TruckCodex
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Critical regulatory warnings
  • No active BIPD/Primary insurance on file — uninsured for 1,209 days (since Mar 29, 2023). A carrier without active primary liability coverage cannot legally operate.

BRUCE MICHELS

DBA: BRUCE J MICHELS TRUCKING

USDOT 98280 Active INDIVIDUAL AUTHORIZED FOR HIRE;EXEMPT FOR HIRE INDIVIDUAL Owner: BRUCE MICHELS Grain / Feed / Hay Dry Bulk Based in INDEPENDENCE, IA Grade F · 69
Brokers & shippers · booking check

Do not book — hard regulatory blocker

One or more hard blockers are on file. Do not tender until the issue is cured and confirmed on FMCSA.

Do not book
Uninsured since · Mar 29, 2023
Coverage resumed · Jun 15, 2004
Common (Property) reinstated · Jan 23, 2012
Blockers
  • No active BIPD/Primary insurance on file Uninsured 1209 days (since Mar 29, 2023).
Review these
  • Prior insurance gap · 8 days Jun 7, 2004 → Jun 15, 2004
  • Common (Property) gap · 2786 days Inactive Jun 7, 2004 → reinstated Jan 23, 2012
On file
  • FMCSA cargo filing on file · BMC-34 GRINNELL MUTUAL REINSURANCE CO. · Filing evidence (BMC-34/83) — not a shipper COI Details →
  • BOC-3 process agent on file JOY B. FITZGERALD RESIDENT AGENT, INC. Details →
Org: INDIVIDUAL
Owner: BRUCE MICHELS
Cargo: Grain / Feed / Hay, Dry Bulk
Built for brokers and shippers deciding whether to tender. Always confirm on FMCSA SAFER and L&I before booking — TruckCodex mirrors public filings and can lag by up to a day.
Plain-text risk summary (print / paste) 
TruckCodex risk summary — BRUCE MICHELS (USDOT 98280)
Verdict: DO NOT BOOK
Do not book — hard regulatory blocker
One or more hard blockers are on file. Do not tender until the issue is cured and confirmed on FMCSA.

Authority / census status: Active
Officer(s): BRUCE MICHELS (Owner)
Organization: INDIVIDUAL

Blockers:
  • No active BIPD/Primary insurance on file — Uninsured 1209 days (since Mar 29, 2023).

Cautions:
  • Prior insurance gap · 8 days — Jun 7, 2004 → Jun 15, 2004
  • Common (Property) gap · 2786 days — Inactive Jun 7, 2004 → reinstated Jan 23, 2012

On file:
  • FMCSA cargo filing on file · BMC-34 — GRINNELL MUTUAL REINSURANCE CO. · Filing evidence (BMC-34/83) — not a shipper COI
  • BOC-3 process agent on file — JOY B. FITZGERALD RESIDENT AGENT, INC.

Source: https://truckcodex.com/usdot/98280/
As of: Jul 20, 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 F

Hard regulatory signal on file (OOS / revoked / Not Authorized / uninsured / Unsatisfactory). Composite mean of 4/5 scored components is 69/100 — letter capped at F. Expand for per-signal evidence. Heuristic — not an FMCSA rating or legal advice.

F confidence 80% · 4/5 signals
Authority / census
Active · 100/100

Active census status with no OOS order or revoked authority on file.

Insurance / BIPD
Uninsured · 0/100

No active BIPD/Primary on file since Mar 29, 2023.

OOS vs peers
On par with peers · 75/100

Driver OOS 0% vs peer median 0% (neutral). Vehicle OOS 0% vs peer median 0% (neutral). n=281617 same-size ACTIVE peers.

FMCSA safety rating
Unrated

FMCSA has not assigned this carrier a formal safety rating. We do not invent one.

NR reason: No published FMCSA safety_rating.

Insurance-watch tier
Not on watch · 100/100

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: Do not book.

