• FMCSA hiring regulations are a starting point companies should use to investigate driver applicants.

See also Driver Qualifications

With respect to the regulations, investigation and inquiries into a driver’s background are designed mainly to verify the driver’s driving experience and the accuracy of the information the prospective driver provided on the application.

The regulations provide a starting point for investigating the background of prospective drivers.

Section 391.23 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) states that each motor carrier shall make the following investigations and inquiries with respect to each driver it employs:

• Driving record during the preceding three years (requested from the state driver’s licensing agency); and
• Safety Performance History during the preceding three years.

The regulation requires previous Department of Transportation (DOT) employers to produce the requested safety performance history information.

However, any previous employers not regulated by the DOT are not obligated to respond to any inquiry.

Accepting a previous employer’s refusal or unwillingness to share information may not be an option. The potential security risks of a company not knowing exactly who it’s hiring are too high. Motor carriers need to verify all background information from prospective drivers every time.