If you’re new to the world of truck driving, you might not be familiar with pre-employment screening program (PSP) reports, which contain commercial drivers’ five-year crash history and three-year roadside inspection history. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) maintains these records. Why? They help employers assess a driver’s safety before hiring them. For this reason, it’s important that you maintain a good PSP report to keep in good standing with employers. Wondering how to improve your PSP report? Let’s explore some key strategies.
What’s Included in a PSP Report?
First, let’s review the data contained in a PSP report. There are three primary components: crash data, roadside inspection data, and motor carrier information:
- Crash Data: The crash data includes any DOT-recordable crashes (whether the driver was at fault or not) as well as the details of each crash, such as the date, location, and severity.
- Roadside Inspection Data: Any violations found during DOT roadside inspections are included in this section, as well as out-of-service orders and safety violations reported to FMCSA.
- Motor Carrier Information: If a driver has any crashes or violations on their record, the name of the trucking company they were working under is also included.
This report can be accessed by the driver, employers, and FMCSA.
Give Your PSP Report a Boost
As you might have guessed, if you’re wondering how to improve your PSP report, the first thing you need to do is ensure you’re driving safely. Maintaining a clean driving record is paramount. This includes following all traffic laws and FMCSA regulations, avoiding speeding and reckless driving, and staying compliant with Hours of Service (HOS) rules to prevent logbook violations. You might also consider completing a defensive driving course to improve your skills and impress future employers.
However, simply driving safely isn’t the only way to maintain a respectable PSP report. You should also use the following strategies:
Challenge All Errors
Before you read any further, take a moment to obtain a copy of your personal PSP report. You can do so at PSP.FMCSA.DOT.gov. Review the report carefully. Do you see any mistakes? If so, file dispute the error with FMCSA by visiting the DOT’s DataQs page.
Conduct Thorough Inspection Reports
Performing extensive pre-trip and post-trip inspections can help ensure that you don’t accidentally end up with a violation during a roadside inspection. Make sure that your logs, weight compliance, and vehicle maintenance are all up to FMCSA standards. In addition, be sure to address any maintenance issues promptly.
Work with Reputable Employers
If you choose to work with trucking companies that emphasize safety, maintenance, and compliance, you can reduce your risk of violations. Before applying to work with a carrier, do a little research. Avoid carriers with a history of poor safety ratings, as their issues may impact your record, which will affect your PSP report.
Stay Informed When It Comes to Federal Regulations
FMCSA frequently updates the rules regarding electronic logs, HOS, safety compliance, and more. If you don’t stay up to date and continually re-educate yourself, you may accidentally violate a new or updated regulation. Staying informed through ongoing education will help prevent unintentional violations.
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