Introduction: connecting safety score to bypass opportunities 

For fleet managers, operational efficiency isn’t just about getting from Point A to Point B. It’s about doing so with fewer delays, lower costs, and less driver frustration. One major factor influencing those outcomes is how often trucks are pulled into weigh stations or roadside inspections. 

Your fleet’s Inspection Selection System (ISS) score — calculated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) — plays a big role in whether you get a bypass or a pull-in. The lower your ISS score, the better your chances of avoiding unnecessary inspections. And with tools like INFORM™ Safety data analysis and the PrePass bypass app, fleets can improve their ISS score, resolve outstanding vehicle or driver issues, and modernize management in ways that save time and money. 

What is the ISS score and why it matters 

The ISS score is the FMCSA’s way of evaluating a carrier’s safety performance. It’s based on multiple factors, including: 

  • Preventable crash history 
  • Vehicle inspection results 
  • Hours-of-service (HOS) compliance violations 
  • Unsafe driving violations 

This score determines whether an inspector is likely to pull in your truck for a closer look. A lower ISS score generally means fewer inspections and more bypasses. 

How ISS scoring impacts bypass eligibility 

Bypass systems like the PrePass bypass app use data from state and federal agencies to decide in seconds whether a truck can continue driving or must pull in. One of the most influential data points? Your fleet’s ISS score. 

In general: 

  • Green zone (low score): High probability of bypass  
  • Yellow zone (moderate score): Mixed results — more pull-ins than low scores  
  • Red zone (high score): Almost certain pull-in 

The cost of weigh station pull-ins 

Every pull-in has a measurable cost. Even if no violations are found, the stop still takes time, fuel, and labor. Every bypass could: 

Benefit Impact per Bypass 
Time Saved Up to 7 minutes 
Fuel Saved Up to 0.5 gallon 
Cost Savings Up to $11.75 
Safety Safe and scheduled weigh station bypasses 

PrePass turns routine weigh station stops into real savings—cutting time, fuel, and costs with every bypass. Whether you’re hauling long distance or just passing through, the impact adds up fast. 

Sources: Based on PrePass internal data and ATRI Operational Cost of Trucking, June 2024, NACFE | Weigh & Toll Station Bypass. 

INFORM™ Safety: turning data into action 

INFORM™ Safety is PrePass’s advanced analytics tool designed to help fleets: 

  • Understand safety trends 
  • Identify violations by type, location, or driver 
  • Pinpoint maintenance or compliance weaknesses 

By actively managing the factors that can influence your ISS score, fleets can shift into lower-risk categories and dramatically improve bypass rates. 

Pre-clearing safety, credentials, and weight 

When approaching a weigh station, information from pre-approved vehicles is communicated to the enforcement systems to verify: 

  • Safety history and ISS score 
  • Credentials (registration, insurance, permits 
  • Weight compliance 
  • Vehicle safety – not overweight, balding tires, etc. 

If all checks pass, the driver receives a bypass notification on the app, allowing them to continue driving without slowing down. Drivers may also encounter a random inspection.  

Time and fuel savings from higher bypass rates 

Fewer inspections mean:  

  • Less idling — saving fuel and reducing emissions 
  • Shorter trips — improving on-time delivery performance 
  • Lower labor costs — paying drivers for moving freight, not waiting in line 

J&M Tank Lines, a high-compliance bulk carrier operating across the Southeast, saw measurable gains after rolling out PrePass Plus fleetwide. In just 12 months, they logged over 14,000 bypasses, saving $152,000 in operational costs, $37,000 in fuel, and reclaiming 2,400 driver hours 

With fewer inspections, trucks spent less time idling and more time moving—reducing emissions, improving delivery performance, and keeping drivers focused on the road, not the line. 

Source: Customer case study, J&M Tank Lines 

Reducing downtime and driver frustration 

Drivers value momentum. Frequent stops for inspections — especially when they’re unnecessary — can be a major morale killer. The bypass app can help to reduce: 

  • Driver stress from delays 
  • Fatigue from repeated stop-and-go 
  • Potential detention at inspection sites 

This not only improves productivity but can help with driver retention. 

The safety connection: why proactive fleets win 

By keeping safety records clean and equipment well-maintained, proactive fleets: 

  • Stay in the ISS green zone 
  • Receive more bypass approvals 
  • Spend less time under the microscope of roadside enforcement 

Proactivity is rewarded with fewer disruptions and lower operating costs. 

Modernizing fleet management with mobile technology 

The bypass app is more than a weigh station avoidance tool — it’s part of a bigger picture: 

  • Mobile accessibility for drivers and managers 
  • Provides fleet managers visibility into inspection details 
  • Helps drivers stay connected while on the road 

This integration helps centralize operational data and streamline decision-making. 

Data-driven decision-making for bypass optimization 

Fleets using INFORM™ Safety and the bypass app can: 

  • Track bypass vs. pull-in rates 
  • Identify geographic trends in inspections 
  •  See more data regarding driver coaching or necessary vehicle fixes 

With data in hand, fleet managers can fine-tune strategies to keep drivers safe on the road.  

The toll management advantage 

PrePass also offers toll management solutions, which includes consolidated billing and reduced administrative work. By combining bypass and toll data in one platform, fleets gain: 

  • Unified reporting 
  • Fewer billing errors 
  • Improved cost control 

Explore PrePass toll management solutions here. 

Security and reliability in bypass operations 

PrePass systems are built with secure, encrypted communication channels, ensuring: 

  • Data privacy 
  • Consistent uptime 
  • Reliability across multiple states and inspection facilities 

Conclusion: lowering pull-ins starts with better data 

Reducing weigh station inspections  isn’t luck — it’s strategy. By understanding how your ISS score can affect bypass eligibility and using tools like INFORM™ Safety and the bypass app, fleets can keep trucks moving, lower costs, and help to improve driver satisfaction. 

FAQs 

How does the bypass app know if my truck is eligible to bypass? 

It verifies your ISS score, credentials, and weight compliance through state and federal databases. 

Will improving my ISS score guarantee more bypasses? 

While nothing is guaranteed, a lower score greatly increases the likelihood of a bypass. 

How often should I review INFORM™ Safety data? 

Weekly reviews help spot trends before they become unsafe or costly. 

Can I use both the bypass app and a transponder? 

Yes – this will help you to get more bypass opportunities. 

How quickly can fleets see improvement? 

Many fleets notice higher bypass rates within weeks of improving their ISS score.