Unsatisfactory Rating

Definition

An Unsatisfactory safety rating is the most severe outcome of an FMCSA compliance review under 49 CFR Part 385. It signals that the carrier's safety management system is so deficient that continued operation is contrary to public safety. After FMCSA issues a notice of a proposed Unsatisfactory rating, carriers of passengers or placardable hazmat may not operate from the 46th day. All other carriers may not operate from the 61st day (49 CFR §385.13(a)). FMCSA may allow up to 60 more days if a non-passenger, non-hazmat carrier is making a good-faith effort (§385.17(g)). Cure requires submission of a Safety Management Plan and rating upgrade request. An Unsatisfactory rating is published on SAFER and is essentially a death warrant for broker and shipper relationships until upgraded.