Safety Investigator is one of the most frequent career opportunities available at FMCSA. This position plays a crucial frontline role in helping improve safety for commercial motor vehicles — the large trucks and buses that carry people and vital supplies or equipment across the country. With positions across the U.S., Safety Investigators work with motor carriers and other vehicle fleet owners to review their safety records, inspect their vehicles, and provide resources to help them improve safety across their operations.
Every Day Includes Learning
Each new Safety Investigator attends a 10-week training course to learn about the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, and what’s involved in tracking compliance and conducting investigations.
But that’s only the beginning! Most Safety Investigators spend several months to a year shadowing other investigators before tackling an investigation independently. Fortunately, Safety Investigators are never really alone — they coordinate constantly to bounce ideas, tap into one another’s experience, and share lessons learned on the job.
During the Investigation
Just as the name suggests, all Safety Investigator positions include safety investigations as a primary responsibility. Investigations may take place remotely (offsite) or onsite at the carrier’s business, with the Safety Investigator diagnosing safety and compliance problems to identify what actions a carrier needs to take to improve.
In an offsite investigation, the Safety Investigator coordinates with carriers by email and telephone, requesting documents for safety issues such as:
- Required driver training
- Driver qualifications
- Hours of service records
- Carrier registration
- Inspection records
An onsite investigation might also include employee interviews and vehicle inspections along with record reviews. These onsite investigations may focus on specific safety issues or be a comprehensive investigation of full safety operations. Additionally, Safety Investigators may need to do independent research, checking with other sources to verify that the carrier-provided information is accurate.
After the Investigation
Following an investigation, the Safety Investigator drafts a report using one of FMCSA’s systems, which then calculates a safety score. Carriers receive a copy of the report to help them become compliant with safety rules. When necessary, the report results in FMCSA actions to take unsafe vehicles, drivers, or carriers out of service until they meet safety requirements.
Other Typical Activities
Apart from investigations, Safety Investigators regularly conduct safety inspections on drivers and vehicles. These ensure that all required safety equipment is present, maintained, and operating properly, and that drivers are licensed, meet other safety requirements, and accurately record their working hours. If serious violations are uncovered, a carrier might need to immediately repair or replace safety equipment to prevent unsafe operation.
Safety Investigators coordinate with peers and supervisors to assist one another on a daily basis. They also periodically conduct outreach or present information for local or regional carriers, government safety officials, or safety events.
A Dynamic and Rewarding Job
For many Safety Investigators, one of the best aspects of the job is that no two days are the same. Priorities shift, a new and urgent task comes in, or a colleague needs assistance. It makes for a dynamic work environment that’s challenging and energizing.
At the end of the day, everything a Safety Investigator does revolves around improving safety for commercial drivers and everyone who shares the roads with them.
Learn more about other rewarding FMCSA careers today at our Career Center!
