UNDERSTANDING DATAQS SYSTEM

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is always updating their system to keep the roads safer. One of the more recent updates with the FMCSA is the addition of the DataQs. DataQs is an online system for motor carriers and commercial drivers to submit their concerns about publically available Federal and State data that is contained in the FMCSA data systems. Motor Carriers most often use the Data Q system to dispute errors on inspection reports or violations they have received that are false or inaccurate and having a negative impact on the company’s CSA scores.  It is also a place to submit requests for copies of inspection reports.

If you’re newer to truck driving, the DataQs system may be unfamiliar to you. So what should you actually know about the process? Motor Carrier HQ is here to help you learn.

Registering for DataQs

To register for the DataQs System, go to https://dataqs.fmcsa.dot.gov and click on the “New to DataQs?” button in the login box. This will give you instructions for completing the registration process and to set up an account.

If you’re a motor carrier, you can get additional information that isn’t available to the public by obtaining a “validated” status. Motor carrier accounts will be validated by entering the motor carrier PIN issued by the FMCSA when registering for a U.S. DOT number.

Request Types

Request types are organized into the following groups:

• Crash events
• DOT audit/investigation
• Inspection event
• Registration/Insurance
• Household Good Complaints

Entering a Request for Data Review (RDR)

A RDR is how you can dispute a violation or ticket you have received that is negatively affecting your CSA scores.  Adding an RDR into DataQs is easy and can be done by anyone. Follow the instructions below to add yours.

• Select “Add a Request” from the dashboard when you login.
• Select the option describing the event type.
• Select the option describing the reason for having the information reviewed.
• Confirm the selected choice
• Enter the details of the event, specific to the type of request chosen.
• Upload any available documentation.
• Confirm the entered information is correct.

One the request is loaded, DataQs will acknowledge the process completion. After it’s completed, the request will be forwarded to an organization for research and email notifications will be sent out.  If you are having trouble with the system and would like help, this is a service we provide that we would be happy to help you with.

Entering an Inspection Report Request (IRR)

To enter an IRR follow these steps:

• Select the “Add a Request” button.
• Select the roadside option for “Inspections/violations.’
• Select “Never received a copy or lost the report.”
• To process the request, select the state where the inspection event occurred from the pull down menu. This step will collect specific information on the inspection report, including inspection report number and date of inspection event.
• Upload an available documentation.
• Confirm the entered information is correct.

Supporting Documentation

It’s important to provide detailed information that pertains to the carrier, driver, vehicle, or even data in the Motor Carrier Management Information System that is being disputed in the RDR. The supporting documentation ranges from state to state and is determined case-by-case. The determination should be based on all evidence present by the requestor and/or documentation provided by the inspector or officer who recorded the crash or inspection data. An example of insufficient data is a letter to the state from the driver/carrier claiming the data reported are in error or requesting that the data be removed from his/her profile.

Viewing Details of RDR and IRR

Once you’re logged into DataQs, go to your dashboard. Identify the RDR/IRR in the List of Reviews Requested and click on the “Details” button.

The detailed view will display:

• Information collected during RDR/IRR entry.
• The identity of the user who entered the RDR/IRR into the system.
• Each response to the RDR/IRR.
• Links to a list of supporting documentation added to the DataQs for the displayed RDR/IRR.

You can click on the “Create PDF” icon in the detail view screen to enable the users access to a PDF file version of the RDR/IRR details.

For more information about DataQs, visit FMCSA.dot.gov.