What Verdica's 813 score means for SOUTHERN TIER STAGES INC
SOUTHERN TIER STAGES INC's composite score of 813 out of 850 places it in the "excellent" band (800–850), indicating strong compliance performance across the metrics Verdica tracks. This score reflects an entity that meets or exceeds regulatory expectations in the categories measured by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
For a business owner or shipper evaluating this provider, a score in this range suggests lower regulatory risk compared to the trucking industry baseline. The gap of 37 points from a perfect score is modest and reflects real-world variation in compliance—no carrier scores perfectly across all dimensions. The score is based on objective FMCSA inspection data and safety records, not subjective opinion, which makes it a reliable input for due diligence. That said, this score alone should not be the sole factor in a contract decision; it should be cross-referenced with insurance verification, operational fit, and other business requirements.
How the sub-scores break down
Authority & Insurance: 850 / 850 This perfect sub-score indicates that SOUTHERN TIER STAGES INC holds valid operating authority and meets all insurance requirements mandated by the FMCSA. In practical terms, the carrier has demonstrated that it maintains the necessary licensing to operate and carries adequate cargo and liability coverage. This is a pass-or-fail category in regulatory terms; carriers either comply or face suspension. A perfect score here eliminates a significant class of compliance risk.
Safety Record: 845 / 850 This high score reflects the carrier's performance on FMCSA safety metrics, which typically include crash history, moving violations, and hazardous material handling (where applicable). A score in the high 840s indicates that the entity's accident and violation frequency is well below thresholds that would trigger regulatory intervention. This suggests a strong operational culture around driver training and vehicle maintenance, though the score measures outcomes rather than the practices behind them.
Inspection History: 710 / 850 This is the lowest of the three sub-scores, though it remains in the "acceptable" range. Inspection history reflects the results of roadside and facility inspections conducted by FMCSA investigators. A score of 710 typically indicates that some violations or deficiencies were identified during inspections—this is normal in trucking, where technical citations (lighting, log book formatting, minor mechanical issues) are common. The score suggests the carrier was cited but did not accumulate patterns of serious violations that would warrant out-of-service orders. This sub-score is worth noting if the reader plans to conduct their own pre-transport audits.
What regulators in NY track for trucking providers
The FMCSA maintains two primary measurement systems that feed into Verdica's analysis: BASIC (Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories) scores and inspection violations.
BASIC scores measure carrier safety performance across five dimensions: unsafe driving, fatigued driving, driver fitness, controlled substance use, and vehicle maintenance. Each dimension is scored independently, and regulators use these to identify carriers for targeted interventions.
Inspection violations are categorized by severity. Critical violations (such as brake failure or hours-of-service abuse) carry higher weight than technical violations (such as missing logbook records). New York inspectors also verify that carriers maintain compliance with state-specific regulations around vehicle registration, emissions, and driver licensing.
A carrier's composite score moves upward with clean inspection cycles and safe operational data, and downward when violations or crashes occur. The system is designed to flag high-risk operators before incidents cause harm.
Bottom line
SOUTHERN TIER STAGES INC presents as a low-risk provider based on this data, with strong marks in licensing and safety and acceptable performance on inspections. Before contracting, verify that insurance is current, confirm the carrier's specific operating authority matches your shipment type, and request references from comparable shippers.