Moving & Storage
The Road to Savings Starts with Clean Drivers
Access to key driver safety data improves hiring, cuts costs, and reduces out-of-service rates.
July 24, 2025
In today’s volatile transportation landscape, rising industry costs are putting pressure on fleets and independent operators alike. But amidst these challenges, there are still smart, strategic ways to save.
For example, one powerful resource that can help you make more informed hiring decisions, reduce risk, and ultimately protect your bottom line is the Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP). According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), employers who use PSP to screen drivers before hiring them lower their crash rates by 8% compared to those who don’t use it.
What Is the Pre-Employment Screening Program?
The PSP provides 24/7 online access to commercial drivers’ safety records via the FMCSA’s Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS) database. Access to this critical driver safety data can lead to better hires, fewer costly incidents and reduced driver out-of-service rates.
What Information Does the PSP Record Contain?
A PSP record contains a driver's most recent five years of crash data. It also includes the most recent three years of roadside inspection data. Note that the data source, the MCMIS federal government database, is different than the state data sources used to generate Motor Vehicle Records (MVRs). Learn more about the differences between these reports.
A PSP record also contains the name of the motor carrier for which a driver was operating at the time of a crash or inspection, as well as the location and date that a crash or inspection occurred. For crashes, the record details injuries, fatalities, and towaways. For inspections, it includes details like whether a vehicle was placed out of service. Following a request for data review, a PSP record may be updated to reflect a determination that a crash was not preventable or note that a driver was convicted of a different charge.
A PSP record does not contain a score (view a sample PSP record here). Instead, it is a snapshot in time, based on the most recent MCMIS data load into the PSP system. This snapshot is updated approximately monthly. The current snapshot date is posted on the PSP home page in the “Subscribe to Updates” section.
How Do Companies Enroll in the PSP?
Companies have two options for enrolling in the PSP program:
- Sign up online. The enrollment wizard will guide you step-by-step through the process.
- Download the paper enrollment agreement for your type of company: motor carrier or industry service provider.
Once complete, follow the instructions to return the agreement to NIC Federal. The enrollment wizard and paper agreement provide access to the FMCSA-required disclosure and authorization language that all account holders must use to capture a driver's authorization before requesting a PSP record.
How Much Does PSP Enrollment Cost?
The annual PSP enrollment fee is $25 for motor carriers with 99 power units or fewer. In addition, each driver report is $10.
Related Reading: Ensuring Work Zone Safety for Commercial Drivers
The above information does not constitute advice. Always contact your insurance broker or trusted advisor for insurance-related questions.
Authored by
Steven specializes in developing tailored risk management and insurance programs for clients in the transportation industry, particularly moving and storage. He supports clients by assessing risk exposures, securing competitive quotes, and implementing proactive loss control strategies.
