HOWELL'S MOTOR FREIGHT 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.
Broker payment signals
Bond, cancellation & authority risk for this broker — from free FMCSA records.
- No active broker bond on file — a bond is required to operate. High non-payment risk.
- Broker authority is inactive, not active.
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 202680 inspections · 16 violations (3 OOS) · 10% of inspections had an OOS finding.
Violations by BASIC
click to filter codes
Top cited codes
score = count × severity weight
- 1393.75A3-TAOLVehicle Maintenance2 OOS
Tires - All others, leaking or inflation less than 50% of the maximum inflation pressure on tire not equipped with ATIS
16
2× · sev 8
- 2393.45B2-B-AIRVehicle Maintenance
Air Brake - Hose/tubing damaged or not secured
12
3× · sev 4
- 3393.9A-LHLIVehicle Maintenance
Lighting - Headlamp(s) - Any inoperative
12
2× · sev 6
- 4392.2-SLLS4Unsafe Driving
State/Local Laws - Speeding 15 or more miles per hour over the speed limit
10
1× · sev 10
- 5392.2-SLLILCUnsafe Driving
State/Local Laws - Improper lane change
5
1× · sev 5
- 6393.45D-BAALVehicle Maintenance1 OOS
Air Brake - Audible air leak at other than a proper connection
4
1× · sev 4
- 7392.2-SLLIRP
State/Local Laws - IRP apportioned tag or registration violation
2
2×
- 8396.17C
Operating a CMV without proof of a periodic inspection
1
1×
- 9392.2-SLLS1
State/Local Laws - Speeding 1-5 miles per hour over the speed limit
1
1×
- 10392.2IRPNot in SMS
IRP Apportioned Tag or Registration Violation
1
1×
Most inspected in · top 6 states
- NC17
- SC4
- PA3
- VA3
- TN2
- 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.
Vehicle out-of-service rate exceeds the national average
High impactVehicle OOS rate is 25.8% 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 Anderson County, SC
Medium impact7 of 16 violations in the last 12 months (44%) came from inspections in Anderson County, SC. 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 Anderson County, SC 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 7% is under the 65% 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 limit1× · 34%
- 392.2-SLLILCState/Local Laws - Improper lane change1× · 17%
- 392.2-SLLLRState/Local Laws - Lane restriction violation1× · 5%
- 392.2-SLLCPState/Local Laws - Operate a CMV while using a cellular phone1× · 17%
- 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
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
Brakes violations are the leading contributor to Vehicle Maintenance
Low impactEstimated Vehicle Maintenance percentile of 55% is under the 80% line. In decent shape, but here's what's driving it.
- 393.45B2-B-AIRAir Brake - Hose/tubing damaged or not secured3× · 13%
- 393.45D-BAALAir Brake - Audible air leak at other than a proper connection1× · 6%
- 393.53B-BAir Brake - CMV manufactured on or after 10/20/1994 has an automatic airbrake adjustment system that fails to compensate for wear2× · 4%
- 393.75A3-TAOLTires - All others, leaking or inflation less than 50% of the maximum inflation pressure on tire not equipped with ATIS3× · 37%
- 393.9A-LHLILighting - Headlamp(s) - Any inoperative2× · 13%
- 393.9TSInoperative turn signal2× · 6%
- 392.22B-DIPWDDriver - Improper placement of warning devices on the road surface1× · 1%
- 393.95A4-EEUSEmergency Equipment - Fire Extinguishers - unsecured1× · 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
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
- Gauge/thump every tire on the walk-around, including inner duals
- Replace before tread hits the limit and correct low pressure immediately
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 NHTSA92 distinct vehicles seen in this carrier’s roadside inspections.
