FMCSA safety ratings: Satisfactory, Conditional, Unsatisfactory

FMCSA assigns a safety rating after a compliance review (an on-site or off-site investigation). There are three ratings:

• Satisfactory — adequate safety management controls are in place.
• Conditional — controls are not adequate and could lead to violations.
• Unsatisfactory — controls are inadequate; the carrier is generally prohibited from operating commercial motor vehicles.

Unrated carriers

Most carriers have never had a compliance review, so they're unrated. Unrated is not a negative finding — but it means you should rely more on inspection history, insurance and authority checks.