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BIG SKY TRUCKING INC
Helena, MT
CarrierChk vetting signal
No flags raised
Authority, insurance, safety rating, crash records and out-of-service rates checked
FMCSA status: Active & Authorized · DOT 278700 · MC 161291
Satisfactory
Active 35 yrs, 7 mo
Broker Vetting Summary
Key signals from current FMCSA records
Authority
Active
MC-161291 · Common carrier
Insurance
On File
Northland Insurance Company
Safety
Satisfactory
8.5% OOS · 108 inspections on record
✓ No risk flags found on authority or insurance records
Vetting notes
- Operating authority active for 35 yrs, 7 mo
- Insurance on file: $1,000,000
- FMCSA safety rating: Satisfactory
- Vehicle out-of-service rate 18.5% — below the 20.7% national average
- Driver out-of-service rate 1.7% — below the 5.5% national average
- 108 FMCSA inspections on record
Authority & Compliance
Authority, insurance and required filings
Operating Authority
MC161291
Motor Carrier of Property (Except Household Goods) · $1,000,000 required
Insurance on File
Northland Insurance Company
BI&PD · $1,000,000 · Policy WF009647
NORTHLAND INSURANCE COMPANY
BI&PD · $750,000 · Policy WF009642
Required Filings
Liability (BIPD)
$1,000,000
Company Information
Registration, contact and cargo details
FMCSA Registration
DOT Number
278700
MC Number
MC-161291
Safety Rating
Satisfactory
Entity Type
Corporation
Operation Classification
Authorized for hire
MCS-150 Filed
August 3, 2026
FMCSA Registration
September 9, 1986
Authority Granted
March 11, 1991
Annual Mileage
1,759,402 mi (2025)
Contact Information
Address
3178 E Lyndale Ave, Helena, MT 59601
Phone
Email
Website
Owner / Officer
Randall Stewart
Officer 2
Chris Stewart
Cargo Types
General FreightMetal/Sheet SteelLogs/Poles/BeamsBuilding MaterialsFresh ProduceLivestockGrain/FeedDry BulkRefrigerated FoodBeveragesPaper ProductsConstruction MaterialsMeatOther Cargo
Safety Snapshot
Out-of-service rates, violations and crashes
Safety & Inspection Summary
Total Inspections
108
Driver Inspections
84
Vehicle Inspections
43
Out-of-Service Violations
14
Violations by Category
Vehicle Maintenance29
Unsafe Driving6
Hours of Service24
OOS Rates vs. National Average
Driver OOS Rate1.7% · national avg 5.5%
✓ Below national average
Vehicle OOS Rate18.5% · national avg 20.7%
✓ Below national average
8.5% of 71 inspections in the last 24 months put a driver or vehicle out of service —
22nd percentile among carriers with 25–99 inspections (lower is better).
CarrierChk calculation from FMCSA roadside inspection records, not an FMCSA score.
Inspection Trend by Year
2026
2025
2024
Violation Rate by Category
Share of roadside inspections in FMCSA's rolling 24-month window that found a violation in each category. The individual violations are listed under each inspection in Inspection Details below. None of this is the basis of the safety rating, which comes from an on-site compliance review.
Vehicle Maintenance
12 of 28 inspections
Unsafe Driving
4 of 74 inspections
Hours of Service
9 of 74 inspections
Driver Fitness
0 of 74 inspections
Controlled Substances
0 of 74 inspections
Fleet & Operating Areas
Observed roadside activity and equipment
Where This Carrier Operates
States where this carrier's roadside inspections were recorded
FewerMore
SD34
MT24
IA5
MN5
ND4
NM4
and 12 more states
Fleet & Equipment (34)
Vehicles identified in this carrier's inspection history. Year, make, model and equipment type are decoded from the VIN.
