SAFER Web - Frequent Asked Questions

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SAFER Table Layout
SAFER Table Layout
SAFER Table Layout

Frequently Asked Questions

SAFER Web Frequently Asked Questions

Where can one obtain a USDOT number for a company?
USDOT numbers can be obtained online from the FMCSA Registration page.
What is the difference between interstate carriers and intrastate carriers?
Interstate carriers operate vehicles that are authorized to operate in multiple state jurisdictions, which includes U.S. and Mexican states and Canadian provinces. Intrastate carriers operate entirely within a single state jurisdiction.
Do intrastate carriers need a DOT Number?
Some intrastate carriers need DOT Numbers.
How up-to-date is the information in SAFER?
Company Profile data is up-to-date as of the time of the generation of the profile. Company Snapshot data is updated daily, except for inspection and crash counts, which are updated weekly. SAFESTAT scores are updated once per month.
Do you to need to enter leading zeros for DOT Number? (see search tips)
No.
How far back can I view data?
SAFER does not keep any historical company safety rating data, it contains only the most current data as of the most recent load. Only the most recent Reviews are displayed, but all Reviews are in the Snapshot data available to authorized users. Inspection and Crash counts displayed on the Company Snapshot page are for the previous 24 month period prior to the most recent weekly calculation of the counts. Vehicle Inspection Reports (only available to authorized individuals) are removed from the database after 180 days.
Where does SAFER obtain its information?
Company information on the SAFER Web comes from the FMCSA's Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS) and Licensing and Insurance (L&I) systems. Other SAFER information not displayed on the web site comes from roadside locations, State and Federal offices and State information systems.
Are there any special requirements for using the site?
There are no requirements for using the Company Snapshot page. Users of the online Company Profile service need a valid credit card. Those who do not wish to use a credit card online can contact the FMCSA Information line to order a profile over the phone.
Are there any charges for using the site?
Company Snapshot searches are free of charge. Company profiles are available to industry and the public for a fee, and are free of charge to authorized Law Enforcement personnel.
Is there anyone I can call for more technical assistance?
Contact the FMCSA Information Line.
Can I find Canadian or Mexican carrier information in SAFER?
Yes. All motor carriers registered with FMCSA are included. Certain company types that are registered with FMCSA are not included in the Company Snapshot search at this time, but all motor carriers are.
Can I update/correct my USDOT Number record?
Go to the FMCSA Registration page to update MCS-150 information, Any Company safety data that is incorrect can be challenged through FMCSA's DataQs system.
Who can I contact about accessibility issues?
Accessibility issues can be reported to the FMCSA Information Line or sent to SAFERFeedback@volpe.dot.gov via E-mail.
If I view a company's details, is that recorded anywhere?
Search parameters are recorded, but are not associated with any user information.

SAFER Company Safety Profile Service Questions

Who can request a CSP?
Anyone may request a CSP.
Is a company the same thing as a carrier?
No. A carrier is a company, but not all companies are carriers.
Do cargo tanks have a CSP?
Yes. All companies with DOT numbers have a CSP.
Is there a fee for a CSP?
There is a fee for public users; there is no fee for Law Enforcement users.
How much is the fee?
The fee is $20.00 per company profile.
How many CSPs can I request for the fee?
You can request one for $20.00. You can request a subscription for $20.00 times the number of profiles in the subscription.
Can I pay with a Discover or American Express card?
Yes.
Is there a fee for law enforcement personnel?
No.
Is my request for a CSP recorded anywhere?
Yes, your email address is recorded in order to deliver the profile to you. No other personal information is recorded.
Who can request driver information?
A company can request its own driver information, and an authorized Law Enforcement official can request driver information.

SAFER XML Services Frequently Asked Questions

What do the XML log error codes mean?

SAFER Error Codes Issued by XML Transactions

Error messages below, classified as terminal or warnings, are violations of SAFER business rules. 
Each message has a code number, a text body (enclosed in quotes) and notes.

Error Messages - associated data not processed further

0   "Passed business rules"
	Placeholder value for the code that actually writes out the messages;
	code zero causes "Passed business rules" to appear in the log

1   "Older than existing data"
Record sent is older than existing data

2   "Duplicate records for a VIN and State"
	A vehicle registration for the same VIN and state already exists

3   "Duplicate records for a State and License Plate"
	A vehicle registration for the same license plate number and state
	already exists in the database

4   "No proration record for vehicle reporting state"
	Vehicle registration is lacking at least one proration record

5   "Duplicate keys within transaction"
	Multiple records with the same key values were sent within a
	single transaction

6   "Vehicle registration does not exist"
	Transponder Id was sent for a vehicle that has no registration

7   "Referenced carrier record does not exist"
	Carrier e-screen record references a non-existant carrier

8   "No country exists for jurisdiction in lookup table"
	Vehicle inspection record references a country that is not listed
	in the countries lookup table

9   "No street or PO Box information was provided in address"
	IFTA, IRP, or FLEET transaction is lacking a street or PO box

10  "Existing PRISM registration cannot be updated by IRP"
	An IRP vehicle registration cannot update an existing PRISM registration

11  "IFTA account for carrier already exists for jurisdiction"
	IFTA License record is for a carrier that has an existing IFTA 
	registration within the same jurisdiction

12  "IRP account for carrier already exists for jurisdiction"
	IRP Account record is for a carrier that has an existing IRP
	registration within the same jurisdiction

13  "Multiple prorations found for intrastate IRP registration"
	An intrastate vehicle registration may only send a proration for
	the sending jurisdiction. The violating record sent multiple prorations.

14  "Transponder ID is already associated with another VIN"
	Transponder ID already associated with another VIN.

15  "CARRIER_ACTION does not validate to the carrier-vehicle action lookup 	table"
	Carrier-action does not exist in the database car_veh_action_lookup table

16  "JURISDICTION_ACTION does not validate to the jurisdiction action lookup 	table"
	Jurisdiction-action does not exist in the jurisdiction_action_lookup table

17  "JURISDICTION_CODE/ACTIVITY_CODE combination does not validate to the 	
        jurisdiction participation lookup table"
	Jurisdiction-code/activity-code combination does not exist in
	the jurisdiction_participation table

18  "Non-unique name-types within a base record group"
	Non-unique name-type within base record group

19  "Non-unique address-types within a name group"
	Non-unique address-type within name group


Warning Messages - associated data may be included in database

-1  "Referenced IFTA Account does not exist"
	IFTA account referenced in IRP account record does not exist

-2  "Referenced IRP Account does not exist"
	IRP account referenced in IRP Fleet record does not exist

-3  "Referenced IRP Fleet does not exist"
	IRP fleet referenced in vehicle registration does not exist


Untrapped Database Messages in Log

If untrapped (caused by conditions unanticipated by the code) errors
occur, they usually emanate from the database.  All Oracle-origin
error messages in the log cause the entire input file's data to be
rejected.  All the messages have these common features: 
"Error in SQL command: " where  is the text of the SQL command
that caused the error.
"Error message: ORA-" where NNNNN is a 5-digit code that corresponds
to Oracle error condition numbers.  The SQL text and error number are
important diagnostic tools that should be listed in the test result report.

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