U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Wednesday announced the launch of the first phase of the National Consumer Complaint Database (NCCDB) modernization. At least one major trucking organization is pleased that he did.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is launching an update to "improve navigation and enhance functionality for enhanced user capabilities for commercial drivers, motor carriers, and consumers," according to a statement from the DOT.
The updated database is now live at: https://nccdb.fmcsa.dot.gov.
The NCCDB is the primary online portal for drivers and consumers to report violations of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, including issues related to safety, fraud, and household goods moves. This update will also streamline the agency’s response process and expand reporting categories to include, for the first time, complaints against property brokers, according to the DOT.
“This overdue tech upgrade is a win for drivers, carriers, and the driving public,” said Duffy. “The modernized database will make it easier to file complaints, access digital tools, and empower individuals to speak up about unsafe practices. With your support, we will continue to take bad actors off the roads to keep the American people safe.”
Duffy's statement said the FMCSA will continue to roll out more improvements in the coming months. Phase two of the modernization effort will introduce additional functionality, performance improvements, and a new name for the database.
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association approves of the changes.
“For years, OOIDA and truckers across America have warned that FMCSA’s complaint database wasn’t protecting drivers, said Todd Spencer, president of the OOIDA. "It failed to address coercion, freight fraud, and broker abuse. That’s why it’s encouraging to see Secretary Duffy listen to drivers and take action."
Spencer said the updated system will be easier to use on the road, faster to process complaints, and expanded to cover brokers - while also ensuring enforcement when bad actors break the law.
He added that renaming the database to better reflect its purpose will further strengthen communication between FMCSA and the drivers it regulates. These improvements are long overdue, said Spencer, and represent an important step toward giving truckers a tool that works for them.
