MVR and Driving Record Checks

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Safety on the road is a top priority. Understand your candidates’ driving history and license status with easy-to-review MVR reports that are fast and reliable.

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The importance of MVR checks

An MVR check helps your organization maintain compliance, protect your brand reputation, and assure your customers of safety.

Maintain safety protocols

Identify qualified candidates with safe driving records to help protect your customers, employees and the public.

Comply with regulations

Meet the safe driving standards and requirements set forth by your organization and industry, if applicable.

Mitigate risk

Protect your organization against liability claims and higher insurance premiums.

Any Time Pest Elimination

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What you’ll learn from driving record checks

A driving record check provides important information about a candidate’s driving history, safety record, and eligibility to drive as part of their job.

Legal ability to drive

Find out if your candidate is legally allowed to drive, or if their license is suspended or expired.

Class of license

Learn what types of motor vehicles a person is licensed to operate, such as commercial and noncommercial.

Safety record

Get insight into safe and unsafe driving practices by reviewing minor and serious traffic violations.

"We’ve improved our efficiencies tremendously"

“When we found Checkr, it blew my mind that I just have to enter some basic information about the applicant, and then the check is back to me in a few hours … it’s allowed me to expand my job from just finding as many drivers as possible, to now having the time to focus efforts on recruiting the highest-quality drivers.”
Kaylan Pohlman
Director of Supply at Bungii
“Our experience with Checkr has been amazing. I love the transparency that it gives to our candidates and the peace of mind it gives us and the families we work with.”
Shenandoah Davis
CEO and Co-Founder, Adventure Nannies

Checkr’s featured MVR report offerings

MVR checks are available as a standalone check, as well as an add-on to your candidate’s comprehensive background check, and are essential for positions where driving is part of the job description.

Motor vehicle records (MVR) checks

Identify driving incidents and verify license status and driving eligibility. Data is accessed from a state’s department of motor vehicles. Information returned may depend on the seriousness of the incident and the state in which it occurred.

Commercial MVR checks

Verify a candidate’s current license and confirm they are fit to drive a commercial motor vehicle (CMV). Commercial MVR checks include Medical Certificate information and a Commercial Driver’s License Information System (CDLIS) search. If a CDL is found in other states, an MVR check will be run in those states. Learn more.

International MVR checks - Canada

Quickly understand whether someone is legally eligible to drive in Canada. MVR checks in Canada, also sometimes known as driver’s license verifications, assess the validity of a license, its class or classes, and any current suspensions. Data is sourced from the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators (CCMTA) in each province.

International MVR with History checks - Canada

Identify what a driver’s history looks like in Canada. MVR with History checks in Canada, also sometimes known as driver’s abstracts, include information like convictions, violations, and conditions. The Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators (CCMTA) data connection for each province is the data source for this screening.

Hire drivers at scale with Checkr

For businesses that need to hire drivers at scale, Checkr’s advanced platform helps you navigate this highly-regulated industry with minimal manual tasks so you can quickly and safely grow your teams.

Increase productivity

Checkr’s workflow automation tools help you increase efficiency and scale hiring without scaling your team.

Hire faster with less risk

Our built-in compliance tools help you navigate regulatory requirements and mitigate risk to your business.

Driving record check laws by state

Navigating the complex web of state and local laws can make it difficult to manage compliance when conducting background checks in the US.

Checkr’s guides to MVR check laws by state are designed to help you understand which federal, state, and local laws may apply.

Learn about driving record check laws in:

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Frequently asked questions

Learn more about MVR checks

Motor vehicle records (MVR) screens may be used as part of pre-employment background checks when candidates apply for a position in which driving is required for the job. MVR checks of a candidate’s driving record can help employers enhance safety, minimize risk, and protect themselves from liability claims by validating that a candidate’s returned MVR meets the customer’s requirements. In industries regulated by the Department of Transportation (DOT), which sets federal highway safety policies, MVR checks are required by law.

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What is an MVR?

An MVR, which stands for motor vehicle record or motor vehicle report, is a type of public record pertaining to an individual’s driving history. The department of motor vehicles (DMV) or a similar government entity in each state maintains a MVR for each licensed driver in the state. What’s included in this driving record may vary slightly, but usually involves information such as the person’s driver license status and class, accident history, driving-related convictions, moving violations, suspensions, and outstanding fines.

What is an MVR check?

An MVR check, sometimes called a driver’s license verification or driving records check, searches a candidate’s driving record in the state where they are currently licensed to reveal information about their driver license status and driving history. Generally, a motor vehicle records search reports all data as provided by the DMV for the past three to ten years, depending on the state. MVRs may show violations from other states. For example, if a driver moved and obtained a license in a new state, the DMV may transfer the driving record information to the new state where the individual’s new license was issued. However, whether this occurs is at the discretion of the DMVs.

What shows up on an MVR report?

