What Verdica's 813 score means for HEARTLAND MOTOR COACH INC
Heartland Motor Coach Inc has earned a composite compliance score of 813 out of a possible 850—placing it solidly in the "excellent" band (800–850). This score reflects an assessment of the carrier's regulatory standing across three core dimensions tracked by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA): authority and insurance, safety record, and inspection history.
A score in this range signals that the carrier meets or exceeds baseline federal safety and operational standards by a meaningful margin. For business owners, fleet managers, or consumers evaluating transportation providers, an 813 rating indicates low regulatory risk and a track record of compliance that aligns with industry best practices. The carrier is not flagged for elevated safety concerns or administrative deficiencies that would warrant heightened scrutiny.
That said, the score is composite. While the company's authority and insurance credentials are flawless (850/850), its inspection history (710) lags slightly behind the other measures. This gap is worth understanding before making a final decision, particularly if safety performance over time is a critical factor in your vendor selection.
How the sub-scores break down
Authority & Insurance (850/850): This perfect sub-score means Heartland Motor Coach holds all required FMCSA operating authority, maintains appropriate liability and cargo coverage, and meets all regulatory licensing prerequisites for its classification. No lapses, cancellations, or violations appear in the insurance or authority record. This is a foundational requirement and Heartland clears it without blemish.
Safety Record (845/850): The carrier's safety record score reflects its performance on metrics like crash frequency, serious injury rates, and controlled substance violations as reported to the FMCSA. A score of 845 indicates the carrier operates well within acceptable safety thresholds. While not perfect, this score demonstrates proactive safety management and low incident density relative to regulatory benchmarks.
Inspection History (710/850): This sub-score is derived from roadside safety inspections conducted by state and federal officers. Inspections assess vehicle condition, driver qualifications, hours-of-service compliance, and other operational factors. A score of 710 places Heartland in the "acceptable" band (670–739 range), meaning inspectors have identified some deficiencies—likely minor or moderate violations—during their checks. These might include documentation issues, equipment wear, or procedural gaps. The score suggests the carrier is not systematically non-compliant, but does carry a slightly higher inspection-related risk profile compared to its safety record.
What regulators in KS track for trucking providers
The FMCSA and Kansas state regulators maintain standardized safety inspection protocols (called BASIC scores—Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories) that measure:
- Vehicle Maintenance (VMAC): Compliance with mechanical and equipment standards.
- Driver Fitness (HOS): Hours-of-service violations and driver qualifications.
- Crashes: Frequency and severity of reportable accidents.
- Unsafe Driving & Improper Maintenance: Violations observed during roadside inspections.
Carriers receive "unsafe" ratings in any BASIC when violation rates exceed defined thresholds. Scores improve when violations decline relative to inspection volume. A carrier with a 710 inspection-history score typically has some recorded violations but remains below the threshold that would trigger immediate intervention or Out-of-Service orders.
Authority and insurance scores reflect administrative compliance: valid DOT numbers, active insurance policies, and no outstanding sanctions or fines.
Bottom line
Heartland Motor Coach Inc is a strong compliance performer in the excellent range, with particularly clean authority and insurance standing. The slight weakness in inspection history warrants a brief conversation with the carrier about any specific violation patterns before commitment. For most commercial or consumer users, an 813 rating represents acceptable-to-low risk and a suitable candidate for partnership.