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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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:
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:
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.
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:
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.
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 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:
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.