DAC is a database of a driver's employment history. It is a tool used by many carriers to quickly view a prospective applicant's (for a driving position) employment history in driving positions. The report shows each (DAC) participating carrier that the applicant has driven for. Under each carrier, the report lists: the applicant's dates of employment (or contracting); the type of equipment (van, straight truck, tractor, Reefer, flatbed, etc..) that the applicant operated for the carrier; the accident and "incident" history for that driver-applicant; the reason for the driver leaving the carrier company (resignation or termination) and any particular issues the carrier had with the driver-applicant (such as equipment abandonment, no show, etc..). Alcohol and drug testing info is not (or at least was not) released in the general DAC report.
It is true that is easy for an employing carrier to "blackball" a driver and ruin his or her career. I feel that there would normally be a reason that a carrier would list anything negative about any driver. Something had to happen for that negative remark to be listed. It is also true that a driver does have legal rights to place his or her own "rebuttal" should a false statement be listed on that driver's DAC report, and should, if the negative comment is not true. Also, keep in mind, there are only so many choices for the carrier to choose from for the negative notation (these are coded, simple one, two or three word phrases). We all know that there are always two sides to every story and factually, the truth generally lies somewhere in the middle of the two stories.
I myself do not use DAC, though I did at a few carriers I have worked for. I prefer to inquire about each driver applicants employment history by faxing OUR company designed forms to the past employers, which hopefully will be completed by an unbiased party at the past employers. I get pretty accurate info by doing so, and always keep an open ear to hear the driver's side of any issue.
I too, even though I work in Safety and Recruiting, became frustrated with the DAC system. For example, the term "abandonment" could be extended to a case where a "company" driver returned the vehicle to the facility or terminal where he originally took posession of the vehicle when hired in, after the carrier company had demanded he or she turn the vehicle into a another company terminal. An example is the driver from Dayton, Ohio being hired out of the Cincinnati, Ohio terminal. The driver takes posession of the vehicle from the Cinci terminal, yet when he quits the company requested he deliver the vehicle to the Plano, Texas terminal. Driver then expected to find own way home - that I do not agree with. I myself would have returned the vehicle to the Cinci terminal.
Now the other side. There are many people that make poor decisions in their careers. I don't care if it's dispatchers, drivers, hospital employees - whatever - if you make your bed, then be professional enough to sleep in it. We don't need unsafe drivers, or employees that could cost the company money or exposure to liability. Sometimes when employees or contractors make poor decisions, the company is left "paying the price" and that employee or contractor easily walks away from the bad situation. Remember the two sided story deal.
If you do have incorrect info on your DAC report, you do have the right to place your rebuttal - do so!
Since the reports are limited, there is no capability on DAC to praise the exceptional driver either. This is very much like the safety rating system used by the DOT on Carriers - we get rated only "Satisfactory", "Conditional" or "Unsatisfactory". There is no designation for the carrier that operates an "Exceptional" safety department. There are a few instances where I feel the driver should be rated "Exceptional".
Sorry so long, but had to throw my three cents in.
Thanks,
HotFr8Recruiter
