KNUCKLEHEAD CHOOCHOO EXPRESS LTD
Book with caution — review signals below
No hard OOS / revoked / uninsured blocker, but elevated risk signals need a human look before booking.
- OOS rate worse than size peers Driver and/or vehicle out-of-service rate is above the peer median.
Plain-text risk summary (print / paste)
TruckCodex risk summary — KNUCKLEHEAD CHOOCHOO EXPRESS LTD (USDOT 1033744) Verdict: CAUTION Book with caution — review signals below No hard OOS / revoked / uninsured blocker, but elevated risk signals need a human look before booking. Authority / census status: Active Active BIPD limit: $750,000 Officer(s): BRENT WILLIAMSON (Company officer) Organization: CORPORATION Blockers: (none) Cautions: • OOS rate worse than size peers — Driver and/or vehicle out-of-service rate is above the peer median. On file: • 1 active operating authority • Insurance on file · $750,000 — AUTO OWNERS INSURANCE COMPANY · 91X • BOC-3 process agent on file — PROCESS AGENT SERVICE COMPANY, INC. Source: https://truckcodex.com/usdot/1033744/ As of: Jul 18, 2026 Always confirm on FMCSA SAFER and L&I before tendering — TruckCodex mirrors public filings and can lag by up to a day.
TruckCodex · compliance grade
Compliance grade A
Composite of 4/5 scored components (mean 85/100). Expand for per-signal evidence. Heuristic — not an FMCSA rating or legal advice.
A
confidence 80% · 4/5 signals
Compliance grade A
Composite of 4/5 scored components (mean 85/100). Expand for per-signal evidence. Heuristic — not an FMCSA rating or legal advice.
Active census status with no OOS order or revoked authority on file.
Active BIPD/Primary-like policy on file in our insurance history.
Driver OOS 0% vs peer median 0% (neutral). Vehicle OOS 33.3% vs peer median 14.3% (worse). n=54010 same-size ACTIVE peers.
FMCSA has not assigned this carrier a formal safety rating. We do not invent one.
NR reason: No published FMCSA safety_rating.
No BMC-91 insurance-lapse watch classification on file for this USDOT.
TruckCodex compliance grade from authority, BIPD, peer OOS, FMCSA safety rating, and insurance-watch signals. Not legal advice. See methodology. Booking triage on this page: Caution.
Company profile
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InsuranceAUTO OWNERS INSURANCE COMPANYPolicy effective Jun 26, 2020
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Process AgentPROCESS AGENT SERVICE COMPANY, INC.BOC-3 on file
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Operating AuthorityMC438283ACTIVE
Fleet details (MCS-150)
| Vehicle type | Owned | Term leased | Trip leased |
|---|---|---|---|
| Truck tractors | 0 | 11 | 8 |
| Trailers | 0 | 14 | 0 |
Self-reported on the carrier’s Form MCS-150 (FMCSA Company Census).
Accident reports (24 months)
All 3 crashes →| Last 6 months | 6–12 months | 12–24 months | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fatalities | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Injuries | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Tow-away | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Crash reports | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
Reportable crashes from FMCSA MCMIS for the trailing 24 months. Counts may differ slightly from SAFER due to reporting lag.
Inspections (24 months)
All 59 inspections →| Driver | Vehicle | Hazmat | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inspections | 39 | 39 | 0 |
| OOS inspections | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| OOS percentage | 0% | 23.08% | — |
| National average | 6.67% | 22.26% | 4.44% |
Roadside inspections in the last 24 months. National averages are FMCSA MCSAP reference rates (driver ~6.7%, vehicle ~23.4%, hazmat ~4.4%).
Carrier analysis & narrative context SEO summary, status notes, AI overview, and safety profiles
KNUCKLEHEAD CHOOCHOO EXPRESS LTD is a corporation based in BELLEFONTAINE, OH, registered with the FMCSA under USDOT 1033744. The carrier is currently active in FMCSA's records, and has not yet received a formal FMCSA safety rating. MCS-150 self-reporting puts the fleet at 19 power units and 18 drivers, with 59 roadside inspections on file and a peak out-of-service rate of 33.3%. Use this page to verify the carrier's authority and insurance, review its inspection and crash history, and cross-reference live data on FMCSA SAFER before booking a load or onboarding a partner.
Carrier is unrated
FMCSA has not assigned this carrier a formal safety rating. Use the inspection history and BASIC scores below to assess on-road performance.
