How CSA scores are calculated ?
CSA scores are not based on a single incident but on a combination of factors. The DOT evaluates:
- Frequency - how often violations occur
- Severity - how serious each violation is
- Recency - newer violations carry more weight
Most importantly, patterns matter more than isolated events. Repeated HOS violations or ongoing logbook errors signal deeper compliance issues within a company.
Why historical logs matter
During audits and inspections, the DOT reviews more than just recent activity. Inspectors look for:
- Long-term trends
- Repeated types of violations
- Systemic compliance issues related to log management and driver training
When the same problems appear consistently over time, your DOT safety rating suffers and the risk of a full compliance audit increases.
Cleaning up before it’s too late
To reduce the impact of old mistakes on your CSA score in 2026, carriers should take proactive steps:
- Review historical logs
- Correct unresolved or improperly documented events
- Standardize driver behavior and ELD procedures
The earlier issues are identified and addressed, the less damage they cause to future inspections and audits.
The Unity ELD advantage
Unity ELD helps carriers stay in control by providing:
- Clear and detailed historical reports
- Full visibility into compliance risks
- Audit-ready data for DOT inspections
With Unity ELD, you don’t just respond to audits - you actively manage your safety history.
Conclusion
CSA scores reflect long-term discipline. Clean, accurate logs are not just paperwork - they protect your reputation, contracts, and business. Managing your compliance history today is the key to stability and confidence in 2026 and beyond.