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Get the Facts About SambaSafety

Learn more about driver complaints and SambaSafety's role in the MVR screening and hiring process.

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Addressing Online Reviews: What You Need to Know About SambaSafety

If you've searched for SambaSafety online, you may have come across negative reviews or conversations on platforms like the Better Business Bureau, Reddit and Google. We understand these reviews can raise questions, and we want to address them directly and transparently.

 

SambaSafety MVRs by the Numbers

Out of every 1,000 disputes filed, on average, only 3 reveal an actual error in our systems.

700M

The number of MVRs SambaSafety has delivered over the past 25+ years

50M

The number of MVRs SambaSafety provides annually

.0002%

The rate at which disputes identify actual errors in our data systems

Understanding Our Role in Driver Screening

Many driver complaints stem from confusion about who does what in the background screening process. Here's a clear breakdown of SambaSafety's role, our commitment to accuracy and the truth behind common misconceptions.

We Have a Rigorous FCRA-Compliant Dispute Process

When a driver believes there's an error with their motor vehicle record report, we have a robust, FCRA-compliant dispute process in place. Drivers can submit a formal dispute, and our Legal team, with dedicated supervision and resources, will research, investigate and respond within the 30 days required by federal law.

Our track record speaks volumes: last year, only 0.0002% of all disputes resulted in an error attributable to our systems. That's an extraordinarily low error rate for the consumer reporting industry and a testament to the accuracy and reliability of our data and processes.

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We Don't Make Hiring Decisions: We Report Driving Records

SambaSafety provides accurate MVR data to rideshare and delivery companies, but we don't determine who gets approved or rejected. That decision rests entirely with the gig platform based on their own safety standards and requirements.

When a driver is declined, it's because their driving history didn't meet the company's criteria, not because of any judgment or action by SambaSafety. We're simply the messenger delivering factual information from state DMV records. The frustration from gig drivers who appear in online reviews isn't a reflection of our service quality; it stems from their application outcomes with rideshare companies, decisions we have no part in making.

Driving Records Come from State DMVs, Not Us

The information in a driver's motor vehicle record originates from their state's Department of Motor Vehicles; we don't create, alter or control that data. If there's an error on your record, such as an incorrect violation or suspension, you'll need to contact your state DMV directly to dispute and correct it.

When system-wide issues occur at the state level, our Government Relations team leverages established relationships with DMV contacts across all states to resolve problems quickly and effectively. Our active involvement in the industry means we can identify and address state-level data issues promptly, ensuring accurate reporting is restored as soon as possible.

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Our Enterprise Clients Trust Our Accuracy and Service

While you may encounter negative reviews from gig drivers on the web, these typically don't represent the experience of our actual clients—the enterprise organizations and fleet operators who partner with SambaSafety. These reviews typically come from drivers frustrated by rejection decisions made by rideshare companies, not by issues with our service.

Our business clients trust us for accurate data, responsive customer service and comprehensive driver risk management solutions that protect their operations. Our strong client retention rates, industry-leading accuracy metrics and long-standing partnerships with major organizations demonstrate the reliability and value we consistently deliver.

Setting the Record Straight on Negative Reviews

To help you understand what's really going on, we've broken down the most frequent driver complaints and explained the facts behind each concern.

