An employee's driving record can be checked by ordering the employee's motor vehicle report from the Department of Motor Vehicles in the state where the employee is licensed. The employee must authorize this action by signing a release form.
Without a signed release, the Department of Motor Vehicles will not release a driver's record other than to the employee who owns the record. Although each state Department of Motor Vehicles may have separate processes and forms, the same steps are generally followed to obtain this information.
Identity verification: A pre-employment driving record check can help an employer verify an applicant's identity. If the information provided in other documents, such as a job application or resume, doesn't fit what is available in a driving record or license verification, the hiring manager or HR professional may want to take other steps to verify the candidate's identity.
Job requirements: A position may require an employee to drive a vehicle. This means that the hiring process will include verification that the candidate has a valid driver's license and an acceptable driving record for employment.
Liability issues: Driving records can let an employer know whether a candidate is capable of following the law and safely operating a vehicle: this is important because according to a 2018 article on SHRM.org, employers can be held liable for accidents caused by employees. Even if driving isn't required for a position, an employer might want to check an applicant's driving record. A history of unsafe driving may indicate that the candidate is prone to engaging in reckless behaviors that could present a liability issue for her employer.
Advertisement Article continues below this adNavigate to the appropriate Department of Motor Vehicles website. Each state maintains its own department or division of motor vehicles. Search for the driver record release form on the website. The specific name of the form may vary by state. In the website search field, look for "Employment Driver Record" or "Driver Record."
The Texas DMV and the Washington State Department of Licensing, for example, note on their websites that there are several different types of records available, so it is important to verify that the form you obtain from the search is the correct one.
Although the correct format varies by state, the employee driving record release form must include an area for the employee to sign off on the release of information. If you are unsure whether the form is correct, contact the appropriate Department of Motor Vehicles directly. Phone numbers are listed on the Department of Motor Vehicles website under the "Contact" tab.
Advertisement Article continues below this adComplete the form with the employee's information, or ask your employee to complete it. Regardless of who completes the form, your employee must sign the release section of the form. Mail the form to the Department of Motor Vehicles with the record report fee. Processing times vary by state, but in most cases, it takes between seven and 14 days to receive the employee's driver record.