HOWELL'S MOTOR FREIGHT INC
106-unit refrigerated (reefer) carrier based in Cloverdale, VA. Current peer-cohort grade: A (strong).
- USDOT
- 84329
- MC
- MC116886
- Based
- Cloverdale, VA
- Contact
- 5405913205 · fred_lackey@howellsmotor.com
What this carrier is
HOWELL'S MOTOR FREIGHT INC is a large-fleet refrigerated (reefer) carrier based in Cloverdale, VA. Operating footprint: 106 power units, 79 drivers. The carrier runs over-the-road lanes and holds active MC116886 authority. Listed cargo classifications include general freight, meat, refrigerated food, and beverages. FMCSA safety rating on file: Satisfactory (Dec 17, 2003).
Fleet composition on file: 96 owned tractors, 316 owned trailers, 10 term-leased tractors.
For shippers and brokers: this carrier reads as low-risk on peer-cohort measures with no acute or critical flags in the current window.
At a glance
Safety record
Grade shown here is ProHRHQ analysis based on public FMCSA data. It is not an official FMCSA safety rating. The authoritative federal record is on FMCSA SAFER/SMS.
Current peer-cohort snapshot based on public FMCSA BASIC measures. Peer cohort: 89 motor carriers operating 106 power units.
No acute or critical violation flags in the current review window.
The strongest signal is Hours-of-Service at 30.5% of peer cohort average — well under norm. Combined with a clean acute-flag picture, that supports the A grade. Main caution: nothing stands out as disqualifying on this record.
| BASIC | Carrier (3yr, weighted) | Cohort avg | vs. cohort | Acute |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unsafe Driving | 41 | 35.98 | 113.9% | No |
| Hours-of-Service | 3 | 9.85 | 30.5% | No |
| Driver Fitness | 1 | 2.23 | 44.8% | No |
| Controlled Substances/Alcohol | 0 | 0.00 | — | No |
| Vehicle Maintenance | 49 | 62.13 | 78.9% | No |
| Hazmat | 0 | 1.67 | 0.0% | n/a |
Against similarly sized 106-power-unit peers, this carrier is below cohort average in Hours-of-Service, Driver Fitness, and Vehicle Maintenance.
Inspection and violation record
Last 3 years of public roadside history for USDOT 84329: 157 inspections across 9 states. Most recent inspection: Apr 15, 2026 in VA.
| BASIC | Violations (3 yr) |
|---|---|
| Unsafe Driving | 42 |
| Hours-of-Service | 5 |
| Driver Fitness | 4 |
| Vehicle Maintenance | 54 |
| Total violations | 106 (19 out-of-service) |
Crash record (3 yr): 8 reportable crashes , 6 with reported injuries . Most recent: Dec 16, 2025.
What this carrier likely fits
This is a refrigerated (reefer) carrier that runs over-the-road lanes, primarily interstate over 100 miles, at a large fleet scale, with general freight, meat, refrigerated food, and other listed classes on the FMCSA cargo classification list. Trailer-heavy fleet composition (316 trailers against 106 tractors) is consistent with drop-and-hook or dedicated lane operation.
Drawn from FMCSA-reported cargo classifications, route profile, and fleet composition. Not a substitute for direct confirmation of equipment and lane capability with the carrier.
Key takeaways
- Grade A (strong) against 89 peer carriers operating 106 power units.
- No acute or critical violation flags in the current review window.
- 92 inspections in the 24-month SMS window (1 driver OOS, 7 vehicle OOS).
- Three-year public record: 106 violations, 8 reportable crashes.
- Hazmat is the strongest area — 0.0% of peer cohort average (well under norm).
- Operates as a large-fleet refrigerated (reefer) carrier running over-the-road lanes with 106 power units on file.
Is this your carrier?
HOWELL'S MOTOR FREIGHT INC has not yet claimed this page. Claiming is free and gives the carrier:
- A carrier page you own — add a photo, description, website, and a direct response to anything in the federal record that needs context.
- Applicant tracking software at no cost — kanban pipeline, bulk resume upload, magic-link recruiter and driver access, no password to remember.
- Immediate visibility into recruiter work — see where every applicant sits in the pipeline, what stage each recruiter is moving, and what's been touched today.
- The right to correct the record — if anything here is incomplete, outdated, or unfairly framed, contact ProHRHQ; supported corrections ship promptly.
Self-service claiming is in final testing. To claim this page now, call 701-770-9118 or email mhoffman@prohrhq.com.
Claim this page