Ridin’ Dirty: Everything You Need To Know About Employee Driving Record Checks

Applying for a new job is a stressful experience. You have to update your resume, make it through the interview, and (depending on the job) pass a rigorous screening process. Employers check for any number of things: criminal history, education, past employment, and credit history. Some companies even perform employee driving record checks, but just what do driving records reveal that is so crucial to the process? Let’s take a look.

Hidden Information

Motor vehicle records can contain information that is not always found in a standard criminal record check. For example, driving under the influence (DUI) is clearly illegal, but if an individual is arrested and not convicted (such as due to a plea of guilty in exchange for a lesser penalty), it will not appear on a criminal background check. Therefore, a potential hire’s driving record could provide more insight into offenses that point to their character.

Obviously, if you’re going to have employees driving on the clock, an employee driving record check is imperative. Your workers are an extension of your company; if an incomplete or surface-level check is performed and later on your driver gets pulled over for drinking and driving, you are responsible for their actions because you did not look deep enough.

Better Safe Than Sorry

Drug screenings and tests (either through the DOT drug and alcohol test consortium or through a third-party lab) are extremely important for businesses that have high expectations and reputations to maintain. It is much better to go through the hassle and extra fees associated with urine drug tests or hair follicle drug tests — in addition to driving and criminal background checks — to ensure that your new hire is the best fit for the company. Statistics have shown that 75% of illicit drug users are employed, so weeding those individuals out of your business can keep productivity (not to mention employee safety) at an all-time high.

As for all the job seekers out there: don’t partake in any of that nonsense. Practice honesty and integrity in your entire life and there will never be an extenuating circumstance that prevents you from getting the job of your dreams.