FedEx has introduced an important new performance metric for linehaul contractors: the Linehaul Hours of Service (HOS) Summary Indicator. This change reflects FedEx's commitment to safety excellence and builds on significant improvements in HOS CSA scores across the linehaul network over the past year.
For contractors, this new indicator represents both a challenge and an opportunity. While it adds another metric to monitor, it also provides a clear, standardized framework for improving safety outcomes, reducing CSA violations, and strengthening your operation's performance profile.
What Is the HOS Summary Indicator?
The HOS Summary Indicator is a weighted scoring system based on reporting from qualified ELD vendors, specifically designed for linehaul operations. The indicator accounts for various HOS event types as well as "miles under dispatch" associated with providing services for each Transportation Service Provider (TSP).
Each event type carries a weight aligned with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) standards used in the Compliance, Safety, and Accountability (CSA) program. Events are multiplied by their weight, totaled, and then divided by miles under dispatch to calculate your indicator value. This score becomes a key measure of your operation's HOS compliance and will be used in discussions with TSPs regarding safety performance.
The Five Event Types and Their Weights
Understanding which events impact your score — and by how much — is essential for prioritizing your safety efforts:
|
Event Type |
Criteria |
Weight |
|---|---|---|
|
Unidentified Driving Event |
UDE of 5 miles or more (unannotated and unassigned) |
5 |
|
Personal Conveyance |
PC event lasting 120 minutes or more |
4 |
|
Hourly Violation |
Each violation |
2 |
|
Missing Logs |
Each violation (Omni/Trimble only) |
1 |
|
Form & Manner |
Each violation (Motive only) |
1 |
The weighting system reflects the relative severity and safety implications of each event type. Unidentified Driving Events carry the highest weight because they represent potential gaps in accountability and oversight. Personal Conveyance events lasting two hours or more can indicate misuse of off-duty time or confusion about proper PC protocols.
Form & Manner: The Newest Addition
In addition to the original four event types, FedEx has added Form & Manner (F&M) violations as a tracked metric for Motive users ahead of the August 2026 sole-source Motive ELD mandate. Form & Manner violations occur when required information is missing or incorrect on a driver's log, which can result in violations during roadside inspections.
There are seven types of Form & Manner violations that contractors need to monitor:
- Shipping Documents - Manual entry of shipping document numbers
- Driver Signature/Log Certification - Daily log signatures and recertification after edits
- Vehicle/Equipment - Tractor info (automatic via Motive Driver App) and trailer info (manual entry)
- Carrier Name - Proper FEC information (not TSP information)
- Main Office - Correct FEC office location
- Distance - Automatically captured when connected via Motive Driver App
- Odometer - Automatically captured when connected via Motive Driver App
While Form & Manner violations carry a weight of only 1, they are often the easiest to address through proper training and system configuration — making them an ideal starting point for improving your HOS Summary Indicator score.
How S.A.F.E. Addresses Every Element of the HOS Summary Indicator
At Linehaul Central, we leverage the Strategic Automated Fleet Engine (S.A.F.E.) specifically for the unique demands of FedEx linehaul operations. The S.A.F.E. platform integrates seamlessly with Motive ELD to provide comprehensive support for every event type in the HOS Summary Indicator.
Behavior-Based Driver Coaching
S.A.F.E. delivers targeted, behavior-based driver coaching for all Hours of Service violation types, Form and Manner errors, and uncertified log events. Rather than generic safety training, our coaching addresses the specific behaviors that led to each violation, helping drivers understand not just what happened, but why it matters and how to prevent it in the future.
This approach transforms compliance from a checklist item into a culture of continuous improvement. Drivers receive timely, relevant feedback that helps them develop better habits and make sound decisions in real-world situations.
FedEx-Qualified Safety Training
Linehaul Central is a FedEx Qualified Safety Training Program vendor, which means our driver training meets FedEx's stringent standards for quality and relevance. All linehaul contractors are required to provide ongoing driver training from a qualified vendor — and our linehaul-tailored curriculum is designed specifically for the operating environment your drivers work in every day.
Our Hours-of-Service training covers:
- Hours of Service regulations and best practices
- Proper use of Personal Conveyance
- ELD compliance and log accuracy
- Form & Manner requirements
- Strategies for avoiding Unidentified Driving Events
- Safe driving techniques for linehaul operations
Motive Integration and Setup Guidance
Since all linehaul contractors will be required to use Motive as the sole source ELD provider starting August 2026, we've built deep integration with the Motive platform. S.A.F.E. provides comprehensive guides for setting up Motive's Driver Walkthrough features to ensure driver guidance and compliance from day one.
These setup guides help you configure:
- Automated prompts for shipping document entry
- Daily log certification reminders
- Trailer number verification workflows
- Proper carrier name and main office defaults
- Driver App connection protocols for automatic distance and odometer capture
By properly configuring these features, you can prevent many Form & Manner violations before they occur — turning your ELD system into a proactive compliance tool rather than just a recording device.
Immediate Visibility and Actionable Insights
S.A.F.E. provides immediate visibility into all HOS events tracked by the Summary Indicator. You can see at a glance which drivers have violations, what types of events are occurring, and whether coaching has been completed. Our dashboard shows both individual driver performance and fleet-wide trends, allowing you to identify patterns and address systemic issues before they impact your HOS Summary Indicator score.
The platform tracks:
- Event frequency by type and driver
- Coaching completion status
- Comparative performance across your fleet
- Detailed event information for root cause analysis
This level of visibility empowers you to make data-driven decisions about where to focus your safety efforts and which drivers may need additional support.
Staying Ahead of the Curve
The regulatory and contractual landscape for linehaul contractors is constantly evolving. That's why Linehaul Central maintains ongoing conversations with both Motive and FedEx leadership to ensure we're always up to date on the latest metrics, requirements, and best practices.
We work proactively with both organizations to make the compliance process as streamlined as possible for contractors. When requirements change, we update our platform, training materials, and guidance to reflect those changes — so you can focus on running your operation rather than interpreting new regulations.
The Bottom Line: Compliance Drives Profitability
The HOS Summary Indicator isn't just about meeting FedEx requirements or avoiding CSA violations. It's about building a safer, more efficient operation that attracts and retains quality drivers, reduces operational disruptions, and positions your business for sustainable growth.
Reducing HOS events helps you:
- Improve SRI scores and avoid interventions
- Strengthen relationships with FedEx
- Reduce driver turnover by creating a culture of support and continuous improvement
- Minimize roadside violations and the associated costs and delays
- Build a reputation as a reliable, safety-focused operation
With S.A.F.E., you have a partner that understands the unique challenges of FedEx linehaul operations and provides the tools, training, and support you need to excel under the new HOS Summary Indicator framework.
Reducing these events doesn't just help you stay compliant — it contributes to safer roads for everyone.
Ready to optimize your HOS Summary Indicator score? Contact us to learn how S.A.F.E. can transform your approach to Hours of Service compliance and driver safety.
