HOUSTON TRANSPORTATION INCORPORATED
(828) 765-1733
houstontrans@houstontrans.net
858 Powdermill Creek Rd, Newland NC 28657
22
tractors · all owned
28 drivers
1.8M mi/yr · ~83k per unit
Poor
FRED Score 10.0 / 100
Moderate confidence
38 yrs history · 50 roadside inspections
FMCSA Live Status
Checking FMCSA…
Fleet & equipment
- Power units
- 22
- Drivers · CDL
- 28 · 28
- Annual miles
- 1.8M
| Type | Own | Term | Trip | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trucks | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tractors | 22 | 0 | 0 | 22 |
| Trailers | 68 | 0 | 0 | 68 |
Registration
- Organization
- CORPORATION
- FMCSA Rating
- Satisfactory (05-15-2009) · 17 yr old
- Registered
- 12-31-1988 (38 yrs)
- MCS-150 Update
- 06-19-2025 (Address Change)
- FRED Score Date
- Nov 07, 2026
- Officer
- ROBERT V HOUSTON SR
- Officer
- CHRISTIE MALTBA
Cargo
55.0
medium risk
Metal: Sheets/Coils/Rolls
Meat
Refrigerated Food
General Freight
Logs/Poles/Beams/Lumber
Fresh Produce
Other: SAND, SALT, FURNITUR
Grain/Feed/Hay
Dry Bulk
Paper Products
- High-Risk Cargo
- General Freight, Refrigerated Food, Meat
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 about 2.3× that of similar fleets.
Similar fleets: for-hire fleets of 20–49 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 2.25×
ExcellentStrongSatisf.SatisfactoryMarginalPoorCritical
▲ Similar fleets 1.0×
Leaning Critical. Its estimate (2.25× similar fleets) is in the Critical range, but the record isn't strong enough to be 60% sure it is above the Critical line (2.11×), so the grade stays Poor.
Expected crashes, next 12 months
1.9 vs 0.8 for similar fleets
Likely 0–4 crashes
This motor carrier
1.9
Similar fleets
0.8
Chance of a fatal crash, next 12 months
~5%
About 2.3× similar fleets.
What's driving the grade
Crash history
betterworse
Much worse than peers. 7 crashes on the FMCSA record in 24 months (about 3.5 a year), including 3 with injuries; similar fleets have about 0.8 a year. The grade counts 10 crashes in its 36-month scoring window, recent ones weighted most.
Roadside inspections
betterworse
Better than peers. Violations 0.73× the rate expected for its inspections. Together they move its crash estimate -4%. 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 crashes3 crashes with 6 people hurt in 24 months.Ask: claim status and driver history for these crashes.
Strengths
- Driver out-of-service rate 0.0% vs 6.7% national.
- No FMCSA BASIC alerts.
Data flags
-
Dangerous driving: 3
Track record
FMCSA record, Nov 2024 – Sep 2026
· grade scored on Sep 1, 2023 → Sep 30, 2026
Crashes
7
0 fatalities · 6 injuries · 0 tow-aways
Inspections
50
72% clean (no violations)
Vehicle out-of-service
27.8%
5 of 18
National avg 22.3%
Driver out-of-service
0.0%
0 of 50
National avg 6.7%
Violations
20
5 out-of-service
Inspections per quarter
With an out-of-service order
vs 11,996 peer fleets
| This motor carrier | Peers | |
|---|---|---|
| Crashes | 0.205 | 0.027 |
| Inspections | 1.66 | 1.02 |
| Violations | 0.45 | 0.71 |
| Critical violations | 0.11 | 0.14 |
Yearly rates from the last 24 months. Peers: 20–49 power units, medium-risk cargo.
What they get cited for
20 violations · 24 months-
Vehicle maintenance No alert10 · 5 OOSLights 3 · Tires 3 · Brakes 1 · Wheels & hubs 1 · Other parts 2
-
Unsafe driving No alert8 · 0 OOSReckless / lane 3 · Other 5
-
Hours of service No alert2 · 0 OOSOver hours limit 2
-
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-
Jun132026GeorgiaProperty damage onlyDaylight. Citation issued.
-
May112026TennesseeProperty damage onlyDark - not lighted, two-way trafficway divided unprotected median.
-
May72026GeorgiaInjury · 4 people hurtWet road, daylight, rain, two-way trafficway divided unprotected median.
-
May122025AlabamaProperty damage onlyDark - lighted, two-way trafficway divided positive barrier.
-
May112025TexasProperty damage onlyDark - lighted, two-way trafficway divided positive barrier.
-
May62025North CarolinaInjury · 1 person hurtDaylight, two-way trafficway divided unprotected median.
