PRIORITY FREIGHT LINES
Legal: GERARDO ORTIZ PRIORITY FREIGHT LINES 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 202695 inspections · 79 violations (10 OOS) · 27% of inspections had an OOS finding.
Violations by BASIC
click to filter codes
Top cited codes
score = count × severity weight
- 1396.17C-PIVehicle Maintenance
Operating a CMV without documentation of a periodic inspection
12
3× · sev 4
- 2395.30B1-ELDDFRHours-of-Service Compliance
HOS (ELD) - Driver failing to review records and certify the accuracy of the information.
8
8× · sev 1
- 3393.55E-BVehicle Maintenance
Air Brake - ABS malfunction lamp defective on trailers manufactured on or after March 1, 1998
8
2× · sev 4
- 4393.55C2-BVehicle Maintenance
Air 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 indicates
8
2× · sev 4
- 5393.45B2PCVehicle Maintenance
Brake Hose or Tubing Chafing and/or Kinking - Connection to Power Unit
8
2× · sev 4
- 6393.60C
Windshield - Damaged or Discolored
2
2×
- 7395.24Hours-of-Service Compliance
HOS (ELD) - ELD Form and Manner
2
2× · sev 1
- 8393.60D
Windshield / Windows - Tinting permits less than 70% of light transmittance
1
1×
- 9396.17C
Operating a CMV without proof of a periodic inspection
1
1×
- 10393.78Vehicle Maintenance
Wipers - Inoperative / missing / damaged wipers
1
1× · sev 1
Most inspected in · top 4 states
- NM13
- TX8
- AZ5
- CA4
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.
False log / RODS violations are the leading contributor to Hours-of-Service Compliance
High impactEstimated Hours-of-Service Compliance percentile of 65% is at/over the 65% intervention line. Carriers with a BASIC in alert are prioritized for enforcement (warning letters, audits) and inspected more often — which tends to generate still more violations.
- 395.8E1PCHOS - False record of duty status driver improper use of Personal Conveyance - Not OOS5× · 25%
- 395.8A1-HOSPHOS (Property) - Failing to have a record of duty status using the method prescribed3× · 16%
- 395.8E-HOSPDHOS (Property) - No driver may make a false report in connection with a duty status. Explain4× · 15%
- 395.30B1-ELDDFRHOS (ELD) - Driver failing to review records and certify the accuracy of the information.25× · 17%
- 395.24HOS (ELD) - ELD Form and Manner5× · 4%
- 395.30B2-ELDDFC24HOS (ELD) - Driver failing to certify the record immediately after the final required entry has been made or corrected for the 24 hour period.1× · 0%
- 395.3A1-HOSPDHOS (Property) - Driving more than 11 hours following 10 consecutive hours off duty during the current 8 consecutive day period. Date and Time1× · 8%
- 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 Tim2× · 5%
- 395.3A3I-HOSPDITHOS (Property) - Driving more than 11 hours following 10 consecutive hours off duty at the time of inspection. Time1× · 3%
- 395.3A3-PROPNDriving beyond 11 hour driving limit in a 14 hour period. (Property carrying vehicle) - Nominal Violation3× · 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
- Prioritize the out-of-service items — they carry the heaviest weight
Driver out-of-service rate exceeds the national average
High impactDriver OOS rate is 7.4% vs the 6.7% 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 El Paso County, TX
Medium impact20 of 89 violations in the last 12 months (22%) came from inspections in El Paso County, TX. 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 El Paso County, TX 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 44% is under the 65% line. In decent shape, but here's what's driving it.
- 392.2-SLLS3State/Local Laws - Speeding 11-14 miles per hour over the speed limit2× · 26%
- 392.2-SLLS4State/Local Laws - Speeding 15 or more miles per hour over the speed limit1× · 9%
- 392.2-SLLS2State/Local Laws - Speeding 6-10 miles per hour over the speed limit1× · 4%
- 392.2CFailure to obey traffic control device3× · 19%
- 392.2-INATDriver- Inattentive or Distracted Driving1× · 9%
- 392.71A-DDriver - Using or equipping a CMV with a radar detector1× · 5%
- 392.2-SLLLRState/Local Laws - Lane restriction violation3× · 14%
- 392.2-SLLMLState/Local Laws - Failure to maintain lane1× · 9%
- 392.2-SLLTCDState/Local Laws - Failed to obey a traffic control device - Permanent or Temporary - e.g., safety official, signal, sign, light, lane marking, other1× · 5%
- 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 41% is under the 80% line. In decent shape, but here's what's driving it.
