What is the FMCSA PSP?

FMCSA PSP is a program that is provided to help companies screen potential truck and bus drivers. It’s like an MVR, but for roadside inspections!

What is the FMCSA PSP?

The FMCSA Pre-employment Screening Program (PSP) is a system that allows employers to request information from data in the Commercial Driver’s License Information System (CDLIS) about potential hires.

A PSP report will provide all roadside inspection activity for a driver for the last 3 years and all of their reportable crash information for the last 5 years.

This includes all information from any Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 DOT Inspection that the driver was involved in during those 36 months.

FMCSA PSP is an online screening tool that employers can use to make a preliminary determination about the driving histories of potential new hires. You can basically use a PSP report to view a “driver’s CSA score “.

A PSP report provides better insight into how drivers will operate while working for you and should be part of your efficient and comprehensive driver qualification screening process.

What does PSP mean?

If you’re wondering what exactly PSP is, it’s an acronym for Pre-employment Screening Program. This program was developed by the FMCSA as a way to ensure that every driver is qualified to operate CMV equipment safely on public roads.

What is the FMCSA?

The FMCSA refers to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which is an agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).

They are responsible for administering federal safety regulations that impact motor carriers, commercial motor vehicles (CMVs), drivers, and others involved in the transportation industry.

The mission of this organization is to promote highway safety and enforce regulations that ensure commercial motor vehicles are operated safely in order to prevent accidents involving these vehicles.

In 2023, the FMCSA will make some sweeping changes to the FMCSA CSA program. But, they will continue to recgonize not-preventable crashes and show those on a driver’s PSP report accordingly. Learn more about these and other upcoming changes to the FMCSA CSA program here!

Why is PSP important?

Well, if your company hires drivers for its fleet of company-owned or leased trucks, buses or other large commercial vehicles, then you should be aware of the great tool that the FMCSA has provided for you.

You’re not required to use the Pre employment Screening Program (PSP), but it’s a great idea!

The FMCSA PSP program provides an easy way for employers to check an applicant’s DOT roadside inspection record before making a job offer, helping ensure they are hiring someone who is qualified, safe and reliable.

The PSP gives you access to the same information that the FMCSA and state officers see when they pull your trucks over for a roadside inspection. This data is from the Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS).

We order and review every driver candidate’s MVR and PSP report as part of our comprehensive DOT compliance services. Check out our My Safety Manager program by clicking this button:

What is the purpose of a FMCSA PSP report?

The purpose of a PSP record is to provide a safety benchmark for trucking companies when considering applicants for driving positions.

Employers can use the information they get from PSP to make more informed hiring decisions by looking at past incidents like crashes and violations before they hire a driver.

Employers can also use this tool to screen out drivers who may be less qualified or prone to accidents, injuries, and violations.

PRO TIP:

If you have a driver candidate with violations or crashes showing on their MVR (motor vehicle record), you should definitely run them through the FMCSA PSP program before hiring them.

How Much does a PSP report cost?

CDL drivers can obtain their driver PSP report for $10 by requesting it through the FMCSA PSP Portal login screen. They can even self-monitor for changes to their PSP records. Drivers who subscribe to the free monitoring service will receive an email each time their record changes.

Drivers can order their PSP record here.

For trucking and bus companies, each report costs $10 plus you have to pay an enrollment and annual fee based on the number of vehicles that you are running.

Currently, the enrollment and annual fee is $25 if you’re running less than 100 power units. If you’re running over 100 units, the initial and annual fees are $100.

Why use FMCSA PSP?

You may be wondering why it’s important for employers to have access to this information before making a hire. Well, there are two main reasons:

First, using PSP will help screen out drivers who may be less qualified or more likely to get into accidents than others with better looking driving records.

In fact, companies that use the FMCSA PSP to screen new hires lower their crash rate by 8% and driver out-of-service rates by 17%, on average! Those numbers are straight from the FMCSA!

Second, registering for FMCSA PSP program will save you time and money.

By helping your safety department or recruiting team quickly screen out drivers who may be less qualified, you’ll reduce your company’s risk of accidents and violations.

It’s easy-to-use and takes just minutes to complete, so there’s no reason not to use it!

How do I enroll in the FMCSA PSP?

You can easily enroll online at the FMCSA PSP login page!

Enrollment can take up to two weeks. But, our experience shows that it’s usually just a day or two.

To sign up for the PSP, you’ll have to complete this form and send it back to the FMCSA.

Check out this short video to see how quick it is to enroll!

Is a PSP Authorization Form Required?

Yes, the FMCSA requires that you obtain a driver candidate’s permission in order to run their PSP report. You can get that form here.

At any time, the FMCSA PSP program admins can audit you and request to see these forms for your driver candidates.

Can I order a PSP report for my current drivers?

No. The PSP report should only be run on driver candidates.

You typically only have one opportunity to see the information that’s on a driver’s PSP report.

But, a driver could order their own report and share it with you at any time.

Conclusion

The Pre-employment Screening Program is a service provided by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to help you make an informed decision about who will drive for your company.

It’s a very useful tool and one that should be used by all trucking and bus companies.

To learn more or sign up for the program, visit https://psp.fmcsa.dot.gov/.

About My Safety Manager

My Safety Manager is a leading provider of safety and trucking compliance services for fleets of all sizes.

Our specialized safety management solutions help deliver results—safe drivers out on the road who are staying compliant.

We work with you to create customized solutions that meet your unique needs, taking what’s typically far too much work off your plate so you have more time to grow your business!