How To Use SAFER for Your Trucking Company

According to the SAFER website, it boasts being able to provide, “company safety data and related services to industry and the public over the Internet. Users can search FMCSA databases, register for a USDOT number, pay fines online, order company safety profiles, challenge FMCSA data using the Data Qs system, access the Hazardous Material Route registry, obtain National Crash and Out of Service rates for Hazmat Permit Registration, get printable registration forms and find information about other FMCSA Information Systems.” The website can be accessed at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov.

Motor Carrier Registration

Many fleet owners and operators use SAFER to access the registration area of the FMCSA. This access allows for online registration and updates to carrier records, online fine payments, and many more options. Using the online registration system versus the mail, is a faster, more efficient way to keep fleet records updated.

Company Snapshot

SAFER is designed to inform trucking companies, government officials, brokers, and others of the status of a company. This can be reviewed under the company snapshot. Here one can search for a company via their USDOT number, MC number, or name.

Once you find a specific company through the snapshot, you have access to a plethora of information, including their operating status, legal name, address, phone number, USDOT number, MC number, operation classification, operation status, and information in regards to inspections, crashes, and safety.

Insurance & SMS Results

You can access insurance information for the company under licensing and insurance. SAFER also provides information to SMS results. Under SMS results, you can access the Safety Measurement System via the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration). In this section, you will find the company’s safety rating and Out of Service Rates. It will also give the active for-hire authority for the company. This breaks down what specific authority the company may have, including property, passenger, household goods, and broker authorities. These authorities are good to know, as it tells a trucking company under what Department of Transportation authority they are assigned under. This protects companies from taking risky loads from an unknown broker and also protects brokers from working with trucking companies that might put their freight at risk and so much more.

BASIC Status

You also have access to a carrier’s BASIC (Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories) status based on a 24-month period. This looks into a company’s records of unsafe driving, crashes (not open to the public), hours of service compliance, vehicle maintenance, controlled substance/alcohol reports, hazardous materials compliance (not open to the public), and driver fitness records. These records are to serve as insight as to what a trucking companies reliability may be. However, it is best to keep in mind that this cannot give full insight as to what might have occurred.

With a little digging, a person has access to a lot of information via SAFER. Information is power, and it can help protect your company. Check it out today!

Author: Megan L.