Trucking Laws · Nationwide · November 12, 2026

How Truckers Can File a Complaint With the FMCSA Complaint Center

By Big Rig Daily Staff

Truckers can file a complaint with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) online at complaint.fmcsa.dot.gov or by phone at 1-888-DOT-SAFT (1-888-368-7238), 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. Pick a filer category (CMV Driver for most company drivers, Industry Professional for owner-operators), choose who the complaint is against, describe what happened with dates, times and places, upload any proof and save the case number. In an emergency, call 911 instead.

This guide covers who drivers can report, how to file and what happens next. It is general information, not legal advice.

What the FMCSA Complaint Center is

The FMCSA Complaint Center is the new name for what used to be called the National Consumer Complaint Database, or NCCDB. FMCSA announced the enhanced Complaint Center on Nov. 6, 2026, with new categories for property brokers, entry-level driver training providers, intermodal equipment providers, and registration-related fraud and identity theft. The general public, commercial drivers and industry professionals can all use it to report safety violations.

FMCSA says it uses complaints, along with other data, to decide which companies to investigate. The system is meant for past events only. FMCSA's FAQ is direct on this point: if something is a safety emergency, call 911 immediately.

Who truckers can file a complaint against

FMCSA's Eligible Complaints page lists the problems it accepts. The main ones for truckers are below.

Your own carrier

A driver can file against a truck company for harassment by an employer, for being coerced or forced to ignore safety rules such as hours of service, for a company running without proper operating authority or insurance on file, or for a truck placed into service without parts needed for safe operation, such as a stop lamp.

Property brokers

FMCSA accepts broker complaints tied to operating authority and financial responsibility. Its examples include a broker misrepresenting its operations to a carrier, improper rebating or compensation, brokering under a name other than the one on its registration, operating without required authority, insurance or registration, and not keeping required transaction records.

ELD providers

A driver can report an electronic logging device provider. FMCSA's example is a provider that "was unable or unwilling to resolve the identified issues with your ELD."

Drug and alcohol service agents

Complaints can be filed against collection sites, medical review officers, substance abuse professionals and third party administrators that fail to provide required information in the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse.

Training providers and equipment providers

FMCSA also takes complaints about entry-level driver training providers, such as a school using uncertified instructors, and about intermodal equipment providers that do not properly maintain chassis and other equipment. Recent federal action on training providers and ELDs is covered in the news story on FMCSA removing training providers and ELDs.

Registration fraud and identity theft

Drivers and owner-operators can report someone using their registration information without permission, or groups using aggressive marketing or phishing to get into a registration account. The guide to how to spot fake Motus sites covers warning signs for FMCSA's newer registration system.

How to file an FMCSA complaint online, step by step

FMCSA lists these 10 steps.

1. Go to the FMCSA Complaint Center at complaint.fmcsa.dot.gov.
2. Select the filer category. Most truckers choose CMV Driver, which FMCSA describes as people who operate trucks and buses. Owner-operators, brokers, shippers, insurers and safety managers fall under Industry Professional.
3. Select who the complaint is against. FMCSA's how-to page lists Moving Company, Medical Review Officer, Property Broker, Electronic Logging Device Provider, Substance Abuse Professional, Bus Company and Truck Company. FMCSA's Nov. 6, 2026 announcement says medical review officer and substance abuse professional complaints now sit under a new Drug and Alcohol Service Agents category, so labels on the screen may differ.
4. Follow the prompts and give incident details. FMCSA asks filers to be specific, with dates, times, locations and what happened.
5. Select the allegation category and any subcategory, such as truck safety, hazardous materials or operating authority.
6. Enter contact information. First name, last name and phone number are the minimum. Add an email address to get the actionable or non-actionable notice by email; otherwise it comes by mail. Then choose whether to share the allegation only, or the allegation and contact information, with the company.
7. Search for the company by name or USDOT number, or enter its information manually.
8. Upload any photos, documents or videos. FMCSA accepts common types including PDF, JPG, PNG, DOCX, MP4 and MOV, with a 2 GB limit per file. Describe the files in the text box, or type "N/A" if there are none.
9. Review the complaint, certify the statement and click "Submit Complaint." To keep a copy, print or save the page before submitting.
10. Save the case number shown in the pop-up window.

Filing by phone

The phone line is 1-888-DOT-SAFT (1-888-368-7238), open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. FMCSA says that if no category fits a complaint, the person taking the call can help categorize it. The line also helps with upload problems and questions about a filed complaint.

Complaints about an ELD provider or ELD harassment

When the ELD provider will not fix a problem

On the filing screen, choose Electronic Logging Device Provider. For background on how the devices and the clock rules work, see the guide to ELD and hours-of-service rules.

When a carrier uses the ELD to push a driver past the rules

FMCSA defines ELD harassment as an action by a carrier, using information from an ELD or connected technology, that the carrier knew or should have known would make the driver break hours-of-service rules. FMCSA says a written harassment complaint must be filed no later than 90 days after the event, and it must include:

1. The driver's name, address and phone number.
2. The name and address of the carrier.
3. A statement of the facts for each allegation.
4. How the ELD or related technology contributed to the harassment.
5. The date of the action.
6. How the carrier's action violated 49 CFR 392.3 or Part 395.
7. The driver's signature.

FMCSA says the complaint goes to the Complaint Center or to the FMCSA Division Administrator for the state where the driver is employed. It also encourages drivers to consider its coercion rule and the Department of Labor whistleblower law, which provides retaliation protection. For a news example of how ELD records can be manipulated, see the report on an ELD hours reset demonstration in Illinois.

What happens after you file

FMCSA says it will tell filers whether a complaint is actionable or non-actionable after review. Its FAQ adds:

• The complaint is used for analysis and kept in the company's file as part of its permanent record.
• If FMCSA takes enforcement action, the filer may be contacted for more information.
• A vague complaint may be marked non-actionable if FMCSA cannot reach the filer.
• A complaint can be filed without contact information, but then there is no acknowledgment letter and no follow-up.
• Federal law allows FMCSA to disclose who filed only if needed to prosecute a violation, and then it must take steps to protect the filer from retaliation.
• Filing does not affect the right to bring a civil case. FMCSA says one action has no effect on the other.

FMCSA says submitting a complaint does not automatically trigger an investigation or result in a violation or penalty. It does not publish a response time or say how many complaints lead to investigations.

FAQ

What is the FMCSA Complaint Center?

It is FMCSA's system for reporting safety violations involving carriers, brokers and others in the commercial vehicle industry. It was formerly called the National Consumer Complaint Database.

What is the FMCSA complaint hotline number?

The number is 1-888-DOT-SAFT (1-888-368-7238), open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.

Can a truck driver file a complaint against their own company?

Yes. FMCSA's examples include harassment by an employer, being coerced to ignore rules such as hours of service, and a company operating without proper authority or insurance.

Can I file a complaint against an ELD provider?

Yes. Choose Electronic Logging Device Provider on the filing screen. FMCSA's example is a provider that was unable or unwilling to fix issues with a driver's ELD.

How do I check the status of my FMCSA complaint?

FMCSA says it notifies filers whether a complaint is actionable or non-actionable, by email if one was given and otherwise by mail. Questions can go to 1-888-DOT-SAFT. Keep the case number handy.

Will the company know I filed a complaint?

Filers choose whether to share the allegation only or their contact information too. Federal law limits when FMCSA can reveal a filer's identity and requires steps to protect against retaliation.

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