PSP vs DAC vs MVR: Complete Driver Report Comparison
Three reports, three different sources, three different pictures of a driver's history. The PSP report pulls federal safety data, the DAC report tracks employer-reported history, and the MVR shows state driving records. Whether you are a carrier making hiring decisions or a driver checking what employers see, this guide breaks down exactly what each report contains, what it costs, and how to fix errors.
3 Reports
Each From Different Source
$10
PSP Report Cost
$5-$25
MVR Cost (Varies by State)
Free
Your Own DAC (Annually)
O Trucking Editorial Team
Trucking Industry Experts
Fact-Checked by O Trucking Compliance Team
5+ years using PSP, DAC, and MVR data for carrier vetting and driver screening
This article was written by the O Trucking editorial team with 9+ years of combined trucking industry experience. Learn more about us.
O TruckingPSP vs DAC vs MVR Compared
Three Reports, Three Different Data Sources
The trucking industry relies on three distinct driver record systems, each maintained by a different entity and each containing different information. No single report gives a complete picture of a driver's history. That is why responsible carriers use all three during the hiring process, along with the mandatory Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse query.
Understanding what each report shows and does not show is critical both for carriers making hiring decisions and for drivers managing their professional records. An error on any one of these reports can cost a driver a job opportunity or a carrier a good hire.
PSP Report: Federal Safety Data
The Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP) is operated by FMCSA and available through www.psp.fmcsa.dot.gov. It pulls data directly from FMCSA's Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS), the same database that powers the carrier-level CSA Safety Measurement System.
What the PSP Report Contains
- 5 years of crash data from DOT-reportable crashes including date, severity (fatality, injury, tow-away), and state where the crash occurred
- 3 years of roadside inspection results including every violation found, violation codes, severity, and whether an out-of-service order was issued
- Inspection details including inspection level (Level 1-6), date, location, and the inspecting agency
- Does NOT show fault determination for crashes, traffic tickets not discovered at roadside inspections, employment history, or state-level driving record
Cost
$10 per report
Source
FMCSA federal database
Access
Carriers + drivers (w/ consent)
PSP reports are the gold standard for evaluating a driver's federal safety record. They show the exact same inspection and crash data that feeds into the carrier-level CSA scores. For carriers, hiring a driver with a clean PSP means that driver will not bring existing violations into your fleet's CSA profile. For a deeper look at PSP reports, see our guide to running a PSP report.
DAC Report: Employer-Reported History
The DAC (Drive-A-Check) report is operated by HireRight, a private background screening company. Unlike PSP and MVR, the DAC database is populated by employers, not government agencies. Carriers that subscribe to the HireRight service report information about their drivers, and that information becomes part of the driver's DAC file.
What the DAC Report Contains
- Employment history as reported by previous carriers including hire date, separation date, and position held
- Reason for separation including whether the driver was terminated, resigned, or laid off, and specific reasons if provided by the employer
- Accident information as reported by the employer including date, type, and severity of incidents
- Drug and alcohol test results including any positive tests reported by previous employers
- Does NOT show federal inspection data, state driving record, or information from employers who do not report to DAC
Cost
Varies (carrier subscription)
Source
Employer-reported (HireRight)
Access
Carriers + drivers (1 free/year)
DAC Reports Are Only as Accurate as the Reporting Employer
MVR Report: State Driving Record
The Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) is maintained by each state's Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent agency). It is the most legally significant of the three reports because federal regulations under 49 CFR 391.23 specifically require carriers to obtain an MVR for every CDL driver before hiring and annually thereafter.
What the MVR Report Contains
- Traffic violations and convictions including speeding tickets, red light violations, and moving violations from the state's records
- License status including whether the CDL is active, suspended, revoked, or expired, and any restrictions
- Endorsements including HazMat, tanker, doubles/triples, and passenger endorsements
- DUI/DWI convictions and any alcohol-related driving offenses on the state record
- Accident history as reported to the state (varies by state, may differ from PSP crash data)
- Does NOT show federal inspection violations, employer-reported history (DAC), or records from other states unless shared through CDLIS
Cost
$5-$25 (varies by state)
Source
State DMV
Access
Carriers + drivers + authorized parties
The MVR is the only report that confirms whether a driver's CDL is currently valid and in good standing. A driver could have a clean PSP and clean DAC but a suspended license, which would make them legally ineligible to drive. This is why the MVR is a regulatory requirement, not optional like PSP. For a deeper comparison of PSP and MVR specifically, see our PSP vs MVR guide.
Side-by-Side Comparison Table
| Feature | PSP | DAC | MVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operator | FMCSA | HireRight (private) | State DMV |
| Data Source | Federal inspections & crashes | Employer reports | State driving records |
| Crash History | 5 years | Employer-reported only | Varies by state |
| Inspection Data | 3 years | None | None |
| Employment History | None | Yes (employer-reported) | None |
| Traffic Violations | Roadside only | None | Yes (all state-level) |
| License Status | None | None | Yes (active/suspended/revoked) |
| Drug Test Results | None | Employer-reported | None |
| Cost Per Report | $10 | Subscription-based | $5-$25 |
| Legally Required | Voluntary (recommended) | Voluntary | Yes (49 CFR 391.23) |
| Dispute Process | FMCSA DataQs | HireRight FCRA dispute | State DMV process |
Pull All Three Reports Before Job Hunting
Which Carriers Use Which Reports
Different carriers have different screening processes depending on their size, risk tolerance, and the type of freight they haul. Here is a general breakdown:
Large National Carriers (1000+ trucks)
Typically use all three reports plus the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse query. They subscribe to HireRight for DAC access, use FMCSA PSP for federal safety data, and pull MVRs from every state where the driver holds or has held a license. Many also use third-party background screening services that aggregate all data sources into a single report.
