DataQs improvements now in effect

Multi-level, timely reviews

One of the biggest changes is a new three-step, independent RDR review process that follows a strict timeline. In part, this will help ensure decisions aren’t made solely by the officer who input the contested data. The new process includes:

• An initial review within 21 days;
• Reconsideration within 21 days, conducted by independent subject-matter experts not involved in the initial decision; and
• Final review completed within 45 days by a senior decision-maker or independent panel, further helping to remove bias from the determination.

Among other changes, states must:

• Have designated points of contact for RDRs;
• Agree to review any RDRs submitted within 3 years of an inspection or within 5 years of a crash; and
• Issue detailed explanations of their decisions, especially those where no data correction is made.

All states were required to submit “DataQs Implementation Plans” to the FMCSA, to show how these changes would be enacted. The plans are available publicly on the DataQs Help Center.

Website updates

The FMCSA updated the DataQs website to reflect the above process changes. The updates include:

• A streamlined “Request Details” header focusing on the key information about the request, requestor, and reviewing agency.
• A new “Take Action” section with a menu of actions to make it easier to move a request through the expanded review process.
• The ability to de-escalate a review to a previous review stage when new information is being presented.
• Indicators to make it clear which stage of review a request is in at all times.
• A “Ready to Submit” review panel that allows you to confirm updates to a request before you submit it.
• A re-designed “Response History” that makes it easier to track actions and correspondence throughout the request process.
• Expanded options to customize your list of requests in MyDataQs, including sorting by review stage and “USDOT# to Consider” (which indicates motor carriers that may be relevant to the request).