What is a PSP Report?

What is a PSP Report Learn With Drivers Files Online

By Fred Simcic|Categories: Uncategorized|Last Updated: February 21, 2025|

What is a PSP Report? Everything CDL Drivers & Employers Need to Know

Imagine you’re a CDL driver applying for a new job. You’ve got years of experience, a clean record—at least, that’s what you think. But then, the recruiter pulls up a PSP report that says you had an out-of-service violation from two years ago. Suddenly, your job offer is in jeopardy.

This is why understanding your PSP report is critical. For trucking companies, it’s a key hiring tool that helps them determine whether a driver is safe and reliable. For drivers, it can mean the difference between getting hired or passed over.

If you’re wondering, what is a PSP report, how to get one, or how it impacts your career, this guide by Drivers Files Online is for you.

A PSP report (Pre-Employment Screening Program report) is a federal safety record that tracks a CDL driver’s crash and inspection history. It is maintained by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and used primarily by trucking companies when making hiring decisions.

Unlike a Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) that tracks state violations like speeding tickets, a PSP report is specific to commercial drivers and includes FMCSA-recorded roadside inspections, crashes, and violations.

What’s Included in a PSP Report?

A PSP driver report contains:

Five-Year Crash History: Includes all DOT-recordable crashes, whether the driver was at fault or not.
Three-Year Inspection Record: Details all roadside inspections and any violations found, including out-of-service violations.
Employer Inquiry History: Lists the companies that have accessed a driver’s PSP report.

Think of it like a background check for your trucking career. One bad inspection could stay on your PSP report for three years, impacting your ability to get hired.

Why Do Employers Check PSP Reports?

Trucking companies don’t just take a driver’s word for it when it comes to safety and compliance. They use PSP reports in trucking to:

Reduce risk by hiring safer drivers
Protect CSA scores and avoid FMCSA penalties
Confirm driver safety history before hiring

For example, let’s say a company needs a driver for long-haul refrigerated loads. They check two candidates’ PSP reports:

Driver A: No accidents, no violations—quick hire!
Driver B: Two out-of-service violations for logbook falsification—big red flag!

In this case, the PSP report makes hiring Driver A a no-brainer. Trucking is high-stakes, and a single bad hire could cost a company thousands in fines and insurance hikes.

For CDL drivers, this means one mistake could limit future job prospects.

Learn more: Why Do Driving Companies Require Your License Details?

How to Get a PSP Report

If you’re wondering, “How do I get a copy of my PSP report?”, there are two ways:

1. CDL Drivers Request Their Own PSP Report

Drivers can order a PSP report online through the FMCSA PSP website.

To request your PSP:
✔ Provide your CDL number
✔ Pay a small fee (around $10)
✔ Get your report instantly

2. Employers Order PSP Reports for Hiring

Trucking companies access PSP reports through third-party providers, like Drivers Files Online. Employers must have written driver consent before ordering a PSP report. Our pricing varies as it’s flexible. We want you to find what works best for you!

With Drivers Files Online, hiring managers can:
✔ Instantly request PSP reports
✔ Compare PSP and MVR reports side by side
✔ Store reports securely in the system

Sign up for Drivers Files Online here!

PSP Report vs. MVR: What’s the Difference?

Many drivers and recruiters get confused about the difference between a PSP report and an MVR.

Feature	PSP Report	MVR Report
Maintained By	FMCSA	State DMV
Covers	CDL-specific crashes & violations	License status, traffic violations
Timeframe	5-year crash, 3-year inspection history	Varies by state
Employer Access	Requires driver consent	Required for DOT compliance
Used For	Hiring decisions, compliance	Licensing, insurance

A trucking company should check both to get a full picture of a driver’s history.

Can PSP Reports Contain Errors?

Yes! Just like credit reports, PSP reports can contain mistakes. If your report has errors, you can file a DataQs request with FMCSA to correct it.

For example:

Mistaken identity: Another driver’s violations show up under your name.
Incorrect details: A violation you challenged was dismissed, but still appears.

Regularly checking your PSP report ensures you’re not penalized for mistakes.

How Drivers Files Online Simplifies PSP Reports

At Drivers Files Online, we make it effortless for trucking companies to access PSP reports and stay compliant.

Why Choose Drivers Files Online?

✔ Instant DOT PSP Reports – No waiting, get driver records on-demand.
✔ Automated Compliance Tracking – Keep track of expiring licenses, MVRs, and certifications.
✔ MVR & Background Check Integration – Get PSP reports and MVRs together for complete hiring data.
✔ Secure Storage for Compliance Audits – All documents stored in one place for easy retrieval.
✔ Time-Saving Solutions – Focus on hiring and safety, not chasing paperwork.

Whether you’re an owner-operator, recruiter, or fleet manager, Drivers Files Online makes hiring smarter and compliance easier.

Stay Ahead With Drivers Files Online

Now that you know what is a PSP report, you understand why it matters for trucking careers and company safety. Whether you’re a CDL driver protecting your reputation or a hiring manager reducing risk, PSP reports are a crucial tool.

At Drivers Files Online, we take the stress out of hiring, compliance, and safety checks. From PSP reports to MVR checks, we help companies hire smarter and stay compliant.

SIGN UP TODAY

FAQs About PSP Reports