If you were to ask most PrePass users what services PrePass provides, the common answer would be truck weigh station bypass. Unfortunately, due in large part to social media, both customers and even non-customers sometimes believe things about PrePass and its parent PrePass Safety Alliance (formerly HELP Inc.) that simply aren’t true in any shape, form or fashion.

So, to set the record straight and clear up any misconceptions, we’ve put together a list of five things that PrePass doesn’t do, based on what we’ve heard the most often.

1. PrePass does not charge extra for transponders.

In order to use PrePass’ bypass service you have to have a transponder and/or the MOTION bypass application loaded on a tablet or telematics device, which transmits truck credential information to weigh stations, ports of entry and inspection facilities. PrePass users pay a low monthly subscription fee per truck. But contrary to what some people think, PrePass does not charge an extra fee for each transponder or application download.

2. PrePass does not track your driving habits.

Law enforcement agencies can use a variety of information sources to determine whether a truck driver has exceeded his or her hours of service, such as logbook or electronic logging device data, bills of lading, fuel and other receipts, etc. However, PrePass does not collect or disseminate any driver’s Personally Identifiable Information (PII). Unlike other bypass providers, PrePass also does not time or date stamp bypasses, and all carrier PrePass transaction data is automatically purged after 90 days. As required by law, PrePass will respond to enforcement requests evolving out of hit-and-run accidents, suspected drug trafficking or human trafficking, or legal subpoenas. PrePass is built on data privacy and security.

3. PrePass does not claim bypasses at closed sites or where no enforcement personnel are present.

PrePass counts in its official number of locations only those weigh stations/truck inspection facilities or mobile sites that are open and operational on a regular basis. In contrast, others may count areas that are temporarily geo-fenced, so-called “virtual locations,” which are seldom in regular use. PrePass does not count or report a bypass where you have received no actual value or bypass of enforcement activity. At PrePass, a bypass reflects a real transaction, with real savings in time and money.

4. PrePass does not share your data with the government.

Everyone is rightfully concerned about data privacy these days. And while traffic cameras and even your cell phone can follow your every move, PrePass does not. The only time your data may be shared with the government, aside from when it is used to determine whether you can bypass a weigh station or truck inspection facility, is when it’s been subpoenaed in a legal proceeding.

5. PrePass does not operate for a profit.

PrePass is provided and operated by a non-profit, public-private partnership. The advantage for PrePass customers is that decisions made by PrePass Safety Alliance, a partnership between the trucking industry and government, aren’t motivated by profit. All fees paid by carriers to participate in PrePass go to operate and expand the system and pay down investment debt. For PrePass Safety Alliance, the bottom line is truck safety and efficiency both for motor carriers and for the agencies which deploy PrePass. PrePass Safety Alliance was founded 25 years ago to achieve this mission and PrePass is operated in support of this mission, and carriers and states both benefit. Period.

(This blog has been updated to reflect the new name of the operator of PrePass, PrePass Safety Alliance.)