What is MC number 97275?

MC number 97275 is assigned to Estes Express Lines, a registered motor carrier with the FMCSA under USDOT number 121018.

Is Estes Express Lines Safe? DOT 121018 – Safety Rating, Crashes & Violations

Q: What is the safety rating of Estes Express Lines?

Estes Express Lines has a safety rating of "Satisfactory" as of January 29, 2001, based on the most recent FMCSA compliance review.

Q: How many inspections has Estes Express Lines had?

Estes Express Lines has recorded 4664 total inspections, with 610 out-of-service orders.

Q: Where is Estes Express Lines located?

Estes Express Lines is headquartered at 3901 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 23230.

This carrier is active with a Satisfactory safety rating.

Estes Express Lines is a registered motor carrier with the FMCSA under USDOT number 121018. The company operates from Richmond, VA and maintains an active operating status with 9,805 power units and 8,821 drivers on record.

Safety Rating

FMCSA Safety Rating

✓ Satisfactory

Rated: January 29, 2001

Estes Express Lines holds a "Satisfactory" safety rating from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). This rating indicates that the carrier has been found to comply with federal safety regulations based on the most recent compliance review conducted by FMCSA. View official FMCSA record →

Inspection Summary

All-time Inspections

All-time

4,664

Total

610

OOS

Driver OOS

571

Vehicle OOS

4,664 inspections indicates a high-volume, actively operating carrier.

OOS Rate13.08%

The out-of-service (OOS) rate represents the percentage of inspections that resulted in the carrier being placed out of service. 13.1% — approaching the national vehicle OOS average of ~21%.

Crash History

Crash Records

All-time

522

Total

Fatal

248

Injuries

Tow-Away

522 crashes reported. Review fatal and injury counts carefully alongside fleet size before engaging this carrier.

BASICS Safety Scores

BASICS Scores

Higher = more risk · FMCSA Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories

0.6

Unsafe Driving

Measures violations related to speeding, reckless driving, and improper lane changes.

0.1

HOS Compliance

Tracks hours-of-service violations, including driving beyond legal limits without rest.

0.1

Driver Fitness

Reflects issues with driver qualifications, licenses, and medical certifications.

0.0

Controlled Substances

Captures drug and alcohol violations, including failed or refused tests.

2.8

Vehicle Maintenance

Reflects brake, tire, lighting, and other equipment-related inspection violations.

Scores above 65 (general freight) or 50 (passenger/hazmat) trigger an FMCSA Alert. Higher scores indicate more safety risk. National median is approximately 20–30 for active carriers.

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Carrier Insight

Estes Express Lines is a large motor carrier operating in Virginia. With 4,664 total inspections on record, the carrier has an out-of-service rate of 13.1%, which is below the national average of approximately 21%. 522 crashes have been reported. Review crash details alongside fleet size and inspection history before making hiring decisions.

A Satisfactory rating from the FMCSA indicates that Estes Express Lines meets federal safety standards based on the most recent compliance review. This is the highest rating a carrier can receive.

The company operates 9,805 power units and employs 8,821 drivers. This fleet size places it among the larger carriers in the FMCSA registry.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is USDOT Number 121018?

USDOT number 121018 is assigned to Estes Express Lines, an active motor carrier registered with the FMCSA, based in Richmond, VA.

What is the safety rating of Estes Express Lines?

Estes Express Lines has a safety rating of Satisfactory as of January 29, 2001.

How many inspections has Estes Express Lines had?

Estes Express Lines has recorded 4,664 total inspections with 610 out-of-service orders, representing an OOS rate of 13.08%.

Where is Estes Express Lines located?

Estes Express Lines is headquartered at 3901 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 23230.

What does "Not Rated" mean?

"Not Rated" means the FMCSA has not conducted a formal compliance review for this carrier. It does not indicate a safety problem — many active carriers operate without a formal rating.

Is zero crashes always a good sign?

Generally yes, but context matters. A carrier with zero crashes and very few inspections may simply have limited road exposure. Always review crash data alongside inspection volume and fleet size.

What is a normal OOS rate?

The national average vehicle out-of-service rate is approximately 21%. Driver OOS averages around 5%. Rates significantly above these thresholds may indicate recurring compliance issues.

How often is FMCSA data updated?

FMCSA publishes updated carrier data monthly. This page reflects the most recent available snapshot, updated on the date shown above.

What is the MC number for Estes Express Lines?

The MC number for Estes Express Lines is MC# 97275. The MC number is issued by the FMCSA and authorizes carriers to operate in interstate commerce.

Data sourced from the FMCSA Open Data Portal. Updated monthly. DOT# 121018 · Last updated: 2026-03-09. View official FMCSA record →

Estes Express Lines (DOT# 121018 · MC# 97275) – FMCSA Carrier Profile