KNUCKLEHEAD CHOOCHOO EXPRESS LTD is a mid-sized fleet, operating 19 power units and 18 drivers, organized as a corporation, based in Bellefontaine, OH. Across 40 roadside inspections in the last 24 months, the fleet recorded a 20.0% out-of-service rate, with 2 reportable crashes. BIPD/Primary insurance is on file with NORTHLAND INSURANCE COMPANY, and operating authority is active for common.
40 roadside inspections over the last 24 months, up 167% versus the prior 24 months, concentrated in OH (18) and IN (10), with Level 3 inspections the most common.
20.0% out-of-service rate; led by Vehicle Maintenance (65.0% of violations); top code 393.75A3-TAOL (Tires - All others leaking or inflation less than 50% of the maximum inflation pressure on tire not equipped with ATIS) cited 5 times, 5 of them OOS.
The fleet comprises 19 power units (mid-sized fleet) and 18 drivers; Freightliner, Van guard, and Vanr are the most-inspected makes.
Risk Signals
Out-of-Service rate vs same-size peers FMCSA roadside inspections, % placed out-of-service
Compared against 54,010 ACTIVE carriers operating 9–29 power units (±50% of this carrier's 19 unit fleet).
Inspection Analytics Monthly activity · BASIC mix · state map
Monthly Inspection Activity (24 months)
Violations by BASIC Category
Activity by State
Vehicle Fleet Top makes and models observed in roadside inspections
| Make | Model | Inspections |
|---|---|---|
| Freightliner | 37 | |
| Vanguard | 30 | |
| Hyundai Translead | 9 | |
| Wabash National | 6 | |
| Great Dane | 4 | |
| International | 4 | |
| Kenworth | 4 |
SMS BASIC Scores FMCSA Safety Measurement System per-BASIC scores
| BASIC | Inspections | Serious | Measure | Percentile | Alert | As Of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Driver Fitness | 0 | — | 0.00 | 0 | — | Jul 13, 2026 |
| Controlled Substances / Alcohol | 0 | — | 0.00 | 0 | — | Jul 13, 2026 |
| Hours of Service | 1 | — | 0.19 | 0 | — | Jul 13, 2026 |
| Unsafe Driving | 8 | — | 3.78 | 4 | — | Jul 13, 2026 |
| Vehicle Maintenance | 11 | — | 5.94 | 6 | — | Jul 13, 2026 |
Higher percentiles indicate worse performance relative to peer carriers. Carriers at or above the FMCSA intervention threshold are marked ALERT.
Recent Inspections (59 rows) View all 59 →
| Inspection # | Date ▼ | State | Level | Station | Vehicle | Violations | Top Codes | OOS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 88406185 | Jul 13, 2026 | IN | 2 | — |
FREIGHTLINER TRUCK TRACTOR
|
2 | 393.75A3-TAOL, 393.55D2-B | Yes |
| 88188452 | Jun 18, 2026 | MD | 2 | — |
PETERBILT TRUCK TRACTOR
|
2 | 393.9A-LHWS, 393.9A-LFTSI | No |
| 88136364 | Jun 11, 2026 | TN | 3 | — |
FREIGHTLINER TRUCK TRACTOR
|
0 | — | No |
