KERNS TRUCKING INC
(704) 739-4747
dewayne@kernstrucking.com
574 Tribal Rd, Blacksburg SC 29702
139
power units
135 drivers
6.2M mi/yr · ~45k per unit
Strong
FRED Score 78.5 / 100
Moderate confidence
38 yrs history · 258 roadside inspections
FMCSA Live Status
Checking FMCSA…
Fleet & equipment
- Power units
- 139
- Drivers · CDL
- 135 · 135
- Annual miles
- 6.2M
| Type | Own | Term | Trip | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trucks | 0 | 99 | 0 | 99 |
| Tractors | 40 | 0 | 0 | 40 |
| Trailers | 53 | 0 | 0 | 53 |
Registration
- Organization
- CORPORATION
- FMCSA Rating
- Satisfactory (03-29-2004) · 22 yr old
- Registered
- 09-26-1988 (38 yrs)
- MCS-150 Update
- 04-30-2026 (Biennial Update)
- FRED Score Date
- Nov 07, 2026
- Officer
- ALYSON K GRAY
- Officer
- CLYDE KERNS
Cargo
64.4
medium risk
Machinery/Large Objects
Livestock
General Freight
Fresh Produce
Other: SCRAP METAL
Grain/Feed/Hay
Dry Bulk
Coal/Coke
- High-Risk Cargo
- Machinery Large, Livestock, General Freight
Note: "General Freight" is a catch-all; the actual cargo mix and its risk may differ.
Estimated from the commodity types reported to FMCSA, not from loss history or the true cargo mix.
Expected crash rate is probably lower than similar fleets (about a 90% chance), but the record is too thin to say by how much.
Similar fleets: for-hire fleets of 100–199 trucks with the same kind of operation, years in business and amount of road activity. Compared using its own crash record and roadside inspections.
This motor carrier 0.72×
ExcellentStrongSatisf.SatisfactoryMarginalPoorCritical
▲ Similar fleets 1.0×
Expected crashes, next 12 months
4.2 vs 5.8 for similar fleets
Likely 1–8 crashes
This motor carrier
4.2
Similar fleets
5.8
Chance of a fatal crash, next 12 months
~11%
Below similar fleets.
What's driving the grade
Crash history
betterworse
About typical. 8 crashes on the FMCSA record in 24 months (about 4 a year), including 5 with injuries; similar fleets have about 5.8 a year. The grade counts 15 crashes in its 36-month scoring window, recent ones weighted most.
Roadside inspections
betterworse
Much better than peers. Unsafe-driving and hours-of-service violations 0.17×, out-of-service orders 0.46× and violations 0.48× the rate expected for its inspections. Together they move its crash estimate -27%. It's inspected more often than most fleets its size.
Worth a closer look
From the FMCSA record. The grade already counts the safety items; insurance filings and links to other motor carriers are not in it.
-
Injury crashes5 crashes with 6 people hurt in 24 months.Ask: claim status and driver history for these crashes.
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Brakes and tiresBrakes are 17 of 46 violations (37%). Brake or tire defects led to 11 out-of-service orders.Ask: the preventive-maintenance schedule and shop records.
Strengths
- Vehicle out-of-service rate 13.3% vs 22.3% national; driver 0.0% vs 6.7%.
- No FMCSA BASIC alerts.
- 90% of inspections found no violations.
Data flags
-
Dangerous driving: 3
Track record
FMCSA record, Sep 2024 – Sep 2026
· grade scored on Sep 1, 2023 → Sep 30, 2026
Crashes
8
0 fatalities · 6 injuries · 0 tow-aways
Inspections
258
90% clean (no violations)
Vehicle out-of-service
13.3%
15 of 113
National avg 22.3%
Driver out-of-service
0.0%
0 of 258
National avg 6.7%
Violations
46
17 out-of-service
Inspections per quarter
With an out-of-service order
Sep 25–30, 2024 isn't charted (too little of that quarter is on file); the 24-month totals include its 1 inspection.
vs 1,871 peer fleets
| This motor carrier | Peers | |
|---|---|---|
| Crashes | 0.036 | 0.024 |
| Inspections | 1.32 | 0.91 |
| Violations | 0.17 | 0.51 |
| Critical violations | 0.05 | 0.10 |
Yearly rates from the last 24 months. Peers: 100–199 power units, medium-risk cargo.
