Motor Vehicle Records (MVRs)

This article will help you understand:

• What is a Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) and how does it help?
• What is the average turnaround time for MVR reports?
• Default MVR Rules
• Running MVRs in Different Regions
• Your candidate's experience

What is a Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) and how does it help?

A Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) is a report of driving history, as reported from the state Department of Motor Vehicles or similar government entity which issues driver licenses. While this may vary from one state to the next depending on local reporting practices, information reported in MVRs generally includes driver license status and class, violations, convictions, restrictions, and other information related to driving records and credentials.

MVR reports can help identify candidates with unsafe driving records, to help you assess the risk of potential and current employees. Some convictions are only available on MVR reports and may not always show up on criminal searches, such as driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

MVR checks identify the following: 

• Full Name
• Current License Status
• Current License Type
• Current License Class
• Current License Expiration Date
• Current License Issue Date*
• Current License First Issued Date*
• Restrictions
• Suspensions
• Violations
• Clerical Updates

*Not always included with electronic records which Checkr accesses at the state level. Verification of these dates may need to be executed outside of the MVR.

For more information on records returned with MVRs, see MVR license records.

What is the average turnaround time for MVR reports?

Results are typically available within 24 hours; most complete within a few minutes.

An MVR may be delayed when Checkr is unable to find a matching record. In Checkr, this is known as an Exception, and it is typically caused when the candidate makes a typo while submitting their driver license number, name, or date of birth. When an exception occurs, Checkr automatically emails the candidate asking them to upload a photo of their driver license so the discrepancy can be corrected, and the relevant records can be obtained. For more information, see our article MVR Exceptions: What to do if an MVR report results in a Suspended status.

Default MVR Rules

MVR Rules help you assess the results of a given MVR against the specific rules you have created.

By default, Checkr applies rules based on standard insurance requirements when an MVR report is initiated. These rules include:

• Driver must be over 18
• Driver must currently be privileged to drive a passenger vehicle or motorcycle
• No more than 1 moving violation in the past 3 years AND No more than 1 accident in the past 3 years
• No more than 2 moving violations in the past 3 years (such as failure to stop at a stop sign, following too closely, improper passing)
• No more than 2 accidents in the past 3 years
• No major violation in the past 5 years (such as DUIs, or speeding 40+ mph over the limit)
• No cell phone or distracted driving violation in the past 3 years

For more information, see Checkr's MVR Rules.

Please contact us if you would like to modify these default rules based on your needs. For example, if the default rule is No major violation in the last 5 years, but your insurance requires No more than 2 major violations in the last 3 years, please contact Checkr Customer Support to change this rule.

Running MVRs in Different Regions

If a candidate holds a Pennsylvania license, they won't be able to apply successfully until you have an approved affidavit from the state of Pennsylvania.

The following areas are not covered by Checkr’s MVR service:

• Guam (GU)
• Puerto Rico (PR)
• U.S. Virgin Islands (VI)
• U.S. Armed Forces - Americas (AA)
• U.S. Armed Forces - Europe (AE)
• U.S. Armed Forces - Pacific (AP)

Candidate Experience

Motor Vehicle Records may be run as standalone Checks.

Candidates will be asked to submit their name, date of birth, phone number, email address, and driver license number and state of issuance.

They will then be presented and asked to acknowledge receipt of applicable forms and notifications, including Summary of Your Rights Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and an Acknowledgement and Authorization for Background Check.

In some cases, candidates may also be asked to provide a copy of their driver license. For some companies, they may also be asked to submit a copy of an old license to provide evidence that they’ve been licensed in previous years.

After the candidate consents, Checkr will initiate the Search.

If you've applied for a job and are looking for more information on your background check’s status or progress, please log into the Checkr Candidate Portal.