| 87965652 | May 26, 2026 | TN | 1 | — |
FREIGHTLINER TRUCK TRACTOR
|
0 | — | No |
| 87319446 | Mar 16, 2026 | OH | 3 | BOWLING GREEN OH |
FREIGHTLINER TRUCK TRACTOR
|
0 | — | No |
| 87299466 | Mar 11, 2026 | IN | 3 | DUNREITH IN |
FREIGHTLINER TRUCK TRACTOR
|
1 | 392.2-SLLS2 | No |
| 87024449 | Feb 10, 2026 | OH | 2 | VAN WERT OH |
FREIGHTLINER TRUCK TRACTOR
|
0 | — | No |
| 86986038 | Feb 6, 2026 | OH | 3 | FINDLAY OH |
FREIGHTLINER TRUCK TRACTOR
|
0 | — | No |
| 86972487 | Feb 4, 2026 | OH | 2 | XENIA OH |
KENWORTH TRUCK TRACTOR
|
1 | 393.75A3-TAOLTIS | Yes |
| 86815799 | Jan 14, 2026 | IN | 3 | WEST HARRISON IN |
FREIGHTLINER TRUCK TRACTOR
|
0 | — | No |
| 86764709 | Jan 9, 2026 | IN | 3 | DUNREITH IN |
FREIGHTLINER TRUCK TRACTOR
|
1 | 392.2-SLLS3 | No |
| 86620891 | Dec 18, 2025 | OH | 3 | FINDLAY OH |
FREIGHTLINER TRUCK TRACTOR
|
0 | — | No |
| 86499314 | Dec 5, 2025 | OH | 2 | PIQUA OH |
FREIGHTLINER TRUCK TRACTOR
|
1 | 393.55C1-B | No |
| 86514649 | Dec 3, 2025 | IN | 3 | KNIGHTSTOWN IN |
INTERNATIONAL TRUCK TRACTOR
|
1 | 392.16-D | No |
| 86383006 | Nov 21, 2025 | KY | 1 | LONDON |
FREIGHTLINER TRUCK TRACTOR
|
1 | 393.75A3-TAOL | Yes |
| 86369447 | Nov 20, 2025 | AL | 2 | COLLINSVILLE AL |
FREIGHTLINER TRUCK TRACTOR
|
0 | — | No |
| 86361582 | Nov 19, 2025 | KY | 1 | GEORGETOWN |
FREIGHTLINER TRUCK TRACTOR
|
1 | 393.75C-TAOTD-LT1/32 | Yes |
| 86243397 | Nov 4, 2025 | KY | 2 | LONDON |
FREIGHTLINER TRUCK TRACTOR
|
2 | 393.75A3-TAOL, 395.8E-HOSPD | Yes |
| 86009772 | Oct 8, 2025 | OH | 1 | HARRISON OH |
FREIGHTLINER TRUCK TRACTOR
|
0 | — | No |
| 85923728 | Sep 29, 2025 | OH | 3 | MILFORD OH |
FREIGHTLINER TRUCK TRACTOR
|
0 | — | No |
| 85879431 | Sep 25, 2025 | KY | 1 | LONDON |
FREIGHTLINER TRUCK TRACTOR
|
3 | 396.3A1-BALR, 393.75A3-TAOL, 393.75A2-TAOBB | Yes |
| 85795665 | Sep 15, 2025 | OH | 2 | HARRISON OH |
FREIGHTLINER TRUCK TRACTOR
|
0 | — | No |
| 85812358 | Sep 12, 2025 | IN | 2 | RICHMOND IN |
INTERNATIONAL TRUCK TRACTOR
|
0 | — | No |
| 85646473 | Aug 25, 2025 | IN | 1 | RICHMOND IN |
INTERNATIONAL TRUCK TRACTOR
|
1 | 392.2-SLLIRP | No |
| 85345518 | Jul 23, 2025 | IN | 1 | GAS CITY IN |
FREIGHTLINER TRUCK TRACTOR
|
2 | 393.75A3-TAOL, 396.5B-L | Yes |
Recent Crashes (3 rows)
| Report # | Date ▼ | State | Fatalities | Injuries | Tow | Hazmat | Severity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OH0255070133 | Apr 17, 2025 | OH | 0 | 1 | Yes | No | Injury |
| KY0073105958 | Oct 17, 2024 | KY | 0 | 0 | Yes | No | Tow |
| KY0072800391 | Sep 1, 2022 | KY | 0 | 0 | Yes | No | Tow |
Authority Records (1 docket)
Insurance Coverage Timeline (11 rows)
Every insurance policy on file, newest effective date first. Amber rows mark BIPD/Primary coverage gaps.