What they get cited for
46 violations · 24 months-
Vehicle maintenance No alert39 · 17 OOSBrakes 17 · Tires 8 · Cargo securement 6 · Lights 2 · Wheels & hubs 1 · 5 more
-
Unsafe driving No alert7 · 0 OOSReckless / lane 3 · Speeding 3 · Other 1
-
Hours of service No alert0
-
Driver fitness No alert0
-
Drugs & alcohol No alert0
Out-of-service violations
“No alert” = under FMCSA's BASIC intervention threshold
Violations by quarter
Tap a category to show or hide itNo violation trend data
Crashes
24 months-
Aug202026South CarolinaProperty damage onlyDaylight, two-way trafficway divided unprotected median.
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Jul212026South CarolinaInjury · 1 person hurtDaylight, two-way trafficway divided unprotected median.
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Mar302026South CarolinaInjury · 2 people hurtDaylight, two-way trafficway divided unprotected median. Citation issued.
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Nov122025North CarolinaProperty damage onlyDaylight, two-way trafficway divided unprotected median.
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Sep172025North CarolinaInjury · 1 person hurtDaylight, two-way trafficway divided unprotected median.
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May132025South CarolinaProperty damage onlyWet road, daylight, two-way trafficway not divided. Citation issued.
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Mar72025North CarolinaInjury · 1 person hurtDaylight, two-way trafficway not divided.
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Dec192024North CarolinaInjury · 1 person hurtDark - lighted, two-way trafficway not divided.
5 of the 8 crashes hurt someone but killed no one.
Insurance filed with FMCSA
FMCSA record through May 14, 2026 · no change recorded by FMCSA sinceToday · live FMCSA check
Checking FMCSA…
- Last on FMCSA's record (May 14, 2026)
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$1,000,000 · THE TRAVELERS INDEMNITY CO. OF CONNECTICUTon record since Sep 1, 2019 · FMCSA minimum $750,000 · no gap on FMCSA's record since Aug 1994
- Cargo filing
- not required by FMCSA (household-goods motor carriers only); the cargo policy is not on FMCSA's record
- Broker or forwarder bond
- $75,000 surety bond (BMC-84) · WASHINGTON INTERNATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY since Mar 21, 1995
36 months to May 14, 2026
- One liability insurer throughout
- No gap in filed liability coverage while liability was required
Operating authority active (FMCSA's L&I record of May 14, 2026, status since Sep 3, 2019)
FMCSA filings only, not a policy audit. Not part of the FRED grade. Wrong or out of date?
Every insurance filing on the FMCSA record
20 filings and 11 authority events since 1978 · FMCSA record through May 14, 2026
Every insurance filing on the FMCSA record
20 filings and 11 authority events since 1978 · FMCSA record through May 14, 2026
Newest first. Insurer names as filed. FMCSA does not publish why a filing was cancelled.