Mid-Size Carriers (50-1000 trucks)
Most use PSP and MVR as standard practice. DAC usage varies: some subscribe to HireRight while others rely on direct employment verification calls to previous carriers. The Clearinghouse query is mandatory for all. Mid-size carriers with dedicated safety departments tend to mirror large carrier practices.
Small Carriers and Owner-Operators
At minimum, must pull an MVR (legally required) and run a Clearinghouse query. PSP usage is increasing among small carriers as awareness grows about its value for hiring decisions and insurance impact. DAC is less commonly used by small carriers due to subscription costs.
How to Dispute Errors on Each Report
Errors exist on all three report types. Incorrect violation codes on PSP reports, fabricated termination reasons on DAC reports, and misattributed tickets on MVRs can all cost drivers employment opportunities. Each report has its own dispute mechanism:
| Report | Dispute Method | Timeline | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| PSP | FMCSA DataQs system (dataqs.fmcsa.dot.gov) | 30-90 days | State that conducted inspection reviews the challenge |
| DAC | HireRight consumer dispute (FCRA process) | 30 days max | If employer cannot verify, data must be removed |
| MVR | State DMV dispute process (varies by state) | Varies | May require court documentation or police report corrections |
Document Everything During the Dispute Process
FCRA Requirements for Employers
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) governs how employers can use PSP, DAC, and MVR data in hiring decisions. Carriers must follow specific procedures when using any of these reports to make adverse employment decisions (denying a job, terminating, or changing terms of employment).
Written Consent Required
Before pulling any of these reports, the carrier must obtain written authorization from the driver. For PSP specifically, the driver must sign a consent form acknowledging that the carrier will access their FMCSA safety data.
Pre-Adverse Action Notice
If the carrier intends to deny employment based on information in any of these reports, they must first send the driver a pre-adverse action notice along with a copy of the report and a summary of FCRA rights. This gives the driver an opportunity to review the information and dispute errors before a final decision.
Waiting Period
After sending the pre-adverse action notice, the carrier must wait a reasonable period (typically 5 business days) before making a final decision. This waiting period allows the driver time to respond or dispute the information.
Final Adverse Action Notice
If the carrier proceeds with the denial after the waiting period, they must send a final adverse action notice to the driver identifying the report(s) used, the reporting agency's contact information, and the driver's right to obtain a free copy of the report and dispute its contents.
Carriers: Document Your FCRA Compliance
How Our Team Researched This Guide
This comparison was compiled using FMCSA's PSP program documentation, HireRight's published DAC report specifications, and state DMV MVR guidelines. FCRA compliance requirements were sourced from the FTC's published FCRA guidance and cross-referenced with 49 CFR 391.23 driver qualification file requirements. Our team regularly works with all three report types when evaluating carriers and drivers for our dispatch network.
O Trucking Editorial Team
Trucking Industry Experts
Fact-Checked by O Trucking Compliance Team
5+ years using PSP, DAC, and MVR data for carrier vetting and driver evaluation
Sources:
This article was written by the O Trucking editorial team with 9+ years of combined trucking industry experience. Learn more about us.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between PSP, DAC, and MVR?
PSP (Pre-Employment Screening Program) is a federal FMCSA report showing 5 years of crash data and 3 years of roadside inspection history. DAC (Drive-A-Check by HireRight) is a private employer-reported database containing employment history, termination reasons, drug test results, and accident records as reported by previous carriers. MVR (Motor Vehicle Record) is a state DMV report showing traffic violations, license status, endorsements, and DUI/DWI history. Each report covers different data from a different source.
Can I see my own DAC report?
Yes. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), you are entitled to one free copy of your DAC report per year. Request it through HireRight (the company that operates the DAC database) at their consumer disclosure website. You can also request your DAC report if a carrier denies you employment based on DAC information. Review it carefully for errors, as incorrect information from previous employers is common.
Which report do trucking companies check?
Most large carriers check all three: PSP for federal safety data, DAC for employment history verification, and MVR for state driving record. Some smaller carriers may only check MVR and PSP. The Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse query is also mandatory for all carriers before hiring. The specific combination depends on the carrier's hiring policy and risk tolerance.
How do I dispute errors on my DAC?
File a dispute directly with HireRight (the DAC operator) under FCRA. Provide documentation showing the reported information is incorrect. HireRight must investigate within 30 days and correct or remove inaccurate entries. If the reporting carrier cannot verify the disputed information, it must be removed. You can also contact the previous employer directly to request they correct their report. Keep copies of all correspondence.
Do all carriers report to the DAC database?
No. DAC reporting is voluntary, and not all carriers participate. Primarily large and mid-size carriers report to DAC. Many small carriers and owner-operator operations do not subscribe to the HireRight DAC service. This means gaps in DAC employment history are common and should not automatically be viewed negatively. However, if a carrier does report to DAC and reports negative information, it follows the driver until corrected or disputed.
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