Bill to provide truckers with ‘modernized’ process to challenge errors in FMCSA safety records
Lawmakers introduced a bill this week that seeks to expand access to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) safety data while also updating the process for drivers and trucking companies to challenge inaccurate data on their records.
The Motor Carrier Safety Screening Modernization Act was introduced by U.S. Representatives Tracey Mann and Sharice Davids.
According to a January 29 news release from Mann’s office, the bill would “improve motor carrier safety by expanding access to the FMCSA voluntary safety data screening program for both prospective and current drivers. The bill also modernizes the process for drivers and carriers to challenge inaccurate data on their records.”
If passed, the bill would:
- Expand access to FMCSA’s Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP), allowing motor carriers to review safety records for both prospective and current drivers
- Enhance driver training and safety programs by enabling carriers to identify safety issues earlier and provide ongoing professional development
- Protect driver privacy and rights by maintaining the voluntary nature of the PSP, requiring driver consent for record access, and preserving protections under the Fair Credit Reporting Act
- Promote fairness and accountability by ensuring data challenges are adjudicated by someone other than the original issuing officer, improving due process and confidence in safety data accuracy
- The bill seeks to update the FMCSA’s DataQs system, which allows truck drivers to request and track a review of federal and state data issued by FMCSA believed to be incomplete or incorrect. If the bill passes, the driver’s request for a review would be handled by an outside individual instead of the officer who issued the violation.
“The men and women who keep our supply chain efficient play a critical role in feeding, fueling, and clothing the world,” said Mann. “This commonsense legislation makes our roadways safer, gives trucking companies the tools they need to strengthen driver training and safety programs, and improves the efficiency of our supply chain. By cutting unnecessary red tape and ensuring accuracy in driver safety records, we can better support both our nation’s truckers and the businesses that rely on them every day.”
“Keeping Kansans safe on our roads while supporting the workers who keep our economy moving should never be a partisan issue,” said Davids.”This bipartisan effort is about using common-sense tools to prevent crashes, protect drivers, and make sure safety records are fair and accurate. I’m proud to work with Representative Mann to deliver a Kansas-driven solution that puts people first, strengthens our supply chain, and shows that when it comes to safety and fairness, we can work together to get things done.”
The bill is supported by the American Busing Association, the American Trucking Association, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, the Driver Employer Council of America, the National Safety Council, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), the Specialized Carriers and Rigging Association, the Transportation Workers Union, the Truckload Carriers Association, and Women in Trucking.