Whether you have a company with many drivers or only need one or two for specific business needs, you want to make sure they’re qualified to do the job. You also need them to be safe on the roads since they’ll be operating under your company’s insurance.
Accidents can still happen, but you’ll generally be better off if you hire people who have clean driving records. An MVR background check before hiring them is one way to give yourself peace of mind and help your company make the right choice for employees.
What is an MVR Background Check?
An MVR (Motor Vehicle Record) screening is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a check of the applicant’s motor vehicle record to see if they have any driving infractions. Most companies aren’t too concerned about someone who had a couple of parking tickets or a minor accident on their record from years ago. But serious accidents, frequent or recent problems, or speeding tickets can be cause for concern.
In some cases, those can be enough to deny the applicant a job, even if they’re a good candidate otherwise. It largely depends on the actual infractions, how many and how recent they are, and how much of the job involves driving. What kind of vehicle the applicant will be driving may also matter because some types of driving jobs aren’t available to people with specific driving issues on their record. Someone with a DUI, for example, may not be able to get a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).
Why Does Driving Record Matter?
Driving records matter if an applicant is going to be driving as part of their job. Someone using a company vehicle would need an MVR background check because the company insures that vehicle. Hiring someone with a less-than-optimal driving record to pilot a company vehicle could result in a significant rise in your business insurance rates. That’s naturally something you want to avoid.
For people taking on jobs that don’t involve driving a company vehicle and don’t involve using their personal vehicle for work-related purposes, an MVR screening isn’t important. Companies probably won’t conduct this type of background check, although they may choose other background screening options. But driving jobs are a different story, and a driving record check will likely be a big part of the hiring process.
Will Your Business Insurance be Affected?
Your company’s insurance policy and premiums are among the biggest things to consider when deciding whether to ask for an MVR background check on an applicant. Most companies really can’t take the chance on a new hire who just says they have a clean driving record. Verifying that claim gives peace of mind to you as the employer and may also mean your insurance company won’t raise your rates.
It doesn’t matter if you have a fleet of semis or one small company car, or anything in between. Your business will want to conduct an MVR background check on anyone who might be hired to drive one of those vehicles. Not only will a good driving record help reassure you and keep your insurance rates low, but it’s also possible your insurance company will insist on a driving record check for anyone you’re hiring who will have access to company vehicles.
What Issues Should You Look For?
When determining whether to hire an applicant based on their MVR background check, look for issues that could raise a red flag with your insurance carrier. For example, a DUI or a serious accident that was their fault are significant problems. A license that’s ever been suspended or revoked is also a cause for concern. A parking ticket? Probably not a big issue and not something you need to be worried about. Twenty parking tickets? That’s a different story.
So are speeding tickets and other moving violations that indicate the applicant might get into trouble with a company vehicle. You want to protect your vehicles, and find the right applicant for the job you have available. While an MVR screening isn’t the only thing to consider, it can be a big part of the equation for your company’s safety and security going forward.