Common Driver Complaints
Why This Happens
(And Why It's Not a SambaSafety Error)
Common Driver Complaints Drivers claim SambaSafety reports outdated or incorrect license information, such as showing an expired or surrendered license from a previous state after they've moved, or using completely inaccurate data that leads to deactivation despite having a clean driving record.
Why This Happens
(And Why It's Not a SambaSafety Error) When a driver moves states and obtains a new license, the previous state correctly marks the old license as "surrendered" or "expired." SambaSafety reports information for the specific license number that the gig company provided when ordering the background check—if they searched your old license number, that's what will appear in the report. It's the driver's responsibility to ensure their employer has their current, active license information on file. What appears as "incorrect" information is often accurate data from a former license, just not the current one the driver expected to see. In rare cases where information is truly inaccurate (only 0.0002% of disputes), it typically originates from state DMV records, not SambaSafety's systems.
Common Driver Complaints Drivers report that SambaSafety flags old or minor violations, such as a single careless driving ticket from years ago, that other background check services didn't flag, leading to unexpected deactivations.
Why This Happens
(And Why It's Not a SambaSafety Error) SambaSafety doesn't determine what violations trigger deactivation; the rideshare or delivery company sets those standards based on their own safety requirements and risk tolerance. Different background check providers may pull data from different sources or time periods, but if a violation appears on your state DMV record and falls within the company's review period, it will be reported accurately. The decision to deactivate based on that violation is made entirely by the gig platform, not by SambaSafety.
Common Driver Complaints Drivers report that even after having their record corrected or cleared with the DMV, SambaSafety has refused to rerun the background check to reflect the updated, accurate information.
Why This Happens
(And Why It's Not a SambaSafety Error) Under FCRA regulations, SambaSafety cannot simply rerun a background check at a driver's request—only the company that ordered the original report (the rideshare or delivery platform) can request an updated check. If your DMV record has been corrected, you need to contact the gig company directly to request they order a new background check, which will then reflect your updated information. This isn't SambaSafety refusing to help—it's a legal requirement that protects consumers by ensuring background checks are only run with proper authorization from the requesting employer.
Common Driver Complaints Drivers report frustration that SambaSafety doesn't offer phone support or a way to speak with a live agent, and that submitting disputes through the website results in automated, generic email responses that don't resolve their specific issues.
Why This Happens
(And Why It's Not a SambaSafety Error) The FCRA requires consumer reporting agencies to provide a formal written dispute process, which we offer through our dedicated dispute portal, but does not mandate phone support. This written process ensures disputes are properly documented, investigated by our Compliance team and resolved within the required 30-day timeframe, providing consumers with a clear paper trail and legal protections. While initial responses may seem automated, every dispute is thoroughly reviewed and investigated by our compliance team, and you will receive a detailed written response explaining the finding. Phone support cannot provide the same level of documentation and legal protection that the formal FCRA process requires.
Common Driver Complaints Drivers caught in deactivation disputes report being bounced back and forth between the gig platform and SambaSafety, with each company blaming the other and no one able to resolve the issue.
Why This Happens
(And Why It's Not a SambaSafety Error) SambaSafety and the gig platform have distinct, separate roles: we only provide accurate driving record data, while the gig company makes all hiring and deactivation decisions based on that data. If you're disputing the accuracy of your driving record information, that's handled through SambaSafety's FCRA dispute process—but if you're challenging the company's decision to deactivate you based on accurate information, that's between you and the gig platform. The confusion happens when drivers don't realize these are two different issues: data accuracy (our responsibility) versus hiring standards and reinstatement decisions (the company's responsibility)—and resolving your situation requires directing each concern to the right party.
Common Driver Complaints Drivers report that inaccurate flags on their background checks have left them deactivated and unable to work for months, causing significant financial hardship while they wait for disputes to be resolved.
Why This Happens
(And Why It's Not a SambaSafety Error) When a driver's record contains information they believe is inaccurate, the resolution timeline depends on where the error originated—and most delays occur at the state DMV level, not with SambaSafety. If the disputed information exists in the state's official records, the state DMV must investigate and correct it before SambaSafety can report the updated information, and state agencies often take weeks or months to process corrections. SambaSafety completes our portion of the FCRA investigation within 30 days, but we can only report what the official state records show—we cannot remove accurate information or override state DMV data, even when it causes hardship for the driver.
Common Driver Complaints Drivers report that when they're deactivated, the reason provided is vague or unclear, leaving them without enough information to understand what's wrong or how to fix it.
Why This Happens
(And Why It's Not a SambaSafety Error) SambaSafety provides detailed motor vehicle records to gig companies, but we don't write the deactivation notices that drivers receive—the gig platform does. The rideshare or delivery company decides what information to share with drivers about why they were deactivated, and they may choose to provide limited details for various business or legal reasons. If you've received a vague deactivation notice and need clarity on what's in your driving record, you have the right under FCRA to request a copy of your consumer report, which will show exactly what information was provided to the company that made the decision.
Common Driver Complaints On public forums, drivers have accused SambaSafety of corrupt practices, botching motor vehicle records, and using poor AI to make decisions that devastate drivers' livelihoods.
Why This Happens
(And Why It's Not a SambaSafety Error) SambaSafety does not use AI to make hiring decisions, identify violations, or determine what appears on a motor vehicle record—because we don't make any of those decisions at all. We pull driving record data directly from state DMV databases and report it accurately to the companies that requested it, and those companies make all hiring and deactivation decisions based on their own criteria. Our role is purely as a data reporter with a 99.73% accuracy rate, and the "decisions that devastate drivers' livelihoods" are made entirely by the gig platforms based on their safety standards, not by SambaSafety or any automated system we operate.
Common Driver Complaints Drivers complain that violations appearing on their record happened during their personal time—on weekends or after hours—and shouldn't impact their employment with gig platforms since they weren't driving on behalf of the company when the violation occurred.
Why This Happens
(And Why It's Not a SambaSafety Error) SambaSafety doesn't make hiring or firing decisions, but it's important to understand that motor vehicle records don't distinguish between on-duty and off-duty violations—and neither do most employer safety policies. A reckless driving ticket on a Saturday night reflects the same risk profile as one that happens during work hours, because companies are evaluating whether you're a safe driver overall, not just during specific shifts. Gig platforms and fleet operators set safety standards that apply to your complete driving record because off-the-clock behavior is a reliable predictor of on-the-clock risk, and this is a standard practice across the transportation and delivery industries.