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Sep 1, 2019THE TRAVELERS INDEMNITY CO. OF CONNECTICUTLiability · $1,000,000 · on fileL&I to May 14, 2026
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Aug 5, 2019FMCSA revocation notice for the operating authority, dropped Sep 3, 2019opened after STONEWOOD INSURANCE COMPANY filed a cancellation notice (effective Sep 1, 2019)L&I to May 14, 2026
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Sep 1, 2018STONEWOOD INSURANCE COMPANYLiability · $750,000 · ended Sep 1, 2019 · cancellation notice took effect12 months in forceL&I to May 14, 2026
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Aug 6, 2018FMCSA revocation notice for the operating authority, dropped Aug 30, 2018opened after STONEWOOD INSURANCE COMPANY filed a cancellation notice (effective Sep 1, 2018)L&I to May 14, 2026
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Sep 1, 2017STONEWOOD INSURANCE COMPANYLiability · $750,000 · ended Sep 1, 2018 · cancellation notice took effect12 months in forceL&I to May 14, 2026
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Aug 7, 2017FMCSA revocation notice for the operating authority, dropped Aug 30, 2017opened after STONEWOOD INSURANCE COMPANY filed a cancellation notice (effective Sep 1, 2017)L&I to May 14, 2026
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Sep 1, 2016STONEWOOD INSURANCE COMPANYLiability · $750,000 · ended Sep 1, 2017 · cancellation notice took effect12 months in forceL&I to May 14, 2026
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Aug 8, 2016FMCSA revocation notice for the operating authority, dropped Aug 29, 2016opened after WILSHIRE INSURANCE COMPANY filed a cancellation notice (effective Sep 1, 2016)L&I to May 14, 2026
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Sep 1, 2015WILSHIRE INSURANCE COMPANYLiability · $750,000 · ended Sep 1, 2016 · cancellation notice took effect12 months in forceL&I to May 14, 2026
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Aug 20, 2015NORTHLAND INSURANCE COMPANYLiability · $750,000 · ended Sep 1, 2015 · replaced by another insurerL&I to May 14, 2026
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Sep 1, 2014NORTHLAND INSURANCE COMPANYLiability · $1,000,000 · ended Aug 20, 2015 · superseded by the same policy12 months in forceL&I to May 14, 2026
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Sep 1, 2012NATIONAL CASUALTY COMPANYLiability · $1,000,000 · ended Sep 1, 2014 · replaced by another insurera cancellation notice effective Oct 3, 2014 came after the replacement; 24 months in forceL&I to May 14, 2026
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Sep 1, 2010TRAVELERS PROPERTY CASUALTY CO. OF AMERICACargo · ended Sep 17, 2015 · cancellation notice took effect61 months in forceL&I to May 14, 2026
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Sep 1, 2009HARLEYSVILLE MUTUAL INSURANCE CO.Cargo · ended Sep 1, 2010 · replaced by another insurer12 months in forceL&I to May 14, 2026
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Nov 7, 2005FMCSA revocation notice for the operating authority, dropped Nov 18, 2005cause not stated in FMCSA's older recordsL&I to May 14, 2026
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Aug 24, 2005TRAVELERS PROPERTY CASUALTY CO. OF AMERICACargo · ended Sep 1, 2009 · replaced by another insurer48 months in forceL&I to May 14, 2026
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Jul 28, 2005FMCSA revocation notice for the operating authority, dropped Aug 25, 2005cause not stated in FMCSA's older recordsL&I to May 14, 2026
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Aug 24, 2002HARTFORD FIRE INSURANCE COMPANYCargo · ended Aug 24, 2005 · cancellation notice took effect36 months in forceL&I to May 14, 2026
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Aug 24, 2000PEERLESS INSURANCE CO.Cargo · ended Aug 24, 2002 · cancellation notice took effect24 months in forceL&I to May 14, 2026
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Aug 24, 1997GREAT AMERICAN INSURANCE CO.Cargo · ended Aug 24, 2000 · cancellation notice took effect36 months in forceL&I to May 14, 2026
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Apr 22, 1997FMCSA revocation notice for the operating authority, dropped Jun 9, 1997cause not stated in FMCSA's older recordsL&I to May 14, 2026
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Sep 2, 1996THE CINCINNATI INSURANCE CO.Cargo · ended Aug 24, 1997 · replaced by another insurer12 months in forceL&I to May 14, 2026
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Aug 24, 1996THE CINCINNATI INSURANCE CO.Cargo · ended Sep 2, 1996 · superseded by the same policyL&I to May 14, 2026
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Mar 22, 1995FMCSA revocation notice for the broker authority, dropped Apr 18, 1995cause not stated in FMCSA's older recordsL&I to May 14, 2026
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Mar 21, 1995WASHINGTON INTERNATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANYBroker bond (BMC-84) · on file · on fileL&I to May 14, 2026
What the terms mean
- Liability filing (BIPD):
- The insurer's certificate (form BMC-91 or 91X) that the motor carrier carries bodily-injury and property-damage liability at or above FMCSA's minimum. A BMC-82 is the same promise made by a surety bond.
