What is a PSP Report?
A PSP (Pre-Employment Screening Program) report is an FMCSA record that provides a commercial driver's crash history and roadside inspection results. It's the single most important background check tool carriers use when hiring drivers — and it's available to drivers themselves for free once per year.
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O TruckingWhat is a PSP Report? FMCSA Screening Guide
PSP Report Explained
The Pre-Employment Screening Program was established by FMCSA to give motor carriers access to driver safety performance data before making hiring decisions. Administered through a partnership between FMCSA and NIC Federal (the program's technology partner), PSP pulls data directly from the Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS) — the same federal database used to calculate CSA scores. Carriers can access PSP through the official FMCSA PSP portal, and drivers can dispute errors via the DataQs system.
Before PSP existed, carriers had limited tools for evaluating a driver's actual safety record. They relied on self-reported work history, MVR (Motor Vehicle Records) from state DMVs, and DAC reports. PSP filled a critical gap by making federal crash and inspection data available for hiring decisions — data that was previously accessible only to FMCSA and law enforcement.
Quick Facts: PSP Report
Cost for Carriers
$10 per report (no subscription needed)
Driver Self-Check
Free once per year
Data Coverage
5 years crashes, 3 years inspections
Access Requirement
Written driver consent required (FCRA)
What Data a PSP Report Includes
A PSP report pulls from two distinct datasets within FMCSA's MCMIS database. Understanding what each section shows — and what it does not show — helps carriers make informed decisions and helps drivers understand their own records:
Crash Data (5 Years)
All DOT-reportable crashes are included: accidents involving a fatality, an injury requiring medical treatment away from the scene, or a vehicle towed from the scene. Each crash entry shows the date, state, number of fatalities, number of injuries, and whether hazardous materials were released. Critically, PSP crash records do not indicate fault — a driver who was rear-ended while stopped at a red light appears the same as a driver who caused a crash.
Inspection Data (3 Years)
Every roadside inspection result is recorded, including the inspection level (Level 1-5), date, state, and any violations discovered. Violations are listed by FMCSA code with severity weight and out-of-service status. Clean inspections (no violations) are also shown, which is valuable because they demonstrate a pattern of compliance.
PSP Does NOT Show Fault
What PSP Does NOT Include
Not in PSP
- ×State driving record (traffic tickets, DUI, license status)
- ×Criminal background history
- ×Employment history or DAC report data
- ×Drug and alcohol test results
- ×Crash fault determination
Use These Instead
- MVR (Motor Vehicle Record) for state driving history
- Criminal background check via third-party provider
- DAC report for employment verification
- FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse
- Police report for crash fault details
Who Uses PSP Reports
PSP serves different purposes depending on who is pulling the report:
Motor Carriers (Employers)
The primary users. Carriers pull PSP reports as part of their driver qualification process to evaluate crash and inspection history before making a hiring decision. This helps protect against negligent hiring liability — if a carrier hires a driver with a poor safety record and that driver causes a crash, the carrier faces significant legal exposure.
Owner-Operators and Company Drivers
Drivers can (and should) check their own PSP report to understand what potential employers will see. This allows drivers to identify and dispute errors before they affect hiring decisions. A proactive driver who can explain their PSP during an interview makes a much stronger impression.
Insurance Companies
Some trucking insurance providers request or consider PSP data when underwriting policies for carriers. A fleet with consistently clean driver PSP records can negotiate better insurance rates, while patterns of violations can increase premiums.
How to Access PSP Reports
PSP reports are accessed through the official FMCSA PSP website. The process differs slightly for carriers and individual drivers:
For Carriers
- 1. Create an employer account at www.psp.fmcsa.dot.gov
- 2. Verify your company identity with DOT number
- 3. Obtain written consent from the driver (required)
- 4. Enter driver's information and pay $10
- 5. Report is generated immediately
For the complete walkthrough, see our how to run a PSP report guide.
For Drivers
- 1. Go to www.psp.fmcsa.dot.gov
- 2. Select "Driver" account type
- 3. Verify your identity with CDL information
- 4. Request your free annual report
- 5. Review and dispute errors through DataQs
For the complete walkthrough, see our how to check your own PSP guide.
Driver Consent Requirements
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), carriers must obtain written consent from a driver before pulling their PSP report. This is not optional — running a PSP without proper consent violates federal law and exposes the carrier to significant legal liability:
FCRA Consent Requirements
Written authorization must be obtained before pulling the report
Standalone disclosure — consent cannot be buried in the employment application
Pre-adverse action notice required if you decide not to hire based on PSP data
Copy of report must be provided to the driver upon request
Adverse action notice required after a final decision not to hire
Build Consent Into Your Application Process
PSP Reports vs CSA Scores
PSP reports and CSA scores pull from the same FMCSA database, but they serve different purposes and show different things:
| Feature | PSP Report | CSA Score (SMS) |
|---|---|---|
| Tracks | Individual driver | Carrier (company-wide) |
| Data Source | MCMIS (raw records) | MCMIS (processed into percentiles) |
| Time Period | 5 years crash, 3 years inspection | 24 months |
| Format | Raw records (individual events) | Percentile scores (0-100%) |
| Primary Use | Driver hiring decisions | Carrier safety evaluation by FMCSA and brokers |
Key insight: A driver can have a clean PSP yet work for a carrier with poor CSA scores (because other drivers at that carrier had violations). Conversely, a driver with PSP violations can join a carrier with clean CSA scores. PSP is individual; CSA is company-wide.
