DOT background checks are vital to your hiring process, from pizza delivery drivers to long-haul truckers. But complying with FMCSA regulations shouldn’t have to be difficult.
To DOT standards, you must obtain consent to verify past employment and keep that document in your driver qualification file (DQF). But trying to contact previous employers can be a pain.
What is a DOT Employment Verification?
A DOT employment verification is an investigation that gathers detailed information about a driver’s work history. These investigations are a mandatory requirement for businesses that hire DOT-regulated drivers—and they can help reduce the risk of crashes and other incidents involving trucks, buses, vans, and other large commercial vehicles on public roads.
To conduct a DOT Employment Verification, businesses must secure each driver’s MVR—Motor Vehicle Record—from all states where they hold a license or driving permit. The MVR reveals traffic violations, including misdemeanor convictions and driving-related felonies, as well as any restrictions or limitations on a driver’s license. This information enables companies to identify unsafe drivers and proactively take action.
A DOT Employment Verification also includes investigating the drivers’ crash and roadside inspection histories. These reports, available through FMCSA’s PSP or MCMIS (Motor Carrier Management Information System), feature five years of crash data and three years of roadside inspection data. Companies must obtain the driver’s written consent to conduct a DOT Employment Verification before conducting the check.
Businesses can conduct DOT background checks in-house or outsource them to an experienced vendor that can handle the investigation and follow strict DOT regulations. In either case, it’s important to inform candidates and employees that a background check will be conducted as part of the hiring process—and get their written consent.
How to Conduct a DOT Employment Verification
DOT background checks are an essential tool for preventing unsafe hires. They allow companies to see which candidates are qualified for the job and can safely drive your company’s semi-trucks. When implementing these screenings, it’s important to follow strict guidelines and get consent from the candidate. You must also ensure you are using the right service providers and getting the most accurate results.
Using an experienced vendor with a proven track record of meeting DOT requirements can make the process less complicated for you. An experienced DOT verification service can verify the driver’s past employment information, motor vehicle records, drug and alcohol test results, CDL information, medical certification, and more. They can also verify the credentials of any doctors listed on a medical exam report.
A DOT employment verification is more in-depth than a typical background check. It needs to cover specific categories of information from a driver’s past three years. It should also include a review of their safety performance. This includes whether the driver has been involved in accidents or been cited for violations.
Keeping up with DOT regulations is crucial for any transportation company. It ensures you hire safe drivers and protect your business from expensive lawsuits or accidents. Each year, trucking accidents cost businesses $20 billion in settlements. A DOT background check can help you keep your company from falling victim to one of these massive verdicts.
DOT Employment Verification Software
The transportation industry is subject to various employment background checks and other requirements, including those that apply to safety-sensitive positions. Understanding and adhering to the regulations is critical for motor carriers to ensure safe and responsible hiring, prevent costly accidents, and protect their business.
Conducting DOT employment verifications as part of a pre-employment background check helps reduce the risk of serious injuries and fatalities on the highway. These reports verify a potential driver’s previous employment history, looking for DOT-recordable accidents and drug and alcohol violations. They also examine the driver’s driving history, revealing any tickets and license suspensions that could impact their ability to operate your company vehicles safely.
Whether you’re a do-it-yourselfer or hire a third party to complete the investigation, a DOT background check is one of the most important steps in your hiring process. When conducted correctly, these checks reveal crucial information about a candidate’s experience and skill level that you can use to make a well-informed hiring decision.
Choosing an experienced employment background screening provider can help avoid unnecessary delays and complications during the verification process. By working with a company specializing in DOT compliance, you’ll have access to advanced technology that speeds up the process and ensures all background checks are compliant.
DOT Employment Verification Services
The DOT background check is a screening that guarantees your business employs qualified drivers. Using the proper checks will help you comply with federal regulations and prevent accidents that can hurt your company and other motorists on the road. Conducting these checks helps you avoid costly legal fees and ensures your business operates safely.
A DOT employment verification involves contacting the applicant’s previous employers to ask specific questions set by FMCSA in DOT Rule 49 CFR Part 391. This includes asking whether they worked in safety-sensitive positions and if they have ever been disqualified from work for violating rules such as falsifying test results or refusing a test.
Conclusion
You will need to verify that the candidate has a valid commercial driver’s license and that they meet the health requirements for their vehicle type. For example, suppose your business is a trucking company that transports hazardous materials. In that case, you must confirm the driver has a HAZMAT endorsement and has passed the required medical examination by a certified medical examiner.
This step can be time-consuming for a busy business, so it’s a good idea to outsource this task to a reputable company specializing in pre-employment screenings. By working with a DOT background check service, you can speed up the process and be sure that it is conducted properly by all FMCSA regulations.
