ISS Score

WHAT IS AN ISS SCORE?

Simply put, the Inspection Selection System (ISS) is a key component of FMCSA’s Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program. It helps FMCSA and state partners prioritize which motor carriers should receive roadside inspections by generating recommendations based primarily on a carrier’s violation history. Carriers with higher ISS scores are flagged as higher‑risk and are therefore more likely to be selected for more frequent roadside inspections.

UNDERSTANDING THE ISS SCORING SCALE

ISS scores every registered motor carrier on a scale from 1 to 100 and then categorizes them into one of three inspection recommendations: Pass, Optional, or Inspect.

As outlined in the table below:

  • Scores 1–49: Pass
    Carriers in this range have a strong compliance history, and routine roadside inspections are generally not necessary.
  • Scores 50–74: Optional
    These carriers have had prior violations that indicate a moderate level of risk. Inspectors may choose to conduct roadside inspections more frequently when encountering these vehicles.
  • Scores 75–100: Inspect
    Carriers in this category are considered high‑risk. Their vehicles receive top priority for mandatory roadside inspections by law enforcement.

HOW ARE ISS SCORES CALCULATED?

ISS relies heavily, though not exclusively, on data from FMCSA’s CSA program to determine a carrier’s ISS score. In short, the CSA program assigns carriers percentile rankings across seven safety categories known as the BASICs. When a carrier’s percentile in one or more BASICs exceeds established intervention thresholds in a given month, that carrier is prioritized for enforcement activity.