Why Annual MVR Checks Aren’t Enough

While the idea of running one less motor vehicle record (MVR) a year may sound appealing, it shouldn’t be the primary reason motor carriers enroll in MVR monitoring. Safety-focused carriers recognize that the real value comes from earlier risk detection and the ability to address driver issues before they turn into serious safety or compliance problems, whether it relates to drivers with a commercial driver’s license (CDL) or those who drive commercial motor vehicles (CMV).  

Current Requirements

Motor carriers must request and review their regulated drivers’ MVRs at least once every 12 months. The MVR is requested from every driver licensing authority where the driver held a license during the previous year. Depending on the state, carriers may satisfy this annual review requirement by enrolling drivers in an Employer Notification System (ENS), also referred to as MVR monitoring. 

Between MVRs, carriers should learn of MVR changes, especially if they impact safety and compliance. But drivers don’t always comply with regulations, such as: 

• 383.31 - CDL drivers must report convictions;   

• 383.33 - CDL drivers must report suspended license; and  

• 391.15 - CMV drivers report loss of license and violations while in a CMV. 

Example to illustrate how MVR monitoring can help:

A carrier employs 75 CMV drivers and completes all annual MVR reviews each April. In May, the carrier hires Joe, a CDL Class A driver. As required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR), the carrier runs a new-hire MVR; however, Joe’s MVR shows two recent convictions, including a:   

• Speeding violation for 10 mph over the limit at the end of 2025, and   

• Failure-to-stop violation from mid-2025.  

Under the carrier’s internal scoring system, Joe falls just below the company’s disqualification threshold. One additional traffic conviction would result in the loss of driving privileges per company policy. 

With a large project approaching and an immediate need for drivers, the carrier moves forward with hiring Joe. During orientation, Joe’s manager reminds him that company policy and the FMCSR (383.31) require CDL drivers to report all traffic convictions within 30 days. Joe is also told that another conviction within the next year will disqualify him from driving for the company. 

Two months later, Joe receives a citation for driving 15 mph over the speed limit in his personal vehicle. Knowing that reporting the citation will cost him his diving position, he avoids telling his manager. Later that month, he’s convicted of the citation, and the state automatically suspends his license for 60 days under its driver point system. 

If the carrier relies only on an annual MVR review, several serious issues could occur in the 10 months before Joe’s driving record is reviewed by management. Joe could be:   

• Involved in a crash while operating a CMV with a suspended license, opening the door for a plaintiff’s attorney to allege negligent supervision against the carrier and place Joe in legal jeopardy.  

• Stopped during a roadside inspection and placed out of service for driving with a suspended CDL, resulting in a 30-point hit to the carrier’s Driver Fitness CSA BASIC score – a critical impact that will follow the company for 2 years.  

If the carrier had implemented MVR monitoring this situation would likely have been identified and addressed much sooner. While Joe made a serious error by not reporting the conviction and license suspension, the carrier is responsible for ensuring that only safe and qualified drivers operate its vehicles.  

Keys to remember: An annual MVR review is required by the FMCSRs. Safety-focused carriers consistently go beyond the minimum. Implementing more frequent MVR reviews, including continuous MVR monitoring, is a best-practice approach carriers should consider.