A Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) is a record of a driver’s history. They are critical to safe and responsible fleet management and should be a part of how your district manages its automobiles and drivers.
If your district does not already obtain driving records for your drivers, we encourage you to consider making it an annual, standard practice.
Why You Should Run MVRs
A standard MVR in the state of Colorado will include all minor and major violations as well as any reported accidents for the past seven years. Minor violations include small infractions such as improper display of license plates, while major violations include serious issues like driving under the influence and reckless driving.
An MVR will also confirm that an employee’s license is valid and has not expired or been revoked. If it is revealed that the district has been allowing drivers with invalid licenses to drive district vehicles, it could hurt the district’s reputation in the community and even create a potential for negligence in the event of a claim.
How It Works
You can run MVRs on your employees by going directly through the DMV or one of the many services available online. The cost will vary depending on the service used and the state of the driver’s license. Current privacy laws prevent a requester from accessing another person’s driving record without their permission; however, there is an exception if it’s being requested by an employer. This will require a release form that can be obtained from the Colorado Department of Transportation’s website.
Another option is to require current and potential employees to submit their own driving record as a condition of employment, so long as driving is included in the employee’s job description.
Conclusion
Motor Vehicle Reports are an easy and effective tool to help ensure your district’s vehicles are being driven safely. We recommend requesting an MVR for all potential employees that will be driving district vehicles as well as requiring an updated MVR annually for all current drivers.
For more information, contact us for a copy of our Auto Fleet Management Best Practices, which provides additional information on requiring MVRs and tips for reading the reports after you receive them.
