What Verdica's 813 score means for THOMAS W THORNTON
Verdica's composite score of 813 out of 850 places THOMAS W THORNTON in the "excellent" band (800–850), reflecting strong performance across the three core compliance dimensions that regulators and shippers use to evaluate trucking providers. This score sits near the top of the scoring range, indicating that the entity meets or exceeds baseline safety and operational standards that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) monitors.
For a business owner or shipper considering this provider, an 813 score signals lower compliance risk compared to the industry median. The entity has demonstrated consistent adherence to licensing, insurance, and inspection protocols. That said, the score is not perfect—sub-scores reveal room for improvement in inspection history, which may reflect minor violations or deficiencies noted during roadside or facility audits. A reader should interpret this score as a green flag for routine freight operations, but should still conduct their own due diligence on service quality, pricing, and operational fit before signing a contract.
How the sub-scores break down
Authority & Insurance (850/850): This perfect sub-score means THOMAS W THORNTON maintains current operating authority and valid insurance coverage as mandated by federal law. Trucking providers must carry minimum liability insurance and proof of operating authority to legally haul freight interstate or within Arkansas. A score of 850 indicates no documented lapses, cancellations, or compliance gaps in these baseline requirements.
Safety Record (845/850): This near-perfect score reflects the entity's accident, violation, and roadside inspection history tracked by the FMCSA. A high score in this dimension typically means few or no major infractions such as hours-of-service violations, unsafe driving, cargo securement failures, or equipment defects. Minor violations or low-severity citations may still be present but do not substantially lower the score. This dimension is critical because it directly correlates with crash risk and driver conduct.
Inspection History (710/850): This is the lowest of the three sub-scores, though still in the acceptable range. Inspection history reflects the results of roadside safety inspections, facility audits, and compliance reviews conducted by FMCSA inspectors or state enforcement officers. A score of 710 suggests the entity has received one or more citations during inspections—possibly for vehicle maintenance issues, documentation gaps, or procedural non-compliance—but has not accumulated violations severe enough to trigger regulatory intervention or out-of-service orders. This score indicates room for operational tightening.
What regulators in AR track for trucking providers
The FMCSA administers the BASIC (Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories) program, which is the regulatory foundation for Verdica's scoring. FMCSA inspectors evaluate carriers across five primary BASICs: unsafe driving, fatigued driving, vehicle maintenance, crash history, and hours-of-service compliance. Each BASIC can trigger a safety audit or out-of-service order if scores exceed federal thresholds.
In Arkansas, state transportation enforcement officers coordinate with FMCSA to conduct roadside inspections of commercial vehicles. Inspectors check driver qualifications, vehicle condition (brakes, lighting, tires, coupling devices), cargo compliance, and logbook accuracy. Violations are coded and reported to the FMCSA database, which aggregates them into the carrier's overall compliance profile.
A carrier's inspection history score rises or falls based on the frequency and severity of citations. Common deficiency categories include brake violations, cargo securement failures, vehicle lighting defects, and documentation errors. Repeated or critical violations can result in heightened scrutiny or temporary out-of-service status.
Bottom line
THOMAS W THORNTON's 813 score positions the entity as a compliant, low-risk provider suitable for most freight operations. However, the 710 inspection history sub-score warrants a follow-up conversation about recent citations and corrective actions. Before committing to a long-term partnership, verify current insurance documents, request references from existing clients, and confirm the entity's specific operational capabilities align with your needs.