The Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP) lets motor carriers pull a commercial driver’s federal safety record — 5 years of crash data and 3 years of roadside inspections — straight from FMCSA’s MCMIS database. It’s an optional but widely used screening tool that shows safety history an MVR or application won’t. Here’s what a PSP report includes and how to use it.
What a PSP report shows
- car_crashCrash history (5 years)Every DOT-reportable crash recorded in FMCSA’s MCMIS database for the previous 5 years, regardless of who was at fault.
- fact_checkRoadside inspection history (3 years)All roadside inspections and violations from the past 3 years, including any driver or vehicle out-of-service orders.
- assignment_turned_inWritten driver consentFMCSA requires the driver’s signed authorization before you can pull their PSP record. Keep the signed consent on file.
- paymentsLow per-report costA PSP report costs about $10 per driver for prospective employers, paid through the official PSP online system.
- gavelFCRA obligationsPSP records are consumer reports under the FCRA — give proper disclosure, obtain consent, and follow the adverse-action process if you decline a driver based on the report.
- how_to_regRegister once, then requestCreate a PSP account at psp.fmcsa.dot.gov, agree to the terms of use, and request reports as you screen drivers.
Note: This page summarizes the PSP for general guidance and is not legal advice. Fees, access rules, and FCRA obligations change — confirm current details on the official psp.fmcsa.dot.gov site or with qualified counsel.
How it fits into hiring
A PSP report is one piece of a compliant screening process, not a replacement for it. You still need the driver’s application under 49 CFR 391.21 and the background investigation under 49 CFR 391.23 — including the state MVR and previous-employer records — plus your Clearinghouse query. Together these become part of the Driver Qualification file. See where the PSP fits in our guide to hiring a truck driver.
Frequently asked questions
What is the FMCSA Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP)?
PSP is an FMCSA program that gives motor carriers electronic access to a commercial driver’s federal safety record — 5 years of crash data and 3 years of roadside inspection data — pulled from the Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS). It helps employers assess a driver’s safety history before hiring.
Is a PSP report required to hire a truck driver?
No. Pulling a PSP report is voluntary and not required by FMCSA. Many carriers use it anyway because it surfaces crash and inspection history that may not appear on a state MVR or in previous-employer records.
How much does a PSP report cost?
A PSP report costs approximately $10 per driver for prospective employers, paid through the PSP system. Confirm current pricing on the official PSP website, as fees can change.
Is a PSP report the same as an MVR?
No. An MVR is the driver’s state driving record (licenses, convictions, suspensions). A PSP report is federal data — crashes and roadside inspections from FMCSA’s MCMIS. They complement each other, so most carriers review both.
Do I need the driver’s permission to run a PSP report?
Yes. FMCSA requires the driver’s written consent before you can access their PSP record, and the report is a consumer report under the FCRA — so you must follow FCRA disclosure and adverse-action rules.