Beyond the Wheel: Why MVR Checks Are Essential for Workplace Safety

Driving Safely Starts with Knowing Who's Driving

Every time an employee gets behind the wheel, they represent your business—and expose it to risk. From suspended licenses to undisclosed violations, much can go wrong when driver records aren't regularly reviewed.

Motor vehicle records (MVRs) offer critical insight into a driver's history and eligibility status. Used correctly, they help businesses catch red flags early, reduce liability, and maintain safer roads. This article explains why consistent MVR checks are essential to any effective driver safety program.

What's in an MVR and Why It Matters

An MVR offers a state-issued summary of a driver's license status, violations, endorsements, and sometimes medical certificate information. However, not all MVRs are created equal—each state varies in the depth and format of its records. For employers managing drivers across multiple states, this can complicate consistency and compliance.

Despite these challenges, the importance of regular and thorough MVR reviews can't be overstated. A recent study by trucking expert Adam Wingfield, based on Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration data, found that 4% of U.S. truck drivers operate with suspended licenses at any time. Even more concerning, nearly 1 in 5 traffic fatalities involve drivers with invalid licenses.

Integrating MVR Checks into Your Safety Policy

Establishing a formal MVR policy isn't just a best practice—it's a strategic necessity. A well-defined policy ensures that MVR reviews are conducted consistently, fairly, and aligned with your company's safety objectives. This includes setting clear standards for what qualifies as an acceptable driving record, outlining steps for review frequency, and detailing what happens when violations occur.

Importantly, MVR checks should begin during the hiring process. Reviewing an applicant's driving record before they're behind the wheel helps you select drivers who support your company's safety, reliability, and profitability goals. Skipping this step can lead to costly mistakes, like onboarding someone with a suspended license or a history of reckless behavior.

Incorporating MVR reviews into onboarding and routine driver evaluations shows your commitment to proactive risk management and reinforces a safety-first culture from day one.

The Business Case for MVR Monitoring

Your company takes on significant risk when an employee gets behind the wheel. A poor driving record can translate to:

• Higher insurance premiums

• Greater exposure to liability in lawsuits

• Risk to public and employee safety

• Reputational harm

Incorporating MVR checks into the hiring process and ongoing employment monitoring helps mitigate these risks. It ensures every driver is licensed and qualified based on your company's safety policy.

MVR monitoring should be a continuous strategy rather than a one-time event. Relying on annual or biannual reviews creates a dangerous visibility gap. Violations occurring between checks can go unnoticed for months or even longer, putting your business at constant risk.

Compliance Is the Floor, Not the Ceiling

Federal regulations, such as those from the DOT and FMCSA, require MVR checks for specific roles, but these mandates are the bare minimum. Proactive employers are going beyond compliance by leveraging real-time driver monitoring technology that flags new violations as they occur.

By bridging the gap between static reviews and ongoing visibility, these tools empower companies to respond faster to risk. Whether that means initiating corrective training or temporarily removing a driver from duty, timely action is key to keeping roads—and businesses—safe.

MVR Review: A Strategic Safety Lever

To effectively use MVRs, employers should adopt a structured review process that evaluates:

• License validity

• Major vs. minor violations

• Compliance with CDL requirements

• Trends that may indicate risk escalation

Additionally, consider incorporating premedial training, a concept in which drivers with minor violations undergo targeted coaching. This can improve safety outcomes and broaden your hiring pool in a tight labor market.

Conclusion: Make Safety a System, Not a Slogan

Motor vehicle records are more than a formality—they are foundational to a safety-first culture. By committing to regular, thoughtful MVR reviews and leveraging technology to close gaps in visibility, companies can dramatically reduce risk, lower costs, and protect both people and reputation.

Don't wait until there's an incident to act. Make MVR checks a routine, not a reaction.