What Verdica's 803 score means for SWEETMAN CONST CO
Verdica's composite score of 803 out of 850 places SWEETMAN CONST CO in the "excellent" band (800–850), indicating strong overall compliance performance according to federal motor carrier safety data. A score in this range reflects a provider that has demonstrated consistent adherence to safety and regulatory standards as measured by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
For a business owner or consumer evaluating this provider, an 803 score signals lower regulatory risk compared to the general trucking population. However, it is not a perfect score—the 47-point gap from the maximum suggests there are areas where the company's inspection history or safety metrics fall short of ideal. Readers should interpret this as "qualified and compliant" rather than "flawless," and should still conduct independent due diligence before entering a contract, particularly if the work is mission-critical or involves high-value freight.
How the sub-scores break down
Authority & Insurance (850/850): This perfect sub-score indicates that SWEETMAN CONST CO holds valid operating authority and maintains the required insurance coverage for its class of operation in South Dakota. Carriers with perfect scores in this category have no unresolved licensing violations, lapses in coverage, or authority suspensions on record with the FMCSA.
Safety Record (805/850): This near-excellent score reflects the company's accident history, vehicle maintenance violations, and general roadworthiness as reported in FMCSA data. A score of 805 suggests the company has experienced few serious safety violations or at-fault incidents, though the 45-point gap from perfection indicates at least some recorded safety issues—minor infractions, minor accidents, or vehicle defects—over the rating period.
Inspection History (735/850): This is the lowest of the three sub-scores and represents the company's performance during roadside safety inspections conducted by state or federal enforcement officers. A score of 735 places this dimension in the "acceptable" to "strong" band. Inspectors assess driver qualifications, logbook compliance, vehicle condition, hazmat handling (if applicable), and hours-of-service adherence. The 115-point gap from the Authority & Insurance score suggests SWEETMAN CONST CO has accumulated more violations during inspections than it has in accident or licensing categories—a common pattern for carriers with growing fleets or newer drivers.
What regulators in SD track for trucking providers
South Dakota trucking providers are evaluated by the FMCSA using two primary data streams:
Safety Inspections (BASIC Scores): The FMCSA administers the Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program, which tracks carriers across several BASIC (Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories) metrics. These include unsafe driving, hours-of-service violations, vehicle maintenance defects, driver fitness violations, and hazmat compliance. Roadside inspections generate violations that feed into these scores; more violations lower the BASIC scores. A carrier's inspection history score is heavily influenced by the frequency and severity of violations found during these stops.
Licensing & Authority: State and federal regulators verify that carriers maintain valid operating authority (MC number), valid commercial driver licenses (CDLs) for their drivers, and active liability insurance. Any lapse, suspension, or failure to maintain required coverage immediately flags a carrier as non-compliant.
The FMCSA publishes carrier data publicly via its Safety & Fitness Electronic Records (SAFER) system, which is the underlying source Verdica uses to calculate scores. Both inspection-based and authority-based violations are weighted into the composite score.
Bottom line
SWEETMAN CONST CO's 803 score indicates a compliance-solid provider with a strong regulatory standing, though the lower inspection history sub-score warrants a closer look at driver training and vehicle maintenance practices. Before contracting, request the company's SAFER report directly from the FMCSA website to review specific violations, and confirm that insurance coverage is current and adequate for your freight class.