One bad driver can put your organization at risk. Learn what an MVR check is and why they’re a must!
When it comes to background screening, most organizations know if they need to check criminal records, employment history, and education credentials. But what about a candidate’s driving record? If your employees are getting behind the wheel—whether it’s a delivery van, a company car, or even their own vehicles for work purposes—you must know that they are safe, responsible drivers.
A Motor Vehicle Record (MVR), also known as a driving record, is the best way to find out if a candidate is qualified to operate a vehicle safely and protect your organization from liabilities. In this blog, we’ll break down what MVR checks are, when you need them, and why continuous monitoring is the key to protecting your business.
What is an MVR Check?
An MVR check pulls driving history from a state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) system. To run an MVR check, all you need is a candidate’s full name (as it appears on their license), the state the license is held in, and the license number. Once you receive that information, you can run the MVR check, which will reveal insights into an individual’s driving record, including:
- Traffic violations (speeding tickets, reckless driving, etc.)
- License status (valid, suspended, revoked)
- Expiration dates
- License class
- DUI/DWI offenses
- License endorsements
- Accident history
- Points on a driving record (in states that use a point-based system)
- Compliance with commercial driving regulations (CDL requirements)
For organizations that rely on employees to drive—whether occasionally or daily—this report is essential for mitigating risk and ensuring road safety.
Tip: Some violations will only appear on MVR checks, so it’s important not to neglect them, even if you also conduct a criminal background check.
Questions to ask when conducting an MVR check:
- Does the candidate have the right licenses required for the role?
- Is the candidate’s license currently valid?
- Has the candidate had any previous minor or major driving infractions?
- What infractions would cause concern over hiring the candidate?
- How far back do you want to look at a candidate’s driving history?
- Is the candidate insurable?
Why Does This Matter for Employers?
Imagine hiring a delivery driver who has multiple DUIs or a rideshare driver with a suspended license. Without an MVR check, these risks could go unnoticed until an accident happens, and suddenly, your company is facing lawsuits, insurance hikes, and reputational damage.
MVR checks act as a first line of defense, ensuring that only qualified, responsible drivers represent your business on the road.
Tip: You must obtain written consent from a candidate before conducting an MVR check and follow the adverse action process if you decide not to follow through with employment based on the results of the MVR check.
When do you need to conduct an MVR check?
Not every employee needs an MVR check. But if their job involves operating a vehicle in any capacity, it’s essential.
Industries that commonly require MVR checks include:
- Transportation & Logistics: Truck drivers, delivery services
- Public Transportation: Bus drivers, shuttle services, transit operators
- Field Services: Utility workers, home repair technicians, sales representatives
- Healthcare & Home Services: Healthcare providers, in-home caregivers
- Construction & Heavy Equipment: Forklift operators, heavy machinery drivers
- Corporate & Executive Roles: Employees with company-issued vehicles
- Law Enforcement Agencies: Police officers, emergency responders, government fleet drivers
Even if an employee occasionally drives a personal vehicle for work-related tasks (like client visits or offsite meetings), you may still be liable for their driving behavior. That’s why many companies extend MVR checks beyond commercial drivers.
Additionally, any industry regulated by the Department of Transportation (DOT), such as trucking and public transit, is required by law to conduct MVR checks. Employers in these industries must ensure compliance with federal regulations, including regular MVR reviews, to maintain safety and regulatory standards.
How far back does an MVR check go?
MVR checks pull driving records from state-specific DMVs, as there is no national database for these reports. Because of this, the lookback period varies by state, depending on local laws and regulations.
In most cases, employers can access three to seven years of driving history. However, some states, like Florida and California, allow for longer lookback periods, providing more detailed reports beyond the typical range.
Several factors influence how far back an MVR check can go:
- State regulations: The various state regulations can determine how much history is accessible.
- The severity of violations: Serious infractions like DUIs or reckless driving may remain on record for 10+ years in some states.
- A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL): Jobs requiring a CDL must follow Department of Transportation (DOT) rules, which mandate a minimum 3-year lookback, though many employers prefer a longer review for added safety.
The ideal lookback period depends on the role and associated risks:
- For occasional drivers, a 3-5-year review is often sufficient.
- For commercial drivers, CDL holders, truck drivers, and public transit operators, a 7+ year review is typically recommended to ensure compliance and minimize risk.
To make the best decision, check your state’s regulations and assess your company’s risk tolerance. A background screening provider can also help you stay compliant while ensuring you hire safe, qualified drivers.
Where Can You Go for an MVR Check?
Working with an FCRA-compliant background screening provider like Mitratech is the easiest way to conduct MVR checks since we help streamline the process and actively communicate with you about the status of your reports.
However, although it requires more manual effort, employers may also order an MVR report directly from each state DMV that they need. Another option is to have the candidates themselves provide a copy of their MVR, but this creates its own set of risks since it gives candidates the opportunity to falsify their reports, and it can cause a greater delay while waiting for candidates to get their reports mailed.
How Long Do MVR Checks Take?
Unlike some background screenings that take days or even weeks, MVR checks are typically fast. Most reports return within 24 hours, depending on the state’s DMV processing time. Some states may take longer due to manual processing, but a reputable background screening provider, like Mitratech, can help speed things up.
Why Is Continuous Monitoring For MVR Checks Important?
Think of an MVR check like a health checkup, you don’t just go once and assume you’re good for life. A clean driving record today doesn’t guarantee safe driving tomorrow. Continuous MVR monitoring alerts you in real-time when:
- An employee’s license is suspended or revoked
- A driver receives a new violation (DUI, reckless driving, excessive speeding)
- Insurance risk increases due to frequent infractions
By staying ahead of driver violations and license changes, you can protect your fleet, mitigate risk, and keep insurance costs low. Instead of discovering a problem after an accident happens, you’ll have a proactive system in place to manage risk before it escalates.
Stay Ahead with Proactive MVR Monitoring
With Mitratech’s continuous MVR monitoring, you get real-time alerts, a centralized view of driver risk, and the ability to take immediate action. Our background screening solution not only streamlines compliance but also helps reduce accidents, protect your reputation, and improve overall road safety.
To learn more about how we can help you run a safe, compliant, and risk-free workplace, schedule a demo with our team today!
