MVR Requirements for CDL Drivers: What Motor Carriers Must Know

What Is an MVR?

A Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) is an official record from a state's Department of Motor Vehicles that shows a driver's licensing history, violations, accidents, and license status. For CDL drivers, it's one of the most critical documents in the Driver Qualification File.

When MVRs Are Required Under FMCSA Regulations

Pre-Employment

Before placing a CDL driver in service, you must obtain an MVR from every state where the driver has held a CDL or commercial learner's permit in the past 3 years.

This is a common compliance mistake — carriers pull the MVR from the driver's current state only. If the driver lived in two other states in the past 3 years and held a CDL in each, you need MVRs from all three states.

Annually

You must obtain and review an MVR for each active CDL driver at least once every 12 months. This annual review must be documented in the DQ file.

What to Look for on an MVR

When reviewing an MVR, check for:

Disqualifying offenses under §391.15, which prohibit a driver from operating a CMV for one year (or three years if carrying hazmat) following:

• DUI/DWI conviction
• Refusal to take an alcohol test
• Leaving the scene of an accident
• Using a vehicle to commit a felony
• Causing a fatality through negligent operation

Serious traffic violations — two serious violations within 3 years result in a 60-day disqualification; three result in a 120-day disqualification

Out-of-service violations — repeated OOS violations result in longer disqualification periods

License status — expired license, downgraded CDL, suspended or revoked license

Endorsements — confirm the driver has the endorsements required for the vehicle they'll operate (e.g., hazmat endorsement if hauling placarded materials)

Annual Review Documentation

Simply pulling the MVR isn't enough — you must document that you reviewed it and took appropriate action if anything was found. Best practice is to attach a review checklist or sign-off sheet to each annual MVR in the DQ file.

If a violation is found, document:

• What the violation was
• When it occurred
• Whether it triggers any disqualification period
• Your decision regarding continued employment

MVR Ordering Tips

• Order MVRs early enough to review before the driver's hire date or annual review deadline
• Keep track of renewal dates in your DQ file management system
• For multi-state carriers with drivers who travel between states, monitor for license changes

At Do It Right Screening, we order MVRs from all required states and provide them in a format ready for DQ file inclusion. Our compliance portal tracks annual renewal dates and alerts you before they're due. Contact us to streamline your MVR process.