For those of you whose companies have products that require transport, I thought you might be interested to know that FMCSA launched a pre-employment screening program on 5/11/2010.

“Starting today, commercial carriers will have an essential tool for making informed hiring decisions that will lead to safer drivers on our roads,” said FMCSA Administrator Anne S. Ferro. “The Pre-Employment Screening Program raises the safety bar for the motor carrier industry and helps to make our roads safer for everyone.”

The Trucker News Services

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) today launched its Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP), which allows commercial motor carrier companies to electronically access driver inspection and crash records as a part of the hiring process.

“The Pre-Employment Screening Program sends a strong message to commercial carriers and drivers that we are serious about having the safest drivers behind the wheel of large trucks and buses,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

“Starting today, commercial carriers will have an essential tool for making informed hiring decisions that will lead to safer drivers on our roads,” said FMCSA Administrator Anne S. Ferro. “The Pre-Employment Screening Program raises the safety bar for the motor carrier industry and helps to make our roads safer for everyone.”

The Pre-Employment Screening Program offers access to up to five years of driver crash data and three years of inspection data regardless of the state or jurisdiction. By using driver safety information during pre-employment screening, commercial carriers will be able to better assess the potential safety risks of prospective driver-employees. PSP also gives drivers additional opportunities to verify the data in their driving history and correct any discrepancies. A driver’s records will be protected in accordance with federal privacy laws.

The Pre-Employment Screening Program is populated monthly by FMCSA’s Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS). The MCMIS is comprised of driver performance data including inspection and compliance review results, enforcement data, state-reported crashes, and motor carrier census data.

For complete details on the Pre-Employment Screening Program’s fees for driver safety records and how carriers and drivers can participate, visit http://www.psp.fmcsa.dot.gov.