Carriers with poor CSA scores may be suspended from or denied access to the Amazon Relay load board.
Amazon is one of the most widely known companies offering local and long-haul delivery opportunities for trucking companies, especially owner-operators, as part of its Amazon Relay program.
But the world's largest online retailer doesn't accept just anyone to haul their freight.
Carriers that have poor safety scores according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Safety Measurement System (SMS) may be suspended from the Amazon load board or denied acceptance in the first place.
What are these safety scores that Amazon is tracking?
The FMCSA uses seven Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories (BASICs) to determine a motor carrier’s safety performance and compliance in comparison with other carriers.
The seven BASICs are as follows:
- Vehicle Maintenance
- Unsafe Driving
- Crash Indicator
- Hazardous Materials (HM)
- Driver Fitness
- Controlled Substance/Alcohol
- Hours-of-Service (HOS)
A carrier’s performance under each of these BASICs contributes to their CSA score, which can influence insurance premiums and business partnerships, like with Amazon Relay, for better or for worse.
This related Foley article, CSA Scores: What They Are & Why They Matter, offers more information on Compliance, Safety, and Accountability (CSA) scores.
How is a carrier's BASICs performance determined?
A BASIC status is given to each motor carrier based on roadside inspection results that are reflected as a percentile rank. Violations related to any of the BASICs can result in safety interventions, including warning letters and investigations.
Once violations are committed, they will affect a motor carrier’s CSA score for 24 months. Only time and/or inspections without violations in that specific BASIC will improve their percentile rank.
What are the Amazon Relay safety score requirements?
Currently, carriers must meet the following minimum requirements with their BASIC scores:
- Unsafe Driving - Below 60%
- HOS Compliance - Below 60%
- Vehicle Maintenance - Below 75%
- Controlled Substances / Alcohol - Below 75%
- Driver Fitness - Below 75%
It is ideal to have a percentile ranking as close to zero as possible for all the BASIC categories, meaning you haven't been cited for any violations under any of them.
But if your BASIC score isn't exactly in good standing, or you would like to keep track of your BASIC performance, Foley has a helpful solution.
Track Your BASIC Performance with Foley's Audit Risk Monitor
Being an Amazon Relay carrier is a huge business opportunity for owner-operators and small fleets. Don't let your BASIC scores stand in the way.
Instead, start keeping track of your performance in the BASIC categories with Foley's Audit Risk Monitor.
You can see your current score under each of the BASIC categories Amazon Relay checks, as well as any score changes from the previous month. You'll always be on top of your compliance performance to maintain your safety, compliance, and hard-earned partnerships.
Click here to get your free demo of the Foley Audit Risk Monitor or fill out the form below.
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