Operating authority
Insurance

Uninsured since Mar 29, 2023

BOC-3 agent

JOY B. FITZGERALD RESIDENT AGENT, INC.

Company profile

Company details
USDOT 98280
In FMCSA records since Jun 1, 1974 (~52y)
Entity INDIVIDUAL
Business org INDIVIDUAL
Owner BRUCE MICHELS
Operation AUTHORIZED FOR HIRE;EXEMPT FOR HIRE
Cargo carried
Grain / Feed / Hay, Dry Bulk
Fleet size 2 units
Drivers 2
Annual mileage 115,000 mi
Contact & address
Phone: (319) 938-2872
Physical
2045 JAMESTOWN AVE
INDEPENDENCE, IA 50644
Mailing address matches physical.
Registration & safety rating
USDOT 98280
In FMCSA records since Jun 1, 1974 (~52y)
Entity INDIVIDUAL
Operation AUTHORIZED FOR HIRE;EXEMPT FOR HIRE
Annual mileage (MCS-150) 115,000 mi
vs. National Average
Vehicle OOS Rate 0.0% vs 23.4% -23.4 pts
Driver OOS Rate 0.0% vs 6.7% -6.7 pts
Peer tier (small fleets (≤10 power units)) median OOS rate: 50%
FMCSA cargo filing (BMC-34/83)

FMCSA L&I filing evidence — not a shipper certificate of insurance (COI). Cargo (BMC-34) is primarily an HHG / household-goods requirement; general freight carriers often have none.

Related filings

Fleet details (MCS-150)

Vehicle type Owned Term leased Trip leased
Truck tractors 2 0 0
Trailers 2 0 0

Self-reported on the carrier’s Form MCS-150 (FMCSA Company Census).

Power Units
2
Drivers
2
Inspections
2
FMCSA roadside history on file
OOS Rate (peak)
—
Crashes
2
None in last 24 months · all-time on file
Authorities
1
0 active
Carrier analysis & narrative context SEO summary, status notes, AI overview, and safety profiles

BRUCE MICHELS is a individual based in INDEPENDENCE, IA, registered with the FMCSA under USDOT 98280. 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 2 power units and 2 drivers, with 2 roadside inspections on file. 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.

Carrier overview

BRUCE MICHELS is a small fleet, operating 2 power units and 2 drivers, organized as an individual, with 21 years on FMCSA's records, based in Independence, IA. FMCSA records show no inspection or crash activity in the last 24 months. The carrier currently has no active BIPD/Primary coverage on file, and all filed authority types (common) are currently revoked.

Inspection profile

No roadside inspections were recorded in the last 24 months, down from 2 in the prior 24-month window.

Fleet profile

The fleet comprises 2 power units (small fleet); 2 drivers.

Risk Signals

Authority revoked
2 revocations on record.

Out-of-Service rate vs same-size peers FMCSA roadside inspections, % placed out-of-service

Compared against 281,617 ACTIVE carriers operating 1–3 power units (±50% of this carrier's 2 unit fleet).

This carrier — Driver OOS
0%
Drivers placed out-of-service at roadside inspections
Peer median
0%
Median across 281,617 same-size peers
Verdict
On par with peers
Delta 0 pts vs peer median (lower is safer)
This carrier — Vehicle OOS
0%
Vehicles placed out-of-service at roadside inspections
Peer median
0%
Median across 281,617 same-size peers
Verdict
On par with peers
Delta 0 pts vs peer median (lower is safer)

Authority gap detected (1)

  • Common (Property) authority was inactive from Jun 7, 2004 to Jan 23, 2012 (2786 days)

Historical coverage gap detected (1)

  • No active BIPD/Primary insurance from Jun 7, 2004 to Jun 15, 2004 (8 days)
Vehicle Fleet Top makes and models observed in roadside inspections
Make Model Inspections
Freightliner 2
Wilson 2
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 20, 2026
Controlled Substances / Alcohol 0 — 0.00 0 — Jul 20, 2026
Hours of Service 0 — 0.00 0 — Jul 20, 2026
Unsafe Driving 0 — 0.00 0 — Jul 20, 2026
Vehicle Maintenance 0 — 0.00 0 — Jul 20, 2026

Higher percentiles indicate worse performance relative to peer carriers. Carriers at or above the FMCSA intervention threshold are marked ALERT.