- FMCSA minimum:
- $750,000 for general freight in vehicles of 10,001 lb or more; $300,000 under 10,001 lb; $1,000,000 for oil and some hazardous materials; $5,000,000 for bulk hazardous materials (49 CFR 387.9).
- Primary / excess:
- An excess filing sits on top of a primary one; together they make the total filed limit.
- Replaced:
- A new filing took over from this one. Replaced the same day is an ordinary change of insurer or renewal.
- Cancellation notice:
- Form BMC-35 (insurance) or BMC-36 (bond): the insurer tells FMCSA the filing ends in 30 days. The insurer files it whether the insurer or the motor carrier ended the policy; FMCSA does not publish the reason.
- Cancellation processed by FMCSA:
- FMCSA itself ended the filing, for example when the authority was revoked.
- Lapse:
- Time with no liability filing on FMCSA's record while the authority required one. A filing received later can be back-dated, which closes a lapse after the fact.
- Suspended for insurance:
- FMCSA suspended the operating authority because no filing meeting the minimum was on file. FMCSA's records state this reason only since May 14, 2026; before then they show a revocation notice without a cause.
- FMCSA notice resolved in time:
- Before May 14, 2026, FMCSA served a revocation notice when a required filing lapsed and dropped it when the filing was restored. The notice does not say which filing lapsed.
- Suspension notice:
- Since May 14, 2026, FMCSA serves a notice that the authority will be suspended on a date unless the missing filing is restored. The notice does not say which filing.
- Cargo filing:
- Form BMC-34. FMCSA has required it only of household-goods motor carriers and forwarders since 2011, so most motor carriers' cargo policies are not on FMCSA's record.
- Broker bond / trust fund:
- Form BMC-84 (surety bond) or BMC-85 (trust fund): the $75,000 security a broker or freight forwarder must keep on file.
- Self-insurance authority:
- FMCSA lets a few large motor carriers carry their own liability; it appears as a filing by "Self-Insured".
- Risk retention group:
- An insurer owned by its policyholders (often trucking groups). It is not covered by state insurance guaranty funds.
- FMCSA record through:
- The date of the FMCSA file this section was built from. Dockets FMCSA's new system has not yet published are shown from the legacy record, frozen on May 14, 2026.
FMCSA's record of the insurance filed for this motor carrier's operating authority (forms BMC-91/91X liability, BMC-34 cargo, BMC-84/85 broker bond or trust), not the motor carrier's full insurance program. Only for-hire motor carriers with operating authority file with FMCSA; private and intrastate-only motor carriers keep proof of insurance at their place of business, so no filing does not mean no insurance. A filed limit is the amount the insurer certified to FMCSA, which can be below the policy's full limits; cargo and bond filings are shown as on file or not because FMCSA records the federal minimum rather than the policy amount. FMCSA's new registration system (May 14, 2026) publishes a partial set of dockets; a docket not yet in it is shown from the legacy record, frozen on that date, and the live check above is today's reading. Not part of the FRED grade. Wrong or out of date?
Where it happens
Loading map data…
Inspections by state
- North Carolina 155
- South Carolina (HQ) 103
40% of inspections were in its home state.
How this grade is calculated
The model, its inputs, the window it scored and its confidence. For actuaries and anyone checking the work.
How this grade is calculated
The model, its inputs, the window it scored and its confidence. For actuaries and anyone checking the work.
Forward 12-Month Risk Outlook
The FRED Score predicts this motor carrier's crash risk over the next 12 months — how often they're likely to crash and how severe those crashes tend to be — versus a typical fleet of its size (139 power units: 139 filed, 124 seen roadside in 24 months).