Power units
~16
of 15 reported to FMCSA
Trailers
~18
seen at inspection
Equipment types observed
Dry Van
17
Tractor
15
Semi-trailer
1
Truck
1
Units on record
| Vehicle | Type | VIN | Inspections | With OOS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Utility Trailer Manufacturer | Dry Van · 53 ft | 1UYVS2533J3228901 | 13 | 2 |
| 2010 Peterbilt 386 | Tractor · Class 8 | 1XPHD49X0AD107847 | 13 | 2 |
| 2019 Peterbilt 579 | Tractor · Class 8 | 1XPBD49X9KD608503 | 10 | 1 |
| Peterbilt | Tractor | 1NPXGGGG30D237072 | 9 | — |
| 2016 Utility Trailer Manufacturer | Dry Van · 53 ft | 1UYVS2532GP451013 | 9 | 1 |
| 2014 Utility Trailer Manufacturer | Dry Van · 53 ft | 1UYVS2534EP886712 | 9 | — |
| 2013 Kenworth T6 Series | Tractor · Class 8 | 1XKAD49X3DJ331398 | 9 | 1 |
| 2016 Utility Trailer Manufacturer | Dry Van · 53 ft | 1UYVS2534GP451014 | 8 | 1 |
| 2017 Utility Trailer Manufacturer | Dry Van · 53 ft | 1UYVS2535HP894614 | 8 | — |
| 2016 Peterbilt 389 | Tractor · Class 8 | 1XPXD49X7GD356876 | 7 | 3 |
Show all 34 units
| Vehicle | Type | VIN | Inspections | With OOS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Freightliner Cascadia | Tractor · Class 8 | 3AKJHHDR5PSUG7680 | 7 | — |
| Peterbilt | Tractor | 1NPXGGGG00D622444 | 6 | 1 |
| 2006 Utility Trailer Manufacturer | Dry Van · 53 ft | 1UYVS25316P930201 | 6 | — |
| 2024 Utility Trailer Manufacturer | Dry Van · 53 ft | 1UYVS2539R7223903 | 6 | 1 |
| 2023 Utility Trailer Manufacturer | Dry Van · 53 ft | 1UYVS2533P3785817 | 5 | — |
| 2022 Peterbilt 389 | Tractor · Class 8 | 1XPXD49X6ND791899 | 5 | — |
| 2025 Utility Trailer Manufacturer | Dry Van · 53 ft | 1UYVS2535S3388912 | 4 | 1 |
| 2014 Utility Trailer Manufacturer | Dry Van · 53 ft | 1UYVS2536EP886713 | 4 | 1 |
| 2006 Peterbilt 379 | Tractor · Class 8 | 1XP5DB9X46D880822 | 4 | — |
| 2013 Peterbilt 386 | Tractor · Class 8 | 1XPHD49X5DD183147 | 4 | — |
| 2019 Peterbilt 389 | Tractor · Class 8 | 1XPXD49X5KD496787 | 4 | 1 |
| 2016 Peterbilt 389 | Tractor · Class 8 | 1NPXD49X4GD360362 | 3 | — |
| Util | Semi-trailer | 1UYVS2533J3228902 | 3 | 1 |
| 2020 Utility Trailer Manufacturer | Dry Van · 53 ft | 1UYVS2533L3012520 | 3 | — |
| 2020 Utility Trailer Manufacturer | Dry Van · 53 ft | 1UYVS2536L3888403 | 3 | — |
| 2020 Utility Trailer Manufacturer | Dry Van · 53 ft | 1UYVS253XL7835308 | 3 | — |
| Freightlin | Tractor | 3AKJHHDR5PSUG7682 | 3 | — |
| 2025 Hino Incomplete Vehicle | Truck · Class 6 | 5PVNJ7AV3S5161244 | 3 | — |
| 2024 Utility Trailer Manufacturer | Dry Van · 53 ft | 1UYVS2539R7252415 | 2 | — |
| 1999 Kenworth W900 | Tractor · Class 8 | 1XKWDB9X3XR817029 | 2 | — |
| 1999 Wabash Wabash National Corporation | Dry Van · 53 ft | 1JJV532W6XL492673 | 1 | — |
| 2024 Utility Trailer Manufacturer | Dry Van · 53 ft | 1UYVS2537R7252414 | 1 | 1 |
| 2019 Utility Trailer Manufacturer | Dry Van · 53 ft | 1UYVS2538K3494805 | 1 | — |
| 2023 Freightliner Cascadia | Tractor · Class 8 | 3AKJHHDR9PSUG7682 | 1 | — |
A vehicle appearing here was recorded in an inspection — it is not proof the carrier still operates it today.
Inspection Details
Each roadside inspection with its violations
Inspection Records (108)
| Date | Report # | Location | Level | Viol | OOS | Shipper | Unit Type | Make | VIN | License |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 23, 2026 | 397C000223 | IA, IA | II | 1 | 1 | LIFEMADE PRODUCTS | Truck Tractor Semi-trailer |
PETERBILT UTILITY TRAILER MANUFACTURER |
1XPXD49X6ND791899 1UYVS2535HP894614 |
MT PA31296 MT TA14072 |
| 393.75A3-TAOL | OOSTires - All others, leaking or inflation less than 50% of the maximum inflation pressure on tire not equipped with ATIS | Tires | ||||||||
| October 20, 2026 | 1448372209 | LAMAR CO | III | — | — | AMERICAN CHEMET CORPORATION | Truck Tractor Semi-trailer |
PETERBILT UTILITY TRAILER MANUFACTURER |
1XPXD49X5PD860861 1UYVS253XL7835308 |
MT PA33947 ND T520471 |
| October 16, 2026 | U743502733 | WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS MT | III | — | — | MICRONUTRIENTS USA LLC | Truck Tractor Semi-trailer |
PETERBILT UTILITY TRAILER MANUFACTURER |
1NPXD49X4GD360362 1UYVS2536L3888403 |
MT PA11725 MT TA09287 |
| September 29, 2026 | U610001895 | BROADUS MT | II | — | — | UNITED SCRAP | Straight Truck Semi-trailer |
PETERBILT UTILITY TRAILER MANUFACTURER |
1NPXGGGG00D622444 1UYVS2539R7223903 |
MT PA17112 MT TA18722 |