What Are SambaSafety Customers Saying About Us?

It’s important to remember that drivers from rideshare companies are not customers of SambaSafety. We provide MVR and ongoing license monitoring services to over 15,000 companies, from small companies with under 50 drivers to some of the largest fleets in America. Here are what are current customers are saying about our services:

eos trucking
Donna Dunn

Director of Safety, EOS Trucking

"[SambaSafety] revolutionized how we run MVRs, reducing the process to just two simple clicks. It gives us access to a wealth of reports and data on our drivers. The most important feature we utilize is the ability to receive notifications when a CDL becomes suspended or invalid. This has saved us on multiple occasions, where our drivers could have potentially been stopped at a scale, involved in a crash or pulled over, only to find that their license was suspended."

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David D. Keyser

Vice President of Safety, Loomis U.S.

“Before SambaSafety, our team would manually pull 5,000+ MVRs twice annually – often learning of a driver’s DUI or suspended license six months to a year after the fact. We needed a continuous solution to provide this information sooner and with less manpower... Now we pull MVRs electronically once a year and continuously monitor our drivers via SambaSafety’s monitoring solution. The ease of accessing vital MVR information to ensure our drivers meet our stringent requirements is unmatched... the time savings is immeasurable.”

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Cheryl Rizzo

Manager of HR Operations, TopBuild

“SambaSafety's continuous MVR monitoring and on-demand MVRs minimize the risk of having unsafe drivers behind the wheel. Their comprehensive services are unmatched, with exceptional customer support, user-friendly and intuitive platform, robust reporting and driver training that's easy to access on any device. SambaSafety’s solutions work seamlessly to improve our efficiencies – reducing the time, cost and risk associated with outdated processes.”

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Sheitikka R.

VP of Risk and Safety, DS Services

"More than ever before, we’re identifying drivers that have issues with their license and taking action before they get on the road. We know that these issues would have been discovered months later with our old system, but now we can take care of these issues much sooner."

Want to learn more about what customers are saying about SambaSafety? Read the latest reviews on G2.