Privacy Protections
FMCSA built significant privacy safeguards into the PSP program to protect drivers:
Consent-based access: No carrier can pull your PSP without your written permission. Refusing consent is your right, though some carriers may choose not to proceed with hiring.
FCRA protections: Adverse actions based on PSP data require proper notice, opportunity to dispute, and documentation of the decision-making process.
Data retention limits: Carriers must handle PSP data according to FCRA record retention requirements and cannot share reports outside their hiring process.
Dispute rights: Drivers can challenge any PSP data through FMCSA's DataQs system and have corrections reflected on subsequent reports.
How Carriers Use PSP in Hiring
Experienced carriers look beyond just counting crashes and violations. They evaluate PSP data in context to make fair and informed hiring decisions:
Look for Patterns, Not Isolated Incidents
A single crash or violation is less concerning than a pattern of repeated issues. Three speeding violations in 12 months tells a different story than one brake light violation in three years.
Evaluate Violation Severity
Not all violations carry the same weight. Out-of-service violations (brakes, tires, HOS) are far more serious than minor paperwork issues. Focus on violations that indicate actual safety risk.
Consider Clean Inspection Ratio
A driver with 30 clean inspections and 2 violations is a safer bet than a driver with 3 inspections and 2 violations. Volume matters — frequent clean inspections demonstrate consistent compliance.
Ask Drivers to Explain Crashes
Since PSP does not show fault, always give the driver an opportunity to explain crash circumstances. Many crashes on PSP reports are not the driver's fault — being rear-ended, hit by another vehicle, or involved in weather-related incidents.
For the complete best practices framework including FCRA compliance and documentation requirements, see our PSP reports for driver hiring guide.
How Our Team Uses PSP Data
At O Trucking LLC, we understand the value of driver safety data. Here's how PSP fits into our approach to carrier partnerships:
We verify carrier safety records
Before partnering with any carrier, we review their CSA scores and safety profile on the FMCSA SAFER system. Carriers with clean inspection records and low violation rates receive priority consideration for high-value loads because brokers and shippers prefer working with safe carriers.
We help carriers understand screening best practices
For carriers building their own fleets, we share our experience with driver screening processes. A strong hiring process that includes PSP, MVR, and Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse checks protects against negligent hiring liability and keeps insurance costs lower long-term.
We prioritize safety-conscious carriers
Carriers who invest in proper driver screening, maintain clean CSA records, and stay compliant with DOT requirements get better load opportunities through our dispatch network. Safety pays — literally.
PSP Report FAQ
Common questions about Pre-Employment Screening Program reports
What is a PSP report?
A PSP (Pre-Employment Screening Program) report is an FMCSA record that shows a commercial driver's crash and inspection history. It includes 5 years of crash data and 3 years of roadside inspection results from the FMCSA Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS). Carriers use PSP reports to evaluate driver safety records before making hiring decisions.
How much does a PSP report cost?
For carriers and employers, each PSP report costs $10 per driver through the official PSP website (www.psp.fmcsa.dot.gov). Drivers can access their own PSP report for free once per year. There are no subscription fees for carriers — you pay per report. Bulk screening through third-party integrations may offer volume pricing.
Can drivers see their own PSP report?
Yes. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), drivers have the right to request their own PSP report once per year at no charge through www.psp.fmcsa.dot.gov. This is strongly recommended so you can review your record for errors before potential employers see it and dispute any inaccuracies through the DataQs system.
How far back does a PSP report go?
PSP reports show 5 years of crash data and 3 years of roadside inspection results. The crash data includes all DOT-reportable crashes (those involving a fatality, injury requiring medical treatment away from the scene, or a vehicle towed from the scene), regardless of fault determination. Inspection data includes all roadside inspections and any violations found.
Can I dispute information on my PSP report?
Yes. If you find errors on your PSP report, you can file a challenge through FMCSA's DataQs system (dataqs.fmcsa.dot.gov). Common disputes include incorrect crash fault attribution, duplicate entries, wrong vehicle identification, or violations that were dismissed in court. Successful DataQs challenges remove the incorrect data from your record.
Need Help With Driver Screening?
Our compliance team helps carriers build effective driver screening processes. We verify safety records, monitor CSA scores, and ensure every carrier we dispatch meets the highest safety standards.