Information that may appear on an MVR report includes:

  • The status of the driver’s license (such as valid, restricted, suspended, revoked, or expired)
  • The driver’s license type and class (such as commercial, passenger, permit, and identification), indicating the class(es) of vehicles the person can legally operate (such as vehicle type and weight)
  • Motor vehicle accident reports (including information about the extent of the accident, such as property damage, personal injury, or death)
  • Traffic violations (the types of violations reported may vary depending on the state’s traffic laws)
  • Driving-related felony and misdemeanor convictions (such as driving under the influence or DUI, driving while intoxicated or DWI, or vehicular homicide)

What shows up on an MVR report varies by state. For example, screenings in most states return driving records from the past seven years, but other states only return motor vehicle records from three years, and a few as far as 10 years. In some states, driving-related felonies and misdemeanors do not show up on a criminal search, so an employer may consider using a comprehensive criminal background screening with an MVR check included for the most accurate information.

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How long does an MVR report take?

In states with digitized motor vehicle records, employers may receive MVR screening results the same day. At Checkr, most MVR reports are completed within a few minutes. In some instances MVR reports may not be available electronically, which may cause delays. Errors in MVR report requests, such as a spelling error in a name or an incorrect driver license number, can slow results, too.

How long an MVR check takes also depends on whether you are conducting the search directly with the state’s DMV, requesting the candidate provide the report, or working with a third-party provider.

Using a qualified background check provider, like Checkr, to conduct MVR screenings is generally the fastest option due to our advanced technology and extensive data networks.

How to get an MVR report

Employers have several options for requesting an MVR report for a job candidate:

  • Request the MVR directly from the DMV. You can typically request an MVR by mail, online, or in-person through the state’s DMV. Managing requests with different DMVs can be time-consuming for your HR team, especially if you’re hiring in high volumes or in multiple states. It can also be difficult to interpret the reports, since formats may differ from state to state.
  • Ask the candidate to get the MVR. Some employers may ask candidates to obtain and submit their own MVRs. A best practice to consider is requesting a certified motor vehicle report, which is verified by the state DMV. However, certified MVR records may take longer to receive.
  • Use a third-party background check provider. To increase accuracy and efficiency, many employers rely on consumer reporting agencies (CRAs), like Checkr, to conduct MVR checks. Professional background check providers deliver MVR reports in a standardized format for easy review. An experienced background check provider will be current on state and federal laws, including the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) and the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), that regulate how information in motor vehicle records can be accessed and used for employment purposes. An FCRA-compliant background check provider can also help ensure your background checks are compliant with applicable laws.

Get an MVR report with Checkr

MVR checks are a valuable tool to help reduce risk, minimize insurance costs, and create a safer environment for employees and customers. However, obtaining MVR reports yourself can be time-consuming, and failing to remain compliant with relevant laws could expose your company to legal liability. Partnering with Checkr streamlines the MVR check process so you can focus on building a team you can trust.

Checkr’s advanced platform delivers accurate results with speed, while a mobile-friendly candidate portal keeps applicants in-the-know. MVR Rule configuration is highly customizable to meet your needs, allowing customers to more easily make the best decisions for their business needs in a compliant manner.

Gain peace of mind and protect your brand reputation with our user-friendly MVR checks.

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What are the safest and least safe states for driving?

Hiring talent for key positions at your company can be a time-consuming process that includes several important steps. Any time you’re making a hire, you’re investing in a person to help grow your business. When companies are hiring for positions in which employees will operate motor vehicles as part of their duties on the job, an important step in the process is reviewing driving records. Specifically, an MVR check provides reliable information to help employers evaluate a candidate’s driving history.

Driving records may also assist employers in creating a safe environment on the road, protecting both the employee and the company, mitigating overall risk, upholding a top-of-the-line company reputation, and safeguarding against liability claims and higher insurance costs.

To help businesses best understand how valuable MVR checks can be when hiring, and how safety on the roads impacts employees as well as employers, Checkr analyzed driving data from across the United States to reveal the safest places for drivers in each US state.

To conduct the analysis, Checkr reviewed data from the United States Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (USDOT), the Office of Highway Policy Information, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and the FBI’s Crime Data Explorer.

Now, let’s get into the key findings to learn more.

America’s safest states for driving

A map of the US shows the top 10 safest states for driving in America in 2024.A map of the US shows the top 10 safest states for driving in America in 2024.

*Data analyzed by Checkr from US DOT, NHTSA, and FBI Crime Data Explorer

The graphic above shows the top ten safest states for driving in America. Within this data set, businesses can review states that are highly rated for the most important key safety metrics, including DUIs, average driving age, average daily traffic, fatal crash rate, and fatality range change. The high-ranking states should be viewed as top places for those looking for a safe driving area both for business and personal reasons.

Let’s start with the top-ranked state in America for driver safety—Massachusetts. This state boasts fantastic safety metrics, showcasing a top 15 ranking for four key categories, including fatal crash rate, DUIs, fatality rate change, and average driving age.

Following Massachusetts and rounding out the top ten are Hawaii, New York, Alaska, Utah, North Dakota, Nebraska, Maryland, New Jersey, and Wyoming.

The data also reveals the states falling just outside of the top ten, which include Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Rhode Island, and Alabama.

Next, let’s take a look at the other side of the data to reveal the least safe states for driving in the US.

