What will FMCSA do if a carrier has a high crash rating or out-of-service rating?

If a carrier is identified with a high crash rating or a high out-of-service rating, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) will indeed refuse to issue a Hazardous Materials Safety Permit (HSMP). This decision is based on the FMCSA's commitment to ensuring safety on the roads, particularly for the transportation of hazardous materials, which can pose significant risks to the public and the environment.

The FMCSA uses crash and out-of-service ratings as part of their safety performance indicators. A high crash rating indicates that the carrier has been involved in numerous accidents, suggesting a pattern of unsafe operations. Similarly, a high out-of-service rating means the carrier has had a significant number of vehicles or drivers deemed unfit for operation. Both ratings reflect poor safety performance, and the FMCSA will not allow carriers with such ratings to receive permits that authorize the transportation of hazardous materials until improvements are made.

This is critical for maintaining high safety standards and protecting public safety. Only those carriers that demonstrate compliance with safety regulations and show a commitment to addressing any safety issues will be eligible for an HSMP.