What Verdica's 816 score means for THE SONOMA COUNTY AIRPORT EXPRESS INC
Verdica's composite score of 816 out of 850 places THE SONOMA COUNTY AIRPORT EXPRESS INC in the excellent band (800–850), indicating strong regulatory compliance and safety performance relative to industry standards. This score reflects data aggregated from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the federal regulator that oversees trucking operations in California and nationwide.
A score of 816 means the carrier has demonstrated reliable adherence to licensing, insurance, and safety protocols as measured by FMCSA inspection records and BASIC (Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories) scores. For a business owner or shipper evaluating transportation partners, an excellent-band score suggests lower regulatory and operational risk compared to carriers in elevated or acceptable bands. However, the score is not a guarantee of service quality or on-time performance—it specifically reflects compliance with federal safety and operational standards.
The slight gap between this carrier's 816 score and the 850-point ceiling indicates room for improvement in one or more measured dimensions, though overall performance remains in the top tier.
How the sub-scores break down
Authority & Insurance (850/850):
This perfect sub-score indicates THE SONOMA COUNTY AIRPORT EXPRESS INC holds valid operating authority and maintains required insurance coverage without gaps or lapses. In the trucking industry, this dimension is binary—either a carrier is properly licensed and insured, or it faces legal liability and regulatory action. A score of 850 here confirms the carrier meets baseline federal and state requirements.
Safety Record (845/850):
This sub-score reflects the carrier's history of reported safety violations, accidents, and unsafe driving citations recorded in FMCSA databases. A score of 845 is very strong and suggests minimal substantiated safety incidents over the review period. The small deduction from perfect indicates either a minor violation on record or a single safety event, though the data provided does not specify the nature or recency of any such incident.
Inspection History (720/850):
This is the carrier's lowest sub-score and reflects the outcome of FMCSA roadside inspections, audits, and compliance reviews. A score of 720 is solidly acceptable but notably lower than the carrier's authority and safety sub-scores. In trucking regulation, inspection findings typically cover vehicle maintenance, driver qualifications, hours-of-service violations, logbook accuracy, and cargo securement. This sub-score suggests the carrier may have received minor or moderate violations during inspections—the kind that require corrective action but do not automatically suspend operations.
What regulators in CA track for trucking providers
The FMCSA oversees carriers through several mechanisms:
BASIC scores measure five categories: unsafe driving, crash involvement, hours-of-service violations, vehicle maintenance, and hazmat compliance. Each category is scored independently, and carriers can improve scores by maintaining clean records over time.
Safety inspections occur at weigh stations, during roadside stops, and via carrier audits. Inspectors examine driver qualifications, vehicle condition, logbooks, and cargo documentation. Violations range from minor (paperwork discrepancies) to serious (mechanical defects affecting safety).
Licensing and insurance verification confirm a carrier holds valid operating authority for its service type and maintains the minimum liability and cargo coverage required by federal and state law.
Crash data and reported incidents feed into the composite and sub-score calculations. Carriers cannot operate legally without adequate insurance; lapses trigger automatic enforcement action.
All of this data is public and searchable via the FMCSA's Safety and Fitness Electronic Records (SAFER) system.
Bottom line
THE SONOMA COUNTY AIRPORT EXPRESS INC scores in the excellent range and presents lower regulatory risk than most carriers. The 816 score reflects solid authority, insurance, and safety standing, though the 720 inspection sub-score warrants a quick check of recent inspection reports via the FMCSA SAFER database before committing to a long-term contract. No independent customer reviews are currently indexed, so prospective clients should request references directly.