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. An Unsatisfactory rating triggers automatic OOS orders for hazmat or passenger transportation; for general freight, the carrier has up to 60 days to upgrade or operations cease. 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.