PSP vs MVR

Not every accident makes it to the PSP either but should be on the MVR.

In my experience only about 1/3rd of accidents show up with the FMCSA.

Most NJ state police do, but local PD and port authority usually do not show up.

 

Actually it’s 5 years for CMV crashes and 3 years for CMV violations - all the MVR violations may not be on a PSP report because not all tickets/violations are in conjunction with a roadside inspection of a CMV. The advantage for PSP (which isn’t required by FMCSA but is highly recommended) is that a driver may forget to tell you all of their employment / driving history- most insurance companies look at warnings and citations on CMV inspections just as they do MVR’s- I would venture to say it’s just as important. The PSP does occasionally show you that a driver can have a “perfect” MVR and a horrible PSP due to the MVR being an entirely different system and the PSP like CSA counts warnings - and all violations for 3 year history for that driver are /should show up on PSP.

 

Also, Just to be clear- TRUCKING INSURANCE COMPANIES DO, Definitely care about PSP. I’m a retired Trooper former CDL driver - Now Safety and Compliance for Truck Insurance Company.