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Frequently Asked Questions

The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) are questions and answers about Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) compiled to assist the public. As questions come in through the website, FMCSA adds them to the database along with their answers. If you do not see your question or topic addressed, please contact us by submitting a feedback form. We will respond to you directly and consider your question for inclusion in the FAQs.

The FAQ area has recently been enhanced. Users can now search FAQs by stakeholder group, topics (displayed on the left side of the page), or by entering a keyword below. Choosing “Show All” will display the entire collection of FAQs.

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  1. I'm having problems signing in to see my data. What should I do Answer

    Motor carriers need a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)-issued U.S. DOT Number and a U.S. DOT PIN (not a Docket Number PIN) to access the Safety Measurement System (SMS) Website. If you are experiencing difficulties, please review the information below before contacting the SMS Web team for assistance.

    • If you don't have a U.S. DOT Number:
      You cannot access the password-protected part of the SMS.
    • If you are a driver looking to see your own data:
      Driver data is not available through the Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program. To obtain a copy of your inspection/crash history, visit the Pre-Employment Screening Program.
    • If you do not have a PIN or don't know what it is:
      You can request a U.S. DOT PIN here and select “Click here to request your Docket Number PIN and/or U.S. DOT PIN.” Be sure to request a U.S. DOT PIN, not a Docket Number PIN. You can also call 800-832-5660 for assistance.
    • If you have a PIN but it doesn't work:
      1. Make sure you are using your U.S. DOT PIN and not your Docket PIN. Only the U.S. DOT PIN will work on the SMS Website.
      2. Verify that you are typing in your PIN correctly. Often the problem is a typo or a misreading of one or more characters. For example, users sometimes mistake the letter “O” for the number “0” or the letter “l” for the number “1,” etc. Try all possible combinations before going to the next step.
      3. Ensure that no one else in your company has changed your PIN by requesting a new one.
      4. If the above options fail, request a new U.S. DOT PIN and select “Click here to request your Docket Number PIN and/or U.S. DOT PIN.” Be sure to request a U.S. DOT PIN, not a Docket Number PIN.
    • If you need additional PIN assistance:
      Assistance with U.S. DOT PIN issues can be obtained by calling FMCSA technical support at 800-832-5660 during normal business hours.
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