Is Montana - Dakota Utilities Co Safe? DOT 216491 – Safety Rating, Crashes & Violations

Q: What is the safety rating of Montana - Dakota Utilities Co?

Montana - Dakota Utilities Co has a safety rating of "Satisfactory" as of October 5, 1992, based on the most recent FMCSA compliance review.

This carrier is active with a Satisfactory safety rating.

Montana - Dakota Utilities Co is a registered motor carrier with the FMCSA under USDOT number 216491. The company operates from Bismarck, ND and maintains an active operating status with 93 power units and 235 drivers on record.

Safety Rating

FMCSA Safety Rating

✓ Satisfactory

Rated: October 5, 1992

Montana - Dakota Utilities Co 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

Total

OOS

Driver OOS

Vehicle OOS

12 inspections — relatively low volume, which may indicate a smaller or newer carrier.

OOS Rate41.67%

The out-of-service (OOS) rate represents the percentage of inspections that resulted in the carrier being placed out of service. 41.7% — above the national vehicle OOS average of ~21%. Review BASICS scores below.

Crash History

Crash Records

All-time

Total

Fatal

Injuries

Tow-Away

1 crash recorded. Low count, but crash data should always be reviewed alongside inspection history.

BASICS Safety Scores

BASICS Scores

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

0.0

Unsafe Driving

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

0.0

HOS Compliance

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

0.0

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.

6.8

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.

Other Carriers in Bismarck, ND

View all carriers in Bismarck, ND →

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Carrier Insight

Montana - Dakota Utilities Co is a medium-sized motor carrier operating in North Dakota. With 12 total inspections on record, the carrier has an out-of-service rate of 41.7%, which exceeds the national average of approximately 21%. 1 crash has been reported. Review crash details alongside fleet size and inspection history before making hiring decisions.

A Satisfactory rating from the FMCSA indicates that Montana - Dakota Utilities Co meets federal safety standards based on the most recent compliance review. This is the highest rating a carrier can receive.

The company operates 93 power units and employs 235 drivers. This is a mid-sized operation relative to the broader carrier market.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is USDOT Number 216491?

USDOT number 216491 is assigned to Montana - Dakota Utilities Co, an active motor carrier registered with the FMCSA, based in Bismarck, ND.

What is the safety rating of Montana - Dakota Utilities Co?

Montana - Dakota Utilities Co has a safety rating of Satisfactory as of October 5, 1992.

How many inspections has Montana - Dakota Utilities Co had?

Montana - Dakota Utilities Co has recorded 12 total inspections with 5 out-of-service orders, representing an OOS rate of 41.67%.

Where is Montana - Dakota Utilities Co located?

Montana - Dakota Utilities Co is headquartered at 400 N 4th Street, Bismarck, ND 58501.

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.

Data sourced from the FMCSA Open Data Portal. Updated monthly. DOT# 216491 · Last updated: 2026-03-09. View official FMCSA record →

Montana - Dakota Utilities Co (DOT# 216491) – FMCSA Carrier Profile