| Insurer | Policy # | Type | Limit | Effective | Cancel | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AUTO OWNERS INSURANCE COMPANY | 50-749141-01 | 91X | $750,000 | Jun 26, 2020 | On file | ACTIVE |
| NORTHLAND INSURANCE COMPANY | TN503062 | CARGO | — | Jun 26, 2006 | May 21, 2011 | CANCELLED |
| NORTHLAND INSURANCE COMPANY | TN503062 | BIPD/Primary | — | Jun 26, 2006 | Jun 26, 2020 | REPLACED |
| EMPIRE FIRE & MARINE INSURANCE CO. | CL930046 | CARGO | — | Jun 26, 2005 | Jun 26, 2006 | CANCELLED |
| EMPIRE FIRE & MARINE INSURANCE CO. | CL930046 | BIPD/Primary | — | Jun 26, 2005 | Jun 26, 2006 | CANCELLED |
| CANAL INSURANCE CO. | 448437 | BIPD/Primary | — | Sep 30, 2004 | Sep 30, 2004 | REPLACED |
| NORTHLAND INSURANCE COMPANY | TN362409 | BIPD/Primary | — | Sep 30, 2004 | Jun 26, 2005 | REPLACED |
| NORTHLAND INSURANCE COMPANY | TN362409 | BIPD/Primary | — | Sep 30, 2004 | Jul 28, 2005 | CANCELLED |
| NORTHLAND INSURANCE COMPANY | TN362409 | CARGO | — | Jun 26, 2002 | Jul 28, 2005 | CANCELLED |
| NORTHLAND INSURANCE COMPANY | TN362409 | CARGO | — | Jun 26, 2002 | Jun 26, 2005 | REPLACED |
| NORTHLAND INSURANCE COMPANY | TN362409 | BIPD/Primary | — | Jun 26, 2002 | Sep 30, 2004 | REPLACED |
Compliance Timeline Merged authority / insurance / enforcement events
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Jun 26, 2020insuranceTERM/REPL — NORTHLAND INSURANCE COMPANY
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May 21, 2011insuranceCANCEL — NORTHLAND INSURANCE COMPANY
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Jun 26, 2006insuranceCANCEL — EMPIRE FIRE & MARINE INSURANCE CO.
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Jun 22, 2006
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Jul 28, 2005insuranceTERM/CANCL — NORTHLAND INSURANCE COMPANY
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Jun 26, 2005insuranceTERM/REPL — NORTHLAND INSURANCE COMPANY
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Sep 30, 2004insuranceTERM/REPL — CANAL INSURANCE CO.
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Sep 30, 2004insuranceTERM/REPL — NORTHLAND INSURANCE COMPANY
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Aug 16, 2002
Top Stations & Violation Codes Where this carrier gets inspected and what they get cited for
Most-Inspected Stations
| Station | State | Inspections | OOS |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROADSIDE | OH | 9 | 1 |
| LONDON | KY | 8 | 4 |
| FINDLAY OH | OH | 3 | 0 |
| DUNREITH IN | IN | 2 | 0 |
| RICHMOND IN | IN | 2 | 0 |
| NORTH CORBIN | KY | 2 | 0 |
| HARRISON OH | OH | 2 | 0 |
| COLLINSVILLE AL | AL | 1 | 0 |
| AUBURN IN | IN | 1 | 0 |
| GAS CITY IN | IN | 1 | 1 |
Top Violation Codes Cited
| Code | Description | Category | Cited | OOS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 392.2 | Violation of Local Laws - Explain: | Unsafe Driving | 7 | 0 |
| 392.16(a) | Failing to use seat belt (49 CFR) | Unsafe Driving | 5 | 0 |
| 393.9(a) | Inoperable required lamps | Vehicle Maintenance | 4 | 1 |
| 393.11(a)(1) | Lighting devices/reflectors | Vehicle Maintenance | 2 | 0 |
| 393.47(a) | Inadequate brakes for safe stopping - Brake Lining condition | Vehicle Maintenance | 2 | 2 |
| 396.17(c) | Operating a CMV without proof of a periodic inspection | Vehicle Maintenance | 2 | 0 |
| 376.11(d)(1) | Lease or Rental Agreement not on board leased or rented CMV | Unknown | 1 | 0 |
| 393.45(b)(2) | Brake hose or tubing chafing and/or kinking | Vehicle Maintenance | 1 | 1 |
| 393.55(d)(1) | CMV not equipped with ABS malfunction circuit or signal (Truck-Tractor mfg on/after 3/1/1997; Straight Truck mfg on/after 3/1/1998) | Vehicle Maintenance | 1 | 0 |
| 393.55(d)(3) | No or Defective ABS Malfunction Indicator for towed vehicles on vehicles manufactured after February 2001 | Vehicle Maintenance | 1 | 0 |
Related Records Cross-references to every adjacent page
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Ohio carriers
All carriers based in Ohio
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Bellefontaine carriers
Carriers based in Bellefontaine, OH
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Stations in Ohio
Where this carrier might be inspected
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Docket MC438283
common · ACTIVE · MC
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AUTO OWNERS INSURANCE COMPANY
91X policy on file
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NORTHLAND INSURANCE COMPANY
CARGO policy on file
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EMPIRE FIRE & MARINE INSURANCE CO.