America’s least safe states for driving

A map of the US shows the top 10 least safe states for driving in America in 2024.A map of the US shows the top 10 least safe states for driving in America in 2024.

*Data analyzed by Checkr from US DOT, NHTSA, and FBI Crime Data Explorer

The graphic above shows the ten least safe states for driving in America using the same key metrics.

To start, Oregon ranks last among all US states as the least-safest state for driving. Oregon ranks last in fatality rate change and in the bottom 15 among all US states for fatal crash rate, average driving age, and DUIs. Based on the metrics analyzed within this report, Oregon ranks as a potentially unsafe state for drivers navigating the roads for work or personal reasons.

Following Oregon on the least safe states for driving list are South Carolina, Idaho, South Dakota, Nevada, California, Tennessee, Vermont, Florida, and Montana.

Just outside the least safe states top ten list are Colorado, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Arizona, and New Mexico.

Next, let's take a look at some key individual metrics that make up a safe driving environment and which states stand out.

Key safety metrics: DUIs, fatal crashes, daily traffic

A table shows the top 10 states in the US with the least amount of DUIs; the least fatal crashes; and least daily traffic.A table shows the top 10 states in the US with the least amount of DUIs; the least fatal crashes; and least daily traffic.

*Data analyzed by Checkr from US DOT, NHTSA, and FBI Crime Data Explorer

When it comes to a safe state for driving, three metrics stand out as extremely important—DUIs, fatal crashes, and average daily traffic.

According to the NHTSA, drunk-driving-related incidents claim more than 10,000 lives per year. Clearly, this is a major issue for drivers and others on the roads. 

So, how do the states rank?

As shown in the graphic above, Florida leads the way as the state with the least amount of DUIs per 1,000 people, followed by Delaware, Louisiana, Ohio, and Massachusetts. Finishing out the top ten are New York, Illinois, Alabama, West Virginia, and North Carolina.

Up next, we’ll take a look at the fatal crash rate. Fatal crashes are defined as death as a result of an injury sustained in a crash and accounted for nearly 43,000 deaths in 2022 alone. When it comes to the states with the lowest rates of fatal crashes, according to the data, Massachusetts lands in the top spot, followed by Minnesota, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Utah, Wisconsin, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Dakota, and Wyoming. 

It’s not a surprise that average daily traffic has a significant impact on driving safety. With that in mind, Checkr uncovered the states with the lowest average daily traffic. The top spot for this key driving safety metric goes North Dakota, followed by Wyoming, Montana, Alaska, South Dakota, West Virginia, Iowa, New Mexico, Vermont, and Kansas. 

Driving safety is important for anyone operating a vehicle on today’s busy roads, and should not be ignored by corporations and small businesses that employ individuals who operate vehicles as part of their job. To help support safety of all people on the roads, a proper MVR check can be used during the driver hiring process.

The full list of America’s safest states for driving

Finally, let’s take a look at the full rundown of the safest states for driving, along with the overall safety scores.

StateOverall RankDriving Safety Score
Massachusetts136.4
Hawaii235.7
New York335.5
Alaska433.5
Utah533.2
North Dakota632.7
Nebraska732.5
Maryland831.8
New Jersey931.7
Wyoming1030.9
Indiana1130.6
Illinois1230.5
Ohio1330.5
Rhode Island1430.4
Alabama1529.8
Wisconsin1629.3
Pennsylvania1729.2
Iowa1829.2
North Carolina1928.3
Maine2027.7
West Virginia2127.6
Kansas2225.7
Connecticut2325.2
Virginia2424.9
Missouri2524.8
Kentucky2624.8
Minnesota2724.6
Arkansas2824.3
Texas2924.2
Michigan3023.9
Georgia3123.8
Delaware3222.9
Oklahoma3322.8
Washington3422.1
Louisiana3522.0
New Mexico3621.9
Arizona3721.7
New Hampshire3821.5
Mississippi3920.9
Colorado4020.8
Montana4120.0
Florida4219.8
Vermont4319.6
Tennessee4418.2
California4518.0
Nevada4617.9
South Dakota4717.6
Idaho4817.0
South Carolina4915.9
Oregon5012.4

For more information on Checkr’s research or to request graphics for this study, please contact press@checkr.com.

Methodology

To rank America’s safest states for driving, Checkr analyzed the most recent traffic density and driving age data from the United States Department of Transportation’s (US DOT) Federal Highway Administration, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) fatal crash data, and the FBI Crime Data Explorer’s DUI arrest data. All states were ranked for each of the five factors—fatal crashes (per 100 million vehicle miles traveled), DUIs (per 1,000 people), average weighted daily traffic per lane, fatality rate change, and driving age percentages—then given a total driving safety score based on their weighted sum of the ranks. Fatal crash rate and DUIs were assigned a 25% weight, traffic density was assigned a 20% weight, and fatality rate increase and driving age were assigned a 15% weight.

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Disclaimer

The resources provided here are for educational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. We advise you to consult your own counsel if you have legal questions related to your specific practices and compliance with applicable laws.

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