What changed

FMCSA announced on November 6 that the system formerly known as the National Consumer Complaint Database is now the FMCSA Complaint Center. The agency says the current release expands complaint categories and updates the site, submission form and complaint-search tool.

Newly highlighted categories include property brokers, Entry-Level Driver Training providers, intermodal equipment providers, and registration-related fraud or identity theft. The center also accepts reports involving truck and bus companies, hazardous-material transportation, cargo-tank facilities, ELD providers, drug and alcohol service agents, moving companies and motorist safety.

What drivers can report

FMCSA lists driver complaints such as employer harassment or coercion to disregard hours-of-service or other safety rules, problems with a property broker, registration-related identity theft, unsafe equipment and unresolved ELD-provider issues.

The eligible-complaints guidance is category-specific. A complaint should describe what happened and include available facts or supporting records, but FMCSA says a filer does not need every detail before submitting.

How the process works

Complaints may be filed online at complaint.fmcsa.dot.gov or by calling 1-888-DOT-SAFT from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern, Monday through Friday. Emergencies still belong with 911, not the complaint portal.

FMCSA reviews complaints with other information to decide which regulated entities may warrant further review, investigation or enforcement. Filing a complaint does not automatically open an investigation and does not establish that a violation occurred.

Driver and carrier meaning

Drivers facing coercion, unsafe-equipment pressure, registration fraud or broker problems now have a more clearly organized federal intake channel. Carriers, brokers and service providers should treat a complaint as an allegation unless and until the agency makes a finding or takes formal action.

The announcement changes the reporting platform and categories; it is not a new final safety rule, compliance deadline or automatic penalty schedule.

Primary sources and supporting records

Related CDL practice

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