Motor vehicle records (MVRs) are a necessary component of proactive fleet management. This is especially so for companies managing commercially licensed drivers. By understanding the CDL MVR, organizations can prioritize safety, mitigate risks and maintain compliance with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association (FMCSA) regulations governing commercial driver’s licenses – ultimately fostering efficient and responsible fleet management practices. In this blog, we’ve answered some of the most commonly asked questions when it comes to reviewing an MVR for CDL drivers.
A CDL MVR provides insight into:
While there are certain similarities in the information provided, there can be variations in the specific details and formatting of MVRs from state to state. The differences can arise due to variations in state laws, regulations and reporting practices.
Each state has its own Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or equivalent agency responsible for managing driver records and issuing CDLs. These agencies set their own guidelines for what information is included in an MVR and how it is presented. Therefore, while the core information, such as license class, endorsements, violations and crashes, may be common across states, the way it is displayed or the specific codes used may differ.
It’s important to note that states may also have different rules and regulations regarding the retention of certain information on MVRs. For example, some states may remove certain violations or incidents from a driver’s record after a specific period of time, while others may retain the information indefinitely.
FMCSA MVR regulations require carriers to pull and review a driver’s MVR before hiring them, with a subsequent mandated pull every 12 months. This is the bare minimum effort required to remain compliant under federal law. However, doing the minimum is a risky way to manage fleet safety. Having large gaps between CDL MVR pulls or relying on self-reporting policies can leave your company vulnerable to liability – as a lot can and will happen in between these reviews.
On the other hand, companies that leverage a continuous MVR monitoring solution can gain access to ongoing CSA and MVR updates, with the ability to take immediate action via proper coaching, training and other necessary interventions. This allows them to intervene before a crash occurs or the driver becomes disqualified. That’s why it’s truly best practice to have round-the-clock visibility into this critical information.
Check out this related blog! Uncovered Exposure: Why Relying on an Annual MVR Review is Risky Business
Although you may be satisfied with your fleet’s behavior on the surface, understand that, despite the wealth of information those yearly MVR pulls seem to have, they’re only providing you with a snapshot in time. To learn more about how to better analyze MVRs and ensure all of your drivers meet the necessary standards at all times, download our free guide, “MVRs 101: Everything You Need to Know About Using Motor Vehicle Records in Your Safety Program.”