More Frequent MVRs Reduce the Risk of Not Knowing

Even if a motor carrier faithfully requests the required annual motor vehicle record (MVR) on its driver, a driver's more recent history can go undetected up to 12 months. 

Of course, commercial drivers are supposed to notify employers of loss of driving privileges and certain violations between MVRs. If a driver doesn't let the carrier know, is the carrier still held responsible? Unfortunately, yes. And the implications can go beyond compliance.

A driver who hides a serious traffic conviction or loss of driving privilege puts your carrier at risk. A suspended license discovered during a roadside inspection will place the driver out of service (OOS). 

This event:

• Leaves the carrier scrambling to find another driver to continue the trip;
• Has the potential to result in a late delivery, upsetting the customer; and 
• Affects the carrier's CSA Driver Fitness BASIC score, which may:
  • Trigger a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) intervention; and 
  • Impact the carrier's insurance rates

During an FMCSA audit, if it is learned that a disqualified driver was operating your CMV, even without your carrier's knowledge, it is still in violation and is used to determine your carrier's safety rating.

Aside from compliance, when a driver with a poor driving record (even if licensed at the time) is involved in a high-profile crash, the carrier could be accused of negligent entrustment, meaning the carrier should have known its driver was a danger on the road. 

The annual MVR is the minimum driving history that a motor carrier is obligated to request. The carrier is permited to request full MVRs more often or use an alert system. Alert systems let you know whenever anything changes on a driving record (e.g., new med card, ticket, etc.). 

Alert systems are one of two types:

• A push system that sends out an alert whenever the driver's record changes; or 
• A pull system that is self-serve, allowing users to log in as often as they want to check the driver's record.

Using a third-party service to monitor driving records to alert carriers to changes is also an option used by many carriers. 

MVR monitoring is more than complying with the safety regulations. MVRs are a risk managment tool that will alert a motor carrier to high-risk drivers. 

Reduce your MVR risk — learn more or call 888.473.4638 to speak with a Compliance Specialist.