The online system DataQs is used to request and track reviews of crash and inspection data. Users can review their own data and request corrections to erroneous or incomplete data.
Each year FMCSA publishes information on approximately 3 million inspections, 5 million violations, and over 180,000 vehicles involved in Federally-reportable crashes. In 2024, DataQs received 8,314 requests on crash data and 63,548 requests concerning inspections and violations.
In 2025 FMCSA published proposed revisions to the DataQs requirements. After reviewing the comments received, FMCSA has announced the following changes:
General Requirements
- States must establish points of contact for crash and inspection RDRs (Request for Data Review).
- States must conduct a good faith review of all inspection-related RDRs that are submitted within 3 years from the date of inspection and within 5 years for crashes.
- States must follow FMCSA’s policy related to Adjudicated Citations.
- States must participate in FMCSA program reviews of their DataQs processes and procedures.
- Each RDR closed, including at the various levels of appeal (Reconsideration and Final Review), with the status ‘‘Closed—No Data Correction Made’’ must adequately explain the facts and analysis supporting the decision. Responses must contain the following information:
- Description of or link to the State’s approved DataQs Implementation Plan;
- Decision-maker (name and title);
- List of evidence reviewed;
- Decision;
- Specific reason(s) for decision; and
- Next steps/directions for more information including on how to appeal the decision (RDR Reconsideration process) if prior to Final Review decision.
Multi-Stage Review Process
The process for reviewing RDRs must include three stages of independent review: Initial Review, Reconsideration, and Final Review. Review of the RDR escalates from the DataQs analyst to a responsible decision-maker or panel of subject matter experts.
Stage1: Initial Review
The RDR must be opened within 7 days, and a decision made within 21 days. The issuing officer or inspector cannot be the sole decision-maker when the outcome of the RDR is ‘‘Closed—No Data Correction Made.’’
Stage 2: Reconsideration
The RDR Reconsideration must be reviewed and decided by a person or panel with appropriate subject matter expertise and separate and independent from the person(s) who decided on the Initial Review. The decision must be reached within 21 days.
Stage 3: Final Review Process
This review may be delegated to a panel or outside party that provides a recommendation to the decision-maker. However, the person(s) or panel reviewing or deciding the Final Review must not be anyone involved in the review or decision of the Initial RDR decision or RDR Reconsideration decision. States must reach a decision on any Final Review and communicate it to the requestor within 45 days of the request for Final Review
Timeline
To ensure the timely resolution of disputes, requestors must submit any request for a Reconsideration or Final Review within 30 days of the State issuing the decision in the previous stage. If a State returns a request at any stage for additional information, the State’s timeline to reach a decision is paused. The 14 days allotted for the requestor to respond do not count toward the State’s 21-day or 45-day review deadlines.
For all stages of review, if the State requests additional information from the requestor, the requestor has 14 days to provide the information. A State may only request additional information that is relevant and material to the disposition of the review. These 14 days do not count towards the timeline for the State’s review. If the requestor does not respond, the State will close the request with the status ‘‘Closed—No Requestor Response’’ unless a decision can be made with the information already on the record. If a request is reopened because the requestor provides the previously requested information, it will not be escalated; instead, it will be reviewed at the level it was closed, and the State will have the full allotted time for that specific stage (21 days for Initial or
Reconsideration Reviews and 45 days for Final Reviews) to complete this review. However, if entirely new information or evidence (beyond what was requested) that is relevant to the RDR is provided to the State, the RDR will be routed back to the Initial Review process.
Implementation schedule
The official notice of these changes was published in the Federal Register on April 16, 2026. The implementation schedule provides that:
- April–May 2026: FMCSA begins training including templates and guidance for creating and submitting DataQs Implementation Plans, webinars, and office hours.
- 60 days after publication: States submit draft DataQs Implementation Plans to FMCSA for review and approval.
- 120 days after publication: States finalize their DataQs Implementation Plans, based on feedback from FMCSA. FMCSA completes the implementation plan for relevant RDRs.
- 150 days after publication: DataQs system release to support the revised requirements. State implementation plans and new DataQs MCSAP requirements go into effect.
Need help navigating DataQs or preparing for compliance reviews?
National Transportation Consultants can help you understand what these changes mean for your fleet and identify the right next steps. Contact NTC today to speak with an experienced DOT compliance consultant.
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