Motor Vehicle Record Checks for Employers
Stop guessing.
Start knowing who's behind the wheel.
CHCKED pulls motor vehicle records directly from state DMV databases and translates cryptic violation codes into clear, easy-to-read reports with standardized risk scoring. Fast. FCRA-compliant. Low base rate + state fees passed through at cost.
A motor vehicle record (MVR) check is a background screening that pulls an individual's official driving history from a state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Unlike a criminal background check — which searches court records — an MVR focuses exclusively on driving behavior: license status, traffic violations, accidents, DUI/DWI convictions, and license points or endorsements.
Employers use MVR checks to determine whether a candidate or current employee is qualified and safe to operate a vehicle on behalf of the company. For industries regulated by the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), MVR checks are legally mandated at hire and at least annually under 49 CFR §391.25.
But MVR screening isn't only for trucking companies. Any employer with workers who drive company vehicles, use personal vehicles for work, or operate heavy equipment should consider MVR checks as part of their hiring and risk management process. The average negligent entrustment lawsuit exceeds $1 million.
CHCKED makes MVR screening faster and more useful by translating raw state violation codes into standardized, plain-language risk scores delivered in minutes — no codebook required.
Every state maintains its own MVR format. Most MVR reports include the following categories — though the level of detail varies by state:
Valid, suspended, revoked, expired, or restricted. Includes license class (CDL) and endorsements.
Speeding tickets, failure to yield, reckless driving, running red lights within the lookback period.
Records of accidents including severity and whether the driver was at fault.
Convictions for driving under the influence. In many states, DUIs do not appear on criminal checks — only on MVRs.
Accumulated violation points and any past license suspensions or revocations.
For CDL holders: medical certificate status and expiration, integrated into the MVR in most states.
Lookback periods vary by state: most cover 3 years, while some states like California and Texas maintain records for 7–10 years or longer.
Sample CHCKED MVR Report
Other providers return raw codes. CHCKED gives you clarity.
Every state uses different violation codes, lookback windows, and report structures. You're left deciphering abbreviations — or hiring someone who can.
Network access fees. No-hit charges. Markups on state fees. The sticker price is never the real price with the big CRAs. CHCKED passes state fees through at cost — no markup.
You need drivers yesterday. But some providers take days to return results, forcing you to manage batch orders through clunky legacy dashboards.
We compared the features that actually matter when you're screening drivers at scale.
| Feature | CHCKED | Checkr | HireRight |
|---|---|---|---|
| MVR report with plain-language scoring | ✓ Built-in | ✗ Raw codes | ◐ Add-on only |
| Transparent pricing — no markup on state fees | ✓ State fees at cost | ◐ + network fees | ✗ Quote-only |
| $0 setup & monthly fees | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ Contract req'd |
| All 50 states + DC coverage | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| FCRA adverse action workflows | ✓ Automated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bundle with criminal + identity checks | ✓ One platform | ✓ | ✓ |
| No contract — pay per report | ✓ | ✓ Under 300/yr | ✗ Annual contract |
| Best for SMBs & mid-market | ✓ Built for you | ◐ Gig-focused | ✗ Enterprise tier |
We translate state-specific violation codes into a standardized risk score — no codebook required.
Direct DMV database connections in most states mean instant or near-instant reports.
Stack MVR reports with criminal background, identity verification, and employment checks from one dashboard.
Send applicants a secure link to consent and provide info. No paper forms, no faxing.
Automated pre-adverse and adverse action letters, consent management, and dispute handling.
Low base rate + state MVR fees passed through at cost. No network fees, no no-hit charges.
Many employers assume a criminal background check covers driving offenses. It doesn't. Criminal checks search court records. Most traffic violations — including speeding, accidents, suspensions, and even some DUI convictions — are only on state DMV records.
| What it reveals | MVR Check | Criminal Background |
|---|---|---|
| License status (valid, suspended, revoked) | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Speeding tickets & moving violations | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Accident history & at-fault records | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| DUI / DWI convictions | ✓ Yes | ◐ Sometimes |
| License points & endorsements | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| CDL status & medical certification | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Felony & misdemeanor convictions | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
| Drug offenses (non-driving related) | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
| Sex offender registry | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
The FMCSA requires annual MVR checks for CDL drivers under 49 CFR §391.25. OSHA recommends MVR screening for any employee who drives for work. Beyond the regulations — if an employee gets behind the wheel on your time, you own the risk.
DOT-mandated annual MVR pulls for CDL drivers. Stay compliant with FMCSA 391.25.
HVAC, plumbing, electrical techs driving branded vans. Your reputation is on the road.
Operators of dump trucks, forklifts, and company pickups. Negligent entrustment lawsuits average $1M+.
