TIDEWATER TRANSIT COMPANY INC
(252) 523-4103
jfaulkner@tidewater-transit.com
6174 Hwy 70 W, Kinston NC 28504
305
tractors
264 drivers
20M mi/yr · ~66k per unit
HazMat
Satisfactory
FRED Score 59.7 / 100
High confidence
52 yrs history · 642 roadside inspections
FMCSA Live Status
Checking FMCSA…
Fleet & equipment
- Power units
- 305
- Drivers · CDL
- 264 · 264
- Annual miles
- 20M
| Type | Own | Term | Trip | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trucks | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tractors | 273 | 32 | 0 | 305 |
| Trailers | 646 | 0 | 0 | 646 |
Registration
- Organization
- CORPORATION
- FMCSA Rating
- Satisfactory (05-21-2018) · 8 yr old
- Registered
- 06-01-1974 (52 yrs)
- MCS-150 Update
- 02-12-2026 (Biennial Update)
- FRED Score Date
- Nov 07, 2026
- Officer
- TIM SMITH
- Officer
- JACK MCNAIRY
Cargo
55.0
medium risk
Liquids/Gases
Intermodal Containers
General Freight
Dry Bulk
Chemicals
- High-Risk Cargo
- 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 about the same as similar fleets.
Similar fleets: interstate fleets of 200–499 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 0.94×
ExcellentStrongSatisf.SatisfactoryMarginalPoorCritical
▲ Similar fleets 1.0×
Expected crashes, next 12 months
10.1 vs 10.8 for similar fleets
Likely 5–16 crashes
This motor carrier
10.1
Similar fleets
10.8
Chance of a fatal crash, next 12 months
~25%
About typical for similar fleets.
What's driving the grade
Crash history
betterworse
About typical. 21 crashes on the FMCSA record in 24 months (about 10 a year), including 6 with injuries; similar fleets have about 11 a year. The grade counts 35 crashes in its 36-month scoring window, recent ones weighted most.
Roadside inspections
betterworse
Better than peers. Out-of-service orders 0.37× and violations 0.41× the rate expected for its inspections. Together they move its crash estimate -14%: roadside results weigh far less than crash history. 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.
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Injury crashes6 crashes with 8 people hurt in 24 months.Ask: claim status and driver history for these crashes.
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Drivers put out of service5 out-of-service violations against drivers: 2 no valid CDL, 2 hours of service, 1 medical certificate (Nov 2024 – Aug 2026).Ask: driver supervision and dispatch practices.
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Brakes and lightsBrakes are 71 of 275 violations (26%). Brake or light defects led to 18 out-of-service orders.Ask: the preventive-maintenance schedule and shop records.
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Hazmat violations17 hazmat violations, 3 out of service.
Strengths
- Vehicle out-of-service rate 10.5% vs 22.3% national; driver 0.8% vs 6.7%.
- No FMCSA BASIC alerts.
Data flags
-
Dangerous driving: 9
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Excessive speeding: 16
Track record
FMCSA record, Sep 2024 – Sep 2026
· grade scored on Sep 1, 2023 → Sep 30, 2026
Crashes
21
0 fatalities · 8 injuries · 0 tow-aways
Inspections
642
74% clean (no violations)
Vehicle out-of-service
10.5%
44 of 418
National avg 22.3%
Driver out-of-service
0.8%
5 of 642
National avg 6.7%
Violations
275
53 out-of-service
Inspected about as often as interstate fleets of 200–499 trucks in North Carolina (about 522 in 24 months would be typical).
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 948 peer fleets
| This motor carrier | Peers | |
|---|---|---|
| Crashes | 0.034 | 0.023 |
| Inspections | 1.57 | 0.77 |
| Violations | 0.45 | 0.33 |
| Critical violations | 0.10 | 0.07 |
Yearly rates from the last 24 months. Peers: interstate fleets, 200–499 power units, medium-risk cargo.
What they get cited for
275 violations · 24 months-
Vehicle maintenance No alert159 · 45 OOSBrakes 71 · Lights 34 · Tires 19 · Cargo securement 8 · Wheels & hubs 7 · 20 more
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Unsafe driving No alert48 · 0 OOSReckless / lane 23 · Speeding 17 · Phone use 3 · Seat belt 1 · Other 4
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Hours of service No alert47 · 2 OOSLogbook / ELD paperwork 19 · Over hours limit 14 · No log 9 · False log 5
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Driver fitness No alert4 · 3 OOSNo valid CDL 3 · Medical certificate 1
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Drugs & alcohol No alert0
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Hazmat17 · 3 OOS
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-
Aug112026North CarolinaInjury · 2 people hurtWet road, dark - not lighted, rain, two-way trafficway divided unprotected median.
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Apr102026GeorgiaProperty damage onlyDaylight, two-way trafficway divided unprotected median. Citation issued.
