Couldn’t make it live? Explore all the questions we answered during the webinar—along with a few bonus ones we couldn’t get to.
1. What are the biggest changes to CSA scores in 2025?
In 2025, the FMCSA overhauled its CSA scoring system by replacing the seven BASIC categories with simplified Compliance Categories, consolidating violations into roughly 100 groups so similar infractions count as one occurrence, and adopting a dual-point severity scale—1 point for standard violations, 2 points for out-of-service or disqualifying violations.
2. How do the new CSA scoring rules affect my violation points?
Under the new CSA scoring rules in 2025, your violation points are calculated more simply than before. Instead of assigning varying severity weights from 1 to 10, each violation now gets:
- 1 point for a standard violation
- 2 points for an out-of-service (OOS) or disqualifying violation
Additionally, similar violations are grouped together, so multiple infractions of the same type now count as one grouped violation, potentially lowering your total score. This system is designed to be more consistent and transparent, helping carriers better understand and manage their safety performance.
3. What is the “Driver Observed Vehicle Maintenance” category?
The Vehicle Maintenance: Driver Observed category is part of FMCSA’s updated Compliance Categories for 2025. It focuses on maintenance issues that drivers can reasonably detect during a routine pre-trip inspection, such as inoperative lights, worn tires, or visible leaks. This is to encourage drivers to take greater responsibility for identifying and reporting obvious vehicle defects.
4. What is changing with the CSA intervention thresholds?
In 2025, FMCSA is updating CSA intervention thresholds to better reflect crash risk and improve fairness. Categories like Vehicle Maintenance, Vehicle Maintenance: Driver Observed, and Unsafe Driving will keep stricter thresholds (e.g., 65% for passenger carriers), while Driver Fitness and Hazardous Materials Compliance thresholds are increasing—up to 80–90% for some carrier types. These changes aim to focus enforcement on higher-risk carriers and reduce interventions for those with minor or isolated issues.
5. Does FMCSA now focus more on recent violations?
Yes, under the 2025 CSA updates, FMCSA now places greater emphasis on recent violations. Compliance category scores are only calculated if a carrier has had at least one violation in that category within the past 12 months. This change ensures that CSA scores reflect current safety performance, rather than penalizing carriers for older, isolated issues.
6. What happened to Safety Event Groups?
The concept of Safety Event Groups has been eliminated under FMCSA’s updated 2025 Compliance Category framework. Instead, FMCSA now uses “proportionate percentiles”—a method that calculates a carrier’s score based on the exact number of inspections and crashes, using weighted averages rather than grouping carriers by set event-count bins. This change reduces sudden percentile jumps and provides a more accurate, stable reflection of safety performance across carriers of all sizes
7. Is the FMCSA really auditing CDL licenses?
Yes, FMCSA is currently auditing how states issue Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs), particularly focusing on non-domiciled drivers. This nationwide review, launched in 2025, aims to ensure states are properly verifying eligibility and not issuing CDLs to individuals who don’t meet federal requirements. The audit targets state licensing practices—not individual drivers—and is part of FMCSA’s effort to strengthen CDL integrity and highway safety.
8. Can I still hire non-domiciled drivers?
Yes, you can still hire non-domiciled drivers as long as they meet all federal requirements, including holding a valid non-domiciled CDL and legal authorization to work in the U.S. These drivers must pass the same written, skills, and medical tests as any other CDL holder. While FMCSA is currently auditing how states issue non-domiciled CDLs, the focus is on ensuring states follow proper procedures—not restricting carriers from hiring qualified drivers.
9. What is the new FMCSA rule on digital medical cards?
As of June 23, 2025, FMCSA requires all DOT medical exam results for CDL and CLP drivers to be submitted electronically by certified medical examiners. Paper medical cards are no longer valid for CDL/CLP holders—carriers must now verify a driver’s medical certification through their Motor Vehicle Record (MVR). A temporary waiver allows use of paper cards for up to 15 days post-exam until October 12, 2025, but after that, all medical status checks must be done digitally.
10. What happens if my driver’s medical certification isn’t updated correctly?
If a driver’s medical certification isn’t updated correctly in the system, it can lead to serious consequences. The driver’s CDL or CLP may be downgraded by the state licensing agency, making it illegal for them to operate a commercial vehicle. This can also result in violations during inspections, impact your CSA scores, and expose your company to liability or enforcement actions. Since FMCSA now requires electronic updates via the MVR, it’s critical to monitor drivers’ medical status regularly and ensure any new exams are submitted and reflected properly in state records.
11. Which states are still behind on implementing digital medical cards?
As of July 2025, states like California, Florida, New York, New Jersey, Oklahoma, and Alaska are still issuing paper-based cards. Drivers in these states must manually ensure their records are updated with the DMV. They have an extension until October 12.
12. Are there any pilot programs affecting HOS right now?
Yes, FMCSA is currently running two Hours‑of‑Service pilot programs in 2025 to test more flexible rest options. The Flexible Sleeper Berth pilot allows drivers to split their required 10‑hour off‑duty period into schedules like 6/4 or 5/5, while the Split Duty pilot permits drivers to pause their 14‑hour on‑duty window for 30 minutes up to 3 hours to rest or accommodate delays. These pilots aim to assess whether increased scheduling flexibility can improve rest quality and safety without compromising compliance.
13. How will these FMCSA changes affect my insurance premiums?
The FMCSA’s 2025 CSA changes can directly affect your insurance premiums. Since insurers use CSA scores to assess risk, the new scoring system—especially the simplified point structure and updated compliance categories—makes it easier for underwriters to spot safety issues. If your violations lead to higher CSA percentiles, you may face increased premiums. On the other hand, improved safety scores, fewer recent violations, and strong compliance can help lower your insurance costs over time. Keeping your data accurate and addressing violations quickly is more important than ever to protect both your safety record and your bottom line.
14. Will brokers and shippers see my CSA data?
Yes, both brokers and shippers can access your CSA data through FMCSA’s publicly available Safety Measurement System (SMS) website. Currently, anyone can look up a carrier’s public BASIC percentiles, including Unsafe Driving, Hours-of-Service, Vehicle Maintenance, Driver Fitness, and Controlled Substances/Alcohol, simply by entering the carrier’s DOT or MC number.
However, more detailed information—like the Hazardous Materials and Crash Indicator scores, as well as individual driver-level data—requires logging into the FMCSA Portal or SMS site using the carrier’s DOT number and PIN.
In practice, brokers and shippers frequently review these publicly available CSA scores when vetting carriers, making it essential to maintain a strong safety profile and accurate compliance data.
15. When do these changes take effect?
- Digital medical cards are already live (June 2025).
- Non-domiciled CDL audits are underway now.
- CSA scoring changes are expected by late 2025, though FMCSA may adjust rollout timing. Stay proactive and prepare now.
16. What are the proposed changes to the FMCSA’s DataQs system and speed limiter rule?
DataQs: FMCSA is planning to revamp the DataQs system to make it more transparent and consistent for carriers disputing safety data. Changes may roll out in late 2025 or 2026.
Speed Limiters: FMCSA is proposing a rule requiring most CMVs to use speed limiters (potentially capped around 65 mph). The rule is still under review and has not been finalized yet. The odds of now indicate it may not pass.
📺 Watch the Full Webinar
Need Help or Want More Information?
Let’s make sure your team is ready, safe, and compliant.