What Verdica's 813 score means for SHEPARD'S GAS INC
SHEPARD'S GAS INC's composite score of 813 out of 850 places the carrier in the excellent band (800–850). This score reflects strong compliance across the dimensions that federal regulators and shippers use to assess trucking safety and operational fitness. A score in this range suggests the carrier has maintained current authority and insurance, demonstrated safe operational practices, and passed regulatory inspections at a level well above the baseline.
For a business owner or freight manager evaluating this provider, a score of 813 indicates lower regulatory risk compared to the broader trucking market. It does not guarantee flawless operations or rule out isolated incidents, but it does signal that the carrier has invested in compliance systems and has not accumulated significant safety or licensing violations that would trigger regulatory concern. The grade A reflects measurable, third-party verified data rather than marketing claims.
How the sub-scores break down
Authority & Insurance (850/850): This perfect sub-score means SHEPARD'S GAS INC holds valid operating authority from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and maintains current, adequate insurance coverage. In practical terms, the carrier is legally authorized to operate and financially protected to pay claims. A carrier cannot operate without this; a perfect score here confirms no lapses, suspensions, or coverage gaps on record.
Safety Record (850/850): This sub-score, also perfect, reflects the carrier's BASIC (Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories) profile. BASIC scores are derived from serious safety violations recorded during roadside inspections—categories like unsafe driving, crash involvement, hours-of-service violations, vehicle maintenance, and hazmat handling. A score of 850 indicates no elevated safety concern flags in these areas. This does not mean zero violations across the company's fleet, but rather that violations (if any) fall within acceptable frequency or severity thresholds.
Inspection History (700/850): This is the carrier's lower sub-score, though still in the strong range. Inspection history reflects the outcomes of FMCSA roadside inspections and compliance reviews. A score of 700 suggests some documented violations or findings during inspections, but not at a level that elevates overall risk. Common reasons for inspection deductions include equipment defects, documentation discrepancies, or minor infractions that do not rise to the level of serious safety violations. This score warrants awareness but is not a red flag in context of the other two strong sub-scores.
What regulators in IN track for trucking providers
The FMCSA monitors carriers through a standardized national system. Roadside inspections document violations in categories including driver qualifications, hours of service, vehicle condition, cargo securement, and hazmat compliance. These findings feed into BASIC scores, which flag carriers with elevated patterns in any safety category.
Regulators also track licensing and insurance status continuously. Operating authority can be suspended or revoked for serious violations, unresolved safety issues, or failure to maintain insurance. Inspection frequency and intensity increase for carriers with lower compliance ratings, creating a feedback loop that incentivizes better practices.
Indiana follows this federal framework. Any carrier operating in or through IN is subject to FMCSA oversight and state-level weight and equipment enforcement. The data Verdica reports—Authority & Insurance, BASIC scores, and inspection records—comes directly from FMCSA databases available to the public.
Bottom line
SHEPARD'S GAS INC scores in the excellent range and presents lower compliance risk than most of the trucking industry. Before committing to a long-term relationship, shippers should confirm current insurance certificates, request references, and review any available incident or customer feedback history not yet indexed in Verdica's dataset.