FMCSA sets August start date for policy on updating violation records

Washington – Aug. 23 will be the start date for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s previously announced decision to allow states to update certain roadside violation data for truck and bus drivers, the agency stated June 5.

FMCSA requires states to report violations recorded during roadside inspections to FMCSA’s Motor Carrier Management Information System, which feeds data into other databases that affect truck and bus driver employment prospects and carrier safety ratings. If a state issues a citation as a result of the violation, the driver or carrier can appeal the citation with the state. Currently, that federal violation record remains the same – regardless of the citation’s outcome – in the MCMIS.

FMCSA’s new policy will allow states to make changes to the original violation record if the citation was dismissed or resulted in a not-guilty verdict, resulted in a conviction, or led to a conviction of a different or lesser charge.