Recent Inspections (2 rows) View all 2 →
Inspection # Date ▼ State Level Station Vehicle Violations Top Codes OOS
80942443 Feb 25, 2024 IA 3 HWY 17 SB
FREIGHTLINER TRUCK TRACTOR
IA JG8930 · 1FUJA3BDX1LH37575
1 392.2 No
80448844 Dec 11, 2023 IA 3 —
FREIGHTLINER TRUCK TRACTOR
IA JG8930 · 1FUJA3BDX1LH37575
1 392.2 No
Recent Crashes (2 rows)
Report # Date ▼ State Fatalities Injuries Tow Hazmat Severity
IL0007798757 Feb 13, 2003 IL 0 0 Yes No Tow
WI000001597A Jan 8, 1992 WI 0 0 Yes No Tow
Authority Records (1 docket)
common
MC139344
INACTIVE
—
View full authority record →

Revocations & Inactive Status

Authority actions other than active status — revocations, voluntary surrenders, and dormant dockets.

Date Docket Authority Status Applied
Unknown MC139344 common INACTIVE —
MC Certificate Documents (2 PDFs)

Authority Records (above) are FMCSA docket status and lifecycle events. MC Certificate Documents here are the archived PDF letters for each action — grants, reinstatements, revocations, name changes, and transfers. They are related but not the same dataset: one row per PDF letter, not one file per docket.

Click a row to open that specific letter. Multiple letters per docket are listed separately by action type and date.

Date Docket Action Authority PDF
Jan 23, 2012 MC139344-C REI REINSTATEMENT REI →
May 3, 2004 MC139344 NC REVOCATION NC →
Insurance Coverage Timeline (7 rows)

Every insurance policy on file, newest effective date first. Amber rows mark BIPD/Primary coverage gaps.

Insurer Policy # Type Limit Effective Cancel Status
GRINNELL MUTUAL REINSURANCE CO. 0010062802 34 — Apr 1, 2007 On file ACTIVE
GRINNELL MUTUAL REINSURANCE CO. 0010062802 BIPD/Primary — Apr 1, 2007 Mar 29, 2023 CANCELLED
GRINNELL MUTUAL REINSURANCE CO. 0010062802 BIPD/Primary — Apr 1, 2007 Apr 1, 2007 REPLACED
GRINNELL MUTUAL REINSURANCE CO. 0010062802 BIPD/Primary — Jun 15, 2004 Apr 1, 2007 REPLACED
Coverage gap — 8 days without BIPD/Primary coverage from Jun 7, 2004 to Jun 15, 2004
UNION AUTOMOBILE INDEMNITY ASSOCIATION AA4 657292 CARGO — Dec 14, 1993 Jun 7, 2004 NAME CHANGED
UNION AUTOMOBILE INDEMNITY ASSOCIATION AA4 657292 BIPD — Dec 14, 1993 Jun 7, 2004 NAME CHANGED
Compliance Timeline Merged authority / insurance / enforcement events
  1. Apr 4, 2023
    authority
    REVOKED — MOTOR PROPERTY COMMON CARRIER
    Details →
  2. Apr 4, 2023
    authority
    Authority revoked — INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION
  3. Mar 29, 2023
    insurance
    CANCEL — GRINNELL MUTUAL REINSURANCE CO.
  4. Apr 1, 2007
    insurance
    TERM/REPL — GRINNELL MUTUAL REINSURANCE CO.
  5. Jun 7, 2004
    authority
    REVOKED — MOTOR PROPERTY COMMON CARRIER
    Details →
  6. Jun 7, 2004
    insurance
    NAMECHG — UNION AUTOMOBILE INDEMNITY ASSOCIATION
  7. Jun 7, 2004
    authority
    Authority revoked — INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION
  8. Jun 7, 2004
    insurance gap
    Coverage gap: 8 days without BIPD/Primary insurance (through Jun 15, 2004)
  9. Jun 7, 2004
    authority gap
    Common (Property) authority inactive: 2786 days (through Jan 23, 2012)
  10. Jan 7, 1994
    authority
    DISCONTINUED REVOCATION — COMMON
    Details →
Top Stations & Violation Codes Where this carrier gets inspected and what they get cited for