Sales reps, property managers, execs with company cars. If they drive on your dime, screen them.
MVR screening isn't just smart hiring — in many industries, it's the law. CHCKED's platform keeps you compliant without making you a compliance expert.
Regulations We Navigate For You
FCRADPPAFMCSA §391.25DOT 49 CFR Part 391AAMVA CodesState DPPA VariantsBan-the-Box LawsEEOC GuidelinesCDL/CDLIS ChecksOSHA RecsWe handle the regulatory patchwork so you can focus on putting safe, qualified drivers on the road.
Every state DMV charges a fee to access driving records. CHCKED passes these through at cost — no markup.
| State | Record Type | State Fee | Lookback | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 3-Year | $10.00 | 3 years | Instant |
| Alaska | 3-Year | $10.00 | 3 years | Instant |
| Arizona | 5-Year | $8.00 | 5 years | Instant |
| California | 3-Year | $2.00 | 3 years | Instant |
| Colorado | 7-Year | $4.20 | 7 years | Instant |
| Connecticut | 5-Year | $18.00 | 5 years | Instant |
| Florida | 3-Year | $8.00 | 3 years | Instant |
| Georgia | 3-Year | $8.00 | 3 years | Instant |
| Illinois | 3-Year | $12.00 | 3 years | Instant |
| New Jersey | 5-Year | $15.00 | 5 years | Instant |
| New York | 3-Year | $7.00 | 3 years | Instant |
| North Carolina | 3-Year | $8.00 | 3 years | Instant |
| Ohio | 3-Year | $5.00 | 3 years | Instant |
| Oklahoma | 3-Year | $27.50 | 3 years | Instant |
| Pennsylvania | 3-Year | $13.00 | 3 years | 1–3 days |
| Texas | 3-Year | $6.00 | 3 years | Instant |
| Virginia | 3-Year | $13.00 | 3 years | Instant |
| Washington | 3-Year | $13.00 | 3 years | Instant |
State fees are subject to change. Fees shown are for the most commonly ordered record type. CHCKED charges a low base rate + the applicable state fee with no markup.
An MVR (motor vehicle record) check is a screening that pulls an individual's official driving history from a state DMV. It reveals license status, traffic violations, accidents, DUI/DWI convictions, and license restrictions. Employers use MVR checks to verify that candidates are legally and safely qualified to drive on behalf of the company, reduce negligent hiring liability, and comply with DOT/FMCSA regulations that require driving record reviews at hire and annually.
Most MVR checks return results within minutes. CHCKED connects directly to state DMV databases, so the majority of states return instant or near-instant results. A small number of states may require 1–3 business days due to manual processing at the state level.
Lookback periods vary by state. Most states report 3 years of driving history, while others like Colorado (7 years), Florida (up to 11 years), and Texas (up to lifetime) maintain longer records. When a CRA orders the MVR, the FCRA generally limits reporting to 7 years for most positions.
Not always. In many states, DUI and DWI convictions are recorded on the driving record but may not appear in criminal court databases. This is one of the primary reasons employers need both an MVR check and a criminal background check.
An MVR check through CHCKED costs a low base rate plus the applicable state DMV fee, passed through at cost with no markup. State fees range from $2.00 (California) to $27.50 (Oklahoma), with most states falling between $5–$15.
It depends on the role and industry. The FMCSA requires employers of CDL drivers to check MVRs at hire and annually under 49 CFR §391.25. Many state regulations also mandate MVR checks for school bus drivers, rideshare drivers, and other safety-sensitive positions.
Negligent entrustment is a legal theory that holds an employer liable when they allow an unfit driver to operate a vehicle and that driver causes harm. The average negligent entrustment lawsuit settlement exceeds $1 million. Running an MVR check is one of the most cost-effective ways to demonstrate due diligence and reduce this exposure.
Most MVR providers return raw state violation codes that require a codebook to interpret. CHCKED translates these codes into standardized, plain-language risk scores that are easy to read and consistently formatted across all 50 states. CHCKED also passes state fees through at cost with no markup, includes automated FCRA adverse action workflows, and lets you bundle MVR checks with criminal, identity, and employment screening in one platform.
No contracts, no monthly minimums, no markup on state fees. Pay per report — add what you need.
Need a custom package? Contact us for enterprise and volume pricing.
Volume pricing, custom screening packages, dedicated account management, and API integration — built for high-throughput hiring teams and fleet operators.
Contact Enterprise SalesThe average negligent entrustment lawsuit costs over $1 million. A CHCKED MVR starts under $13 + state fees. The math isn't complicated.
Run an MVR CheckNo contracts. No monthly fees. Pay per report.