Who this is for: carrier, driver, owner-operator
How to Order a PSP Report — FMCSA PSP Online
Ordering a PSP report requires registering with FMCSA PSP Online, obtaining written driver consent, and submitting an inquiry. This page walks through the process for motor carriers and for drivers requesting their own record.
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Before You Order: Driver Consent Is Required
A motor carrier must obtain the driver's written authorization before requesting a PSP report — this is a firm program requirement, not a recommendation. The consent must specifically authorize the PSP inquiry; a general background check authorization bundled into the employment application does not satisfy this requirement on its own. The PSP consent is separate from the Clearinghouse consent; both must be obtained independently. Keep the signed PSP consent form in the driver qualification file alongside the report. If a driver refuses to sign the PSP consent, the carrier cannot run the report. Carriers who access PSP without documented consent violate the PSP User Agreement and may be subject to program sanctions.
Step 1: Register with PSP Online
Go to the FMCSA PSP Online portal at psp.fmcsa.dot.gov. Motor carriers create an account and sign the PSP User Agreement, which specifies that PSP data may only be used for legitimate employment screening — vetting subcontractors, monitoring current employees, or any non-hiring use violates the agreement. You will need your USDOT number to register. Account setup is typically completed the same day. Once the account is active, there is no delay before submitting the first inquiry. Carriers with multiple hiring managers who will access PSP can set up the account with appropriate access controls from the outset.
Step 2: Submit the Driver Inquiry
Log into PSP Online and submit a driver inquiry. You will need: - Driver's full legal name - Driver's date of birth - Driver's CDL number and issuing state - Signed driver consent (retain in your records) Once submitted, results typically appear within minutes.
Step 3: Review and Retain the Report
The PSP report displays crash incidents with dates, locations, severity, and whether the driver received a citation, covering the most recent 5 years. Inspection data covers the most recent 3 years and shows each roadside inspection result by date, location, and violation code — including whether an out-of-service order was issued. Review both sections as part of your overall pre-employment evaluation; look for patterns and recency, not just raw counts. Retain the PSP report and the driver's signed consent form together in the DQ file for the duration of employment and at least 3 years after separation. If the report is obtained through a Consumer Reporting Agency rather than directly through the PSP portal, FCRA adverse action procedures may apply to any adverse employment decision — consult legal counsel if you use a third-party service.
Drivers Requesting Their Own PSP Record
Drivers can also request their own PSP record through the same portal. A driver's self-request does not require a third-party consent form. Reviewing your own PSP record before applying to carriers allows you to identify and, if necessary, dispute any errors.
What to do if a carrier denies consent or access
Carriers cannot access a driver's PSP record without the driver's written consent. If you apply to a carrier and they claim to have accessed your PSP without consent, that is a program violation. Drivers who believe their PSP record was accessed without authorization should contact FMCSA. Separately, if a carrier declines to proceed with a hire after reviewing your PSP, they are not required under PSP rules to tell you what they found — but they must comply with applicable anti-discrimination requirements and, if they used a Consumer Reporting Agency, with FCRA adverse action procedures.
Reading your own PSP report
When you receive your PSP report, you'll see crash entries with dates, locations, and whether you were cited; and inspection entries with dates, locations, violation codes, and whether an out-of-service order was issued. Each violation code corresponds to a specific regulatory section. If something on the report doesn't match your memory of an inspection or crash — wrong date, wrong vehicle, wrong carrier DOT number — that discrepancy is worth investigating through the DataQs challenge process.
When to run PSP in the hiring sequence
PSP fits naturally after the initial MVR and Clearinghouse query, once you've decided the candidate is worth the fee. Running it on every applicant regardless of stage is fine, but some carriers wait until a conditional offer is in place to manage per-report costs. The important thing is that the PSP result is reviewed before the driver's first dispatch. There's no regulatory deadline on PSP that mirrors the strict "before day one" Clearinghouse requirement, but reviewing it after a driver is already operating defeats the purpose. Make it a documented part of the pre-hire review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I run PSP for a candidate before making a formal offer?
PSP does not require that a formal offer precede the inquiry. Many carriers include the PSP consent form in the initial application packet. Others wait until a conditional offer is in place to manage per-report costs. Either approach is permissible — what matters is that the driver's written consent is obtained before the inquiry is submitted.
How long do PSP results take to arrive?
For most inquiries, results return electronically within minutes of submission through the PSP Online portal. There is no expedited option — the system processes inquiries at a single speed. Occasional delays occur during high-demand periods but are uncommon.
If a driver disputes their PSP data, does it affect my pending hire?
A DataQs challenge initiated by the driver does not remove the disputed record from the current report while the challenge is pending. The record stays visible until a successful challenge is resolved and MCMIS is updated. If a driver tells you a PSP record is under dispute, you can factor that into your evaluation — but you're not required to wait for the challenge to resolve before making a hiring decision.
What information does the driver need to provide consent?
The driver signs a written consent form that specifically authorizes the PSP inquiry. The form should identify PSP by name. No specific format is mandated by the program, but the consent must be a standalone authorization distinct from general application paperwork. Retain the signed form with the PSP report in the DQ file.