MVR Checks: Employment Driving Record Background Checks

An MVR (Motor Vehicle Record) check is a search of a person’s driving history through their state’s Department of Motor Vehicles. It reveals license status, traffic violations, accidents, DUI/DWI convictions, license suspensions and restrictions, and points on the license. Employers use MVR checks as part of employment background screening for any role that involves driving a company vehicle, operating heavy equipment, or holding a commercial driver’s license (CDL).

An MVR report typically includes the driver’s license number, class, and current status (valid, suspended, revoked, expired); any endorsements or restrictions; traffic violations and citations; at-fault and reported accidents; DUI/DWI convictions; point accumulations; and license suspension or revocation history. The specific information and look-back period vary by state — some states report 3 years of history, while others report 7 or 10 years.

MVR check turnaround times range from 1 to 5 business days depending on the state. States with electronic DMV systems (like Arizona, Florida, and Ohio) return results within 1–2 business days. States with manual processing or high workloads (like California, New York, and Pennsylvania) may take 3–5 business days. Bchex pulls records directly from state DMV databases to minimize turnaround time.

The look-back period varies by state. Most states report 3 to 7 years of driving history, though some report up to 10 years or more. DUI/DWI convictions and license suspensions typically remain on the record longer than minor traffic violations. For DOT-regulated employers, FMCSA requires reviewing the driver’s MVR for the most recent 3 years at minimum, and annually thereafter.

A pre-employment MVR check only captures driving history at the point of hire. If an employee receives a DUI, has their license suspended, or accumulates serious violations after they’re hired, the employer won’t know unless they run periodic MVR checks. DOT-regulated employers are required to review CDL drivers’ MVRs at least annually under 49 CFR Part 391. For non-DOT employers, many insurance carriers require annual or semi-annual MVR reviews as a condition of commercial auto coverage. Bchex supports both one-time and recurring MVR orders through the platform.

No. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), employers must obtain the individual’s written consent before ordering an MVR check through a consumer reporting agency like bchex. The consent must be a standalone disclosure — it cannot be buried in a job application. The Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) further restricts who can access motor vehicle records and for what purposes. Employment screening is an authorized purpose under DPPA, but consent is still required under FCRA.

An MVR check searches state DMV databases for driving history — violations, accidents, DUIs, license status, and restrictions. A criminal background check searches court records for criminal offenses — felonies, misdemeanors, and pending charges. Some offenses like DUI may appear on both, but many traffic violations only appear on the MVR and many criminal offenses have nothing to do with driving. They search entirely different databases. Employers who need both should order them separately. Bchex offers both as part of a comprehensive screening package.

It depends on the employer. DOT-regulated employers are federally required to review the MVR of every CDL driver at least once every 12 months under 49 CFR §391.25. The review must be documented in the driver qualification file. For non-DOT employers, annual MVR checks are not federally mandated, but many commercial auto insurance carriers require them as a condition of coverage. Running annual MVRs is also a best practice for any organization with fleet vehicles, as it catches post-hire violations that a one-time pre-employment check would miss.

Not automatically. An MVR check is a separate component that must be specifically ordered. A standard background check typically includes criminal record searches, identity verification, and possibly employment or education verification — but not driving records. Employers add MVR checks when the role involves operating a company vehicle, making deliveries, transporting people, or any DOT-regulated activity. Bchex offers MVR checks as a standalone service or bundled with other screening components in a single order.

A Level 3 MVR is the standard driving record report used for most employment screening purposes. It includes license status, violations, accidents, and full driving history but does not include personal information like Social Security numbers or home addresses. Some states also offer Level 1 (limited history) and Level 2 (basic license verification) reports. Not all states use this terminology — the level designations vary. For most employers, a standard MVR (equivalent to Level 3 in states that use the system) provides the information needed for a hiring decision.

Yes. Bchex pulls motor vehicle records from DMV databases in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Records are sourced directly from each state’s DMV — not from third-party aggregators. Turnaround times range from 1 to 5 business days depending on the state’s electronic processing capabilities. For candidates who have held licenses in multiple states, bchex can run multi-state MVR searches to cover their full driving history.

They’re the same thing. “MVR” (Motor Vehicle Record) and “driving record” are used interchangeably. Both refer to the official record maintained by a state’s DMV that documents a person’s driving history — including license status, violations, accidents, and convictions. Some states call it a “driver history report” or “driver abstract.” In the background screening industry, “MVR check” is the standard term.