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The driver safety measurement system allows the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to directly monitor the safety and performance of individual drivers and address problem drivers based on their records across multiple employers. It holds both motor carriers and drivers responsible for safety and performance.
Scope
These requirements apply to motor carriers (including owner-operators) and their drivers who are currently operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) under a US DOT number in interstate commerce.
Regulatory citations
- None
Key definitions
- Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA): A Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) initiative to improve large truck and bus safety and reduce commercial vehicle-related crashes, injuries, and fatalities.
Summary of requirements
Safety investigators have the ability to evaluate a driver’s roadside performance across employers for a three-year period.
Safety investigators can identify “high profile” drivers with overall poor safety histories, who work for motor carriers that have been identified as requiring a Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) investigation. If the investigation results verify the driver violation(s), FMCSA will take enforcement action against that driver.
Driver safety enforcement approach. The driver safety enforcement approach focuses on driver enforcement for serious rule violations, including:
- Driving while disqualified;
- Driving without a valid commercial driver’s license;
- Making a false entry on a medical certificate/card; and
- Committing numerous hours-of-service violations.
Enforcement action will be taken directly against the driver for serious rule violations. If the motor carrier is also determined to be a responsible party, it may also receive enforcement action.