What Verdica's 809 score means for W S THOMAS TRUCKING INC
W S THOMAS TRUCKING INC's Verdica composite score of 809 out of 850 places the company in the "excellent" band (800–850), indicating strong regulatory compliance across the dimensions Verdica tracks. This score reflects performance on federal safety inspections and licensing standards administered by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the regulatory body that oversees interstate trucking operations.
A score in this range suggests the company has maintained clean authority and insurance records, demonstrated solid safety practices, and passed recent inspection cycles without major red flags. For a business owner or shipper evaluating trucking providers, an 809 score signals lower regulatory risk compared to the broader carrier population. However, it is not a perfect score—the 41-point gap from the maximum reflects some area where performance could be tighter, most notably in inspection history.
Readers should understand that this score is based on regulatory data only and does not account for factors like customer service, on-time delivery, pricing, or operational flexibility. It also does not include independent customer reviews, which would provide additional context about real-world experience working with the carrier.
How the sub-scores break down
Authority & Insurance (850/850): This is a perfect sub-score. It reflects that W S THOMAS TRUCKING INC holds current federal operating authority and maintains the required commercial liability insurance. In the trucking industry, lapses or failures in these areas represent existential compliance violations—a carrier cannot legally operate without them. A perfect score here confirms the company is registered and insured in good standing.
Safety Record (835/850): This sub-score is based on FMCSA BASIC (Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories) scores, which measure safety-relevant violations and incidents. An 835 indicates the carrier has a strong safety record with only minor deviations from best practices. A high safety score typically means fewer crashes, violations related to vehicle maintenance, driver qualification, or hours-of-service infractions. The slight gap from perfect suggests the carrier may have had one or two minor citations or reportable incidents, but nothing systemic.
Inspection History (710/850): This is the lowest of the three sub-scores, though still within the acceptable-to-strong range. This dimension tracks the outcomes of roadside inspections conducted by FMCSA and state enforcement officers. Inspectors examine vehicle condition, driver documentation, cargo securement, and regulatory compliance. A score of 710 suggests the carrier has passed most inspections but may have received some critical or out-of-service violations in recent cycles, or accumulated minor deficiencies across multiple inspections. This is the primary driver of the gap between this carrier and a perfect 850.
What regulators in TN track for trucking providers
The FMCSA operates a national database of safety inspections and violations that feeds into Verdica's scoring. Tennessee trucking providers are subject to the same federal standards as carriers nationwide. Regulators monitor violations across seven BASIC categories: unsafe driving, hours-of-service compliance, vehicle maintenance, driver fitness, controlled substances and alcohol, hazardous materials handling, and crash indicators.
Operating authority requires carriers to demonstrate financial responsibility, proper registration, and compliance with insurance minimums. The FMCSA conducts both targeted and random roadside inspections; violations can result in warnings, citations, or out-of-service orders if defects are severe. Accumulation of violations across inspections can trigger a carrier safety review or intervention.
Scores move based on the severity and frequency of violations, not merely their occurrence. A single minor violation has minimal impact; patterns of non-compliance or critical safety defects move scores downward.
Bottom line
W S THOMAS TRUCKING INC represents a low-risk regulatory profile for shippers or businesses seeking a compliant carrier partner. Before committing to a relationship, confirm current insurance and operating authority independently, request references from existing customers, and clarify performance expectations around delivery timing and communication.