Driving Record Checks

We know that you put your people, goods, services, and reputation in the hands of your drivers every time they get behind the wheel. If you're hiring a new driver or someone who will operate a motor vehicle during their employment, pre-screening their driving history, license history, and personal driving record is essential.

Annual rescreens on every driver within your company are also recommended, and we can accept bulk orders via an easy-to-use Excel spreadsheet and CSV file interface or an automated data exporter.

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Why Driving Record Checks Are Essential

Safety and Integrity

For businesses across all industries, screening driving records is pivotal in upholding the safety and well-being of both employees and customers. It's especially important for companies providing company vehicles for work purposes.

Liability Protection

By conducting thorough driving record checks, employers can shield themselves from potential liability issues. This is particularly vital in situations where company vehicles are involved, helping to maintain a safe working environment.

Build Your Team with Confidence

Don't allow the past driving infractions of potential hires to compromise the safety and reputation of your business. Initiate driving record checks today to maintain the highest standards of safety and compliance.

  • Reduce the risk of accidents and enhance road safety.
  • Mitigate liability and financial risk associated with negligent hiring practices.
  • Comply with DOT and other regulatory standards to avoid penalties and legal issues.
  • Secure the integrity of your company’s fleet and protect the well-being of other employees and customers.

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How it Works

The KRESS Driving Records Check Process

  1. 1
    Step 1

    Submit Your Request

    Begin by logging into our online portal or submitting a request via email. If you're conducting checks in bulk, you can also utilize our spreadsheet submission method for efficiency. Simply download the template from our website, fill in the employee details, and upload it back through the portal or email it to us.

  2. 2
    Step 2

    Processing and Verification

    Once we receive your request, our team will immediately get to work. We liaise with the respective state DMVs to obtain the most up-to-date driving records. Throughout this process, we maintain strict compliance with DOT and FCRA regulations to safeguard your organization against potential audits.

  3. 3
    Step 3

    Receive Comprehensive Reports

    After thorough verification and analysis, we compile the driving records into comprehensive reports. These reports are then made available to you via our secure online portal. Our reports encompass all pertinent information, from minor infractions to criminal convictions, providing you with a complete overview of an individual's driving history.

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Get Driving Record Checks with KRESS

Our tailored driving records check service is designed to support your hiring and risk management strategies, ensuring that your team consists of only the most reliable drivers. Leveraging advanced technology and our strong partnerships with state DMVs, we offer fast turnaround times, comprehensive reports that provide a full view of a driver’s history, reliable data through rigorous quality control processes, with full compliance. Whether you are looking to hire a new driver or perform routine screenings on current employees, trust KRESS.

Your Guide to Motor Vehicle Records Checks

Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) Background Checks

KRESS's driving history screening is the ideal way to identify candidates or employees with unsafe driving records and limit your risk. This includes a Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) check. An MVR reports on a job candidate's driving history as compiled from the relevant state Department of Motor Vehicles.

What shows up on an MVR report?

A Motor Vehicle Report may include the following details over the past three to seven years:

  • Driver's license information: This section provides details about the driver's license, including the driver's name, address, date of birth, and driver's license number.

  • Point history: In this section, you can find a record of any accumulated points on the driver's license. Points are typically assigned for driving violations or other driving infractions.

  • Violations: This section lists specific violations or offenses committed by the driver. It includes information such as the date of the violation, the type of violation, and any associated penalties or fines.

  • Convictions: Here, you can find details about any convictions related to the driver's license. Convictions typically refer to situations where the driver has been found guilty of a traffic offense or other related crimes.

  • License status: This section provides information about the current status of the driver's license. It indicates whether the license is active, suspended, revoked, or expired. It may also include details about any restrictions or conditions placed on the license.

Additional information that may be included in a Motor Vehicle Report includes:

  • Accident history: This section provides details about any accidents the driver has been involved in.

  • DUI/DWI charges: A motor vehicle record check also includes information about any DUI (Driving Under the Influence) or DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) charges against the driver.

  • License endorsements: Endorsements on a driver's license are additional certifications that allow them to operate certain types of vehicles, such as commercial vehicles or motorcycles.

  • License restrictions: This section may include details about any restrictions placed on the license, such as for corrective lenses or a designated geographic area.

  • Medical conditions: Some Motor Vehicle Reports may also include information about any medical conditions that could affect driving ability.

Commercial Driver's License Information System (CDLIS)

CDLIS helps document the issuance of a commercial driver's license (CDL) and the withdrawal of a commercial driver by the State Driver Licensing Agencies (SDLAs) of the CDLIS jurisdictions (the 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia).

The purpose of the CDLIS is to keep a record of each driver nationwide and help ensure only one driver's license and one record for each driver and to enable authorized users nationwide, such as local law enforcement officials, to check whether a driver is withdrawn through the cooperative exchange of commercial driver information between the CDLIS jurisdictions.