CARGO policy on file
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CANAL INSURANCE CO.
BIPD/Primary policy on file
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PROCESS AGENT SERVICE COMPANY, INC.
BOC-3 process agent · 123,521 carriers served
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59 inspections
Full roadside inspection history
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3 reportable crashes
FMCSA MCMIS crash log
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Fleet recall search
NHTSA recalls covering this fleet's vehicle years/makes
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FMCSA compliance filings guide
MCS-150, insurance, and authority filing requirements
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What drivers and carriers can expect during a stop
How to verify KNUCKLEHEAD CHOOCHOO EXPRESS LTD
- Verify USDOT and MC numbers match the carrier's documents. Compare the USDOT number and MC docket on this page to the numbers on the carrier's invoice, rate confirmation, or load-board listing. A mismatch between the carrier's claimed numbers and the registered legal name is the single most common red flag.
- Check active operating authority and insurance status. Confirm the Authority Records show at least one ACTIVE docket for the type of operation you're booking, and that the Active Insurance card lists a current BIPD/Primary policy. A revoked authority or uninsured carrier cannot legally operate.
- Review safety rating and SMS BASIC scores. Check the carrier's FMCSA safety rating (if any) and the SMS BASIC table. A high percentile in any BASIC category — especially Unsafe Driving, HOS, or Vehicle Maintenance — is worth investigating before tendering a load.
- Examine inspection and crash history. Open the Inspection History and Crash History subpages for the full record. Look for patterns: repeat OOS findings on the same unit, multiple crashes in a short window, or violations clustered in one BASIC category.
- Cross-reference real-time data with FMCSA SAFER. For the most current snapshot — within 24 hours of any insurer filing or authority change — click through to the FMCSA SAFER lookup. TruckCodex mirrors SAFER and L&I daily; SAFER itself reflects filings within 24 hours.
Frequently asked questions about KNUCKLEHEAD CHOOCHOO EXPRESS LTD
Is KNUCKLEHEAD CHOOCHOO EXPRESS LTD an active motor carrier? ▾
What is KNUCKLEHEAD CHOOCHOO EXPRESS LTD's safety rating? ▾
How many inspections has KNUCKLEHEAD CHOOCHOO EXPRESS LTD had? ▾
What is KNUCKLEHEAD CHOOCHOO EXPRESS LTD's out-of-service rate? ▾
Where is KNUCKLEHEAD CHOOCHOO EXPRESS LTD based? ▾
Does KNUCKLEHEAD CHOOCHOO EXPRESS LTD have valid operating authority? ▾
How many trucks and drivers does KNUCKLEHEAD CHOOCHOO EXPRESS LTD operate? ▾
Has KNUCKLEHEAD CHOOCHOO EXPRESS LTD had any crashes? ▾
About FMCSA carrier records
Every commercial motor carrier operating in the United States is required to register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and obtain a USDOT number. The USDOT number is a permanent, unique identifier — once assigned, it stays with the carrier for life and is never reissued to another company. Carriers must update their registration every two years on Form MCS-150 to keep their address, fleet size, and operating data current.
Carrier safety data lives in FMCSA's Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS): roadside inspections, crashes, out-of-service findings, and the seven Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories (BASICs) that make up the SMS scoring methodology. For-hire carriers must also hold operating authority — an MC, FF, or MX docket number — which is separate from the USDOT number and requires continuous insurance and BOC-3 process-agent filings to remain active.
TruckCodex mirrors FMCSA's public SAFER and L&I systems on a daily refresh cycle. Every record on this page reflects what FMCSA has on file. We do not edit or modify carrier data — for real-time confirmation immediately before a transaction, click through to the FMCSA SAFER lookup linked in the related records section above. Safety ratings, when present, come from formal compliance reviews; most active carriers have not been reviewed and are correctly listed as unrated.
Data sources & freshness
TruckCodex aggregates official public-sector datasets. See the Source registry for dataset-level coverage and the Freshness log for last-import timestamps.
Census, SAFER, SMS, Licensing & Insurance (L&I), roadside inspections, crashes, and authority history.
Vehicle recall campaigns, defect investigations, and consumer safety complaints (SCRS).
Cross-border carrier registry and Canadian recall campaigns where applicable.
TruckCodex is an independent aggregator; it is not affiliated with FMCSA, NHTSA, EIA, or Transport Canada. Always verify compliance-critical information directly with the originating agency.