how far back

rts0073

Seasoned Expediter
I am trying to find out how far back most companies go in checking your mvr,work history,accident history,drug or alcohol testing,personal references, etc. etc. It seems to me every application i have looked at for these companies is about three years on most things. I have had somethings in my past that are out of that time frame but wonder if I should include them if older than approx. 3 years. Also to drive or lease on a cargo van is a cdl required and if not do the rules for physicals and medical cards apply to you driving and hauling freight. I know there are represenatives from several companies on this site all input would be appreciated thank you RTS
 

JohnMueller

Moderator
Staff member
Motor Carrier Executive
Safety & Compliance
Carrier Management
RTS0073;

Great questions.

The DOT regulations stipulate that if the driver operates a Commercial Motor Vehicle (by definition a vehicle with Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, or is 3 axles or more) the driver must list 10 years employment history on his or her employment application. Drivers of Non-CMV's may are required to list only 3 years employment history on the employment application. Keep in mind that a company has the right to exceed the regulations as a company policy.

In regards to MVR's (Driving Records). Most companies will establish hiring criteria such as "no more than 3 moving violations within a three year period.... no more than 2 accidents in a 5 year period..." You get the idea. The company will obtain the driver's MVR and review it against their hiring criteria. Each state has varying periods that they will retain violations on MVR's - Ohio basically retains the information for 3 years, Indiana retains driving history for 10 years, and so on. When reviewing a driver's MVR, even though the driver may fit the company's current hiring criteria, do you think you will be hired if the MVR shows 2 DUI's 4 years ago? Highly unlikely. As long as these violations are displayed on an MVR, the company may be hesitant to hire the driver. This is because of possible exposure to lawsuits for negligent hiring. The company had knowledge of this history. Should the driver experience a severe accident after being hired by the carrier, the injured party's lawyer will surely highlight these violations regardless how old. "How could you possibly place this driver in a Commercial Motor Vehicle and endanger the general public after you knew he or she had a history of....". It is much easier to not hire a driver with a questionable driving history than it is to defend your company in a court of law.

Drug and Alcohol testing information is only required from the previous employers for the past 3 years. Carriers are also required to request a signed statement from the driver, at the time of hiring, if the driver has failed a DOT regulated alcohol or drug test in the past 3 years. Most carriers will not provide this info for any longer than the three years as mandated by the DOT.

Accident history is just as important to carriers. No one wants to place an accident prone driver in a commercial motor vehicle. The regs only stipulate that DOT reportable accidents be reported on the Previous Employment Verification forms, though many companies will exceed the regulations and request for any and all incidents be reported.

As far as companies mandating that ALL drivers (including those operating vehicles having GVWR of less than 10,000 pounds that do not transport placardable quantities of hazardous materials) maintain current DOT Physicals and Annual Vehicle Inspections are again an example of a safety consciencious company seeking to prove that their drivers are qualified to operate vehicles. The company has set this requirement as a company policy. The company should not misrepresent this as a DOT regulation if the regulation does not apply to the driver.

I hope this assists you.

Thanks,
HotFr8Recruiter
John Mueller, CDS
 
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