BASIC Scores

Definition

BASIC stands for Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories - the seven measurement buckets FMCSA uses inside the Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program. Each bucket is scored as a percentile against carriers of similar size and operation, and high percentiles trigger interventions. The seven BASICs are Unsafe Driving, Crash Indicator, Hours-of-Service Compliance, Vehicle Maintenance, Driver Fitness, Controlled Substances and Alcohol, and Hazardous Materials Compliance. For property carriers, FMCSA does not publicly display BASIC percentiles or alerts (FAST Act of 2015); the public sees inspection, crash and investigation data and measures for the public BASICs. Carriers log in to the SMS to see their own percentiles. Passenger-carrier results remain public. Use BASIC trends to identify training and equipment investments that move the score down.