-
Jan172025GeorgiaInjury · 1 person hurtDark - not lighted, two-way trafficway divided positive barrier.
3 of the 7 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)
-
$1,000,000 · NATIONAL UNION FIRE INS. CO. OF PITSBGH. PAon record since Nov 1, 2025 · FMCSA minimum $750,000 · no gap on FMCSA's record since Aug 1993
- Cargo filing
- on file · HARTFORD FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY since Nov 1, 2019
36 months to May 14, 2026
- 3 liability insurers on FMCSA's record, 2 changes: NORTHLAND INSURANCE COMPANY → NATIONAL UNION FIRE INS. CO. OF PITSBGH. PA (Nov 2025); INCLINE CASUALTY COMPANY → NORTHLAND INSURANCE COMPANY (Nov 2024)
- 4 cancellation notices filed by insurers; 3 took effect (the last Nov 1, 2025, replaced the same day); 1 replaced before it took effect
- No gap in filed liability coverage while liability was required
Authority
- FMCSA notices resolved in time: 4
Operating authority active (FMCSA's L&I record of May 14, 2026, status since Nov 3, 2025)
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
37 filings and 23 authority events since 1992 · FMCSA record through May 14, 2026
Every insurance filing on the FMCSA record
37 filings and 23 authority events since 1992 · FMCSA record through May 14, 2026
Newest first. Insurer names as filed. FMCSA does not publish why a filing was cancelled.
-
Nov 1, 2025NATIONAL UNION FIRE INS. CO. OF PITSBGH. PALiability · $1,000,000 · on fileL&I to May 14, 2026
-
Oct 6, 2025FMCSA revocation notice for the operating authority, dropped Nov 3, 2025opened after NORTHLAND INSURANCE COMPANY filed a cancellation notice (effective Nov 1, 2025)L&I to May 14, 2026
-
Sep 17, 2025NORTHLAND INSURANCE COMPANYLiability · $750,000 · ended Nov 1, 2025 · cancellation notice took effect1 month in forceL&I to May 14, 2026
-
Aug 29, 2025FMCSA revocation notice for the operating authority, dropped Sep 18, 2025opened after NORTHLAND INSURANCE COMPANY filed a cancellation notice (effective Sep 25, 2025)L&I to May 14, 2026
-
Nov 1, 2024NORTHLAND INSURANCE COMPANYLiability · $750,000 · ended Sep 17, 2025 · superseded by the same policya cancellation notice effective Sep 25, 2025 came after the replacement; 11 months in forceL&I to May 14, 2026
-
Oct 7, 2024FMCSA revocation notice for the operating authority, dropped Oct 31, 2024opened after INCLINE CASUALTY COMPANY filed a cancellation notice (effective Nov 1, 2024)L&I to May 14, 2026
-
Nov 1, 2023INCLINE CASUALTY COMPANYLiability · $750,000 · ended Nov 1, 2024 · cancellation notice took effect12 months in forceL&I to May 14, 2026
-
Oct 5, 2023FMCSA revocation notice for the operating authority, dropped Oct 27, 2023opened after INCLINE CASUALTY COMPANY filed a cancellation notice (effective Nov 1, 2023)L&I to May 14, 2026
-
Nov 1, 2022INCLINE CASUALTY COMPANYLiability · $750,000 · ended Nov 1, 2023 · cancellation notice took effect12 months in forceL&I to May 14, 2026
-
Oct 5, 2022FMCSA revocation notice for the operating authority, dropped Oct 31, 2022opened after INCLINE CASUALTY COMPANY filed a cancellation notice (effective Nov 1, 2022)L&I to May 14, 2026
-
Jun 10, 2022INCLINE CASUALTY COMPANYLiability · $750,000 · ended Nov 1, 2022 · cancellation notice took effect5 months in forceL&I to May 14, 2026
-
Nov 1, 2021INCLINE CASUALTY COMPANYLiability · $750,000 · ended Jun 10, 2022 · superseded by the same policya cancellation notice effective Jul 13, 2022 came after the replacement; 7 months in forceL&I to May 14, 2026
-
Oct 5, 2021FMCSA revocation notice for the operating authority, dropped Oct 29, 2021opened after AMGUARD INSURANCE COMPANY filed a cancellation notice (effective Nov 1, 2021)L&I to May 14, 2026
-
Apr 12, 2021AMGUARD INSURANCE COMPANYLiability · $750,000 · ended Nov 1, 2021 · cancellation notice took effect7 months in forceL&I to May 14, 2026
-
Nov 1, 2020AMGUARD INSURANCE COMPANYLiability · $750,000 · ended Apr 12, 2021 · superseded by the same policya cancellation notice effective May 13, 2021 came after the replacement; 5 months in forceL&I to May 14, 2026
-