Crash Outlook vs Peer Fleet
crashes per year · same scale
Average peer fleet
5.8
Actual, per year in window
5.0
Projected, next 12 mo
4.2
0
3.5
7
We'd expect a typical fleet of 139 power units this active to have about 5.8 crashes a year. This motor carrier recorded 15 in its scoring window (Sep 1, 2023 → Aug 31, 2026, about 5.0 a year). Factoring in its inspection and violation record inside that window and the credibility of its own experience, the model projects about 4.2 over the next 12 — below a typical fleet. When this motor carrier does crash, those crashes tend to be substantially more severe than average — roughly 3.2× the injury/fatal weight of a typical crash.
Fatal-crash risk: about 11% chance in the next 12 months
Modeled fatal-crash rate is below that of similar fleets (likelihood of at least one fatal crash, from its exposure and safety profile).
Track Record Used
Crashes Sep 1, 2023 → Aug 31, 2026 · inspections Oct 1, 2024 → Sep 30, 2026 · data as of Oct 29, 2026
Inside that window:
259 inspections
and 15 crashes.
The FMCSA record tables now hold 257 inspections and 8 crashes in that window — the SMS data moved after this grade was computed.
Outside the scoring window
on the FMCSA record · not in this grade
Aged out — crashes before Sep 1, 2023, inspections before Oct 1, 2024
- Out-of-service inspection Sep 25, 2024 · SC · level 2 · 1 vehicle OOS · 3 violations
Confidence: Moderate · Z = 0.59
Strong — 0.72x its class rate (cuts: Excellent <0.60, Strong <0.76, Satisfactory <1.06, Marginal <1.57, Poor <2.11). Class rate 0.042 crashes per power-unit-year for a 139-unit for-hire fleet (pu100_199). Violations 0.73x (driver behaviour 0.17x, out-of-service 0.46x, all violations 0.48x; 259 inspections). Experience 0.99x: 6.4 decayed crashes against 6.5 expected over 36 months (credibility 0.59, a 4.52). 80% range 0.45–1.02x. Last change: no change since the last run.
No change since the previous weekly run.
What Drives This Score
1.00× = this motor carrier's class rate
FRED multiplies three factors: the class rate a fleet of this size, class and activity is expected to run, a violation relativity from its roadside record, and its own crash experience over 36 months weighted by how much exposure stands behind it. The grade is the band of the resulting relativity to class, then the screens.
Class rate
4.2 crashes per 100 power-unit-years
139 power units · 5.82 expected crashes a year
Violation relativity
0.73×
259 inspections in window
Crash experience
0.99×
6.4 decayed crashes vs 6.5 expected · credibility 0.59
Driver behaviour
Out-of-service rate
All violations
0×1× class2×+
Each sub-relativity is shrunk toward its cohort rate when the record is thin (Bühlmann credibility), so a short record reads close to 1.00×.
Relativity to class 0.72× (80% range 0.45–1.02×)
· band Strong
· cuts: Excellent <0.60, Strong <0.76, Satisfactory <1.06, Marginal <1.57, Poor <2.11, Critical above
FMCSA records
BASIC measures and every inspection, violation and crash, sortable and filterable.
FMCSA records
BASIC measures and every inspection, violation and crash, sortable and filterable.
FMCSA BASIC Scores
AB PropertyTotal Inspections
258
Driver Insp
258
Driver OOS
0
Vehicle Insp
113
Vehicle OOS
15
| BASIC | Insp w/ Viol | Measure | Alert |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unsafe Driving | 7 | 0.21 | |
| HOS Compliance | 0 | 0.00 | |
| Driver Fitness | 0 | 0.00 | |
| Controlled Substances | 0 | 0.00 | |
| Vehicle Maintenance | 22 | 1.77 |
SMS record data is sourced from FMCSA's Safety Measurement System (01-DEC-25 – 31-OCT-25) and may cover a different time window than the scoring window used for the FRED grade (Sep 1, 2023 → Sep 30, 2026). Counts here may differ from the grade's in-window counts.