+ 62 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
6
Tow-away
6
Injury
4
Fatal
0
Company profile
FMCSA censusAUTHORIZED FOR HIRE
- Interstate · 100+ mi1 drivers
- Company officer
- CHADWICK NORRIS
- Operation
- Interstate
- Registered since
- 1974-06-01
- Last MCS-150 update
- 2026-09-11
- Census status
- Active
Fleet: 1 trucks · 1 owned tractors · 6 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 or officers with 12 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
43 events- 09/11/2026MCS-150 update filed
5.1M mi reported (2026)
- 08/01/2026Insurance filed — ACUITY, A MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY
Liability (BIPD) — BMC-91X · policy CAZU1883
- 08/01/2026Insurance ended — THE TRAVELERS INDEMNITY CO. OF CONNECTICUT
policy HE8409C585812TCT14
- 04/20/2017Insurance cancelled — THE PHOENIX INSURANCE CO
CARGO · policy QT-630-2882C809-PHX-10
- 03/01/2014Insurance filed — THE TRAVELERS INDEMNITY CO. OF CONNECTICUT
Liability (BIPD) — BMC-91X · policy HE8409C585812TCT14
- 03/01/2014Insurance replaced — DISCOVER PROPERTY & CASUALTY INSURANCE CO.
BIPD/Primary · policy D200A01043
- 10/01/2013Insurance cancelled — AMERICAN CONTRACTORS INDEMNITY COMPANY
SURETY · policy 293855
- 03/01/2013Insurance replaced — DISCOVER PROPERTY & CASUALTY INSURANCE CO.
BIPD/Primary · policy D200A00947
- 03/01/2012Insurance replaced — DISCOVER PROPERTY & CASUALTY INSURANCE CO.
BIPD/Primary · policy D200A00852
- 03/01/2011Insurance replaced — DISCOVER PROPERTY & CASUALTY INSURANCE CO.
BIPD/Primary · policy D200A00762
- 04/01/2010Insurance replaced — HANOVER INSURANCE CO.
CARGO · policy RHR 5241400
- 03/01/2010Insurance replaced — DISCOVER PROPERTY & CASUALTY INSURANCE CO.
BIPD/Primary · policy D200A00718
- 10/15/2009Insurance cancelled — LIBERTY MUTUAL INSURANCE CO.
SURETY · policy QL1-151-002180-116
- 09/18/2009BROKER — INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION
DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (10/21/2009)
- 04/30/2009Insurance cancelled — TRAVELERS PROPERTY CASUALTY CO. OF AMERICA
CARGO · policy 4221L171
- 04/03/2009COMMON — INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION
DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (04/07/2009)
- 04/01/2009Insurance replaced — HANOVER INSURANCE CO.
CARGO · policy RHR5241400
- 04/01/2009Insurance replaced — TRAVELERS PROPERTY CASUALTY CO. OF AMERICA
CARGO · policy 4221L171
- 04/01/2009Insurance replaced — LIBERTY MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE CO.
BIPD/Primary · policy AT2-151-002180-04
- 04/01/2008Insurance replaced — HANOVER INSURANCE CO.
CARGO · policy IHA 8749729-00
- 04/01/2007Insurance replaced — HARTFORD FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY
CARGO · policy 14 MS TA7717
- 02/05/2006Insurance cancelled — FIREMAN'S FUND INSURANCE CO.
CARGO · policy MZI 97302949
- 01/13/2006Insurance replaced — FIREMAN'S FUND INSURANCE CO.
CARGO · policy MZI 97302949
- 01/09/2006COMMON — INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION
DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (01/31/2006)
- 04/01/2005Insurance replaced — NAVIGATORS INSURANCE COMPANY
CARGO · policy LN 04 TPT 860 74 001
- 05/04/2004MOTOR PROPERTY COMMON CARRIER — REINSTATED
- 04/01/2004Insurance cancelled — TRAVELERS PROPERTY CASUALTY CO. OF AMERICA
CARGO · policy QT660-273D729-4-TIL-02
- 05/29/2003Insurance cancelled — LIBERTY MUTUAL INSURANCE CO.
BIPD/Primary · policy AT2-151-002180-040
- 04/01/2002Insurance replaced — LEXINGTON INSURANCE COMPANY
CARGO · policy 852 96 59
- 06/10/2001Insurance cancelled — LIBERTY MUTUAL INSURANCE CO.
CARGO · policy K01-151-002180-13
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
- 2003-12-17
- Last review
- 2003-12-05
MCS-150 registration
- Form date
- 2026-09-11
- Reported mileage
- 5,073,833 mi (2026)
Got a violation you want to contest?
Use the free AI-powered DataQs Drafter to generate a polished challenge letter — quotes the relevant 49 CFR, predicts your grant chance.