Oct 5, 2020FMCSA revocation notice for the operating authority, dropped Nov 2, 2020opened after STONEWOOD INSURANCE COMPANY filed a cancellation notice (effective Nov 1, 2020)L&I to May 14, 2026
-
Nov 1, 2019HARTFORD FIRE INSURANCE COMPANYCargo · on file · on fileL&I to May 14, 2026
-
Nov 1, 2019STONEWOOD INSURANCE COMPANYLiability · $750,000 · ended Nov 1, 2020 · cancellation notice took effect12 months in forceL&I to May 14, 2026
-
Oct 7, 2019FMCSA revocation notice for the operating authority, dropped Nov 1, 2019opened after STONEWOOD INSURANCE COMPANY filed a cancellation notice (effective Nov 1, 2019)L&I to May 14, 2026
-
Nov 16, 2018Operating authority reinstatedL&I to May 14, 2026
-
Nov 7, 2018Operating authority revoked (cause not stated)L&I to May 14, 2026
-
Nov 1, 2018STONEWOOD INSURANCE COMPANYLiability · $750,000 · ended Nov 1, 2019 · cancellation notice took effect12 months in forceL&I to May 14, 2026
-
Nov 1, 2017SENTRY SELECT INSURANCE COMPANYLiability · $1,000,000 · ended Nov 1, 2018 · cancellation notice took effect12 months in forceL&I to May 14, 2026
-
Oct 5, 2017FMCSA revocation notice for the operating authority, dropped Nov 1, 2017opened after UNITED STATES FIRE INSURANCE CO. filed a cancellation notice (effective Nov 1, 2017)L&I to May 14, 2026
-
Nov 1, 2016UNITED STATES FIRE INSURANCE CO.Liability · $1,000,000 · ended Nov 1, 2017 · cancellation notice took effect12 months in forceL&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 (HQ) 17
- Tennessee 11
- Georgia 5
- New Mexico 5
- South Carolina 3
- California 2
- Louisiana 2
- Missouri 1
34% 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 (22 power units: 22 filed, 21 seen roadside in 24 months).
Crash Outlook vs Peer Fleet
crashes per year · same scale
Average peer fleet
0.8
Actual, per year in window
3.3
Projected, next 12 mo
1.9
0
2
4
We'd expect a typical fleet of 22 power units this active to have about 0.8 crashes a year. This motor carrier recorded 10 in its scoring window (Sep 1, 2023 → Aug 31, 2026, about 3.3 a year) — about 4.0× a typical fleet. Factoring in its inspection and violation record inside that window and the credibility of its own experience, the model projects about 1.9 over the next 12 — about 2.3× the typical fleet. When this motor carrier does crash, those crashes tend to be substantially more severe than average — roughly 3.3× the injury/fatal weight of a typical crash.
Fatal-crash risk: about 5% chance in the next 12 months
Modeled fatal-crash rate is roughly 2.3× 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:
46 inspections
and 10 crashes.
The FMCSA record tables now hold 50 inspections and 7 crashes in that window — the SMS data moved after this grade was computed.
Confidence: Moderate · Z = 0.32
Poor — 2.25x its class rate (cuts: Excellent <0.60, Strong <0.76, Satisfactory <1.06, Marginal <1.57, Poor <2.11). Class rate 0.038 crashes per power-unit-year for a 22-unit for-hire fleet (pu20_49). Violations 0.96x (driver behaviour 0.91x, out-of-service 0.99x, all violations 0.73x; 46 inspections). Experience 2.34x: 6.5 decayed crashes against 1.3 expected over 36 months (credibility 0.32, a 2.67). 80% range 1.33–3.29x. 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
3.8 crashes per 100 power-unit-years
22 power units · 0.84 expected crashes a year
Violation relativity
0.96×
46 inspections in window
Crash experience
2.34×
6.5 decayed crashes vs 1.3 expected · credibility 0.32
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 2.25× (80% range 1.33–3.29×)
· band Critical → displayed Poor
· 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
50
Driver Insp
50
Driver OOS
0
Vehicle Insp
18
Vehicle OOS
5
| BASIC | Insp w/ Viol | Measure | Alert |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unsafe Driving | 6 | 2.17 | |
| HOS Compliance | 1 | 0.14 | |
| Driver Fitness | 0 | 0.00 | |
| Controlled Substances | 0 | 0.00 | |
| Vehicle Maintenance | 8 | 3.00 |
SMS record data is sourced from FMCSA's Safety Measurement System (01-JUN-26 – 31-DEC-24) 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.