FMCSA Expands Complaint Center for Broker, ELDT and Registration Fraud Reports

FMCSA has launched an enhanced Complaint Center for drivers, industry professionals and members of the public who want to report potential violations of federal motor carrier safety or hazardous materials requirements. The agency announced the changes November 6, describing the platform as an updated version of the former National Consumer Complaint Database.

New complaint categories cover property brokers, Entry-Level Driver Training and the Training Provider Registry, intermodal equipment providers, and registration-related fraud or identity theft. FMCSA also replaced references to consumers with the broader term general public, reorganized drug and alcohol service-agent complaints, and revised its submission and search tools. The changes expand how concerns are categorized; they do not create a new safety regulation or change a carrier's existing legal obligations.

FMCSA says a person may submit the information available without waiting to collect every possible detail. The agency reviews complaints with other data to decide whether a company or regulated entity warrants further review, investigation or enforcement. Filing a complaint does not automatically open an investigation, prove a violation or produce a penalty. Emergencies and situations requiring immediate attention should still be reported to 911 rather than through the complaint process.

Drivers and carriers should document dates, company names, USDOT or MC numbers, communications and supporting records before filing when those details are safely available. Complaints can be submitted through the FMCSA Complaint Center or by calling 1-888-DOT-SAFT on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time. Training providers and brokers should review the new categories so internal compliance teams know where concerns may appear and can preserve accurate records if FMCSA follows up.