- 393.55E-BAir Brake - ABS malfunction lamp defective on trailers manufactured on or after March 1, 19987× · 14%
- 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 indicates2× · 6%
- 393.45B2PCBrake Hose or Tubing Chafing and/or Kinking - Connection to Power Unit2× · 6%
- 393.9Inoperable Required Lamp5× · 6%
- 393.11A1-LCHLLighting - Lamps improper color, height, location.1× · 5%
- 393.11A1-CSLRRConspicuity Systems - Truck tractor, lower rear retro reflective sheeting missing on vehicle manufactured on or after July 1, 19972× · 3%
- 396.17C-PIOperating a CMV without documentation of a periodic inspection7× · 14%
- 396.5B-LLubrication - Oil or grease leak1× · 2%
- 393.78A-WSWashers - Inoperative washing system.2× · 1%
- 396.3A1-FFuel - Dripping leak.1× · 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.
- 396.17C-PI×3Operating a CMV without documentation of a periodic inspection
- 393.55C2-B×2Air 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 indicates
- 393.55E-B×2Air Brake - ABS malfunction lamp defective on trailers manufactured on or after March 1, 1998
- Do — and document — a real pre-trip and post-trip DVIR
- Keep the annual inspection current and records in the truck
- 395.30B1-ELDDFR×8HOS (ELD) - Driver failing to review records and certify the accuracy of the information.
- 395.24×2HOS (ELD) - ELD Form and Manner
- 395.3A1-HOSPDHOS (Property) - Driving more than 11 hours following 10 consecutive hours off duty during the current 8 consecutive day period. Date and Time
- Log in and annotate the ELD correctly every day; fix edits promptly
- Plan trips around available hours — never falsify a log
- 393.60CWindshield - Damaged or Discolored
- 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 NHTSA74 distinct vehicles seen in this carrier’s roadside inspections.
+ 44 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
7
Tow-away
7
Injury
5
Fatal
0
Company profile
FMCSA censusAUTHORIZED FOR HIRE
- Interstate · 100+ mi36 drivers
- Company officer
- GERARDO ORTIZ
- Operation
- Interstate
- Registered since
- 2002-01-14
- Last MCS-150 update
- 2025-11-17
- Census status
- Active
Fleet: 38 trucks · 38 owned tractors · 55 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, addresses, officers or emails with 28 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
69 events- 03/30/2026Insurance filed — CLEAR BLUE SPECIALTY INSURANCE COMPANY
Liability (BIPD) — BMC-91X · policy DL01AL00246-00
- 03/30/2026Insurance cancelled — SOUTHLAKE SPECIALTY INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy TMA81004406
- 03/03/2026CONTRACT — INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION
DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (03/30/2026)
- 11/17/2025MCS-150 update filed
2.2M mi reported (2024)
- 03/30/2025Insurance cancelled — SOUTHLAKE SPECIALTY INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy TMA71006518
- 03/03/2025CONTRACT — INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION
DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (03/24/2025)
- 05/22/2024Insurance cancelled — SOUTHLAKE SPECIALTY INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy TMA71006518
- 04/25/2024CONTRACT — INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION
DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (05/08/2024)
- 03/30/2024Insurance cancelled — SOUTHLAKE SPECIALTY INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy RTX22101093
- 03/04/2024CONTRACT — INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION
DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (03/25/2024)
- 05/29/2023Insurance cancelled — SOUTHLAKE SPECIALTY INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy RTX22101093
- 05/02/2023CONTRACT — INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION
DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (05/03/2023)
- 03/30/2023Insurance replaced — UNITED SPECIALTY INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy GWP81161 00
- 03/30/2022Insurance cancelled — UNITED WISCONSIN INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy UWPGA5052-01
- 03/03/2022CONTRACT — INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION
DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (03/30/2022)
- 03/30/2021Insurance cancelled — KNIGHT SPECIALTY INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy WGTTX000765-00
- 03/03/2021CONTRACT — INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION
DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (03/31/2021)
- 03/30/2020Insurance cancelled — HUDSON INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy MBC10035602
- 03/05/2020Insurance cancelled — HUDSON INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy MBC10035602
- 03/03/2020CONTRACT — INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION
DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (03/30/2020)
- 02/28/2020Insurance replaced — HUDSON INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy MBC10035602
- 02/07/2020CONTRACT — INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION
DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (03/02/2020)
- 03/30/2019Insurance cancelled — HUDSON INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy MBC10035601
- 03/04/2019CONTRACT — INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION
DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (03/29/2019)
- 12/12/2018Insurance cancelled — HUDSON INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy MBC10035601
- 11/15/2018CONTRACT — INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION
DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (11/20/2018)
- 04/04/2018Insurance cancelled — UNITED SPECIALTY INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy MTX-LAIT01-1700290
- 03/30/2018Insurance replaced — UNITED SPECIALTY INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy MTX-LAIT01-1700290
- 03/08/2018CONTRACT — INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION
DISCONTINUED REVOCATION (03/28/2018)
- 03/30/2017Insurance replaced — WESCO INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy WMC1067113
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
- 2017-03-20
- Last review
- 2020-09-21
MCS-150 registration
- Form date
- 2025-11-17
- Reported mileage
- 2,152,232 mi (2024)
Got a violation you want to contest?
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