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Apr52026ArkansasProperty damage onlyDaylight, two-way trafficway divided unprotected median.
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Mar162026MarylandProperty damage onlyWet road, dark - lighted, two-way trafficway divided unprotected median.
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Aug302025TexasProperty damage onlyDaylight.
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Aug62025TexasInjury · 1 person hurtDark - lighted, two-way trafficway divided unprotected median. FMCSA: not preventable.
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Jul242025LouisianaProperty damage onlyDaylight, two-way trafficway divided unprotected median. FMCSA: not preventable.
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Jul232025GeorgiaInjury · 2 people hurtDaylight. FMCSA: not preventable.
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Apr292025South CarolinaInjury · 1 person hurtDaylight, two-way trafficway divided positive barrier. Citation issued.
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Dec112024GeorgiaInjury · 1 person hurtWet road, dark - not lighted, rain, two-way trafficway divided positive barrier.
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Nov112024TexasInjury · 1 person hurtDaylight, two-way trafficway not divided.
13 more in the FMCSA records below.
6 of the 21 crashes hurt someone but killed no one.
Insurance filed with FMCSA
FMCSA record through Nov 2, 2026Today · live FMCSA check
Checking FMCSA…
- Liability (BIPD)
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primary $2,000,000 + excess $3,000,000 + excess $5,000,000 · NATIONAL UNION FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY OF PITTSBURGH, PA.on record since Jul 1, 2026 · FMCSA minimum $1,000,000 · no gap on FMCSA's record since Jun 20181 other liability filing also on file
- Cargo filing
- on file · The Hanover Insurance Company since Nov 29, 2017
- Broker or forwarder bond
- $75,000 surety bond (BMC-84) · Hartford Fire Insurance Company since Sep 4, 2024
36 months to Nov 2, 2026
- One liability insurer throughout
- No gap in filed liability coverage while liability was required
Authority
- FMCSA notice resolved in time: 1
Operating authority active (FMCSA's new registration system, status since Feb 26, 1991)
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
59 filings and 12 authority events since 1980 · FMCSA record through Nov 2, 2026
Every insurance filing on the FMCSA record
59 filings and 12 authority events since 1980 · FMCSA record through Nov 2, 2026
Newest first. Insurer names as filed. FMCSA does not publish why a filing was cancelled.
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Jul 1, 2026NATIONAL UNION FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY OF PITTSBURGH, PA.Liability · $2,000,000 · on fileFMCSA's new system
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Jul 1, 2026NATIONAL UNION FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY OF PITTSBURGH, PA.Liability (excess) · $3,000,000 over $2,000,000 · on fileFMCSA's new system
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May 22, 2026FMCSA suspension notice for the operating authority, effective Jun 21, 2026the authority stayed activeFMCSA's new system
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Jul 1, 2025National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, Pa.Liability · $5,000,000 · on fileFMCSA's new system
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Sep 4, 2024Hartford Fire Insurance CompanyBroker bond (BMC-84) · on file · on fileFMCSA's new system
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Jul 1, 2024NATIONAL UNION FIRE INS. CO. OF PITSBGH. PALiability · $5,000,000 · ended Jul 1, 2025 · superseded by the same policy12 months in forceL&I to May 14, 2026
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Jul 1, 2023NATIONAL UNION FIRE INS. CO. OF PITSBGH. PALiability · $5,000,000 · ended Jul 1, 2024 · superseded by the same policy12 months in forceL&I to May 14, 2026
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Jul 1, 2022NATIONAL UNION FIRE INS. CO. OF PITSBGH. PALiability · $5,000,000 · ended Jul 1, 2023 · superseded by the same policy12 months in forceL&I to May 14, 2026
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Jul 1, 2021NATIONAL UNION FIRE INS. CO. OF PITSBGH. PALiability · $2,000,000 · ended Jul 1, 2022 · superseded by the same policy12 months in forceL&I to May 14, 2026
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Jul 1, 2020NATIONAL UNION FIRE INS. CO. OF PITSBGH. PALiability · $2,000,000 · ended Jul 1, 2021 · superseded by the same policy12 months in forceL&I to May 14, 2026
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Jul 1, 2019NATIONAL UNION FIRE INS. CO. OF PITSBGH. PALiability · $2,000,000 · ended Jul 1, 2020 · superseded by the same policy12 months in forceL&I to May 14, 2026
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Jul 1, 2019GEMINI INSURANCE COMPANYLiability (excess) · $4,000,000 over $1,000,000 · ended Sep 23, 2020 · cancellation notice took effect15 months in forceL&I to May 14, 2026