Most-Inspected Stations

Station State Inspections OOS
HWY 17 SB IA 1 0

Top Violation Codes Cited

Code Description Category Cited OOS
392.2 Violation of Local Laws - Explain: Unsafe Driving 2 0
Related Records Cross-references to every adjacent page
Directory
Authority Records
Insurance Carriers
Process Agent (BOC-3)
Carrier Records
Discover
Explainers

How to verify BRUCE MICHELS

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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 BRUCE MICHELS

Is BRUCE MICHELS an active motor carrier? ▾
Yes. BRUCE MICHELS is registered with the FMCSA under USDOT 98280 and is currently shown as Active in the agency's Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS). Active status means the carrier may legally operate, contingent on continuous insurance and authority filings.
What is BRUCE MICHELS's safety rating? ▾
BRUCE MICHELS is unrated. FMCSA assigns formal safety ratings only after a compliance review, and the agency has not yet completed one for this carrier. Being unrated is not by itself a red flag — most active carriers in the database are unrated. Review the inspection and BASIC data below to assess on-road performance.
How many inspections has BRUCE MICHELS had? ▾
2 roadside inspections are on file for BRUCE MICHELS in FMCSA's MCMIS database. Each inspection is summarized in the Inspection History section below — sortable by date, state, level, and out-of-service result. Newer inspections are pulled from the FMCSA SMS data feed daily.
What is BRUCE MICHELS's out-of-service rate? ▾
BRUCE MICHELS has no out-of-service findings on its inspection record. Across 2 inspections, no driver or vehicle has been placed out of service — a clean record relative to the national averages of roughly 6.7% (driver) and 23.4% (vehicle).
Where is BRUCE MICHELS based? ▾
BRUCE MICHELS reports its physical address to the FMCSA as 2045 JAMESTOWN AVE, INDEPENDENCE, Iowa 50644. Carriers must file a Form MCS-150 every two years to keep their address current; an outdated address is a common compliance flag.
Does BRUCE MICHELS have valid operating authority? ▾
BRUCE MICHELS has 1 authority record on file, but none are currently active. See the Authority Records section below for the status of each docket — common reasons for inactive authority include lapsed insurance, cancelled BOC-3 filings, or revocation following safety-related actions.
How many trucks and drivers does BRUCE MICHELS operate? ▾
BRUCE MICHELS self-reports 2 power units and 2 drivers on its most recent FMCSA Form MCS-150 filing. Power-unit and driver counts come from the carrier directly and are required to be updated every two years; very large fluctuations between filings can indicate fleet changes worth investigating.
Has BRUCE MICHELS had any crashes? ▾
2 FMCSA-reportable crashes are on file for BRUCE MICHELS in MCMIS. A reportable crash is one resulting in a fatality, an injury requiring transport for medical attention, or a vehicle disabled and towed from the scene. The full crash log is on the Crashes subpage with date, state, and outcome details.

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.

FMCSA

Census, SAFER, SMS, Licensing & Insurance (L&I), roadside inspections, crashes, and authority history.

Refreshed daily.
NHTSA

Vehicle recall campaigns, defect investigations, and consumer safety complaints (SCRS).

Refreshed daily.
EIA

Retail diesel and gasoline price history and state fuel-tax tables.

Refreshed weekly.
Transport Canada

Cross-border carrier registry and Canadian recall campaigns where applicable.

Refreshed weekly.

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.