FMCSA Launches Pre-Employment Screening Program for CDL Drivers
On Tuesday, May 11, the FMCSA launched its
Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP), which allows commercial motor carrier companies to electronically access driver inspection and crash records.
The program provides real-time data, in the form of access to up to five years of driver crash data and three years of inspection data regardless of the state or jurisdiction, to help motor carriers review the crash and serious safety violation histories of prospective employees as part of the hiring process.
PSP is populated monthly by FMCSA's Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS). MCMIS is comprised of driver performance data including inspection and compliance review results, enforcement data, state-reported crashes, and motor carrier census data - the same information that is used by agency staff and state police for enforcement.
The FMCSA has contracted with NIC Technologies to provide data electronically to carriers with the drivers' written consent. The carrier must enroll to participate in this program. Although participation in the program is voluntary, it's predicted that it will become standard practice in the hiring process. "It will become the standard of care in pretty short order...pretty soon it will become the de facto driver qualification verification", said former FMCSA Administrator John Hill.
Some key points to PSP:
*Registration is free but there will be a charge to use the system. Carriers with fewer than 100 power units must pay a $25 annual subscription fee and $10 for each record retrieved. Companies with more than 100 power units must pay a $100 subscription fee, plus the $10 per-record fee. Both are limited to 10 users. The agency will not charge a carrier that comes into the system through a third-party provider, although presumably the provider will charge its own fee. Individual drivers will not have to pay a subscription fee but will have to pay the $10 charge to retrieve their record.
*The data is protected by a number of federal laws, including the Privacy Act of 1974 and the Fair Credit Reporting Act. FMCSA will audit the program to confirm driver and company identity, and the accuracy of driver permission forms.
*The agency encourages drivers to look at their records. Incorrect information can be challenged through the agency's DataQs system: https://dataqs.fmcsa.dot.gov/login.asp.
To register for the program, go to www.psp.fmcsa.dot.gov. The site includes a list of frequently asked questions. For specific questions about enrolling in the PSP program, please e-mail PSPenrollment@nicusa.com.
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