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Jul 1, 2018National Fire & Marine Insurance CompanyLiability (excess) · $5,000,000 over $2,000,000 · on fileFMCSA's new system
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Jul 1, 2018NATIONAL UNION FIRE INS. CO. OF PITSBGH. PALiability · $2,000,000 · ended Jul 1, 2019 · superseded by the same policy12 months in forceL&I to May 14, 2026
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Jun 29, 2018NATIONAL UNION FIRE INS. CO. OF PITSBGH. PALiability · $2,000,000 · ended Jul 1, 2018 · superseded by the same policyL&I to May 14, 2026
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Dec 4, 2017FMCSA revocation notice for the operating authority, dropped Dec 18, 2017cause not stated in FMCSA's older recordsL&I to May 14, 2026
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Nov 29, 2017The Hanover Insurance CompanyCargo · on file · on fileFMCSA's new system
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Jul 1, 2017HANOVER INSURANCE CO.Cargo · ended Nov 29, 2017 · superseded by the same policy5 months in forceL&I to May 14, 2026
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Jul 1, 2017NATIONAL UNION FIRE INS. CO. OF PITSBGH. PALiability · $2,000,000 · ended Jan 8, 2018 · insurer name change6 months in forceL&I to May 14, 2026
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Jul 1, 2017GEMINI INSURANCE COMPANYLiability (excess) · $4,000,000 over $1,000,000 · ended Jul 1, 2019 · replaced by another insurer24 months in forceL&I to May 14, 2026
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Jul 1, 2016NATIONAL UNION FIRE INS. CO. OF PITSBGH. PALiability · $2,000,000 · ended Jul 1, 2017 · superseded by the same policy12 months in forceL&I to May 14, 2026
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Jul 1, 2016NATIONAL FIRE & MARINE INSURANCE CO.Liability (excess) · $3,000,000 over $2,000,000 · ended Jul 1, 2017 · replaced by another insurer12 months in forceL&I to May 14, 2026
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Jul 1, 2015NATIONAL UNION FIRE INS. CO. OF PITSBGH. PALiability · $2,000,000 · ended Jul 1, 2016 · superseded by the same policy12 months in forceL&I to May 14, 2026
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Jul 1, 2014NATIONAL UNION FIRE INS. CO. OF PITSBGH. PALiability · $2,000,000 · ended Jul 1, 2015 · superseded by the same policy12 months in forceL&I to May 14, 2026
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Jul 1, 2013NATIONAL UNION FIRE INS. CO. OF PITSBGH. PACargo · ended Jul 27, 2013 · cancellation notice took effect1 month 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) 208
- South Carolina 98
- Tennessee 91
- Georgia 63
- Florida 25
- Kentucky 23
- Alabama 14
- Texas 14
32% 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 (305 power units: 305 filed, 269 seen roadside in 24 months).
Crash Outlook vs Peer Fleet
crashes per year · same scale
Average peer fleet
10.8
Actual, per year in window
11.7
Projected, next 12 mo
10.1
0
7
14
We'd expect a typical fleet of 305 power units this active to have about 10.8 crashes a year. This motor carrier recorded 35 in its scoring window (Sep 1, 2023 → Aug 31, 2026, about 11.7 a year). Factoring in its inspection and violation record inside that window and the credibility of its own experience, the model projects about 10.1 over the next 12. 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 25% chance in the next 12 months
Modeled fatal-crash rate is about typical for 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:
642 inspections
and 35 crashes.
The FMCSA record tables now hold 641 inspections and 21 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
- 1 inspection with no out-of-service result
Confidence: High · Z = 0.88
Satisfactory — 0.94x its class rate (cuts: Excellent <0.60, Strong <0.76, Satisfactory <1.06, Marginal <1.57, Poor <2.11). Class rate 0.035 crashes per power-unit-year for a 305-unit for-hire fleet (pu200_499). Violations 0.86x (driver behaviour 1.01x, out-of-service 0.37x, all violations 0.41x; 642 inspections). Experience 1.09x: 15.8 decayed crashes against 14.4 expected over 36 months (credibility 0.88, a 1.88). 80% range 0.65–1.26x. 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
3.5 crashes per 100 power-unit-years
305 power units · 10.79 expected crashes a year
Violation relativity
0.86×
642 inspections in window
Crash experience
1.09×
15.8 decayed crashes vs 14.4 expected · credibility 0.88
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 0.94× (80% range 0.65–1.26×)
· band Satisfactory
· 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
642
Driver Insp
642
Driver OOS
5
Vehicle Insp
418
Vehicle OOS
44
| BASIC | Insp w/ Viol | Measure | Alert |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unsafe Driving | 45 | 1.39 | |
| HOS Compliance | 37 | 0.31 | |
| Driver Fitness | 4 | 0.02 | |
| Controlled Substances | 0 | 0.00 | |
| Vehicle Maintenance | 101 | 1.90 |
SMS record data is sourced from FMCSA's Safety Measurement System (01-APR-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.