FAQ - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

What does CVISN stand for?

CVISN stands for Commercial Vehicle Information Systems and Networks.

CVISN is a collection of information systems and communications networks that support commercial vehicle operations (CVO). CVISN is part of the larger Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) architecture.

What is CVISN trying to do?

CVISN is trying to improve safety and efficiency by:

Giving roadside officers the information they need
Screening entities on the road electronically so that safe and legal drivers/carriers have expedited trips
Streamlining the credentialing process
Sharing data across the nation for safety checks, credentials checks, and state-to-state fee processing

What are the benefits?

Benefits of CVISN include:

Safety, security, efficiency
24/7 access to e-credentialing services
Roadside access to current information
Safe and legal operators bypass weigh stations
Scarce enforcement resources focused better
Increase in administrative responsiveness
Standardized interfaces and simpler data sharing
Automated processes and reduced costs

Who is involved?

CVISN stakeholders include:

CVO industry
Business
State regulatory agencies (e.g., Department of Transportation, Department of Motor Vehicles, Motor Carrier Services)
State law enforcement (e.g., State Police, Highway Patrol)
Other state agencies (e.g., Revenue, Chief Information Officer)
USDOT agencies (FMCSA, Federal Highway Administration)
Other federal agencies (e.g., Internal Revenue Service, Transportation Security Agency)

Is CVISN a program or an application?

CVISN is a program, not an application

CVISN is a nationwide program managed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

The CVISN Program provides a framework or architecture that enables state and federal government agencies, the motor carrier industry, and other parties engaged in CVO safety assurance and regulation to exchange and use information to improve safety and security, and to conduct business transactions electronically.

The CVISN Program collaborates and coordinates with its partners to achieve the shared vision of improved safety, security, and productivity.

Click on the CVISN Program Structure below

CVISN Program Structure diagram

How do I start?

The recommended state deployment strategy for CVISN consists of several phases: Planning/Design, Core Deployment, and Expanded Deployment.

The Planning/Design phase includes participation in customized, on-site ITS/CVO training courses and the development of a CVISN Program Plan and Top-Level Design. A state's CVISN program plan and top-level design details the functionality that will be deployed as part of a state's CVISN program, as well as how the state elects to deploy this functionality. The document is developed by the states; CVISN team (e.g., CVISN Program Manager, CVISN System Architect, representatives from CVISN-related agencies) and other interested stakeholders. Once FMCSA approves the state CVISN Program Plan and Top-Level Design, the state enters the Core Deployment phase.

In the Core Deployment phase, a state buys or builds subsystems and integrates them into their operations to achieve deployment of Core CVISN capabilities. Once a state has deployed all core CVISN functionality it is referred to as being Core CVISN Compliant.

In the Expanded Deployment phase, the state builds on its Core CVISN foundation by adding more capabilities and/or deploying CVISN functionality at more sites or with more carriers. States have the flexibility to customize their Expanded CVISN program and focus their resources on the projects that are most important to them and their constituencies.

Click on the Phases of CVISN Deployment below

Phases of CVISN Deployment diagram

What are the keys to success?

Senior management buy in
Build a team
Re-use what has already been built
Use CVISN grant funds
Ask/look for help if you need it

Start by getting management on board. Identify an enthusiastic, strong executive who believes in CVISN and will help the team make it happen.

Next, build a CVISN team. That includes representatives from all the state CVO agencies. Several representatives of the motor carrier industry, the FMCSA Division Administrator, and IT vendors should also be included. This may be the first time that these folks have worked together. This team effort will broaden people's perspectives and give them a means to work with others in the state to address issues of common concern.

Click on the Keys to Success: Build a Team Structure below

Keys to Success: Build a Team Structure diagram

Many states have gone before you. Take advantage of what they learned and accomplished. Join one of the existing e-screening programs. Employ a system architect who has experience with states that have achieved Core CVISN compliance. Re-use systems that have already been built, such as:

CVIEW
IRP and IFTA systems from service providers
Web sites

FMCSA Office of Analysis, Research, & Technology administers the CVISN grant program. Take advantage of the opportunity to apply federal funds to your state CVISN program. CVISN grants require a 50-50 match from the state, but many sources of matching funds qualify. See the FAQ area of the CVISN Grants page on the CVISN Collaboration site.

Many sources of help are available to states in any phase of CVISN deployment. Join in the monthly CVISN Program Managers teleconference and the monthly CVISN ACCB teleconference. Take advantage of the documents and training materials that are available on this Web site or the CVISN Collaboration site. Ask your FMCSA Division Administrator or FMCSA Headquarters for tailored on-site assistance. Seek help from another state through the Intelligent Transportation Peer-to-Peer Program ( http://www.its.dot.gov/peer/index.htm ).

What are the Core CVISN capabilities?

CVISN consists of functionality in three program areas:

Safety Information Exchange

Inspection reporting using ASPEN (or equivalent) at all major inspection sites. ASPEN data sent to SAFER (Safety and Fitness Electronic Records) directly or indirectly.
Connection to the SAFER system to provide exchange of interstate carrier and vehicle data snapshots among states.
Implementation of CVIEW (Commercial Vehicle Information Exchange Window) (or CVIEW equivalent) system for exchange of intrastate and interstate data within state and connection to SAFER for exchange of interstate data through snapshots.

Utilization of SAFER option for exchange of inter- and intrastate data through snapshots.

Credentials Administration

Automated electronic processing via Web-based or computer-to-computer solutions from carrier to state (processing includes carrier application, state application processing, credential issuance, and tax filing) of at least IRP (International Registration Plan) and IFTA (International Fuel Tax Agreement) credentials; ready to extend to other credentials [intrastate, titling, OS/OW (Oversize/Overweight), carrier registration, HazMat]. Note: Processing does not necessarily include e-payment.
Update SAFER with credential information for interstate credential information as actions are taken.
Connection to IRP and IFTA Clearinghouses.
At least 10% of the transaction volume handled electronically; ready to bring on more carriers as carriers sign up; ready to extend to branch offices where applicable.

Electronic Screening

Use snapshots to support screening decisions.
Implemented at a minimum of one fixed or mobile inspection site.
Ready to replicate at other sites.

What is the CVISN Collaboration site?

The CVISN Collaboration Web site is a place for free and open exchange of ideas among CVISN stakeholders. It includes relatively dynamic information such as draft documents, working papers, meeting notes, and threaded discussions in support of the CVISN ACCB, Expanded CVISN ad hoc groups, and CVISN Program Managers calls. There are links to FMCSA Web sites and other sites of interest to CVISN stakeholders. Users are required to obtain a userid and password to access the site.