How to Run a PSP Report: Complete Guide for Carriers
Running a PSP (Pre-Employment Screening Program) report gives you access to a driver's federal crash and inspection history before you make a hiring decision. At $10 per report, it's one of the most cost-effective screening tools available. This guide walks you through the entire process from account creation to interpreting results.
$10
Per Report
Instant
Results Delivered
5 Steps
Simple Process
FCRA
Compliance Required
O Trucking Editorial Team
Trucking Industry Experts
Fact-Checked by O Trucking Compliance Team
5+ years managing driver screening and carrier compliance processes
This article was written by the O Trucking editorial team with 9+ years of combined trucking industry experience. Learn more about us.
O TruckingHow to Run a PSP Report: Carrier Guide
Step 1: Create Your PSP Employer Account
Before you can run any PSP reports, you need to establish an employer account on the FMCSA PSP website. This is a one-time setup that takes about 15 minutes:
Navigate to the PSP Portal
Go to the official FMCSA PSP website and select the "Employer" account type. Do not use third-party sites that claim to offer PSP reports — the only authorized source is FMCSA's PSP portal. Third-party sites may charge inflated fees or provide outdated data.
Enter Your Company Information
Provide your company's legal name, USDOT number, physical address, and contact information. Your USDOT number is used to verify that you are a legitimate motor carrier. The information must match your FMCSA registration exactly.
Set Up Login Credentials
Create a username and password for your account. You can set up multiple user accounts under one company profile — useful if you have a safety director and an HR person who both need access. Store credentials securely as you will use them for every subsequent PSP request.
Accept the Terms of Service
Review and accept FMCSA's terms of service, which include your obligations under FCRA to obtain driver consent, provide adverse action notices, and handle data securely. These are not suggestions — they are legal requirements that carry penalties for non-compliance.
Account Verification
Step 2: Obtain Written Driver Consent
Under FCRA, you must obtain written consent from each driver before pulling their PSP report. This is a strict legal requirement — running a report without consent exposes you to lawsuits and federal penalties:
Your Consent Form Must Include
Clear disclosure that you will obtain a PSP report
Description of what PSP data includes (crash and inspection history)
Driver's signature and date (electronic signatures accepted)
Standalone document — cannot be part of the general employment application
Driver's right to obtain a copy of the report upon request
Get Consent During the Application Process
Step 3: Run the PSP Report
With consent in hand, pulling the actual report takes under 5 minutes:
Enter Driver Information
Log into your PSP employer account and enter the driver's full legal name, date of birth, and CDL number. Ensure the information matches exactly as it appears on their CDL — even a minor spelling difference can return no results or pull the wrong record.
Pay $10 Per Report
Payment is by credit card at the time of the request. Each report costs $10 regardless of the driver's record length. There are no discounts for volume, though some third-party integrations may offer bundled pricing if you run hundreds of reports monthly.
Receive Instant Results
The report is generated immediately and displayed on screen. Download the PDF version for your records — you will need this if you make an adverse hiring decision based on the data. The report includes the driver's 5-year crash history and 3-year inspection history.
Step 4: Reading PSP Report Results
A PSP report is divided into two main sections. Understanding how to read each section helps you make informed hiring decisions:
Crash Records Section
- Date and location of each crash
- Severity: fatal, injury, or tow-away
- Number of fatalities and injuries
- Hazmat release indicator
- Report number for cross-referencing
Remember: crash records do NOT indicate fault. Always ask the driver for context.
Inspection Records Section
- Date, state, and level of each inspection
- Violation codes and descriptions
- Severity weight of each violation
- Out-of-service orders (if applicable)
- Clean inspections with no violations
Clean inspections are valuable data points — they show consistent compliance.
Red Flags to Watch For
Not every violation or crash is a dealbreaker. Focus on patterns and severity:
Serious Red Flags
- Multiple at-fault preventable crashes in a short period
- Pattern of HOS violations (indicates a driver who consistently pushes limits)
- Out-of-service violations for critical safety items (brakes, tires)
- Drug or alcohol-related violations
- Escalating severity — violations getting worse over time rather than improving
Worth Discussing (Not Automatic Disqualifiers)
- Single crash with no indication of fault (rear-ended, weather, other driver's fault)
- Minor paperwork violations (form and manner violations)
- Older violations with a clean recent record (shows improvement)
- Vehicle violations from a previous employer's poorly maintained equipment
- Isolated light or marking violations
For the complete framework on evaluating PSP data for hiring decisions, including FCRA compliance and documentation requirements, see our PSP report for hiring best practices guide.
Record Retention Requirements
Federal regulations require you to maintain PSP-related records for specific periods:
| Document | Retention Period | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PSP Report (PDF) | Employment + 3 years | Store securely; contains sensitive data |
| Driver Consent Form | Employment + 3 years | Keep with driver qualification file |
| Adverse Action Notices | 5 years minimum | If you denied employment based on PSP |
| Hiring Decision Documentation | Employment + 3 years | Document reasoning behind decisions |
Integrating PSP Into Your Hiring Process
PSP is most effective when combined with other screening tools. Here is the recommended order for a comprehensive driver screening process:
Application and Consent Forms
Collect driver application, PSP consent, MVR consent, background check authorization, and Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse consent simultaneously.
Run PSP Report ($10)
Check federal crash and inspection history. This is the fastest and cheapest screening step — results are instant.
Pull MVR (Motor Vehicle Record)
Check state driving record for traffic violations, DUI/DWI, license status, and endorsements. PSP and MVR together give you federal and state perspectives.
Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse Query
Required by federal regulation before hiring any CDL driver. Check for drug and alcohol violations that would disqualify the driver from operating a CMV.
Employment Verification and Interview
Verify previous employment (10 years for CDL drivers). Use the PSP data as talking points — ask the driver to explain any crashes or violations. Their response tells you a lot about their professionalism.
Document Everything
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to run a PSP report?
Each PSP report costs $10 per driver. There is no subscription fee or minimum purchase. Payment is by credit card through the PSP portal at the time of request.
Do I need driver consent to run a PSP report?
Yes, written consent is required under FCRA before pulling any PSP report. The consent must be a standalone disclosure document. Running a PSP without proper consent is a federal violation with significant penalties.
How long does it take to get a PSP report?
PSP reports are generated instantly once you enter the driver's information and complete payment. Results display immediately on screen and can be downloaded as a PDF.
Can I run PSP reports in bulk?
The PSP website supports individual lookups. Third-party background check services that integrate with PSP may offer bulk processing. These services may charge additional fees beyond the base $10 per report.
How long should I keep PSP reports on file?
Retain PSP reports and consent forms for the duration of employment plus at least 3 years. Adverse action documentation should be kept for a minimum of 5 years. Store all PSP data securely with restricted access.
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Build a Safer Fleet With Better Screening
Our compliance team helps carriers establish effective driver screening processes. From PSP setup to full qualification file management, we guide you through every step.