What should a carrier look at when reviewing an MVR?

Upon initial employment and at least once per year, you are required to obtain motor vehicle reports (MVRs) from the states where your drivers are or were licensed. For drivers who hold a commercial driver’s license (CDL) or learner’s permit (CLP) and whose medical certification status is verified through the MVR, a new MVR must also be obtained every time the driver’s medical certification status changes (see 391.23 and 391.25).

The purpose of the MVR check is to examine the driving record and verify that the driver is still qualified to drive, based on either company policy or federal standards. For CDL/CLP drivers, this includes verifying that the driver is medically certified and chose the correct self-certification category concerning the type of driver they are (i.e., interstate or intrastate). You can use the MVR to verify the licensing status of your applicants and drivers, check the type of license they have, the expiration date, the endorsements, and the restrictions. In short, verify that they are properly licensed and/or qualified to operate your vehicles.