUARD NATIONAL TRAILER CORPORATION (VNTC) VANGUARD NATIONAL TRAILER CORPORATION (VNTC)seen 3×
5V8VA5322FM509485· 244896 NE
2023 INTERNATIONAL LT62Fseen 3×
3HSDZAPR7PN762249· 411445 NE
2017 VOLVO TRUCK VNLseen 3×
4V4NC9EH0HN970983· 195532 NE
2024 INTERNATIONAL LT62Fseen 3×
3HSDZAPR9RN123583· 416499 NE
2022 INTERNATIONAL LT625seen 2×
3HSDZAPR0NN852842· 407989 NE
2022 INTERNATIONAL LT625seen 2×
3HSDZAPR7NN852840· 410660 NE
2024 INTERNATIONAL LT62Fseen 2×
3HSDZAPR8RN123588· 420270 NE
2023 INTERNATIONAL LT62Fseen 2×
3HSDZAPR3PN762247· 410630 NE
2017 HYUNDAI TRANSLEAD TRAILERS Hyundai Translead Trailersseen 2×
3H3V532C8HT238003· 254697 NE
2017 HYUNDAI TRANSLEAD TRAILERS Hyundai Translead Trailersseen 2×
3H3V532CXHT238004· 254698 NE
2013 VANGUARD NATIONAL TRAILER CORPORATION (VNTC) VANGUARD NATIONAL TRAILER CORPORATION (VNTC)seen 2×
5V8VA5323DM308577· 232430 NE
2016 VOLVO TRUCK VNLseen 2×
4V4NC9EH3GN969325· 192892 NE
2022 INTERNATIONAL LT625seen 2×
3HSDZAPR9NN852841· 407988 NE
2014 VANGUARD NATIONAL TRAILER CORPORATION (VNTC) VANGUARD NATIONAL TRAILER CORPORATION (VNTC)seen 2×
5V8VA5325EM408276· 237771 NE
2013 VANGUARD NATIONAL TRAILER CORPORATION (VNTC) VANGUARD NATIONAL TRAILER CORPORATION (VNTC)seen 2×
5V8VA5321DM308576· 232429 NE
2014 VANGUARD NATIONAL TRAILER CORPORATION (VNTC) VANGUARD NATIONAL TRAILER CORPORATION (VNTC)seen 2×
5V8VA5324EM408270· 237765 NE
2020 GREAT DANE TRAILERS Great Dane Trailers
1GR1A0628LK185519· 274168 NE
2017 HYUNDAI TRANSLEAD TRAILERS Hyundai Translead Trailers
3H3V532C9HT238009· 254703 NE
2017 HYUNDAI TRANSLEAD TRAILERS Hyundai Translead Trailers
3H3V532C4HT238015· 254709 NE
2017 VOLVO TRUCK VNL
4V4NC9EH7HN970978· 195529 NE
2007 GREAT DANE TRAILERS Great Dane Trailers
1GRAA06287T535182· 177247 NE
2024 GREAT DANE TRAILERS Great Dane Trailers
1GR1A062XRK619285· 300123 NE

+ 46 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.

Company profile

FMCSA census

AUTHORIZED FOR HIRE

Power units
49
on file (MCS-150)
Drivers
31
0 hold a CDL
Annual mileage
3M mi
reported 2023
Recordable crash rate
per million miles
How far they run · drivers by operating lane
  • Interstate · 100+ mi31 drivers
Company officer
ERICH H. HELGE
Operation
Interstate
D-U-N-S
51254191
Registered since
1974-06-01
Last MCS-150 update
2025-09-08
Census status
Active

Fleet: 49 trucks · 49 owned tractors · 190 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 graph

This carrier shares VINs with 3 other carriers — review the connections below as part of your vetting.

3
Connected carriers
3
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

31 events
  1. 12/05/2025Insurance cancelled — JET INSURANCE COMPANY

    SURETY · policy JT009980

  2. 09/08/2025MCS-150 update filed

    3.0M mi reported (2023)

  3. 11/04/2024Insurance replaced — LEXINGTON NATIONAL INSURANCE CORPORATION

    SURETY · policy L340387-2197

  4. 11/03/2023Insurance cancelled — UNITED STATES FIRE INSURANCE CO.

    SURETY · policy 612201164

  5. 10/10/2023BROKER — INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION

    DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (10/16/2023)

  6. 11/04/2020Insurance cancelled — GREAT WEST CASUALTY CO.

    SURETY · policy SIC14204H

  7. 10/08/2020BROKER — INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION

    DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (10/23/2020)

  8. 06/11/2014Insurance filed — Great West Casualty Co

    Liability (BIPD) — BMC-91X · policy CLP09307N

  9. 06/11/2014Insurance ended — Great West Casualty Co

    policy CLP09307N

  10. 06/11/2014Insurance replaced — GREAT WEST CASUALTY CO.

    BIPD/Primary · policy CLP09307N

  11. 12/19/2013PROPERTY BROKER — REINSTATED

    REVOKED (12/15/2025)

  12. 10/01/2013Insurance replaced — GREAT WEST CASUALTY CO.

    SURETY · policy SIC14204A

  13. 01/12/2007Insurance filed — Great West Casualty Co

    Cargo — BMC-34 · policy CLP09307N

  14. 01/12/2007Insurance ended — Great West Casualty Co

    policy CLP09307N

  15. 01/12/2007Insurance replaced — GREAT WEST CASUALTY CO.

    BIPD/Primary · policy PP47475

  16. 04/02/1987MOTOR PROPERTY CONTRACT CARRIER — GRANTED
  17. 09/05/1986PROPERTY BROKER — GRANTED

    REVOKED (12/04/2013)

  18. 03/26/1984MOTOR PROPERTY COMMON CARRIER — GRANTED
  19. 03/20/1984MOTOR PROPERTY COMMON CARRIER — GRANTED
  20. 02/08/1982MOTOR PROPERTY COMMON CARRIER — GRANTED
  21. 08/13/1981MOTOR PROPERTY COMMON CARRIER — GRANTED
  22. 07/09/1981MOTOR PROPERTY COMMON CARRIER — GRANTED
  23. 04/07/1981MOTOR PROPERTY COMMON CARRIER — GRANTED
  24. 02/09/1981MOTOR PROPERTY COMMON CARRIER — GRANTED

    SUPERSEDED (02/08/1982)

  25. 08/15/1980MOTOR PROPERTY COMMON CARRIER — GRANTED

    SUPERSEDED (02/08/1982)

  26. 07/21/1980MOTOR PROPERTY COMMON CARRIER — GRANTED

    SUPERSEDED (02/08/1982)

  27. 10/10/1979MOTOR PROPERTY COMMON CARRIER — GRANTED

    SUPERSEDED (02/08/1982)

  28. 06/20/1979MOTOR PROPERTY COMMON CARRIER — GRANTED

    SUPERSEDED (04/07/1981)

  29. 05/22/1979MOTOR PROPERTY COMMON CARRIER — GRANTED
  30. 06/01/1977MOTOR PROPERTY COMMON CARRIER — GRANTED

    SUPERSEDED (02/08/1982)

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
2003-03-20
Last review
2003-03-17
📄

MCS-150 registration

Form date
2025-09-08
Reported mileage
3,048,022 mi (2023)

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Data sourced from public FMCSA records via safer.fmcsa.dot.gov · Latest FMCSA update: Sep 2026 · Page refreshed: Sep 22, 2026, 10:44 PM. VioCodes is not affiliated with FMCSA. To dispute incorrect data, file a DataQs Request for Data Review.