| September 29, 2026 | U493101269 | EAST HELENA MT | II | 1 | — | AMERICAN CHEMET | Truck Tractor Semi-trailer |
VOLVO TRUCK UTILITY |
4V4NC9EH6SN658478 1UYVS2533J3228902 |
MN PZA9750 MT TA06350 |
| 390.21TB1-MC | Operating a CMV without legal name or trade name displayed | |||||||||
| September 28, 2026 | PCDO001999 | WY, WY | II | — | — | ATLAS METAL & IRON CORP | Truck Tractor Semi-trailer |
VOLVO TRUCK UTIL |
4V4NC9EH6SN658478 1UYVS2535J3228902 |
MN PZA9750 MT TA06350 |
| September 5, 2026 | U568202492 | BILLINGS MT | I | 4 | — | SHINE BROS CORP | Truck Tractor Semi-trailer |
PETERBILT UTILITY TRAILER MANUFACTURER |
1XPHD49X0AD107847 1UYVS2533J3228901 |
MT PA29062 MT TA20743 |
| 393.203A-CBP | Cab and Body Parts - Door missing/broken | Cab Body Frame | ||||||||
| 393.45B2-B-AIR | Air Brake - Hose/tubing damaged or not secured | Brakes All Others | ||||||||
| 393.205A-WRC | Wheel/Rim - Rim, spoke wheel, or adapter cracked | Wheels Studs Clamps Etc. | ||||||||
| 393.45B2-B-AIR | Air Brake - Hose/tubing damaged or not secured | Brakes All Others | ||||||||
| August 11, 2026 | 9093Q67BHC | NM, NM | II | — | — | AMERICAN CHEMET CORPORATION | Truck Tractor Semi-trailer |
FREIGHTLIN UTILITY TRAILER MANUFACTURER |
3AKJHHDR5PSUG7682 1UYVS253XL7835308 |
MT PA32730 ND T520471 |
| August 3, 2026 | 520H000148 | IA, IA | II | 1 | — | AMERICAN CHEMET CORPORATION | Truck Tractor Semi-trailer |
FREIGHTLINER UTILITY TRAILER MANUFACTURER |
3AKJHHDR5PSUG7680 1UYVS2539R7252415 |
MT PA32729 MT TA20925 |
| 393.11A1-CSLRR | Conspicuity Systems - Truck tractor, lower rear retro reflective sheeting missing on vehicle manufactured on or after July 1, 1997 | Reflective Sheeting | ||||||||
| July 12, 2026 | MC58400740 | TILFORD SD | III | — | — | AMERICAN CHEMET CORP | Truck Tractor Semi-trailer |
PETERBILT UTILITY TRAILER MANUFACTURER |
1XPXD49X5KD496787 1UYVS2535S3388912 |
MT PA31599 MT TA20844 |
Shippers Seen at Inspections
Shipper names recorded by roadside inspectors over roughly the last three years. Only inspected loads appear, so this is a sample of who the carrier hauls for, not a complete customer list. Names are as entered at the roadside; blanks and placeholders such as “N/A” or “same as carrier” are left out.
| Shipper | Inspections | Most recent |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN CHEMET CORPORATION | 46 | October 20, 2026 |
| CHEMET | 14 | March 28, 2026 |
| SHINE BROS CORP | 5 | September 5, 2026 |
| CMCR DALLAS | 3 | August 19, 2025 |
| METAL PROCESSORS | 3 | December 4, 2024 |
| ACME BRICK | 2 | April 6, 2026 |
| S.I.C. RECYCLING INC | 2 | January 28, 2026 |
| LIFEMADE PRODUCTS | 1 | October 23, 2026 |
| MICRONUTRIENTS USA LLC | 1 | October 16, 2026 |
| UNITED SCRAP | 1 | September 29, 2026 |
| ATLAS METAL & IRON CORP | 1 | September 28, 2026 |
| AMERICAN CHENET CORP. | 1 | May 11, 2026 |
19 more shippers named at fewer inspections.
History & Filings
Authority, insurance and process-agent records
Authority History
| Date | Status | Type |
|---|---|---|
| August 4, 2026 | Active Administrative Correction | Motor Carrier of Property (Except Household Goods) |
| August 1, 2026 | Inactive Involuntary Suspension - insurance cancellation effective; no active insurance meeting minimum coverage on file | Motor Carrier of Property (Except Household Goods) |
| June 8, 2021 | DISCONTINUED REVOCATION | Common |
| April 29, 2021 | INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION | Common |
| July 6, 2016 | DISCONTINUED REVOCATION | Common |
| June 21, 2016 | INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION | Common |
| November 16, 2005 | DISCONTINUED REVOCATION | Common |
| November 8, 2005 | INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION | Common |
| December 3, 2004 | DISCONTINUED REVOCATION | Common |
| November 19, 2004 | INVOLUNTARY REVOCATION | Common |
Insurance & Revocation Filings
| Date | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|
| June 1, 2025 | BI&PD Primary/Excess | On file |
| BI&PD Primary/Excess | Cancel · Northland Insurance Company |
BOC-3 Process Agent
AllAmerican Agents of Process
945 S Marion Rd, Sioux Falls, SD, 57106
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Data sourced from FMCSA MCMIS via Socrata. Record last updated: November 2, 2026.
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