The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has announced upgrades to its DataQs program, which the agency said will improve turnaround times for truckers awaiting safety record corrections. Under the revisions, states must now meet strict deadlines and follow a three-step independent review process when handling requests to fix data on crashes, inspections, and violations.

DataQs is the online system for motor carriers, commercial motor vehicle drivers, and other interested parties to request and track a review of federal and state crash and inspection data submitted to and stored by FMCSA that the requestor believes is incomplete or incorrect.

Users can review their own data and request corrections to erroneous or incomplete data records. Each year FMCSA publishes information on approximately 3 million inspections, 5 million violations, and over 180,000 vehicles involved in federally-reportable crashes. In 2024, DataQs received 8,314 requests on crash data and 63,548 requests concerning inspections and violations.

The revised procedures establish a more streamlined framework for handling Requests for Data Review (RDRs), specifically for states receiving Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program funding from FMCSA.

The general requirements are as follows:

• States must designate points of contact for crash and inspection RDRs.
• States are required to review requests submitted within three years of an inspection and within five years of a crash.
• All decisions, especially those where no data correction is made, must include detailed explanations, evidence reviewed, and clear next steps in the review process.
• States must participate in FMCSA program reviews and follow established policies, including those related to adjudicated citations.

States must implement a multi-stage, independent review structure that includes:

• Initial Review – Ensures decisions are not made solely by the issuing officer when denying a correction.
• Reconsideration – Conducted by independent subject matter experts not involved in the initial decision.
• Final Review – Completed by a senior decision-maker or independent panel, ensuring an unbiased final determination.

The timeline standards are:

• Initial reviews must be completed within 21 days.
• Reconsideration decisions must be issued within 21 days.
• Final reviews must be completed within 45 days.
• State MCSAP Lead Agencies must submit DataQs Implementation Plans detailing how they will meet the new requirements, address backlogs, and prevent future delays. To promote transparency, all approved plans will be publicly available through the DataQs system.