Your Guide to Driving Record Results

 Learn more about motor vehicle record screening. Get the scoop on what driving record checks reveal and more.

Key Takeaways

• MVR checks are necessary for any employer utilizing motor vehicle operators, even for “non-driver” roles.

• Driving histories are pulled from state and federal databases, making them one of the fastest background searches available.

• Disqualification standards are determined by a combination of FMCSA safety standards, DOT regulations, and individual employer policy.

Is a driving record check required for all driving jobs?

Driving record checks are required for all driving jobs per FMCSA and DOT regulations. 49 CFR § 391.23 notes that all motor carriers (employers of motor vehicle operators) must make inquiries into the MVRs of applicants. As of 2023, driving employers are also mandated to run employees through the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse. This database contains drug and alcohol violations of CLP and CDL drivers, providing a paper trail for employers to ensure compliance with industry standards.

How do I interpret driving record results?

Driving record results can vary from state to state and may require some fluency in interpreting. Most include general identification information, classification codes, status codes, and violations that may disqualify drivers from employment.

Understanding classification codes

Classification codes cover basic designations like CDLs (A, B, and C), passenger (O), and motorcycle (M) categories. A, B, and C licenses allow for the operation of vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, or GVWR, of over 26,000 pounds and the towing of up to a 10,000-pound vehicle. Class A is designated for a combination of vehicles meeting the GVWR, while Class B designates a single vehicle. Class C is exclusively used for hazardous material transport and buses that carry 16 passengers or more.

Understanding license status codes

License status codes include designations for individuals who are:

Codes of this nature are often given due to repeated traffic violations, vehicular crimes, and compliance violations. Demerit point systems, which can differ between states, may shift a driver’s codes based on repeated infringements. Not all states use these systems, but that isn’t to say they don’t still track on-road misconduct in other ways.

Interpreting violation severity

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) divides common violations into categories based on the Code of Federal Regulations. For example, a minor infraction may be noted for unsecured or inoperative parts and accessories or a dangerous lack of vehicle maintenance. A state’s demerit point system often reflects severity by assigning more points to more egregious violations.

Identifying disqualifying offenses

Serious violations that disqualify drivers generally include moving violations like speeding or reckless driving, up to transgressions like operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. After a driver accumulates a number of points specified by the state and is convicted of one or more offenses, their license may be revoked.

How long does a driving record check take?

As a database search, driving record checks can usually be completed within minutes or hours. Internal data suggests that not only are 96% of driving searches completed within 24 hours, but 71% are finished within 15 minutes. Occasionally, MVRs may require manual processing through state agencies, like in Pennsylvania’s PennDOT system, increasing the waiting period for results.

What disqualifies a candidate on a driving record check?

Candidates can be disqualified if the results of a driving record check meet employer or industry criteria for elimination. Generally, violations of FMCSA safety guidance, serious traffic offenses, or a lack of documentation are considered grounds for disqualification.

For example, the United States Postal Service (USPS) rules out drivers with suspensions or revocations one or more times within a three- to five-year period. They also specify that offenses like reckless driving, those involving drugs, alcohol, or controlled substances, and accidents will make applicants ineligible for employment.