DataQs Program Upgrades with Stricter Deadlines and Faster Safety Record Corrections

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FMCSA Upgrades DataQs Program to Improve Efficiency and Transparency for Safety Record Corrections for American Truckers

Wednesday, April 15, 2026 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: fmcsa.publicaffairs@dot.gov

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) today announced updates to its DataQs program which will improve turnaround times for truckers awaiting safety record corrections. 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.

The system is key to maintaining accurate safety data and ensuring fair treatment for our law-abiding truck drivers. In 2024, DataQs processed more than 71,000 requests, including at least 8,300 related to crash data.

“Accurate data keeps our roads safe. America's hardworking truck drivers deserve a system that treats them fairly. These updates guarantee due process by ensuring drivers who challenge an inspection or crash record receive an independent, unbiased, and completed review in a timely manner,” said Derek D. Barrs, FMCSA Administrator. **

Additional Information:

Upgrading the DataQs program is a key initiative outlined in Secretary Sean P. Duffy’s Pro-Trucker Package unveiled last summer following President Trump’s Executive Order aimed at improving working conditions for America’s truck drivers.

FMCSA’s DataQs system allows motor carriers, commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers, and other stakeholders to request a review of federal and state data they believe is incomplete or incorrect.

Updates to the DataQs system were informed by public feedback to the July 31, 2025 Federal Register notice.

For more information about changes to the DataQs program, read the full notice submitted by FMCSA to the Federal Register.

Key Enhancements to DataQs

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

General Requirements

• 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. Three-Stage Review Process: States must implement a multi-stage, independent review structure that includes:

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

• 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. ###

Under U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is dedicated to reducing crashes, fatalities and injuries involving large trucks and buses. FMCSA oversees the safety of the nation’s 9 million commercial motor vehicle drivers and ensures compliance across the trucking industry that serves as the backbone of the American economy. Visit FMCSA.dot.gov for more information.