For some fleet managers, conducting an annual motor vehicle record (MVR) review for each driver is simply a box to check for compliance with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations. On paper, they fulfill a basic requirement, ensuring that a driver’s status is verified at least once a year. However, the reality is that annual MVR pulls leave a glaring visibility gap – one that can expose companies to significant risk.
Below, we discuss how an annual MVR review creates this visibility gap and what companies can do to bridge it.
An annual MVR review fulfills the federally mandated process that requires employers to check the driving records of their commercial drivers (CDL) at least once every 12 months. This review is designed to ensure that drivers continue to meet the legal requirements for operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs).
An MVR typically includes:
While annual MVR reviews play an important role in compliance, relying solely on them creates a visibility gap that leaves companies vulnerable between pulls.
The visibility gap refers to the lack of insight into a driver’s MVR and driving behaviors between annual MVR reviews. Since an MVR only provides a snapshot of the driver's history at the time of the pull, it becomes outdated the moment it's reviewed. This visibility gap presents several critical risks:
Drivers are often required to self-report violations and license suspensions, but this practice is unreliable. If a driver fails to notify their employer, dangerous behaviors can go unnoticed for months.
For example, if a driver receives a speeding violation shortly after an MVR pull and fails to self-report, fleets remain unaware of the risk for up to a year. This creates a dangerous blind spot where a company could unknowingly allow a driver with serious infractions, such as a reckless driving charge, to stay on the road.
If a violation is uncovered only during an annual MVR pull, it may be too late to prevent the consequences. The damage may already be done in the form of a crash or disqualification.
The risks of relying on annual MVR reviews have only intensified as driving behaviors become more dangerous and the costs associated with crashes continue to climb. Allowing drivers with unresolved violations to stay on the road exposes fleets to lawsuits, nuclear verdicts and increased auto insurance premiums. With the rising frequency of these $10 million+ verdicts and skyrocketing insurance premiums, the stakes have never been higher.
Companies can no longer afford to operate in the dark, hoping that drivers will self-report violations or that nothing serious will happen between MVR pulls. They must close the visibility gap and shift from reacting to risk after the fact to proactively managing it year-round.
To truly mitigate driver risk, fleets need more than annual MVR reviews – they need visibility into driver behaviors and violations ASAP to enable swift interventions.
Continuous MVR monitoring provides ongoing updates on changes to a driver’s motor vehicle record, ensuring that companies are alerted as soon as a violation or license status change occurs. When paired with Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) monitoring and telematics monitoring, this approach allows fleets to monitor compliance and unsafe driving behaviors like speeding, hard braking and distracted driving – providing a comprehensive view of driver risk.
Continuous monitoring provides immediate alerts on driver activity. This allows fleet managers to act before a serious problem occurs, addressing the issue with targeted training or intervention.
With ongoing insights, companies can enforce their safety policies consistently and ensure drivers meet safety standards year-round. This shift from reactive to proactive risk management gives fleets the data and confidence needed to directly address issues as soon as they arise.
When violations or dangerous behaviors are detected early, companies can intervene with tailored driver training programs designed to correct poor driving habits before they result in crashes or claims.
Continuous monitoring empowers fleets to maintain a high standard of driver safety, which leads to fewer crashes, improved driver behavior and a stronger safety culture across the organization.
It’s time to rethink your fleet safety strategy. In today’s high-risk, high-cost environment, annual MVR reviews are no longer enough. Fleets need continuous visibility into driver risk, with ongoing updates and the ability to act fast.
By closing the visibility gap and shifting from a reactive to a proactive approach, you can catch risky behaviors before they result in a crash or disqualification. This change protects your business, giving you the insight and confidence needed to enforce your safety policies and maintain a safer, more accountable fleet.
Ready to discover different types of continuous driver monitoring tools? Check out our free guide, Continuous Monitoring 101: Maintaining a 360-Degree View of Driver Risk.