What Information is Maintained by the CDLIS?

The CDLIS maintains various information related to commercial drivers, including:

The Driver's Identification Details

This includes the driver's full name, date of birth, social security number, and the state that issued the CDL.

Medical Certification Status

The CDLIS verifies whether the driver is medically certified to operate a commercial vehicle.

Previous Licenses

The CDLIS can provide information about up to three previous commercial driver's licenses held by the driver.

Traffic Violations and Convictions

Any driving violations or convictions associated with the driver's commercial license will be included in the CDLIS check.

Withdrawals

Withdrawals refer to any suspensions, cancellations, or revocations of the driver's commercial license.

At KRESS, we understand the importance of safe and responsible commercial driving. That's why we offer comprehensive background checks and screening services for employers in the transportation industry. Our screening solutions include CDLIS searches, which thoroughly check a candidate's driver's license and history across all participating states.

With our services, employers can ensure that their drivers are qualified, experienced, and have a clean driving record. This not only promotes safety on the roads but also helps companies avoid potential liabilities and costly legal issues.

FMCSA Compliance

Many of the regulations regarding commercial driving, including the requirement for Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) checks and Commercial Driver's License Information System (CDLIS) checks, are overseen by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), a division of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

The FMCSA establishes and enforces regulations to ensure the safety of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) on America's roadways. This includes rules about driver qualifications, hours of service, vehicle maintenance, and more. In terms of MVR checks, the FMCSA requires employers to obtain an MVR from every state where a CMV driver holds or has held a motor vehicle operator's license or permit during the preceding three years.

However, it's important to note that while the FMCSA has broad regulatory power over commercial driving in the United States, each state has its own laws and regulations regarding non-commercial driving and driver's licenses. Therefore, not all aspects of MVR checks or driving safety are regulated by the FMCSA.

Driving Record Screening FAQs

An MVR check is typically required for any job position that involves driving as a primary responsibility. This includes but is not limited to roles such as:

  • Delivery drivers
  • Truck drivers
  • Bus drivers
  • Taxi or ride-share drivers
  • Chauffeurs or private drivers

Some companies may also require an MVR check for other positions, such as sales representatives who frequently drive company vehicles or employees who operate heavy machinery on job sites. Additionally, employers may also choose to conduct MVR checks for any employee who will be driving for work purposes, even if it is not their primary responsibility.

Employers are generally advised to conduct Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) checks annually, especially for commercial drivers, as required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations. This practice is also standard in pre-employment screenings for positions involving driving.

The frequency of these checks may vary depending on the industry, company policy, insurance requirements, and state-specific laws. Industries with a higher risk associated with driving, such as transportation and logistics, often conduct more frequent MVR checks.

The information obtained from an MVR report should be used to make informed decisions about a candidate's eligibility for employment or a current employee's continued employment.

If an MVR report shows a history of serious traffic violations or multiple accidents, employers may choose to take action, such as reassigning the employee to a non-driving position or implementing additional training and monitoring.

In cases where the employee's driving record poses a significant risk to the company's reputation or others, termination of employment may be necessary.

It is important for employers to have a clear policy regarding MVR checks and how they will use the information gathered from these reports. This can help ensure consistency and fairness in the hiring process and employment decisions made based on an individual's driving history.

An MVR background check generally looks back three years in most states, although the specific duration can vary by state. While some states adhere to the three-year guideline, others may retain records for up to 7-10 years.

It's important to note that the depth of the MVR background check depends on compliance laws and employer preferences. For instance, employers seeking a more comprehensive understanding of a candidate's driving history may opt for a longer lookback period where permitted by law.

An MVR check does not provide information about a candidate's criminal records, credit history, or non-driving-related offenses. It strictly reports on driving-related convictions and incidents within the specified lookback period. Employers may need additional screening tools for a more comprehensive background check - get in touch with our team to learn more.

An employee's ability to refuse an MVR (Motor Vehicle Record) check depends largely on the nature of their job and the policies of the employer, as well as relevant federal and state laws.

For positions that involve driving, particularly those regulated by the Department of Transportation (DOT), employers are federally required to conduct MVR checks as part of the hiring process and periodically thereafter.

The turnaround time for MVR check results can vary depending on the state and type of check requested. Some states offer instant access to driver records, while others may take a few days or weeks.

Our team can provide more specific information about the expected timeline for your needs.

Yes, Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) checks can be conducted internationally. However, the history of information on an MVR report may differ from country to country, and the process, cost, and time taken for international MVR checks can vary depending on the specific country and the background check provider selected.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) sets the standards for employment screening, protecting the accuracy, fairness, and privacy of information in consumer reporting agency files. Employers must comply with FCRA regulations when conducting background checks.

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