Clearing the Confusion: What a “Driver CSA Score” Really Means

In the trucking world, safety scores are everything. Whether it’s insurance rates, hiring decisions, or DOT inspections, people want to know if a driver is “safe.” But here’s a phrase that often leads to confusion:

“What’s your CSA score?”

If you’re a commercial driver and have been asked this, let’s set the record straight:

There is no such thing as a “driver CSA score.”

Drivers have an MVR, PSP, and inspection history—but only companies have CSA scores.

Let’s break down what this means—and what’s actually being referred to when someone says “driver CSA score.”

What is a CSA Score?

CSA stands for Compliance, Safety, Accountability, a federal program run by the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration). The CSA program tracks company-level safety performance through a scoring system.

These scores are based on:

• Roadside inspections
• DOT-reportable crashes
• Safety violations (e.g., logbook, equipment, substance/alcohol)
• Investigation results

CSA data is grouped into seven categories called BASICs:

1. Unsafe Driving
2. Hours-of-Service Compliance
3. Driver Fitness
4. Controlled Substances/Alcohol
5. Vehicle Maintenance
6. Hazardous Materials Compliance
7. Crash Indicator

Motor carriers are scored based on violations involving their trucks and drivers. If a driver receives a violation during an inspection or crash event, that violation contributes to the motor carrier’s CSA score—not the individual driver’s.

What Is the “Driver Safety Score”?

The term most people are actually looking for when they say “driver CSA score” is either:

• Motor Vehicle Record (MVR)
• Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP) report

What’s the Difference Between MVR and PSP?

Type of Record	What It Tracks	Who It Applies To	Used For
MVR (Motor Vehicle Record)	Traffic violations, license status, point history	All drivers (CDL and non-CDL)	Insurance, law enforcement, hiring, CDL disqualification
PSP Report	FMCSA-recorded crashes, roadside inspections, violations	CDL drivers only	Hiring decisions by motor carriers
CSA Score	Company’s fleet-wide violations, crashes, inspection results	Motor carrier only	DOT enforcement, audit targeting, carrier reputation

Learn more: What Happens If You Get a Warning for Passing a Weigh Station?

What Does “0 Points on Record” Mean?

When a driver tells an officer they have “0 points on record,” they’re referring to their MVR—a state-level record of moving violations and driver’s license status.

Most states have a point system for tracking violations:

• Speeding = 2–4 points
• Running a red light = 3 points
• Reckless driving = 4+ points
• DUI = Automatic suspension or disqualification

0 points means they have:

• No recent state-reportable traffic violations
• A clean license in good standing
• A good driving reputation in the eyes of insurers and some employers

But here’s the kicker:
MVR points ≠ FMCSA safety data.

Why It Matters

Many drivers assume that having a clean MVR means they’re in the clear, but violations like:

• Vehicle maintenance issues
• Hours-of-Service violations
• Logbook falsifications
• Failed inspections

…may never show up on the MVR—but they absolutely show up on your PSP report, and they do affect your carrier’s CSA score.

The Bottom Line

• CSA Score = Motor Carrier Safety Record
• PSP Report = Driver’s FMCSA safety history
• MVR = Driver’s state-level license and violation record (“driver safety score”)

So next time someone asks for your “CSA score,” what they probably want to know is:

• Is your MVR clean?
• What’s on your PSP?

And if you’re a carrier, understanding these differences is critical for smarter hiring, compliance, and risk management.

Need Help Pulling your CSA Score, MVRs or PSPs?

CNS can help carriers pull MVRs, PSP reports and monitor CSA scores. We also offer driver qualification file management, safety auditing, and compliance support to keep your fleet protected and on the road.

If you need help or have any questions, fill out the form below or contact us at 888.260.9448 or info@cnsprotects.com and we would be glad to help.