One of the most essential screening tools that a motor carry should utilize is the Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP). Many motor carriers do not know the difference between the PSP and the Motor Vehicle Record (MVR). We will break down the differences between the two below.
What is a PSP?
PSP information is collected by the FMCSA’s Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS). This is the same system that supplies the information in the SMS (Safety Management System) and is used to create CSA scores. The PSP contains 5 years of crash data and 3 years of roadside inspection data on a driver. Each time a driver gets a roadside inspection, it goes on their PSP.
What Information is included in a PSP Report?
• Driver’s personal information such as name, date of birth, driver’s license number and state of issuance.
• 5 years of DOT Recordable Crash Data.
• 3 years of Roadside Inspection Data including a summary of the roadside inspection violations by the regulation and the number of times the driver has violated the regulation. It also states the number of Out-Of-Service Orders (OOS) violations the driver has received.
• PSPs can be obtained by visiting: https://www.psp.fmcsa.dot.gov/
What is an MVR?
MVR information is obtained by the state in which the driver holds their license out of. Typically, information that is included on a driver’s MVR is a result of a conviction on a traffic citation that went through the courts. Per the FMCSA regulations, a motor carrier must obtain a 3 year MVR record.
What Information is included on an MVR?
• Driver’s personal information such as name, address, driver’s license number and date of birth.
• The current status of the drivers’ license (valid, suspended, disqualified, etc.).
• The type of endorsements (Class A, HAZMAT, and Motorcycle) or restrictions (glasses or hearing aids) the driver has.
• Any suspensions or disqualifications the driver may have had in the past.
• Convictions for moving violations that the driver has had in the past.
• MVRs must be obtained through the state in which the driver holds their license. They can usually be obtained online by searching the state DMV website.
What are the differences between an MVR and a PSP?
• PSPs and MVRs are retained by different agencies. PSPs are recorded and maintained by the FMCSA. MVRs are driving records that are kept by each States Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
• PSPs contain all roadside inspection data including violations for Unsafe Driving, HOS, Vehicle Maintenance, Controlled Substances and Alcohol, Driver Fitness, HAZMAT and Crash Data (information on DOT Recordable Accidents are maintained for 5 years on the PSP).
• MVRs provide a driver’s driving history as reported by the state. MVRs usually contain moving violations along with the current license status and a driver’s history of suspensions or disqualifications.
• PSPs are NOT required to be kept in a Driver Qualification File. MVRs are required by the FMCSA.
Conclusion:
MVRs allow you to see the driver’s history in regards to suspensions, disqualifications, and citations. But a drawback is that they have limited information on how a driver may positively or negatively affect a company’s safety rating. PSPs are a great indicator of a driver’s behavior as every roadside inspection they have received in the previous 3 years appears on it, regardless if they have received a citation or not.