To complete motor vehicle record (MVR) searches, Checkr uses information returned from government entities that issue driver licenses. This information appears in the Motor Vehicle Record section of completed reports.
Report status
When evaluating current licenses to determine whether the report will show the Clear or Consider status based on you criteria, Checkr uses the rules below:
- If the driving privilege indicates that the license is limited, not valid, or not provided, then Checkr uses the Consider status.
- If the license status is unavailable electronically, Checkr suspends the MVR report.
- If the license status is not found, Checkr requests a photo of the candidate’s current driver’s license. You're also notified of the document request through a webhook.
- If the license is valid, available electronically, and found, Checkr evaluates the MVR according to your rules and sets the status based on the results.
Checkr uses previous license data only to establish licensing history for the candidate. Checkr doesn't require that previous licenses have a valid status to qualify as evidence for driving history.
Checkr doesn't accept license type “identification” as previous licenses, and doesn't consider previous identification documents when establishing a candidate's licensing history.
Current License section
The Current License section of the report lists information returned about the driver's current driver license, which includes the license's status and type.
License status
A candidate’s current license status is determined by the DMV in each jurisdiction and appears in the Motor Vehicle Records section of the background check. These statuses have 4 categories within the Checkr system: VALID, LIMITED, NOT VALID, and INCOMPLETE. Review the definitions below:
|
Checkr category |
License status |
Description |
|
VALID |
Records can include values such as "valid," "clear," "approved," "licensed," or "active." |
The license is current and qualifies the driver to operate a motor vehicle as determined by the issuing government. |
|
LIMITED |
Records can include values such as "restricted," "limited," or "interlock." |
This license type is issued to drivers as a restricted license that allows them to drive within specific limitations, such as ignition interlock or to and from work during certain hours.
|
|
NOT VALID |
Records can include values such as "suspended," "canceled," "pending," or "expired." |
The issuing government doesn't recognize this license type as a current and valid driver’s license. |
|
INCOMPLETE |
Checkr provides a status of |
No record returned, there was a birth date or name mismatch on the record returned, or the record can't be returned digitally. |
License type
Common license types include the ones below:
- Passenger: License to operate a personal vehicle
- Commercial: License to drive commercial vehicles, including large trucks and heavy equipment vehicles
- Permit: Restricted license to operate specific vehicles under specific circumstances (Organizations don't usually accept permits to establish licensing history.)
- Identification: Used for identification purposes only and don't permit the candidate to drive any vehicle type
Endorsements
Endorsements allow drivers to operate specific types of vehicles and transport potentially hazardous materials.
Restrictions
Restrictions refer to reduced driving privileges. An example is "corrective lenses required." Reports can show restrictions for other active licenses the driver holds but not from inactive licenses.
Note
Checkr lists restrictions exactly as the issuing jurisdiction returns them. In some cases, "YES" is a restriction.
Violations
Violations are incidents that include a conviction date and that courts send to issuing jurisdictions. In nearly all cases, a violation includes fault. Examples include DUIs, speeding, and reckless driving.
Accidents
Accidents appear on a report with details from the issuing jurisdiction. Details can include location, severity, and fault.
Suspensions
Suspensions can include different types of driver license events:
- Administrative incidents, such as failure to renew medical certification
- Cancellation
- Driving incidents, such as reckless driving
- Revocation of driving privilege for specific license types, such as motorcycle or commercial
- Suspension
- Withdrawal
A suspension on an MVR report might or might not indicate that the driver temporarily lacks driving privileges. Suspensions show a start, and if appropriate, end date.
Miscellaneous incidents
Miscellaneous incidents are incidents that don't fit another incident type (endorsement, restriction, violation, accident, or suspension). An example might be a note from the issuing jurisdiction about an address change.