How long a roadside violation counts: SMS and PSP

In the carrier's SMS measure: 24 months, weighted by age

SMS uses a 24-month inspection window. The time weight is ×3 through 6 months back from the snapshot date, ×2 for more than 6 through 12 months back, and ×1 for more than 12 through 24 months back. Older inspections are outside that snapshot's calculation window.

Read these age bands relative to the snapshot date. They describe that snapshot's calculation, not a promised date for a record to disappear.

A lower time weight reduces an inspection's weighted numerator contribution; it need not lower the measure. For inspection-normalized BASICs, time weight also applies to relevant inspections in the denominator, including inspections with no violation in that BASIC. The result depends on all relevant inspections in the same snapshot; their aging, arrival, or departure can change the denominator too. Exposure-normalized BASICs use a different denominator.

Synthetic arithmetic example for an inspection-normalized BASIC: with one relevant inspection, severity 6 and time weight ×3, the ratio is 18/3 = 6. When its time weight becomes ×2, the ratio is 12/2 = 6. This illustrates normalization only; it does not establish enough data for a published position.

On a driver's PSP report: three years of inspections, five years of crashes

FMCSA's PSP authorization form describes the release of "crash data from the previous five (5) years and inspection history from the previous three (3) years." The same form states that "all inspections, with or without violations, appear on the PSP report."

PSP is a driver's history that a prospective employer requests. The form states: "The Prospective Employer cannot obtain background reports from FMCSA without your authorization."

Why one inspection can leave SMS and still show on PSP

SMS looks back 24 months from the snapshot date; PSP shows three years of inspection history. An inspection that is between two and three years old has left the carrier's SMS window and can still appear on the driver's PSP report.

How long a review can be requested

The revised State DataQs process applies to requests submitted on or after September 18, 2026. It is not retroactive and does not establish deadlines for Federal reviews. The 2026 notice requires States to accept and conduct a good-faith review of inspection RDRs submitted within 3 years of the inspection and crash RDRs within 5 years of the crash (91 FR 20566).

So an inspection that no longer counts in SMS can still be the subject of a Request for Data Review while it is within those three years.

Age does not correct a record

Age changes how much an accurate record weighs. An inaccurate record is challenged through DataQs. The PSP form states: "You may challenge the accuracy of the data by submitting a request to https://dataqs.fmcsa.dot.gov. If you challenge crash or inspection information reported by a State, FMCSA cannot change or correct this data."

Sources for these periods

SMS time bands: SMS methodology version 3.21, as used for snapshot 2026-07-31. PSP periods and corrections: FMCSA's PSP Disclosure and Authorization form, last updated 2/11/2016. Review window: Federal Register, 91 FR 20566, FR Doc. 2026-07429.